Abstract: Inflation assemblies, associated inflation assembly combinations and methods for inflating an inflatable restraint device and which assemblies, combination and methods employ a gas treatment element to effectively treat gas being discharged into an associated inflatable restraint device from either of at least two chambers, e.g., a hot gas-producing chamber and a cold gas-supplying chamber, such that heat is effectively conveyed to the cold gas such as to result in the desirable expansion thereof and the dissipation of residual heat from the gas treatment element.

Abstract: An inflator device including a housing defining a storage chamber and a supply of gas generant material disposed within the storage chamber. The inflator device includes an initiator assembly having an initiator in actuating communication with the supply of gas generant material. A moisture barrier member is disposed between the initiator assembly and the supply of gas generant material. The moisture barrier member acts to prevent moisture transmission from the initiator assembly to the supply of gas generant material. Upon actuation of the initiator, however, the moisture barrier member ruptures to permit reaction initiating communication between the initiator and at least a portion of the supply of gas generant material contained within the inflator device.

Abstract: A seat mounting structure is disclosed for reducing injury to vehicle occupants in side impact collisions. The seat mounting structure may include an inflation module, a linkage system, a sensor system, and a side airbag. The inflation module may include an inflatable structure and inflator or a piston device. The linkage system attaches the seat mounting structure to a seat and may help guide the movement of the seat. The sensor system may include a radar sensor and an optical sensor to help the sensor system anticipate an impending side impact. The seat mounting structure mitigates injury to the occupant by moving the occupant vertically up and laterally toward a centerline of the vehicle, thus increasing the space between the sidewall of the vehicle and the occupant. Additionally, the inflation module may comprise an inflatable structure that stiffens a floor structure of the vehicle upon inflation.

Abstract: An assembly including a support housing and an actuator device. The actuator device includes an extendable initiator cup including at least one non-random fold and at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products. The extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends from a first length to a second, greater length upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The extendable initiator cup is at least partially disposed within a longitudinally extending bore of the support housing. The support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The assembly can include an electrical conductive member or an electrical switch. The extendable initiator cup can extend to sever the electrical conductive member or disengage the electrical switch, thereby interrupting the conduction of electricity through an electrical system.

Abstract: A modular fire detection and extinguishing system is disclosed that is inexpensive, compact, and modular to allow easy aftermarket installation in a variety of vehicles. The system may include a detector, a trigger coupled to the detector and a gas generant fire extinguisher, a modular distribution line in fluid communication with the extinguisher and a nozzle. The system allows exhaust gas from the gas generant fire extinguisher to carry dry powdered fire suppressant from the fire extinguisher and through the nozzle to disperse the fire suppressant substantially uniformly throughout a fire hazard zone. The extinguisher is installed such that exhaust gas must aerate substantially all the fire suppressant before exiting the extinguisher.

Abstract: A flexible inflator for an inflation assembly and related gas generating propellant compositions are provided. The flexible inflator includes at least one elongated strand of a propellant co-extruded with a moisture barrier. The propellant compositions are adapted for co-extrusion with a plastic sheath which forms the moisture barrier surrounding the propellant and include a binder fuel component effective to render the composition flexible and to impart sufficient adhesive properties such that the propellant composition and the plastic sheath adhere together, and an oxidizer.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster system is provided for supporting a body portion of a vehicle occupant such as the knees and lower body or pelvis during a collision. The inflatable bolster includes a decorative substantially rigid front panel and an expandable metal rear panel attached to the non-metal decorative front panel. The inflatable bolster has an inflation orifice, and may have at least one vertical expansion fold and at least one horizontal expansion fold on the rear panel.

Abstract: A glove compartment assembly incorporates a compact airbag module with a cushion constructed at least partially of a rigid material. The cushion may be sandwiched between front and rear door covers so that inflation of the cushion moves the front door cover toward the knees of a vehicle user to provide antisubmarining protection. The cushion may incorporate the front door cover as a portion of its inflation gas-containing membrane. The glove compartment assembly may utilize a uniquely designed latching system, such as an electric latching assembly, a latching assembly disposed generally off the door, or a break-away latching assembly disposed generally on the front door cover, to permit motion of the front door cover away from the instrument panel without interfering with the airbag module.

Abstract: A toroidal-shaped adaptive output inflator is provided wherein the inflator includes an outer housing and an inner housing together defining an outer chamber and an inner chamber. A supply of gas-generating pyrotechnic material having a burn rate that is pressure dependent is contained within the outer chamber and at least a portion of the supply of gas-generating pyrotechnic material is reactable to generate a product gas. The inflator also includes a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures each formed in the inner housing, and each providing independent fluidic communication between the outer chamber and the inner chamber wherethrough at least a portion of the product gas can exit the outer chamber into the inner chamber.

Abstract: A linear actuator with an internal dampening mechanism is disclosed. The actuator has a housing has a first end and a second end and forms an internal chamber. A constricted opening is also added to the actuator at the first end. A piston is disposed within the housing and is capable of sliding along the chamber. The piston has a head portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion is slidable through the constricted opening whereas the head portion is not slidable through the constricted opening. A fluid is also added to the actuator. The fluid is disposed within the housing. In one embodiment, the actuator is constructed such that the sliding of the shaft portion forces a fluid through the constricted opening such that the movement of the piston is dampened. In an alternative embodiment, the actuator includes one or more second pistons and an orifice.

Abstract: An inflator such as for supplying inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint is provided. Such an inflator includes an elongated hollow tubular member containing an elongated supply of pyrotechnic gas generant material reactable to produce a supply of gas. The tubular member has a length to diameter ratio greater than 20 and includes a plurality of longitudinally-spaced apart gas exit orifices wherethrough at least a portion of the supply of gas provided by reaction of the pyrotechnic gas generant material can be expelled from the tubular member. Also provided are associated or related inflation assemblies and methods for inflatable device inflation.

Abstract: A folded rigid knee airbag for preventing the lower body portion of a vehicle occupant from being propelled forward during a collision is provided. The folded rigid knee airbag includes a back panel and a front panel attached to the back panel. Both the front panel and the back panel may be made from a rigid material, such as sheet metal. The back panel may include first and second accordion folds, and first and second vertical folds. The airbag may be in communication with an inflator. During discharge of the inflator, the accordion folds and the vertical folds unfold to form four substantially planar walls. The accordion folds and the vertical folds enable the front panel to remain substantially flat and maintain a substantially uniform cross-sectional area during inflation.

Abstract: An airbag inflator system and method of manufacture is disclosed which may be stored in a small area, is simple to fabricate, directs exhaust gas from a standardized inflator, sufficiently cools and diffuses the exhaust gas, and catches hot gas generant residue. The system includes an airbag inflator within a sleeve. Solid sections of the sleeve circumscribe the inflator and are positioned to divert exhaust gas leaving an exit port of the inflator. The configuration of the solid sections provides that the inflator need not be rotated during assembly to position exit ports below solid sections. The diverted exhaust gas unrolls the sleeve to form an exhaust passage. The gas passes through the exhaust passage and is dispersed by the permeable section before entering the textile airbag. In this way, a simple, effective diffusion system for curtain airbag inflators is provided.

Abstract: A flexible inflator for an inflation assembly and related gas generating propellant compositions are provided. The flexible inflator includes at least one elongated strand of a propellant co-extruded with a moisture barrier. The propellant compositions are adapted for co-extrusion with a plastic sheath which forms the moisture barrier surrounding the propellant and include a binder fuel component effective to render the composition flexible and to impart sufficient adhesive properties such that the propellant composition and the plastic sheath adhere together, and an oxidizer.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster system is provided for supporting a body portion of a vehicle occupant such as the knees and lower body or pelvis during a collision. The inflatable bolster includes a decorative substantially rigid front panel and an expandable metal rear panel attached to the non-metal decorative front panel. The inflatable bolster has an inflation orifice, and may have at least one vertical expansion fold and at least one horizontal expansion fold on the rear panel.

Abstract: A toroidal-shaped adaptive output inflator is provided wherein the inflator includes a toroidal-shaped outer housing and an inner housing together defining an outer chamber and an inner chamber. A supply of gas-generating pyrotechnic material having a burn rate that is pressure dependent is contained within the outer chamber and at least a portion of the supply of gas-generating pyrotechnic material is reactable to generate a product gas. The inflator also includes a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures each formed in the inner housing, and each providing independent fluidic communication between the outer chamber and the inner chamber wherethrough at least a portion of the product gas can exit the outer chamber into the inner chamber.

Abstract: A glove compartment assembly incorporates a compact airbag module with a cushion constructed at least partially of a rigid material. The cushion may be sandwiched between front and rear door covers so that inflation of the cushion moves the front door cover toward the knees of a vehicle user to provide antisubmarining protection. The cushion may incorporate the front door cover as a portion of its inflation gas-containing membrane. The glove compartment assembly may utilize a uniquely designed latching system, such as an electric latching assembly, a latching assembly disposed generally off the door, or a break-away latching assembly disposed generally on the front door cover, to permit motion of the front door cover away from the instrument panel without interfering with the airbag module.

Abstract: An assembly including a support housing and an actuator device. The actuator device includes an extendable initiator cup including at least one non-random fold and at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products. The extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends from a first length to a second, greater length upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The extendable initiator cup is at least partially disposed within a longitudinally extending bore of the support housing. The support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The assembly can include an electrical conductive member or an electrical switch. The extendable initiator cup can extend to sever the electrical conductive member or disengage the electrical switch, thereby interrupting the conduction of electricity through an electrical system.

Abstract: A folded rigid knee airbag for preventing the lower body portion of a vehicle occupant from being propelled forward during a collision is provided. The folded rigid knee airbag includes a back panel and a front panel attached to the back panel. Both the front panel and the back panel may be made from a rigid material, such as sheet metal. The back panel may include first and second accordion folds, and first and second vertical folds. The airbag may be in communication with an inflator. During discharge of the inflator, the accordion folds and the vertical folds unfold to form four substantially planar walls. The accordion folds and the vertical folds enable the front panel to remain substantially flat and maintain a substantially uniform cross-sectional area during inflation.

Abstract: A modular fire detection and extinguishing system is disclosed that is inexpensive, compact, and modular to allow easy aftermarket installation in a variety of vehicles. The system may include a detector, a trigger coupled to the detector and a gas generant fire extinguisher, a modular distribution line in fluid communication with the extinguisher and a nozzle. The system allows exhaust gas from the gas generant fire extinguisher to carry dry powdered fire suppressant from the fire extinguisher and through the nozzle to disperse the fire suppressant substantially uniformly throughout a fire hazard zone. The extinguisher is installed such that exhaust gas must aerate substantially all the fire suppressant before exiting the extinguisher.