Abstract: An inflator for an airbag system has a target mounted in the pressurized gas contained in the inflator. An ultrasonic transducer is mounted on an external surface of the inflator in alignment with the target. The transducer generates and receives reflected ultrasonic signals from the target. The time-of-flight of the signals which are dependent on the gas pressure are used to determine the gas pressure in the inflator. Temperature compensation is provided by fabricating the target of bimetallic material which changes the spacing of the target from the transducer with temperature or providing a temperature sensitive element, e.g. a thermocouple to electrically provide temperature compensation.

Abstract: The density of rigid foamed articles made by the thermal decomposition of a blowing agent in a vinyl chloride polymer is reduced by the use of an organotin halide in combination with a mercaptocarboxylic acid ester or a sulfide of such ester or a mixture of the ester and the sulfide to activate the blowing agent.

Abstract: An airbag baffle mount for mounting an airbag cushion to an airbag module and for deflecting hot inflation gas away from a throat of the airbag cushion. The airbag baffle mount includes a generally flat retainer ring for securing the collar of the airbag cushion around an inflator of the airbag module that produces and expels the inflation gas from a plurality of inflation ports for inflating the airbag cushion upon a vehicle collision. The airbag baffle mount also includes a continuous deflection baffle extending upwardly from the retainer ring and positioned spaced-apart from the inflator, between the plurality of inflation ports of the inflator and the surrounding throat of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A polyester-based coating composition capable of forming a striated pattern on a metal surface at a film thickness less than half of that of PVC plastisol films is provided by a thixotropic composition having a thix index of from about 1.5 to about 3 and comprising a hydroxy-functional polyester, a thixotropy-inducing rheologic agent and curing agent. The striated coating is applied to sheet metal in a coil coating operation by introducing the composition into a paint pan of a coil coater, transferring said composition from said paint pan to an applicator roll by rotating a pick-up roll in contact with the composition and with said applicator roll; continuously withdrawing a sheet of metal from a coil thereof and coating said sheet by contacting it with the applicator roll; curing the coating on said sheet by passing the sheet through an oven at an elevated temperature; and continuously rewinding said sheet into a coil.

Abstract: This invention relates to aqueous epoxy resin-containing compositions and to such compositions which are particularly useful for depositing coatings on metalic substrates in order to protect substrates against corrosion. The aqueous compositions generally comprise (A) an organic resin component consisting essentially of at least one water-dispersible or emulsifiable epoxy resin or a mixture of resins containing more than 50% by weight of at least one water-dispersible or emulsifiable epoxy resin, (B) chromium trioxide, and (C) water, said composition further characterized as being substantially free of strontium chromate. The aqueous compositions may also contain other ingredients including zinc and/or ferro alloys, and polytetrafluoroethylene as a lubricant to aid metal stamping operations, and a soluble colorant.

Abstract: A negative-acting photoimageable composition comprisesA) between about 30 and about 90 wt % of a binder polymer which is soluble in an appropriate developer,B) between about 5 and about 30 wt % of an epoxy resin,C) between about 0 and about 30 wt % of a polyol cross-linking agent for the epoxy resin B), andD) between about 5 and about 15 wt % of a photosensitive composition of the formula: ##STR1## where the Zs are the samne or different and are selected from CX.sub.3, X, and H; the X's are the same or different halogens, and R is any chemical moiety consistant with the photoimageable composition as a whole.

Abstract: An electrically chargeable dielectric coating powder and a triboelectric coating process for applying the powder to wood substrates are described. The coating powder is a mass of finely divided, heat fusible dielectric plastic material having an average particle size (Mv) of between 30 and 45 microns and a particle size distribution (all percents defined in weight percent) of:95%-100% smaller than 88 microns,5%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and0%-6% smaller than 11 microns.Preferably the coating powder has 0% larger than 88 microns and an Mv=about 30-40, preferably 35-40 microns. More preferably the particle distribution further includes10%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and4%-6% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of between about 35 and 36 microns. Most preferably the particle distribution further includes:about 11.5% smaller than 15.56 microns andabout 4.3% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of about 35.9. Preferably the powder is a thermosetting resin composition.

Abstract: A polyester composition has a number average molecular weight M.sub.n of between about 500 and about 1000, a weight average molecular weight M.sub.w of between about 600 and about 2000, a polydispersity below about 2, preferably below about 1.8, hydroxyl functionality between 2 and 3, a hydroxyl value of between about 160 and about 260, and an acid number below about 10. Less than about 5% of the OH groups of the polyester are pendent, the rest being terminal. Between about 10 and about 50 wt % of the monomers used to form the polyester composition are anhydrides having the formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a non-aromatic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having between 6 and 30 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a non-aromatic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having between 1 and 8 carbon atoms, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have, in total, between 8 and 30 carbon atoms. The polyester in conjunction with a hydroxyl-reactive curative provides a coating composition.

Abstract: The assembly is useful in protecting occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision. It includes a substantially closed rigid tubular metal element connected to a source of generating fluid pressure, such as a gas-generating inflator. The element is in flattened condition when installed. At the time of an imminent accident, the inflator generates fluid pressure to enlarge the flattened tubular element to increase its rigidity, strength, and resistance to buckling.

Abstract: A seat-mounted side impact airbag module deployment door and a vehicle seat having such a deployment door are provided by a deployment door having a fabric outer panel, a fabric inner panel and an intermediate panel of rigid, resilient material, and in which the inner panel has spaced, parallel engagement elements held by retaining elements on the outer surface of sidewalls of a canister housing of an airbag module assembly placed in a seat recess and attached to an internal structural member of the seat. The fabric outer panel of the deployment door matches the adjacent fabric trim cover portion of the seat into which the deployment door is mounted.

Abstract: In a pyrotechnic or hybrid inflator the combustion gas on its way to inflate the cushion is filtered through at least one layer of wire mesh in which the metal wire mesh is composed of wire having mechanically enhanced surface area. In particular, the strands of wire of the wire mesh is formed with and irregular, roughened peripheral surfaces.

Abstract: An airbag module including an inflator assembly and an airbag cushion. The inflator assembly has an inflator and at least one fastener for mounting the airbag module within a vehicle. The airbag cushion includes an inboard cushion sheet and an outboard cushion sheet having an outer periphery secured to an outer periphery of the inboard cushion sheet. The outboard cushion sheet defines an open mouth receiving the inflator assembly, and a first tether and a second tether extend between the outboard cushion sheet and the inboard cushion sheet on opposite sides of the open mouth. The first tether and the second tether divide the airbag cushion into a first airbag segment for cushioning a first seat occupant of a vehicle, a central segment containing the inflator assembly, and a second airbag segment for cushioning a second occupant of a vehicle seat occupant, and each of the first and second tethers define at least one inflation gas passage.

Abstract: The polyester composition of this invention comprises a polyester oligomer having a number average molecular weight of from about 650 to about 950, a weight average molecular weight of from about 950 to about 1900, and a polydispersity of from about 1.45 to about 2. The hydroxyl value is from about 150 to about 275, and the acid number is less than about 7. Substantially all of the hydroxy groups are primary and from 0 to about 5% of the hydroxy groups are present as pendant hydroxy-alkyl groups. The polyester is formed by a two-stage reaction of monomers consisting of carboxylic anhydrides having from 4 to 34 carbon atoms and polyols having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. From about 10 to about 50% by weight of the monomers are anhydrides having the formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a non-aromatic hydrocarbon radical having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a non-aromatic hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The total number of carbon atoms in R.sup.1 and R.sup.

Abstract: An airbag deflection mount for mounting an airbag cushion to an airbag module and for deflecting hot inflation gas away from a throat of the airbag cushion. The airbag deflection mount includes a generally flat retainer ring for securing a collar of the airbag cushion around an inflator of the airbag module that produces and expels the inflation gas from a plurality of inflation ports for inflating the airbag cushion upon a vehicle collision. The airbag deflection mount also includes a plurality of deflectors extending upwardly from the retainer ring and positionable, spaced-apart from the inflator, between the plurality of inflation ports of the inflator and the throat of the airbag cushion. The plurality of deflectors deflect hot inflation gas away from the throat of the airbag cushion and substantially prevent the throat of the airbag cushion from being burned by the hot inflation gas.

Abstract: A highly fluid water-based ink composition that comprises a stable oil-in-water emulsion of a water-reducible solvent dye and solvent, preferably citrus solvent, solution homogeneously dispersed as small finely divided dye-containing oil droplets in an aqueous carrier solution containing an emulsion stabilizer of a water-soluble resin. Water-immiscible solvent dyes, including azo, phthalocyanine, and anthraquinone dyes, are mixed with organic solvents and non-ionic surfactants to form emulsifiable water-reducible true solvent dye-containing solutions. The water-reducible solvent dye solutions are stably emulsified as dye-containing oil droplets in aqueous solutions that contain water, water-soluble resins, and optional organic solvent diluents. The stable oil-in-water ink emulsion is suitable to be ejected through ink-jet printer jet nozzles, or through dispensing tips of felt-tip or roller-ball pens, onto a porous substrate, such as paper, to construct a water-fast printed image on the substrate.

Abstract: An improvement in an air bag system for a motor vehicle relating to a multiple level fluid fueled air bag inflator and method of operation thereof are provided. Such a multiple level inflator includes a stored gas chamber, a combustion chamber wherein, upon actuation, a fluid fuel and an oxidant are burned, an opener to open the stored gas chamber and an initiator device to initiate the burning of the fluid fuel and oxidant in the combustion chamber. Various performance levels can be obtained through the proper selected actuation and sequencing of actuation of the opener and the initiator device.

Abstract: A polymer is formed from a mixture of between about 85 and about 96 wt % .alpha.-.beta.-unsaturated monomers and between about 4 and about 15 wt % unsaturated fatty acids having between 10 and 30 carbons.

Abstract: A gas generating inflator assembly for a vehicle safety restraint system including an inflator housing having two walls, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner and outer walls form a combustion chamber therebetween. A filter pack is disposed within the combustion chamber along an inner diameter of the outer wall. Gas generant is also disposed within the combustion chamber. An internal structure is disposed within the combustion chamber for diffusing the ignitor blast and retaining slag produced by the ignited gas generant. The internal structure is spaced from the filter pack and the inner wall such that a portion of the gas generant is located between the internal structure and the inner wall and another portion of the gas generant is located between the internal structure and the filtration pack.

Abstract: The invention provides a two-part polyurethane coating suitable, for example, for coating a golf ball. The first part comprises a A) water-reducible polyol and the second part comprises B) a water dispersible, aliphatic polyisocyanate. The NCO/OH ratio of B):A) is between about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1. The two-part composition also includes C) an organic solvent component at between about 5 and about 50 parts per hundred by weight based on total weight of A) plus B). At least about 50 wt %, up to 100% of the solvent C) comprises ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate.

Abstract: A compressed gas inflator to be used in passive restraint airbag systems is disclosed. The inflator includes a manifold which discharges the inflation gas in the direction the airbag cushion is intended to inflate, resulting in less damage being inflicted on the airbag cushion during inflation and more consistent airbag inflation performance.