Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device which involve a heat source composed of a load of fuel material and an initiator is actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication such as to initiate dissociation of a gas source material to form at least one gaseous dissociation product used to inflate the inflatable device.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, which apparatus includes a pressure vessel having a preformed opening feature and a method of fabricating a corresponding single chamber apparatus for inflating an inflatable device.

Abstract: An airbag module providing adaptive performance. The module includes a housing defining an interior. At least an inflator is received within the housing, and preferably the folded, uninflated cushion, also. Various arrangements are provided to selectively block, or create, a vent extending through the housing. This vent, when open, permits the inflation gas provided by the inflator to exit the housing without entering the cushion. The vent may be initially open, and blocked by a sliding cover block, may be initially closed and opened by movement of a slide plug, or may be initially closed and opened by deformation of a portion of the housing. The venting of the inflation gas will at least slow the rate of inflation of the cushion, and may reduce the final pressure within the cushion. As such, the housing will be vented for less severe collisions, and will not be vented for more severe collisions.

Abstract: A regenerative monopropellant inflator having improved initiation of the regenerative cycle and improve operating efficiency. The inflator may direct the flow of the monopropellant into a localized volume to create a "hot spot" to increase combustion. This serves to ensure that the regenerative cycle is initiated. Various arrangements are provided to increase the residence time of the combusting monopropellant within the inflator, to ensure complete combustion of the monopropellant, and thus increased efficiency. These arrangements include inducing a helical gas flow to increase the length of the path traveled by the gas. Various barriers may also be placed within the gas flow to force direction changes, which reduce the velocity of the gas.

Abstract: A regenerative monopropellant inflator providing adaptive performance. The inflator includes a housing defining an interior. A piston is received in the housing and divides the interior into a fuel supply chamber and a combustion chamber. The piston moves through the fuel supply chamber during the regenerative combustion cycle to produce an inflation gas from reaction of the fuel in the combustion chamber. The inflation gas exits the combustion chamber via exit ports. To provide adaptive performance a back pressure may be selectively applied to the piston against its travel. This slows the piston, and thus the gas production of the inflator. Alternatively, the total size of the exit ports could be selectively varied to thus vary the pressure within the combustion chamber, known as throttling. Increased pressure within the combustion chamber causes an increase in the rate of inflation gas production.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of an inflator-containing inflatable restraint system is a reaction canister in which the reaction canister body includes a plurality of inflator output treatment fins extending towards, without contacting, the associated inflator. Also, provided are corresponding processes for treating the gas output of a vehicular safety restraint inflator. In practice, such treatment of a contacting stream typically involves one or more of: cooling, redirection of flow, and removal or filtering of particulate therefrom.

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: In an inflator of a vehicle safety restraint system utilizing liquid propellant as the inflation gas generator, decomposition of residual liquid propellant within the inflator produces undesirable gases which can result in unacceptable inflator effluent. The injection termination features of the present invention are formed onto an encapsulation or plug of a regenerative piston inflator. Upon completion of the piston stroke, the injection termination feature makes contact with the injection ports and plugs the injection ports to prevent combustion and decomposition reactions from propagating through the piston.

Abstract: An inflator of a vehicle safety restraint system includes a housing having a reservoir of liquid propellant. A combustion chamber is disposed in the housing in communication with the liquid propellant reservoir. A regenerative piston is movably disposed within the housing for separating the liquid propellant reservoir and the combustion chamber. The piston head includes a plurality of injection ports for delivering the liquid propellant to the combustion chamber in a controlled manner. A pressure relieving bore, normally sealed by the piston stem, is disposed in the housing for relieving pressure in the liquid propellant reservoir. Decomposition or combustion within the propellant storage reservoir will move the piston to open the pressure relief bore which depressurizes the liquid propellant and prevents rupture and fragmentation of the inflator.

Abstract: Liquid gas generant compositions are aqueous solutions of hydroxylammonium nitrate as the oxidizer and a fuel selected from the group consisting of nitrate salts of amines of the formulae:A.sup.1) an amino tetrazole or amino triazole,A.sup.2) an amine of the formulae (I) (NHZ).sub.2 --C.dbd.O, (II) (NHZ).sub.2 --C.dbd.NZ, (III) HN--(CO--NHZ).sub.2, where the Zs are the same or different and are selected from H and NH.sub.2,A.sup.3) C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 -alkyldiamine, andmixtures of the nitrate salts of amines of the above formulae.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator includes a pressure bottle containing compressed gas, combustible propellant for augmenting the stored gas and defining an outlet for delivering inflation gas from the inflator to a primary airbag cushion. The hybrid inflator further includes a vent opening defined as a second outlet from the pressure bottle for releasing stored compressed gas therefrom and a rupturable diaphragm positioned to seal the vent and prevent premature flow from the vent opening. A controller provides a signal for operating a squib for opening the primary outlet means and igniting the combustible propellant, and another signal for operating a squib rupturing the diaphragm covering the vent opening. The vent opening may be opened first to vent gas from the pressure bottle in advance of opening the primary outlet, may be opened with or after the primary outlet, or not at all.

Abstract: A tethered knee bolster panel which is deployed rearward in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle during a crash to provide lower torso restraint. The knee bolster is an air bag system which propels the knee bolster panel rearward during deployment. The activated knee bolster allows automobile designers the flexibility to provide increased leg room in the vehicle while maintaining the same level of safety during a crash.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having a dynamic burn vent wherethrough inflation gas can be appropriately vented therefrom. Such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint has particular application for side impact restraint systems wherein increased venting by the dynamic vents occurs subsequent to full deployment of the inflatable restraint.

Abstract: A molded cover for an automotive airbag module is provided with one or more windows therethrough to transmit light from a light source within said module. The light source is typically used to indicate the location or identify function switches under the molded cover.

Abstract: A pressure activated switch is positioned for actuation of a horn in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The switch is mounted on an airbag cover and generates a signal when the switch is activated by the deflection of the cover. A temperature sensing device is positioned on the cover for generating a signal indicative of the cover temperature. The temperature signal is utilized for changing the actuation pressure or deflection required on the pressure or deflection activated switch to compensate for changes in cover stiffness due to the temperature changes of the cover. The invention is thus directed to providing a consistent horn actuation force regardless of the temperature of the airbag cover to which such force is applied to actuate the horn of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An improved device for controlling the rate at which gas is exhausted from an air bag cushion which is used in passenger vehicles. A novel gas vent is incorporated into the material from which the air bag is made, The vent comprises a dynamic vent that is impermeable to gas below a critical temperature and is permeable to gas above a critical temperature. The dynamic vent provides additional venting of gas during a high impact collision or when a larger than average occupant impacts onto the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A closure element for an air bag deployment opening of an inflatable restraint system is provided. The closure element includes tear ways defining one or more doors which permit an air bag to deploy therethrough. The closure element includes at least one integral retention bridge joining such a door with the remainder of the closure.

Abstract: A membrane horn switch has a flexible thin front plate and a rigid thick back plate. The plates are coated with a conductive layer which are separated by dielectric material applied to either or both plates. The plates are attached together around their perimeters using a pressure sensitive adhesive. The switch is attached directly to an airbag cover, eliminating the need for external backing other than that which is provided by the rigid back plate of the switch.

Abstract: A driver's side vehicle air bag, including releasable stitching for controlled deployment, comprises circular front and rear panels joined at their peripheries. A central inlet opening in the rear panel is flanked by parallel lines of releasable stitching to form a central region and lateral lobes. Interruptions of the stitching adjacent the inlet opening produce passageways for direct flow of inflation gas to the lateral lobes. The air bag is folded in accordian folds perpendicular to the stitch lines, and thereafter in packing folds perpendicular to the accordian folds. During the inflation, outward deployment of the front panel is retarded by the stitching and the lateral lobes inflate to create a broad frontal surface. The stitches release prior to full inflations.

Abstract: A closure for an air bag deployment opening is provided. The closure includes at least one stress concentration feature adapted to form, under the influence of an inflating bag, a selected initial opening in the face portion of the closure for the deployment of the bag therethrough.