Abstract: An aft closure assembly manufactured from two separate and distinct pieces made from different materials is provided for a rocket motor case. The aft closure assembly includes at least a retaining ring piece made from a first material similar to or having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the motor case. The aft closure assembly includes a blast tube and closure piece that can be manufactured from a second material that does not need to be similar to nor have a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the motor case and retaining ring piece. This is possible because the blast tube and closure piece includes a face seal that seals against a face of the retaining ring.

Abstract: An aft closure assembly manufactured from two separate and distinct pieces made from different materials is provided for a rocket motor case. The aft closure assembly includes at least a retaining ring piece made from a first material similar to or having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the motor case. The aft closure assembly includes a blast tube and closure piece that can be manufactured from a second material that does not need to be similar to nor have a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the motor case and retaining ring piece. This is possible because the blast tube and closure piece includes a face seal that seals against a face of the retaining ring.

Abstract: A multi-level output inflator for inflating an airbag in the event of a vehicle crash, comprising a housing, a wall section disposed in the housing to define separate primary and secondary combustion chambers therein. A primary initiator and primary propellant are disposed within the primary combustion chamber, and a secondary initiator and secondary propellant are disposed with the secondary combustion chamber. The housing comprises a primary nozzle in communication with the primary combustion chamber, and a secondary nozzle in communication with the secondary combustion chamber. The primary and secondary initiators may be fired separately, simultaneously, or in a timed sequence to inflate the air bag at different rates and levels depending on the nature of the vehicle crash. A method of assembling the components of the inflator is also described and covered.

Abstract: A variable output inflator (20) for use in inflating an air bag or air cushion comprising: a pressure vessel (22) comprising a thin walled toroidal pressure vessel portion (23) and a cylindrical pressure vessel portion (60) circumscribed by, in physical contact and in fluid communication with the toroidal pressure vessel portion, the cylindrical pressure vessel portion including a rupturable disk (74) and at least one exit port (78) communicable with an air bag; a pyrotechnic member (200a,b) for heating stored inflation gas within the pressure vessel to a pressure level to rupture the rupturable disk, allowing heated inflation gas to exit and fill an adjacently attached air bag.