Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple-chamber airbag structure where the airbag design has at least a stiff lower section to reduce the chest velocity and a soft upper section to meet the HIC requirements. Although stowed and deployed as a unitary airbag, the present invention includes separate chambers, which allows for independent gas inflation and stiffness control with venting.

Abstract: An airbag system for repositioning a seat occupant in a moving vehicle during a crash event includes: a first inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a front portion of a seat pan; a second inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a rear portion of the seat pan; and inflation control device controlling deployment of the first and second inflatable airbags. The inflation control device includes a programmable controller controlling inflation parameters of the first and second inflatable airbags to achieve a desired lift, subject to monument constraints.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple-chamber airbag structure where the airbag design has at least a stiff lower section to reduce the chest velocity and a soft upper section to meet the HIC requirements. Although stowed and deployed as a unitary airbag, the present invention includes separate chambers, which allows for independent gas inflation and stiffness control with venting.

Abstract: A lap expanding reactionary airbag apparatus includes separate expanding lap and chest portions of the airbag. When loaded in a frontal or oblique crash event, the two portions act as a reactionary surface against each other, reducing the chest velocity of a vehicle occupant, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant. This restriction in forward movement results in reduced lumbar injuries.

Abstract: A pretensioning lapbelt apparatus where the pretensioning of the lapbelt is performed by the rapid inflation of an airbag that is integral to the lapbelt itself. The design of the airbag, including the attachment locations of the ends of the webbing are chosen such that, upon inflation of the airbag, the free end of the webbing—the end of the webbing that is passed through the cinching latch—is pulled taught, thereby reducing the effective length of the lapbelt. The anchor is designed to be a cinching anchor such that once the airbag deploys and pulls the webbing through the anchor (thereby pretensioning the lapbelt) a sliding pin in the anchor “cinches” the webbing, effectively locking the webbing in the pretensioned state.

Abstract: An airbag system for repositioning a seat occupant in a moving vehicle during a crash event includes: a first inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a front portion of a seat pan; a second inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a rear portion of the seat pan; and inflation control device controlling deployment of the first and second inflatable airbags. The inflation control device includes a programmable controller controlling inflation parameters of the first and second inflatable airbags to achieve a desired lift, subject to monument constraints.

Abstract: An airbag system for repositioning a seat occupant in a moving vehicle during a crash event includes: a first inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a front portion of a seat pan; a second inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a rear portion of the seat pan; and inflation control device controlling deployment of the first and second inflatable airbags. The inflation control device includes a programmable controller controlling inflation parameters of the first and second inflatable airbags to achieve a desired lift, subject to monument constraints.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple-chamber airbag structure where the airbag design has at least a stiff lower section to reduce the chest velocity and a soft upper section to meet the HIC requirements. Although stowed and deployed as a unitary airbag, the present invention includes separate chambers, which allows for independent gas inflation and stiffness control with venting.

Abstract: A pretensioning lapbelt apparatus where the pretensioning of the lapbelt is performed by the rapid inflation of an airbag that is integral to the lapbelt itself. A preferred embodiment of the pretensioning lapbelt apparatus would include a length of seatbelt webbing with a latch fixed on one end and a cinching anchor slidable on the opposite end. Integral to the lapbelt and attached to each end of the webbing is an airbag. The airbag, as is known in the art, is configured to be flat and folded in a compact uninflated state, and then quickly inflate to its inflated state upon the introduction of an inflation gas triggered by a crash event. The design of the airbag, including the attachment locations of the ends of the webbing are chosen such that, upon inflation of the airbag, the free end of the webbing—the end of the webbing that is passed through the cinching latch—is pulled taught, thereby reducing the effective length of the lapbelt (the length between the latch and the cinching anchor).

Abstract: A monument mounted airbag system for arresting passenger movement during a sudden acceleration/deceleration event of a moving vehicle includes an airbag assembly including at least one airbag on a first portion of a monument structure, the airbag assembly having a housing at least partially defined by a space between an external member and the monument structure.

Abstract: An airbag system for repositioning a seat occupant in a moving vehicle during a crash event includes: a first inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a front portion of a seat pan; a second inflatable airbag disposed proximate to a rear portion of the seat pan; and inflation control device controlling deployment of the first and second inflatable airbags. The inflation control device includes a programmable controller controlling inflation parameters of the first and second inflatable airbags to achieve a desired lift, subject to monument constraints.

Abstract: A method of making a flame resistant airbag suitable for use in aviation applications is discussed. A flame resistant fabric for the use in the construction of aviation airbags is woven from a high tenacity continuous polyester fiber substrate. A polyurethane coating is applied to the woven fabric, which has been treated with a flame retardant, to impart high pressure permeability resistance to the flame resistant fabric. The resulting fabric complies with Federal Aviation Requirement 25.853 as well as exhibits sufficient high pressure permeability resistance which is measured as a pressure of not less than about 198 kPa after five seconds from an initial inflation and pressurization to about 200 kPa, such as may be encountered in and during an inflation of aviation airbag assemblies.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed toward a live fire detection apparatus. The apparatus has a self-contained testing circuit, a MCSU interface, and a user-interface. This embodiment is contemplated to be used as a portable tester that a technician can use on multiple MCSUs to test for a live fire condition prior to connecting the inflator wire harness.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing aircraft airbag initiators in air bag systems includes: providing a diagnostic circuit per aircraft seat, the diagnostic circuit being in a normally off condition and enabled by a user activation; providing a power supply independent of aircraft power; providing a momentary switch; providing a visual indicator; receiving a signal indicating user activation of the momentary switch; and responsive to receiving the signal: completing a circuit, regulating a current into the diagnostic circuit to prevent a squib from firing during diagnostic evaluation; detecting a voltage; and providing feedback to the user.

Abstract: The invention consists of various embodiments of a system that uses electromechanical means to alert a vehicle operator of an imminent vehicle roll-over and protect the operator in a roll-over event. The system uses an electronics control unit (ECU) that is able to detect the deflection angle of the vehicle's tilt with the horizontal. If this angle exceeds a certain amount, the operator is alerted of the increased risk of roll-over via haptic feedback whereby the ECU controls a seatbelt electromechanical system to create a haptic feedback alert to the operator. If the angle exceeds a second higher amount, the system braces the operator for a roll-over event by tightening the seatbelt, thereby better protecting the operator. The fact that the system is electromechanical, instead of pyrotechnical, makes the system reusable. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a safety process used by the ECU to alert and protect the operator.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing aircraft airbag initiators in air bag systems includes: providing a diagnostic circuit per aircraft seat, the diagnostic circuit being in a normally off condition and enabled by a user activation; providing a power supply independent of aircraft power; providing a momentary switch; providing a visual indicator; receiving a signal indicating user activation of the momentary switch; and responsive to receiving the signal: completing a circuit, regulating a current into the diagnostic circuit to prevent a squib from firing during diagnostic evaluation; detecting a voltage; and providing feedback to the user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses embodiments of an apparatus, system and related method for diagnosing initiators in air bag systems. An embodiment of the system comprises a diagnostic circuit electrically connected between acceleration switches and one or more squib, that is user-activated via a momentary switch, and with user-feedback, wherein a user can diagnose the health of the one or more squib with no power drain while inactive. An embodiment of a method related to the system comprises activating a momentary switch, completing a circuit whereby a diagnostic circuit may function, indicating to the user that the diagnostic circuit is functioning, regulating the current into the diagnostic circuit so that the squib does not fire, boosting the signal to a window comparator, detecting the desired voltage by the window comparator, giving feedback to the user that the voltage is good, too high, or too low.

Abstract: A monument mounted airbag system includes an airbag assembly including at least an airbag mounted directly forward of a passenger, and configured to deploy away from the passenger along an intercepting course with a predetermined path of travel of the passenger. Additionally, the airbag may be configured to substantially conform to a monument disposed in proximity thereto, and may include side support, lower support, and active vents.

Abstract: A method of making a flame resistant airbag suitable for use in aviation applications is discussed. A flame resistant fabric for the use in the construction of aviation airbags is woven from a high tenacity continuous polyester fiber substrate. A polyurethane coating is applied to the woven fabric, which has been treated with a flame retardant, to impart high pressure permeability resistance to the flame resistant fabric. The resulting fabric complies with Federal Aviation Requirement 25.853 as well as exhibits sufficient high pressure permeability resistance which is measured as a pressure of not less than about 198 kPa after five seconds from an initial inflation and pressurization to about 200 kPa, such as may be encountered in and during an inflation of aviation airbag assemblies.

Abstract: A flame resistant fabric for the use in the construction of aviation airbags comprises a polyester fiber substrate which is treated with a first flame retardant. A polyurethane coating is applied to the polyester fiber substrate, which has been treated with the first flame retardant, to impart high pressure permeability resistance to the flame resistant fabric. The polyurethane coating comprises a second flame retardant to insure that the flame resistant fabric complies with Federal Aviation Requirement 25.853. The flame resistant fabric further comprises sufficient high pressure permeability resistance which is measured as a pressure of not less than about 198 kPa after five seconds from an initial inflation and pressurization to about 200 kPa, such as may be encountered in and during an inflation of aviation airbag assemblies.