Abstract: A window breaker is provided that may include a housing, a pyrotechnic device and a piston. The housing may include a slot and a cavity having a first end and a second end. The slot may extend through a wall of the housing and into the cavity. The pyrotechnic device may be fixedly attached to the housing and at least partially disposed in the cavity. The piston may be disposed in the cavity between the pyrotechnic device and the first end. The piston may be movable away from the pyrotechnic device within the cavity from an undeployed position to a deployed position in response to actuation of the pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be an inflator module assembly. The inflator module assembly can include a module housing having a plurality of gas discharge openings; an inflator housed within the housing, the inflator, upon actuation, emitting gas from one lateral side or end thereof, and a gas treatment assembly mounted within the housing external the side or end of the inflator from which gas is emitted. The gas treatment assembly can include a first strainer element nestled within a second strainer element. The first and second strainer elements each have a side wall including a plurality of gas passage apertures, with at least either 1) the gas passage apertures of the first strainer element offset relative to the gas passage apertures of the second strainer element or 2) the gas passage apertures of the second strainer element offset relative to the module housing gas discharge openings.

Abstract: A relief valve is provided and may include a housing having a first inlet port and a second inlet port. An initiator may be disposed within the housing and an engagement member may be slideably disposed within the housing and may be moveable between a retracted position and an extended position under force of the initiator. The engagement member may include a first bore aligned with the first inlet port in the extended position and a second bore aligned with the second inlet port in the extended position.

Abstract: A printer driver enables a user to determine whether the features that are required to print a specified job are available to a selected network printer. The printer driver queries the selected printer to acquire the current status and other relevant information for each feature that is required to print the job, then provides the results of the query at a user interface. Accordingly, if any of the required features are unavailable to the selected printer, the user can print the job using another printer or take some other appropriate action.

Abstract: An inflator including an initiator and a bulkhead molded around the initiator. The inflator includes a housing formed of two overlapping housing portions mechanically coupled together around a portion of the bulkhead. One of the housing portions includes cut tabs that are crimped into cut receivers of the other housing portion.

Abstract: An inflator including an initiator and a bulkhead molded around the initiator. The inflator includes a housing formed of two overlapping housing portions mechanically coupled together around a portion of the bulkhead. One of the housing portions includes cut tabs that are crimped into cut receivers of the other housing portion.

Abstract: Flangeless inflators include a body comprising a base member and a diffuser member coupled together, where the body is devoid of a lateral inflator-coupling flange. At least one fastener is coupled to the base member of the body. In an inflatable airbag system, the flangeless inflator is coupled to an airbag cushion, as well as to a steering wheel armature. In forming flangeless inflators, a body is formed that is devoid of the lateral inflator-coupling flange, and at least one fastener is attached to the body.

Abstract: A separation fastener assembly includes a housing defining a cavity. A frangible nut is disposed in the cavity. The nut includes a plurality of nut segments. The one-piece frangible nut greatly reduces existing assembly problems and difficulties. Adjacent nut segments are interconnected at fracture lines. A bolt has an end coupled to the nut. A movable element is disposed in the housing and movable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the nut segments are restrained from radial expansion. In the second position the nut segments are permitted to radially expand for releasing the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A side impact airbag arrangement mounted in a vehicle door (20) has an air cavity (46) inside the body (22) of the vehicle door (20) an initial volume in an intact state and a reduced volume smaller than the initial volume after a side impact has deformed the door body (22). An airbag cushion (10) is arranged in an airbag compartment (44) adjacent to the air cavity (46). The airbag cushion (10) has an interior configured to be filled with a gaseous medium to inflate the airbag cushion (10). Flapper valves (14) inserted between the air cavity (46) and the interior of the airbag cushion (10) allow a flow of air from the air cavity (46) into the interior of the airbag cushion (10) to inflate the airbag cushion (10) when a side impact deforms the air cavity (46) from the initial volume to the reduced volume.

Abstract: A side airbag module assembly for a vehicle seat back rest features a molded plastic cover (22) with a Class A surface constituting the outside of the cover visible after installation in the backrest (60). A base plate (32) of an airbag holder (24) made of metal or plastic is rigidly connected to the cover (22) by insert-molding or a different method of attachment. A fastening bracket (34) is integrally formed onto the base plate (32). An airbag (15) including a gas generator (14) is prepackaged in a soft pack (12) with fasteners (20) protruding from the soft pack (12). The fasteners (20) and the fastening bracket (34) are configured to attach the soft pack (12) to the airbag holder (24). Upon deployment of the airbag, the fastening bracket (34) will bend and thereby open the cover (22), which allows the airbag (15) to inflate in a forward direction.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator assembly including a shell member and an end cap joinable with the shell member to form a subassembly. The subassembly containing a quantity of pyrotechnic material and at least in part defining a combustion chamber wherein at least a portion of the quantity of pyrotechnic material is reactable to form product gas for inflation of an associated airbag cushion and to generate pressure within the combustion chamber. The inflator assembly further including an overwrap about at least a portion of the subassembly to form a pyrotechnic inflator assembly that withstands the pressure generated within the combustion chamber upon reaction of the pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: An inflator device includes a steel member to at least in part form a pressure vessel and an external composite wrap overlying at least a portion of the metal member. The metal member can be tubular and have an elongated length such as to form a steel inner liner that is incapable of withstanding the pressure generated within the pressure vessel upon actuation of the inflator device without support provided by the composite overwrap.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator assembly including a shell member and an end cap joinable with the shell member to form a subassembly. The subassembly containing a quantity of pyrotechnic material and at least in part defining a combustion chamber wherein at least a portion of the quantity of pyrotechnic material is reactable to form product gas for inflation of an associated airbag cushion and to generate pressure within the combustion chamber. The inflator assembly further including an overwrap about at least a portion of the subassembly to form a pyrotechnic inflator assembly that withstands the pressure generated within the combustion chamber upon reaction of the pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: An inflator including an initiator and a bulkhead molded around the initiator. The inflator includes a housing formed of two overlapping housing portions mechanically coupled together around a portion of the bulkhead. One of the housing portions includes cut tabs that are crimped into cut receivers of the other housing portion.

Abstract: Flangeless inflators include a body comprising a base member and a diffuser member coupled together, where the body is devoid of a lateral inflator-coupling flange. At least one fastener is coupled to the base member of the body. In an inflatable airbag system, the flangeless inflator is coupled to an airbag cushion, as well as to a steering wheel armature. In forming flangeless inflators, a body is formed that is devoid of the lateral inflator-coupling flange, and at least one fastener is attached to the body.

Abstract: Gas generator devices and related assemblies are provided that include adjacently disposed ignition and gas generant chambers. Within the gas generant chamber, a quantity of gas generant material is contained within one or more containers having a perforated side wall and oppositely disposed first and second end walls. The first end wall is perforated and disposed adjacent the ignition chamber to allow communication of at least a portion of the ignition products therethrough and into contact with gas generant material therein contained to ignite the gas generant material to produce a product gas. The second end wall is perforated to allow gas flow communication of the product gas therethrough for discharge from the gas generator.

Abstract: A fire suppression apparatus that includes a housing defining a first chamber containing a gas generant. The apparatus further includes an initiator operatively associated with the first chamber and in reaction initiating communication with the gas generant. The initiator, upon actuation, acts to ignite at least some of the gas generant to form gas. The housing further defines a second chamber adjacently disposed to the first chamber. The second chamber contains an endothermically-alterable material and a piston assembly including a piston. Upon actuation, the piston moves to expel at least a portion of the endothermically-alterable material from the second chamber such that the expelled endothermically-alterable material contacts and cools gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant. The housing further has at least one discharge opening to permit cooled gas to exit the housing. Corresponding or associated methods for suppressing a fire are also provided.

Abstract: Gas generator devices and related assemblies are provided that include adjacently disposed ignition and gas generant chambers. Within the gas generant chamber, a quantity of gas generant material is contained within one or more containers having a perforated side wall and oppositely disposed first and second end walls. The first end wall is perforated and disposed adjacent the ignition chamber to allow communication of at least a portion of the ignition products therethrough and into contact with gas generant material therein contained to ignite the gas generant material to produce a product gas. The second end wall is perforated to allow gas flow communication of the product gas therethrough for discharge from the gas generator.

Abstract: A separation fastener assembly includes a housing defining a cavity. A frangible nut is disposed in the cavity. The nut includes a plurality of nut segments. The one-piece frangible nut greatly reduces existing assembly problems and difficulties. Adjacent nut segments are interconnected at fracture lines. A bolt has an end coupled to the nut. A movable element is disposed in the housing and movable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the nut segments are restrained from radial expansion. In the second position the nut segments are permitted to radially expand for releasing the fastener assembly.

Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid including at least one of a fuel soluble in the liquid or an oxidizer soluble in the liquid and a piston are housed within another chamber of the inflator. This chamber is sealed. Upon actuation, movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through an opening in the piston such that the liquid contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant and cools the same. The fuel and/or oxidizer in the liquid can react to form additional gas.