Abstract: An inflator (10) includes a container (12) having a chamber (120). An exit opening (48) is provided in the container (12) and is connected to the chamber (120). A substance (122, 180) is stored in the chamber (120) and is responsive to heat for providing inflation fluid. An igniter (130) is associated with the container (12) and is actuatable to provide combustion products for heating the substance (122, 180). A nozzle (80) is interposed between the igniter (130) and the chamber (120). A passage (90) extends from the igniter (130) and through the nozzle (80). The passage (90) includes a divergent portion (110) for focusing a flow of combustion products from the igniter (130) into the chamber (120).

Abstract: A method of filling containers (50) with gases (12) provides each container, when filled, with a first predetermined amount of a first gas and a second predetermined amount of a second gas. The method comprises the step of forming a mixture comprising first and second amounts of the first and second gases, respectively. The first and second amounts are greater than and are in proportion to the first and second predetermined amounts, respectively. The method further comprises the steps of: determining a sum of the first and second predetermined amounts; and adding a third amount of the mixture to each of the containers. The third amount is equal to the sum of the first and second predetermined amounts.

Abstract: A tireless rotatable asphalt mixer. The mixer is provided with a rotatable tubular cylindrical section that is suspended along an axis of rotation at bearing mounts. The apparatus is allowed to expand by way of fixing one bearing mount and allowing the other mount to float with respect to longitudinal elongation resulting from thermal expansion. In the mixer, heated aggregate, liquid asphalt cement, and aggregate dust are mixed to produce an asphalt composition. The asphalt cement injection point is adjustable longitudinally along the centerline of the mixer, by way of replacement of an asphalt cement injection tube with a substitute injection tube of a different length. Further, multiple asphalt cements of different compositions may be introduced into the mixer by means of additional injection pipes at the inlet end of the mixer. Recycled Asphalt Pavement (“RAP”) may be added to the mixer with heated aggregate through the inlet chute.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (32) comprises a container (20) defining a gas storage chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the gas storage chamber. An opening (40, 42) in the container (20) enables fluid flow from the gas storage chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32). A rupturable burst disk (60, 62) extends across the opening (40, 42). An assembly (80) in the gas storage chamber (14) is provided for producing combustion products for heating and pressurizing the inflation fluid (66). The assembly (80) includes a housing (82) and a separator (100) in the housing defining first and second chambers (112, 114). A first pyrotechnic charge (122) in the first chamber (112) has a first burn rate. The housing (82) has first fluid outlets (96) for enabling flow of combustion products from the first chamber (112) to the gas storage chamber (14).

Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the chamber. A first opening (41) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to an inflatable device (32). A first burst disk (60) extends across the first opening (41) and is rupturable in response to an increase in the pressure differential across the first burst disk to a level above a first predetermined pressure differential. The inflator (10) includes a first igniter (90) for, when actuated, increasing the pressure differential across the first burst disk (60) to a level above the first predetermined pressure differential to rupture the first burst disk. A second opening (43) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a pressure vessel (12) defining a chamber (30) for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel (12) has a passage (40) through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber (30). A burst disk (52) blocks fluid flow through the passage (40). A member (80) is disposed adjacent to and on one side of the burst disk (52) prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel (12). The burst disk (52) deforms toward the one side due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber (30). The member (80) limits deformation of the burst disk (52) by contacting the burst disk. An actuatable igniter assembly (66), when actuated, moves the member toward the burst disk (52) to rupture the burst disk and enable the inflation fluid to flow from the chamber (30) through the passage (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, which apparatus includes a pressure vessel having a preformed opening feature and a method of fabricating a corresponding single chamber apparatus for inflating an inflatable device.

Abstract: An airbag module providing adaptive performance. The module includes a housing defining an interior. At least an inflator is received within the housing, and preferably the folded, uninflated cushion, also. Various arrangements are provided to selectively block, or create, a vent extending through the housing. This vent, when open, permits the inflation gas provided by the inflator to exit the housing without entering the cushion. The vent may be initially open, and blocked by a sliding cover block, may be initially closed and opened by movement of a slide plug, or may be initially closed and opened by deformation of a portion of the housing. The venting of the inflation gas will at least slow the rate of inflation of the cushion, and may reduce the final pressure within the cushion. As such, the housing will be vented for less severe collisions, and will not be vented for more severe collisions.

Abstract: A regenerative monopropellant inflator having improved initiation of the regenerative cycle and improve operating efficiency. The inflator may direct the flow of the monopropellant into a localized volume to create a "hot spot" to increase combustion. This serves to ensure that the regenerative cycle is initiated. Various arrangements are provided to increase the residence time of the combusting monopropellant within the inflator, to ensure complete combustion of the monopropellant, and thus increased efficiency. These arrangements include inducing a helical gas flow to increase the length of the path traveled by the gas. Various barriers may also be placed within the gas flow to force direction changes, which reduce the velocity of the gas.

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 regenerative monopropellant inflator providing adaptive performance. The inflator includes a housing defining an interior. A piston is received in the housing and divides the interior into a fuel supply chamber and a combustion chamber. The piston moves through the fuel supply chamber during the regenerative combustion cycle to produce an inflation gas from reaction of the fuel in the combustion chamber. The inflation gas exits the combustion chamber via exit ports. To provide adaptive performance a back pressure may be selectively applied to the piston against its travel. This slows the piston, and thus the gas production of the inflator. Alternatively, the total size of the exit ports could be selectively varied to thus vary the pressure within the combustion chamber, known as throttling. Increased pressure within the combustion chamber causes an increase in the rate of inflation gas production.

Abstract: A regenerative liquid propellant rocket motor including a body having an integrally formed central tube. A primary combustion chamber is disposed in the body. A secondary combustion chamber is formed by the central tube of the body. A reservoir of liquid propellant is disposed in the body. A regenerative piston is slidably disposed in the body for delivering the liquid propellant to the primary and secondary combustion chambers. The piston includes a plurality of injection ports for injecting the liquid propellant. An ignitor is disposed in the body for initiating combustion of the liquid propellant. A nozzle is formed at a free end of the central tube for producing thrust, wherein upon ignition of the ignitor combustion occurs in the primary combustion chamber driving the piston into the liquid propellant reservoir and the liquid propellant is injected into the primary combustion chamber to produce combustion products which are channeled into the secondary combustion chamber and expanded through the nozzle.

Abstract: An auto ignition system for use as part of an airbag inflator having an ignitor tube. The auto ignition system includes an elongated auto ignition chamber having an open end and a length to width ratio of at least three. The auto ignition chamber is adapted to be positioned within the airbag inflator with the open end facing the ignitor tube. Auto ignition material is contained within the auto ignition chamber, and a metal foil retention disk closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber. According to one embodiment, the auto ignition chamber is a recess defined by an endwall of the airbag inflator with the open end of the recess facing the ignitor tube. According to another embodiment of the invention, a solid press-fit closure plug closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber, and according to an additional embodiment, the press-fit closure plug is a porous metal fiber or powder press-fit closure plug.

Abstract: A regenerative liquid propellant engine system includes a body having opposed ends. A combustion chamber is disposed in the body. A reservoir of liquid propellant is also disposed in the body. A regenerative piston is slidably disposed in the body for delivering the liquid propellant to the combustion chamber. When combustion occurs in the combustion chamber the piston is driven into the liquid propellant reservoir and the liquid propellant is injected into the combustion chamber to produce combustion products. A storage tank stores a quantity of liquid propellant and a pump delivers the liquid propellant from the storage tank to the liquid propellant reservoir. The regenerative piston produces the necessary pumping pressure to operate the pump, thus, the mechanical complexity and inefficiencies of other pumping techniques is avoided.

Abstract: In an inflator of a vehicle safety restraint system utilizing liquid propellant as the inflation gas generator, decomposition of residual liquid propellant within the inflator produces undesirable gases which can result in unacceptable inflator effluent. The injection termination features of the present invention are formed onto an encapsulation or plug of a regenerative piston inflator. Upon completion of the piston stroke, the injection termination feature makes contact with the injection ports and plugs the injection ports to prevent combustion and decomposition reactions from propagating through the piston.

Abstract: An inflator of a vehicle safety restraint system having a flow inhibitor system which forces ignition gases through a gas generant of the inflator. A housing includes a gas generant chamber and an igniter for generating an ignition gas. A gas generant is disposed within the gas generant chamber for generating an inflation gas. A shock absorbing devive supports the gas generant in the housing. The shock absorber is disposed within a region of the gas generant chamber. A flow inhibitor blocks the flow of the ignition gas into the region of the shock absorber. The flow inhibitor is disposed adjacent the shock absorber, such that the ignition gas does not enter the region of the shock absorber but passes solely through the gas generant.

Abstract: A passenger air bag inflator using pressurized inert gas upon initial deployment to provide cool gas to the folded air bag. After the bag has started to unfold, the remaining gas is provided by pyrotechnic gas generant. Pyrotechnic gas expands against a piston. The piston compresses the inert gas and forces it to exhaust from the inflator. Upon expulsion of the inert gas, the piston then becomes a filter for the pyrotechnic. The system provides a reduction in air bag stresses from fast hot gas deployments.

Abstract: An inflator of a vehicle safety restraint system includes a housing having a reservoir of liquid propellant. A combustion chamber is disposed in the housing in communication with the liquid propellant reservoir. A regenerative piston is movably disposed within the housing for separating the liquid propellant reservoir and the combustion chamber. The piston head includes a plurality of injection ports for delivering the liquid propellant to the combustion chamber in a controlled manner. A pressure relieving bore, normally sealed by the piston stem, is disposed in the housing for relieving pressure in the liquid propellant reservoir. Decomposition or combustion within the propellant storage reservoir will move the piston to open the pressure relief bore which depressurizes the liquid propellant and prevents rupture and fragmentation of the inflator.

Abstract: Multiple bridgewires are distributed through the length of the elongated tubular igniter of an automotive vehicle passenger side inflator. Upon receipt of an electrical stimulus the bridgewires ignite sensitive booster charges which ignite ignition powder within the igniter tube at the multiple distributed bridgewire locations. The use of this system eliminates the need for high velocity pyrotechnics in the ignition system to ignite the inflator gas generant within acceptable time constraints when the tubular igniter is ignited from one end by an initiator, and replaces the squib initiator.

Abstract: Liquid gas generant compositions are aqueous solutions of hydroxylammonium nitrate as the oxidizer and a fuel selected from the group consisting of nitrate salts of amines of the formulae:A.sup.1) an amino tetrazole or amino triazole,A.sup.2) an amine of the formulae (I) (NHZ).sub.2 --C.dbd.O, (II) (NHZ).sub.2 --C.dbd.NZ, (III) HN--(CO--NHZ).sub.2, where the Zs are the same or different and are selected from H and NH.sub.2,A.sup.3) C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 -alkyldiamine, andmixtures of the nitrate salts of amines of the above formulae.