Abstract: A module housing for mounting an airbag inflator, having a cylindrical sidewall and a inflator flange extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical sidewall, within an airbag module. The module housing includes a module baseplate having a bottom surface and defining a generally circular inflator-receiving aperture sized to receive the cylindrical sidewall of the airbag inflator with the inflator flange of the airbag inflator butting against the bottom surface of the module baseplate. Two opposing, resiliently bendable retention tabs are positioned around the inflator-receiving opening for clamping the inflator flange against the bottom surface of the module baseplate to retain the airbag inflator within the module housing prior to and during assembly of the airbag module, and during disassembly of the airbag module.

Abstract: The invention replaces the diffuser that is slid over a non-symmetrical gas output inflator, or diffuser as part of the module assembly, with concentric low cost and low mass rings that are pressed onto the gas outlet area of the inflator. The concentric rings straighten the gas flow coming out of the inflator and serve also to cool the gas flow at the source instead of downstream.

Abstract: An inflator socket pin collar which includes integral electrostatic discharge protection for an initiator of an air bag inflator. The collar includes a body having first and second opposed ends. An upper chamber is disposed in the first end and a lower chamber disposed in the second end. The second chamber is capable of receiving the electrical connector of the vehicle. An insert is located in the first chamber. The insert includes a pair of socket pins for connecting the initiator to an electrical connector of a vehicle. A metal oxide varistor is disposed in the insert for protecting the initiator from electrostatic discharge. The initiator is supported by the collar and pins of the initiator mate with the socket pins of the insert.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of protective layers on or adjacent to interior surfaces of the metal housings of gas generators, or inflators, used in automotive airbag systems. The protective layers are provided to protect such housings from deterioration which might otherwise be caused by impingement of the high temperature and chemically reactive generated gases and other associated reaction products on the interior surfaces of the housing. The protective layers can be in the form of coatings or platings on the housing surface or they can be provided as separate structures which shield specific portions of the housing's interior surfaces. The invention is particularly useful in protecting aluminum housings when they are used with the newer high reaction temperature non-azide gas generant materials.

Abstract: A real time radiographic test system comprises a protective housing and a conveyor for conveying articles to be tested through the housing. A real time radiographic test instrument is located in the housing for performing a real time radiographic test on the article. The real time radiographic test instrument includes X-ray equipment disposed for directing an X-ray beam within the housing in a direction which does not intersect the conveyor. An article-handling actuator is located in the housing for repositioning an article from the conveyor to a position in registry with the X-ray beam, for maintaining the article in registry with the X-ray beam while the real time radiographic test is performed on the article and thereafter returning the article to the conveyor. The article-handling actuator and the X-ray equipment are designed such that each article to be tested is positioned substantially identically relative to the X-ray beam.

Abstract: Featured in an air bag inflator in respect of which, during assembly, there is a requirement for the ignition train to be installed last, along with a need to hermetically seal both the gas generant material and the ignition train from the environment, is the use of two independent pressure vessels, one of which contains the gas generant material, filtering and cooling elements and a separate pressure vessel having an open end into which is inserted a squib capable of being activated by an appropriate signal and which contains all of the primary and secondary ignition pyrotechnics, the open end of the pressure vessel being closed by the presence of the squib, the pressure vessel having a necked region in its length which forms a plenum chamber when mated to the second pressure vessel containing the gas generant material, etc.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a new and improved method and apparatus for packing an inflatable air bag cushion into a housing of an air bag module assembly of an occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle. After securing an inlet chute of the air bag cushion in the open end of the housing and placing the air bag on a flat support with a larger portion of the back wall thereof overlaying a small portion of the back wall with the front wall in between in a folded condition, a central portion of the air bag is clamped by a large blade and subsequently a first edge portion is folded over the central portion and a second opposite edge portion is folded over the first edge portion so that opposite edge fold lines extend outwardly just inside opposite ends of the housing. A rolling clamp is attached transversely across the folded air bag and the air bag is rolled-up on an axis moved toward the housing.

Abstract: A break-away fastener system for an air bag deployment door designed for normally closing a panel opening in the vehicle adjacent the open end of a housing containing an air bag in a folded-up, non-deployed condition in readiness for rapid inflation in an emergency to protect persons in the vehicle. The fastening system includes one or more spaced apart fastener assemblies, each including a male element and a female element extending between a portion of the door overlapping an edge flange of the vehicle panel around the opening used for air bag deployment. The male element comprises a bayonet-like member having an enlarged free end adapted to snap into a female element including a receiving spring clip, which clip permanently retains the male element even after air bag deployment occurs. A base portion of each male element is secured to the door at a central portion of a frangible section of reduced cross-section designed to fracture along a path extending around the base of the male element.

Abstract: An airbag inflator assembly including an airbag inflator and an inflator attachment having a sleeve. The inflator includes an elongated sidewall and an end having a flange stop extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sleeve receives and supports the sidewall of the inflator with the flange stop butting against the sleeve. The sleeve has an inwardly extending resilient tab that faces away from the flange stop and engages a gas exhaust port defined by the sidewall to retain the inflator within the sleeve. At least one stud extends transversely to and outwardly from the sleeve for mounting the inflator attachment and inflator within an airbag module. The inflator attachment further includes at least two spaced-apart pairs of diametrically opposed ribs protruding inwardly from the sleeve and grippingly engaging the sidewall of the inflator. The sleeve also defines gas exhaust outlets, which on different versions of the sleeve may vary to accommodate different types of inflators.

Abstract: A one piece reaction canister having a cover, a top panel and a bottom panel, a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion and formed in one piece with the top and bottom panels, end plates attached to the ends of the diffuser tube and the top and bottom panels, and a thrust neutral inflator supported by openings formed in the end plates, with the top and bottom panels extending in one piece to the cover from the diffuser and cap portions of the diffuser tube.

Abstract: An air bag inflator which includes a gas source and a gas outlet opening for allowing flow of gas from the gas source into the air bag wherein the flow of gas is controlled with a valve assembly including a piston disposed in a cylinder and features a piston which has a pintle shaped surface against which the gas acts to cause movement of the piston in a first direction in the cylinder to provide an increased flow of gas through the gas outlet opening and further includes a spring disposed in the path of movement of the piston so that as the piston moves in the cylinder the spring provides resistance to the movement of the piston.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer is made by the reaction of an epoxy resin with a liquid mercapto-terminated polysulfide wherein the ratio of epoxy equivalents in the epoxy resin to mercapto equivalents is from about 0.6 to about 0.98, with the proviso that when the ratio is greater than about 0.95:1, the polysulfide is further reacted with an amount of a mono-epoxy compound sufficient to raise the ratio of total epoxy equivalents to mercapto equivalents to a maximum of 1:1. An elastomer having residual --SH groups is air-curable. The elastomer is useful as a hot melt sealant for insulated window units.

Abstract: A photoimageable composition, useful as a photoresist for forming a printed circuit board, is both alkaline aqueous developable but, subsequent to exposure and development, is processable in highly alkaline environments, such as additive plating baths and ammoniacal etchants. The photoimageable composition is tack-free and is resistance to polymerization inhibition by oxygen, and is therefore particularly suitable for contact printing. The photoimageable composition comprises A) between about 25 and about 75 wt % of a binder polymer, B) between about 20 and about 60 wt % of a photopolymerizeable material which is a multifunctional photopolymerizeable monomer or short chain oligomer, and C) between about 2 and about 20 wt % of a photoimageable chemical system, the weight percentages being based on the total weight of components A)-C).

Abstract: An air bag module assembly wherein an air bag and an inflator device are housed within a cylindrical container and the installation of such an assembly within a vehicular steering shaft.

Abstract: A gas generant composition comprises between about 30 and about 85 wt. % of A) fuel, and between about 15 and about 70 wt % of B) oxidizer based on total weight of A) plus B). At least about 60 wt %, up to 100 wt % of the fuel A) comprises an nitrate salt of a polyamine of the general formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein in formulae (I)-(III) the Zs are the same or different and are selected from H and NH.sub.2,(IV) C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 -alkyl diamine, and mixtures thereof. At least about 60 wt %, up to 100 wt % of the oxidizer B) comprises basic copper(II) nitrate, i.e. Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2.3Cu(OH).sub.2 and/or cobalt(III)triammine trinitrate, i.e., Co(NH.sub.3).sub.3.(NO.sub.3).sub.3.

Abstract: A liquid fueled inflator for a vehicle passive restraint airbag system is enhanced by storing the liquid fuel or propellant in a porous solid structure. The structure provides enhanced control over the combustion process by its influence over disbursement of the fuel or propellant into the combustion chamber. Porous structures which meter the disbursement of fuel or propellant into the combustion chamber, and frangible porous structures which propel the fuel throughout the combustion chamber are described.

Abstract: A temperature compensating low pressure sensor for verifying loss of gas from an inflator of a vehicle restraint safety system. The sensor includes a housing and a pressure diaphragm in communication with the fluid in the inflator. A temperature sensitive bimetallic thermostat is disposed within the housing. The thermostat expands with relation to a change in temperature of the fluid at the same rate as the pressure diaphragm. A retainer in communication with the pressure diaphragm is movably disposed in the housing. A stack of spring washers is disposed between the retainer and the thermostat for counteracting the pressure of the fluid acting upon the diaphragm. A contact arm in contact with the thermostat moves with the retainer.

Abstract: An air bag cushion having improved frangible vent coverings. The cushion includes one or more vent openings which will permit the inflation gas to exit the cushion and provide the proper pressure reduction for preventing injury to the passenger. Each of the vent openings includes a frangible covering associated therewith. The coverings include a main body have a peripheral shape and size to extend beyond the edge of the vent opening. the main body overlies and completely covers the vent opening. The periphery of the covering is frangibly secured to the cushion, such as by a tear seam. The covering also includes a tab extending outward from the main body, and also overlying the cushion. The tab is permanently secured to the cushion, such as by a permanent seam. The tear seam is designed to release when the pressure in the cushion, acting upon the portion of the covering overlying the vent, exceeds a predetermined pressure which is known to be associated with compression of the cushion by the passenger.

Abstract: Water-immiscible solvent dyes are mixed with citrus solvents and non-ionic surfactants to form a water-reducible true dye solution containing at least 35 wt % of the water-immiscible dye. The dye solution is dispersible in water and infinitely reducible.

Abstract: Titanium and/or tantalum nitrides or nitride silicides are deposited onto a substrate by chemical vapor deposition of a titanium and/or tantalum silylamido complex.