Abstract: A diffuser for uniformly diffusing inflation gas from an elongated inflator having inflation exhaust ports at only one end into an airbag cushion. The diffuser having a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second diffuser ends. A first end section extends from the first diffuser end, is positionable over the inflation exhaust ports of the inflator and defines at least one diffuser vent opening. An intermediate section extends from the first end section and defines a plurality of diffuser vent openings equal or progressively larger further from the first end section. A second end section extends from the intermediate section to the second diffuser end and defines a single diffuser vent opening. Each of the plurality of diffuser vent openings of the intermediate section is equal or larger than the at least one diffuser vent opening of the first end section and equal or smaller than the single diffuser vent opening of the second end section.

Abstract: A binder polymer is a styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer in which the maleic anhydride residues are mono-esterified to between about 50 and about 65 mole percent of an alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, alkaryl, or arylalkyl alcohol having a molecular weight greater than 100, to between about 15 and about 50 mole percent of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl alcohol, and to at least about 80 mole percent total. The polymer has between about 45 and about 65 mole percent styrene residues and between about 35 and about 55 mole percent maleic anhydride residues, a weight average molecular weight of between about 80,000 and about 200,000, and an acid number of between about 170 and about 220.

Abstract: An airbag module having a cushion with a compression-deployed volume. The module includes an inflator which produces a quantity of inflation gas. This gas inflates only a first volume of the cushion, which is positioned to protect a first portion of a passenger's body. Compression of the first volume by the passenger forces the gas from the first volume into a second volume, to thus inflate the second volume. The second volume is positioned to protect a second portion of the passenger's body. The initial quantity of inflation gas is thus reused, reducing the amount of gas required. This in turn reduces the size and cost of the inflator. The module is preferred for side impact protection, and a fold arrangement suited to accurate deployment is provided. The folded cushion may be secured to the inflator by a frangible film wrap, eliminating the need for an exterior housing. The module is preferably mounted upon the side of the passenger seat back.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus combinations and methods for producing a powder coating are provided wherein a stream of a powder coating precursor including at least one resin and at least one additional powder coating ingredient is contacted with a process fluid effective to reduce the viscosity of the powder coating precursor to allow processing of the powder coating precursor at a lower temperature.

Abstract: The rim and spoke armatures of an automotive steering wheel are molded into a plastic body which presents to the driver an unbroken front surface. The plastic body of the steering wheel includes a cavity in its back surface which is closed by a hub plate attached to the steering column. The cavity and the hub plate serve as an airbag module and house the inflator and the folded airbag therein. The front surface of the steering wheel body may be scored, preferably on its hidden side, to form tear lines to release the expanding airbag.

Abstract: An auto ignition system for use as part of an airbag inflator having an ignitor tube. The auto ignition system includes an elongated auto ignition chamber having an open end and a length to width ratio of at least three. The auto ignition chamber is adapted to be positioned within the airbag inflator with the open end facing the ignitor tube. Auto ignition material is contained within the auto ignition chamber, and a metal foil retention disk closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber. According to one embodiment, the auto ignition chamber is a recess defined by an endwall of the airbag inflator with the open end of the recess facing the ignitor tube. According to another embodiment of the invention, a solid press-fit closure plug closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber, and according to an additional embodiment, the press-fit closure plug is a porous metal fiber or powder press-fit closure plug.

Abstract: A two-part laminating adhesive is provided which joins two sheets of polymeric material, which adhesive, in cured form, provides substantially no contribution to the oxygen barrier properties of the laminate. The first part is a mixture of a polyol A), preferably a polyether, and a polymer B) formed from polymerization of .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polymer B) preferably being formed in situ from monomers dissolved in polyol A). The second part is a multi-functional isocyanate, preferably an isocyanate-terminated urethane formed by reacting a poly-isocyanate monomer with a polyol.

Abstract: A flexible sensor, such as a membrane switch, is molded into a plastic automotive panel by a low temperature, low pressure, method which avoids damage to the switch while insuring its placement at a desired depth below the surface of the panel. This is achieved by a process which includes a first step of spraying a mold with a rapid gelling liquid plastic to a preselected thickness. After the plastic has firmed, the sensor is placed thereon and is encapsulated by spraying with a second layer of the plastic. The resulting shell with the embedded sensor may then be provided with a backing, such as a plastic foam.

Abstract: Unitary filters for airbags. The filters may be formed from various combinations of ceramic grit, ceramic fiber, metal grit, metal fiber, and non-metal fibers. Combinations of disparate particle sizes may be used to increase filter diffusion and reduce the size of particles filtered. The disparate size particles may be uniformly mixed, or may be in relatively discrete layers. Fibers may be used to increase the strength of the filter. The fibers may be mixed with an initial slurry, or the slurry may be pressed into a mat of the fibers.

Abstract: An electrically chargeable dielectric coating powder and a triboelectric coating process for applying the powder to 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: Trimethylindium with substantially no oxygen-containing impurities, either as byproduct or associated solvent, is synthesized according to the reaction:Me.sub.z InX.sub.(3-x) +(1-1.2)(3-z)Me.sub.3 Al+(1-1.2)(6-2z)MF.fwdarw.Me.sub.3 In+(1-1.2)(3-z)M(Me.sub.2 AlF.sub.2)+(1-1.2)(3-z)MXwhere the Xs are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, and I; M is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, and Cs; and z is 0, 1 or 2 in a hydrocarbon solvent, such as squalane.

Abstract: To produce a concentrated solution of aminoanthraquinone dyes in aromatic solvent, quinizarin or a leuco derivative thereof is reacted with a mixture of at least three aliphatic amines in a solvent which is a glycol or a glycol ether. The glycol or glycol ether solvent is present in an amount of 50 wt % or less relative to the quinizarin or leuco derivative plus amines. After the reaction, water and excess amine are stripped and aromatic solvent is added to adjust the dye concentration to the desired concentration above 40 wt % dye.

Abstract: A diffuser for uniformly diffusing inflation gas from an elongated inflator having inflation exhaust ports at only one end into an airbag cushion. The diffuser having a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second diffuser ends. A first end section extends from the first diffuser end, is positionable over the inflation exhaust ports of the inflator and defines at least one diffuser vent opening. An intermediate section extends from the first end section and defines a plurality of diffuser vent openings equal or progressively larger further from the first end section. A second end section extends from the intermediate section to the second diffuser end and defines a single diffuser vent opening. Each of the plurality of diffuser vent openings of the intermediate section is equal or larger than the at least one diffuser vent opening of the first end section and equal or smaller than the single diffuser vent opening of the second end section.

Abstract: Assembly is adapted to mount on an internal structural member of a vehicle seat, the seat having a seat body formed with a recess and having a trim cover formed with a frangible opening to said recess. The invention also includes a one-piece resilient plastic deployment door anchored on the structural member and curving over a folded, inflatable airbag cushion and inflator module to comprise a rounded surface smoothly overlayable by the seat trim cover. The door has a distal edge approximately alignable with the frangible access to assist in the opening of the frangible access during deployment of the airbag cushion.

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 mercaptoalkylcarboxylate, alone, or in combination with an organotin halide or carboxylate which activate the blowing agent. Sulfides made from said organotin mercaptoalkylcarboxylate are also superior activators of the blowing agent.

Abstract: Reinforced ceramic unitary filters for air bags. The filters have a first layer having a high porosity, and a second layer having a low porosity. The first layer is preferably formed of low-cost ceramic grit sintered into a rigid mass, or a rigid reticulated ceramic. The second layer is formed of metal particles, and provides increased strength for the brittle ceramic. The metal particles may be formed onto the second layer and then sintered in place. Alternatively, the second layer may be formed separately and secured in position on the first layer. As a third alternative, the second layer may be applied by plasma arc deposition upon the first layer. The metal particles provide increased strength to the filter, as well as providing a fine filtering layer. The metal layer can also place the ceramic in compression to pre-load the ceramic layer for increased resistance to breakage.

Abstract: A highly fluid water-based ink composition that comprises a stable oil-in-water emulsion of a water-reducible, water-insoluble nigrosine dye-containing solvent solution, preferably containing a high flash-point and high-boiling point solvent, 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-insoluble nigrosine dyes are dissolved preferably in relatively low VOC and non-flammable solvent solutions containing non-ionic surfactants to form emulsifiable water-reducible true nigrosine dye-containing solutions. The water-reducible nigrosine dye-containing solutions are then stably emulsified as dye-containing oil droplets in aqueous solutions that contain water, optional solvent diluents, and water-soluble resins that serves as an emulsion stabilizer.

Abstract: A polyurethane prepared from a functionalized polyol has superior hydrolytic stability and dispersive capacity which makes it useful as a binder for magnetic particles in a magnetic recording medium. The functionalized polyol may be one of the group consisting of a polyesterdiol, a polyetherdiol, a polycaprolactone diol and a polycarbonate diol, each of which incorporates a functional group having the formula: ##STR1## wherein M is a methylene group or nitrogen, R and R.sup.1 are the same or different alkylene groups having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is an alkylene group having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different alkyl groups having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and X is an anion of a Br.o slashed.nsted acidin an amount such that the polyurethane contains from about 8 to about 32 gram moles of the functional group per 1.times.10.sup.6 grams of the polyurethane. The polyurethane may be made by heating a mixture of a Br.o slashed.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint airbag module for the protection of an occupant of a vehicle is provided wherein portions of a tethered airbag cushion are separately folded and stored within a module housing to provide a deployment process that can serve to minimize or avoid problems such as bag slap and improper positioning of the airbag cushion upon deployment.

Abstract: An airbag module incorporating a staked module cover attachment. The airbag module has a module housing defining four sets of openings, the four sets generally forming a rectangle, and a folded, inflatable airbag cushion and an airbag inflator secured to the module housing between the four sets of openings. A thermoplastic module cover defining at least one tear seam includes a lid positioned over the airbag cushion. Four attachment legs extend unitary from the lid and terminate at bottom edges butting against the module housing corresponding with the four sets of openings defined by the module housing. A plurality of spaced-apart stakes are unitary with and extend from the bottom edges of the attachment legs, and each of the stakes extends through one of the openings of the sets of openings to distal ends secured such that the stakes cannot be withdrawn from the openings, securing the module cover to the module housing.