Abstract: An air bag system is provided for use in a motor vehicle. The air bag system includes at least one air bag module. A multiple level gas generation source is coupled to the air bag module for generating a selected gas generation level applied to the air bag module. An electronic control unit controls the operation of multiple level gas generation source. At least one temperature sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing ambient temperature. At least one seat belt sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing seat belt usage. An acceleration sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing deceleration during a crash. The electronic control unit is responsive to a combination of sensed inputs from the temperature sensor, the seat belt sensor and the acceleration sensor for determining both an optimum gas generation level and inflation sequence times for controlling the multiple level gas generation source.

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: Featured for use in the reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a continuous circumference diffuser tube. The diffuser tube may be a one-piece, two-piece or clamshell type all of which functionally are the same although the clamshell type is more versatile. The diffuser tube provides for the attachment of brackets for installation of the reaction canister in the instrument panel of a vehicle, provides a secure reliable attachment for the inflatable bag or protective cushion, and a secure installation of the inflator. The diffuser tube completely encloses the inflator and allows a last operation of assembly thereof.

Abstract: The invention facilitates fixedly attaching to vehicle steering wheels different or variously styled driver restraint modules, while incorporating common major module components. For example, three (3) different modules use the same major module components (reaction plate, inflator, and folded air bag) but utilize different brackets for steering wheel mounting and adaptation to the styling locations of selected ones of the variously styled driver module assemblies for horn blowing, speed control, etc. This makes it possbile to use more common production tooling, i.e., for cover attachment, bag folding, etc., thus enabling manufacturing cost reduction.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a chamber in which inert gas under high pressure is stored, a diffuser chamber, and a chamber containing a pyrotechnic heater and initiator. Upon receiving an electrical signal the initiator fires igniting the pyrotechnic charge. As pressure in the combustion chamber of the pyrotechnic heater rises and exceeds the storage chamber pressure, a plug in a shoulder covering the pyrotechnic nozzle orifice is unseated, subsequently rupturing a thin metal sealing diaphragm since the latter is unsupported for a pressure differential in this direction. Hot gas and particles from the burning pyrotechnic heat the stored gas causing a rapid pressure rise in the storage chamber. When the storage chamber pressure exceeds the structural capability of a thin metal disc between the diffuser and storage chambers, it ruptures allowing the heated gas to vent through the diffuser orifices into the air bag assembly.

Abstract: An air bag module using a tubular inflator uses a different housing, retaining ring, cushion and inflator bracket than are currently used, with the appearance and function of the module not being changed but only the internal components. The inflator is placed in a slotted section of the module housing with the diffuser thereof protruding from the center through a hole in a raised portion of the module housing slotted section, which hole is sized closely to the size of the diffuser. The diffuser extends directly into the module at a 90.degree. angle to the plane surface of the housing. The retaining ring has raised portions in the center thereof to match the raised portion of the module housing, has holes in the raised portions, and has tabs which extend through holes in the cushion and the module housing. The module housing has tabs on the raised portion thereof which extend through holes in the cushion and retaining ring.

Abstract: A floating, serviceable, horn blowing switch consists of a shoulder bolt and stud which in conjunction with an assembly retainer and lock nut hold an air bag module assembly to the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle. The horn switch assembly includes a pre-stressed compression spring and two concentric housings that are arranged to snap together. The housings act as an electrical insulator and house the compression spring and electrical contacts. Lead wires connect the electrical contacts to a power source and the horn mechanism. The electrical contact gap is governed by the vibration requirements of the vehicle and stiffness of the compression spring.

Abstract: An improved method for the continuous fabrication of filter units for use in automotive air bag inflators by spirally winding a hollow cylindrical core, at least one filter layer, and an outer layer to form a continuous spirally wound filter unit. The continuous spirally wound filter unit is then cut into individual filter unit of desired length by the use of conventional cutting device.

Abstract: A canister loaded solid propellant rocket motor. The canisters are prepared separately and loaded with solid propellant whereby the scrap rate may be reduced after which they are installed in a monolithic case which affords stiffness continuity over the length of the rocket motor to prevent guidance system upsetting free play. In order to reduce the complexity of installation of the membrane seal assembly for each pulse, of a multi-pulse rocket motor the bulkhead therefor is manufactured integral with the case of the respective canister and becomes the forward closure thereof. For a multi-stage rocket motor, the monolithic case may be stepped and tapered, and the stages severable therefrom as they burn out by primer cord.

Abstract: A universal squib connector for automobile driver and passenger air bag collision protection systems includes a ferrite bead having two holes in spaced relation with an electric terminal positioned in each hole for making electrical contact with an associated one of the protruding pins of a pin type electric squib. The arrangement enables the use of a single configuration of gas generator and a single configuration of electric initiator or squib for the igniter system of the gas generator while providing EMI/RFI protection and the advantages realizable from both pin type and pig tail type connection of the collision sensor to the input conductors or lead wires to the squib and also the electrical system of the vehicle according to the preferences of individual automobile manufacturers.

Abstract: Because of the length of the airbag gas generator that is used on the passenger side of an automotive vehicle, it has been extremely difficult and expensive to provide an ignition system that would ignite solid gas generant pellets and wafers uniformly throughout the entire length thereof. In order to effect ignition of all pellets throughout the length of the gas generator combustion chamber substantially simultaneously, there is positioned in concentric relation therein an elongated BKNO.sub.3 dipped igniter tube having similarly dipped disks positioned thereon in spaced relation, transversely thereof, BKNO.sub.3 powder initiated by a squib directs fire down the igniter tube to produce a rapid flash of fire that ignites the BKNO.sub.3 dipped igniter tube and disks and surrounding gas generant pellets. The hot gas from the gas generant pellets is cooled and filtered by a screen pack assembly prior to exiting through holes in the cylindrical wall of the gas generator and directed to an airbag for inflation.

Abstract: A multi-pulse or multi-stage canister loaded solid propellant rocket motor. The canisters are prepared separately and loaded with solid propellant whereby the scrape rate may be reduced after which they are installed in a monolithic case which affords stiffness continuity over the length of the rocket motor to prevent guidance system upsetting free play. In order to reduce the complexity of installation of the membrane seal assembly for each pulse, the bulkhead therefor is manufactured integral with the case of the respective canister and becomes the forward closure thereof. For the multi-stage rocket motor, the monolithic case may be stepped and tapered, and the stages severable therefrom as they burn out by primer cord.

Abstract: An aerobic water exercise weight 10 having opposed handles 11 and curbed leg gripping surfaces 14, with weight pocket(s) 13 and weight(s) 15 insertable therein.

Abstract: A multi-pulse or multi-stage canister loaded solid propellant rocket motor. The canisters are prepared separately and loaded with solid propellant whereby the scrap rate may be reduced after which they are installed in a monolithic case which affords stiffness continuity over the length of the rocket motor to prevent guidance system upsetting free play. In order to reduce the complexity of installation of the membrane seal assembly for each pulse, the bulkhead therefor is manufactured integral with the case of the respective canister and becomes the forward closure thereof. For the multi-stage rocket motor, the monolithic case may be stepped and tapered, and the stages severable therefrom as they burn out by primer cord.

Abstract: A segmented rocket motor case includes wedge members for forcing the case segments into position to remove free play at the joint thereof which may otherwise interfere with or upset the missile's guidance system and throw it off target. A lap joint member for such a joint includes a shoulder having a surface for attachment of a membrane seal assembly for a pulsed rocket motor. A through bulkhead initiator communicates from the forward segment via a fitting which extends through the membrane seal assembly with an igniter for the propellant grain within the aft segment to eliminate the necessity of running explosive transfer lines along the outside of the case from a safe and arm device and other controls at the head end of the rocket motor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for fabricating chromium-doped semi-insulating epitaxial layers of gallium arsenide which includes contacting a gallium arsenide substrate with a chromium-doped saturated solution of gallium arsenide in gallium and maintaining the solution at a relatively low liquid phase epitaxial (LPE) deposition temperature on the order of about 750.degree.-850.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for forming a monolithic gallium arsenide structure having a plurality of electrically insulated gallium arsenide regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for fabricating chromium-doped semi-insulating epitaxial layers of gallium arsenide which includes contacting a gallium arsenide substrate with a chromium-doped saturated solution of gallium arsenide in gallium and maintaining the solution at a relatively low liquid phase epitaxial (LPE) deposition temperature on the order of about 750.degree. C-850.degree. C.