Abstract: An in-line seat belt pretensioner is provided that includes a frame containing a first guide member and a second guide member for tensioning of seat belt webbing upon pretensioner activation. As the pretensioner is activated, the seat belt is tensioned by activation of an actuator operably coupled to the second guide. The second guide is then routed over a vertically stationary first guide that is slidably engaged within a slot within the frame, thereby contributing to reducing the load on the occupant. A low-friction material employed in the manufacture of the guide member(s), contributes to a smoother and less abrupt tensioning of the seat belt upon activation of the pretensioner.

Abstract: An airbag inflator (10) including an elongated outer housing (12) having an interior and a plurality of orifices (22) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the outer housing interior and an exterior of the outer housing (12). The outer housing orifice(s) (22) open from the outer housing interior toward a first side (F) of the inflator. An elongated inner housing (14) is positioned in the outer housing interior. The inner housing (14) has an interior and a plurality of orifices (20) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the inner housing interior and an exterior of the inner housing (14). The inner housing orifice(s) (20) open from the inner housing interior toward a second side (S) of the inflator. A quantity of a gas generant composition (16) extends along a portion of the interior of the inner housing (14).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to gas generant compositions for inflators of occupant restraint systems, for example. A gas generating composition 12 formed in accordance with the present invention includes an alkyl cellulosic fuel/binder, an oxidizer, and a burn inhibitor or ignition catalyst. A vehicle occupant protection system 180, and other gas generating systems, incorporate the compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone fracture fixation system, such as for reducing and compressing fractures in the proximal femur. The fixation system includes a plurality of elongated bodies with a helical cancellous bone anchor on a distal end of each of the bodies. An axially moveable plate with a plurality of openings is carried by the proximal end of the elongated bodies. The elongated bodies are rotated into position across the fracture or separation between adjacent bones and into the adjacent bone or bone fragment, and the plate is distally advanced to apply secondary compression and lock the device into place. The device may also be used for soft tissue attachments.

Abstract: An inflator 10 of a vehicle occupant protection system contains an elongated housing 12 having a plurality of gas exit orifices 14 spaced along the length thereof. A first propellant body 31 and a second propellant body 33 are provided in lengths substantially equivalent to the length of the housing 12 wherein the first propellant body 31 is placed in physical contact with the second propellant body 33 for all or most of their respective lengths. Once the first propellant body 31 is ignited upon a crash event, resultant uniform ignition and combustion across the length of the second propellant body 33 results in uniform gas generation and uniform inflation of an airbag 26, wherein the airbag 26 is at least substantially coextensive with and in fluid communication with the housing 12. Preferred mixtures of first propellant body 31 contain silicone, a perchlorate oxidizer, and a nitrate salt.

Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). The initiator (28) is positioned exterior of the gas generant container (34) so as to enable fluid communication with the container (34) upon activation of the initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is positioned within the container (34). The gas generant container (34) may have sufficient rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape prior to positioning of the gas generant (32) therein, and is penetrable by combustion products resulting from activation of the initiator (28). A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). The initiator (28) is positioned exterior of the gas generant container (34) so as to enable fluid communication with the container (34) upon activation of the initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is placed within the container (34). In one embodiment, the gas generant container (34) has sufficient rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape prior to positioning of the gas generant (32) therein, and is penetrable by combustion products resulting from activation of the initiator (28). A flame retardant (33) is positioned within the housing 17 exterior of the gas generant container (34) but in reactive proximity thereto. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided, comprising an initiator (48) including an initiator charge, a gas generant insert (52) spaced apart from the initiator (48), and a fluid-impermeable blast director (42) interposed between the initiator (48) and the gas generant insert (52). The blast director (42) provides a barrier between the gas generant insert (52) and a blast resulting from ignition of the initiator charge when the initiator charge is ignited. The blast director (42), when used with particular gas generant configurations, reduces the effects of the initiator blast and reduces the amount of gas generant exposed to the blast, enabling the structural integrity of the gas generant (52) to be maintained.

Abstract: A push-on retainer (16, 116) is provided for securing together an initiator (14) and another element of a gas generating system. The retainer (16, 116) includes a first portion (16a, 116a) for engaging a surface of the other element of the system, and a second portion (16b, 116b) coupled to the first portion for engaging a surface of the initiator (14) to secure the initiator to the other element of the gas generating system. A vehicle occupant protection system (180) is also provided which includes a gas generating system utilizing a push-on retainer (16, 116) for securing the initiator (14) to the other element of the gas generating system.

Abstract: Flame suppressants or catalysts, independent of the gas generant composition, reduce the flame front and carbon monoxide produced by combustion of gas generating compositions employed within gas generating systems such as vehicle occupant restraint systems, for example. Heterogeneous distribution of the flash suppressant and the gas generant within the gas generant bed facilitates, upon gas generator activation, a reduction in flame front of any known gas generant without reformulating the gas generating composition.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to auto-ignition/booster compositions for inflators of occupant restraint systems, for example. An auto-ignition/booster composition in accordance with the present invention includes an auto-ignition composition combined with silicone. When uncured silicone is added to a mixture of the dry granulated constituents of both the auto-ignition and booster components, an extrudable or thixotropic mixture is produced. The uncured mixture may then be applied to any desired surface within an associated gas generator within a vehicle occupant protection system, for example, thereby simplifying gas generator manufacture. A gas generating system incorporating the present composition is also contemplated.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. In one aspect of the invention, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. In one aspect, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system including an airbag module containing an elongated inflator and an elongated airbag is provided. The airbag contains a first and a second upper portion, and at least one lower or thoracic portion in fluid communication with at least one upper portion upon activation of the airbag.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the retractor spool (16), a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11) along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (22), and a base member (50) slidably coupled to the actuator (22) and to the stationary member (20). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and one or more complementary pins (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Pins (28) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (29) extend along a portion of the base member (50) for slidingly engaging the pins (28) on the second portion of the movable member (22).

Abstract: A side curtain airbag (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for use with a linear gas generator or inflator. In one embodiment, the airbag (110, 210, 310, 410) includes a first panel (113, 213, 313, 413), a second panel (114, 214, 314, 414) adjacent the first panel, and a plurality of elliptically-shaped seams (116, 220, 320, 420) connecting the adjacent panels to define a plurality of inflation fluid flow passages (117, 217, 317, 417) between the seams. In another embodiment, the airbag includes a first panel (513), a second panel (514) adjacent the first panel, and a plurality of substantially straight seams (520) connecting the adjacent panels to define a plurality of inflation fluid flow passages (517) between the seams (520). Use of the seam patterns described herein in side airbag systems allows for improved airbag performance, particularly when used in conjunction with a linear inflator.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) is housed inside the retractor spool (16). The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the retractor spool (16), and a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11) along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (22). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and complementary helical splines (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Helical splines (29) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (28) extend along a portion of the stationary member (20) for slidingly engaging the splines (29) on the second portion of the movable member (22).

Abstract: An airbag inflator (10) including an elongated outer housing (12) having an interior and one or more orifices (22) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the outer housing interior and an exterior of the outer housing (12). The outer housing orifice(s) (22) open from the outer housing interior toward a first side (F) of the inflator. An elongated inner housing (14) is positioned in the outer housing interior. The inner housing (14) has an interior and one or more orifices (20) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the inner housing interior and an exterior of the inner housing (14). The inner housing orifice(s) (20) open from the inner housing interior toward a second side (S) of the inflator. A quantity of a gas generant composition (16) extends along a portion of the interior of the inner housing (14). The gas generant (16) has a substantially “C”-shaped cross-section with a slot (24) extending along the length of the gas generant (16).

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprising a housing (12) having an interior and a plurality of gas exit orifices (14) formed therealong. A gas source material (20) is positioned in the housing interior and is enclosed in a pliable, rupturable substantially gas-and-moisture-impermeable container (24). The gas source (20) is a material (for example, hydrogen peroxide) adapted to undergo decomposition to form at least one gaseous decomposition product comprising an inflation gas. A reactant material (22) is also positioned in the interior of the housing (12). The reactant (22) is a material (such as a catalyst) adapted to react with the gas source material to produce decomposition of the gas source material (20). An enclosure (28) is positioned within the housing (12) to form a cavity (30) between an outer wall of the housing (12) and the enclosure (28). The reactant material (22) is positioned in the cavity (30).

Abstract: A micro gas generator 10 is provided primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into a seatbelt pretensioner 26, for example. A perforated housing 12 of gas generator 10 provides a body for containment of the other gas generant constituents, and forms a propellant chamber 14. A propellant or gas generant 16 is contained within chamber 14 and provides combustion thereof. An annular bore 20 is centrally oriented within the bore seal 18 thereby providing a seat for an associated initiator 22. An initiator blast shield 36 is encased about the initiator 22 thereby attenuating or mitigating the force and progression of the combustion of an ignition compound (not shown) within the initiator 22.