Abstract: The invention is directed to an actuation system that is contained within a divided pressure vessel which has two chambers under pressure, separated by a common partition and piston. The system is operated by causing an opening in the first chamber, creating a pressure differential between the two chambers which causes the piston to move and fluid to flow between the two chambers. Movement of the piston may or may not expose flow orifices between the two chambers. Pyrotechnic material is enclosed within the piston to generate combustion products for augmenting performance. The two chambers can be used to contain inert working gases or reacting fluids that are isolated from one another until the system is actuated.

Abstract: Fire extinguishing or suppression apparatus and method employing a liquid pyrotechnic composition of a ternary mixture of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate, an amine nitrate salt, and water, in a closed combustion chamber of a pressure container. The apparatus is constructed to permit a large volume of water vapor exothermically generated by the reaction of a liquid pyrotechnic composition to be discharged from the combustion chamber and pressure container to an area of a fire.

Abstract: An airbag inflator with venturi effect cooling and gas supplement. The inflator includes a housing having a quantity of gas-producing fuel therein, and possibly a stored gas also, along with appropriate igniters. These materials are stored within a gas production chamber of the housing. The gas leaving this chamber travels through the housing to an exit port on the housing. Intermediate the gas production chamber and the housing exit port is a venturi section of the housing. This section reduces the pressure of the gas, and thus the pressure at the interior end of draw vents opening onto the venturi section. The vents therefore draw outside air into the housing to mix with the gas. This cools the gas to the desired temperature, and also supplements the gas exiting the housing. As such, the need for a heat sink to cool the gas is reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, since the cushion is inflated with a mixture of gas and air, the amount of gas typically needed is reduced by the amount of added air.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator has porous substrate coated with a heat-producing, essentially non gas-producing composition for heating pressurized inflation gases in the inflator.

Abstract: An air bag inflation which includes a gas source and a gas outlet opening for allowing flow of gas from the gas source into the air bag wherein the flow of gas is controlled with a valve assembly including a piston disposed in a cylinder and features a piston against which the gas acts to cause movement of the piston in a first direction in the cylinder to provide an increased flow of gas through the gas outlet opening and further includes a spring disposed in the path of movement of the piston so that as the piston moves in the cylinder the spring provides resistance to the movement of the piston.

Abstract: An air bag inflator which includes a gas source and a gas outlet opening for allowing flow of gas from the gas source into the air bag wherein the flow of gas is controlled with a valve assembly including a piston disposed in a cylinder and features a piston which has a pintle shaped surface against which the gas acts to cause movement of the piston in a first direction in the cylinder to provide an increased flow of gas through the gas outlet opening and further includes a spring disposed in the path of movement of the piston so that as the piston moves in the cylinder the spring provides resistance to the movement of the piston.

Abstract: The amount of particulate matter that is forced into the passenger compartment of an automobile by the deployment of an air bag as it protects the lives of occupants is reduced by improving the filterability of the combustion products of a composition for generating gas to inflate the bag. The filterability is improved by adding a nucleating agent for alkali metal halide vapors formed during said combustion. Silica, alumina, and graphite are representative of the nucleating agents.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator for an inflatable restraint system has a center frame and two tubular end caps forming an elongated housing defining a chamber storing pressurized inert gas. Unit means for heating and delivering the stored gas are mounted in the center frame and positioned to deliver inflation gasses centrally with respect to the elongated housing. In a two unit embodiment, one unit includes a squib and a pyrotechnic gas generant, and the other unit defines an outlet orifice and baffle plate. In another two unit embodiment, the second unit includes an essentially non gas-producing heating composition which, when activated, heats and expands the pressurized gas. In a third embodiment, a unit includes heating material and ignition means and defines the outlet orifice. The center manifold is extruded metal stock with two opposing flat surfaces adapted to mount one or more units.

Abstract: A heat-enhanced boosted inflator for a vehicle airbag includes a housing defining a storage chamber having compressed inflation gas therein and a heating cup mounted to the housing and defining a portion of a gas delivery path to the airbag. The heating cup contains a heat-producing material and the gas flows through the heat-producing material to heat-expand it. One heat-producing material is thermite (Al+FeO.sub.3) and ignitor means initiate its reaction. A cylindrical heating cup provides an annular heating chamber containing the heat-producing material and further defines an outlet plenum containing inflation gas which is released initially for a "soft" onset of inflation.