Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a filter assembly (36) formed from a plurality of nodules (36b) positioned and secured in relation to each other so as to form a porous structure (36a). In one embodiment, the nodules (36b) are metallic and are secured in relation to each other using either a sintering process or a brazing process. The nodules (36b) may be bonded directly together, or the nodules may be secured within a metallic matrix material. The gas generating system may also include a first baffle plate (40) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a gas source of the gas generating system (10), and a second baffle plate (42) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a housing wall (12c) of the gas generating system (10). The baffle plates (40, 42) provide added structural integrity to the porous structure (36a) and increase the length of a tortuous flow path of gases through the filter assembly (36).

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbelt inflator (10) designed primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of gas generant materials into a vehicle airbelt. Inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical inflator body (12), having a first end (11) and a second end (13). A unique booster cup (22) is positioned within inflator body (12), and is preferably press fit with initiator body (15), suspending cup (22) within inflator body (12). Cup (22) facilitates consistent burn of the main propellant, imparting repeatable bag performance. A cylindrical mesh filter (38) is positioned in inflator body (12). A nozzle (36) is preferably positioned adjacent a disc (30). A variety of different nozzles giving inflator (10) varying gas output characteristics can be utilized with inflator (10), for example thrusting inflators or thrust-neutral inflators, depending on the operating requirements of the airbelt system.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a tubular outer housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (L) and one or more apertures (12d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and an exterior of the outer housing. A tubular inner housing (70) is positioned within the interior of the outer housing (12). The inner housing (70) includes one or more apertures (70d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the inner housing and an exterior of the inner housing. A first tubular baffle (80) is provided for cooling and regulating a flow of gas produced by the gas generating system (10). The first baffle (80) has a plurality of corrugations (80c) formed therealong and is positioned between the inner housing (70) and the outer housing (12) to define a gas flow channel (82) extending between the first baffle (80) and the inner housing (70).

Abstract: An inflator (10) having an inflator body (12) with a plurality of elongate chambers (16, 18, 20, 22) and bores (17, 19, 21) formed therein. In a preferred embodiment, the bores (17, 19, 21) are formed in ends (12a, 12b) of the inflator body (12) and positioned co-radially with adjacent chambers, fluidly connecting the same and providing for a reversing axial flow in the inflator (10) for inflation gas.

Abstract: The present invention is best described as a gas generator including an inflator housing 12 containing an initiator assembly 18 and a propellant bed 44 in ignitable communication with the initiator assembly 18. The gas generator 10 further contains a filter body 14 fixed to the inflator housing 12 and coaxially aligned therewith, wherein the filter body 14 at least contains a first filter 56 and a second filter 62 such that the second filter 62 is in coaxial and linear relation with the first filter 56. If desired, the filter body 14 may additionally contain at least one perforated disc 50, at least one spacer member 54, and at least one additional filter member 62. Design requirements or specific applications determine the arrangement and addition of these components in the filter body 14.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbelt inflator (10) designed primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of gas generant materials into a vehicle airbelt. Inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical inflator body (12), having a first end (11) and a second end (13). A unique booster cup (22) is positioned within inflator body (12), and is preferably press fit with initiator body (15), suspending cup (22) within inflator body (12). Cup (22) facilitates consistent burn of the main propellant, imparting repeatable bag performance. A cylindrical mesh filter (38) is positioned in inflator body (12). A nozzle (36) is preferably positioned adjacent a disc (30). A variety of different nozzles giving inflator (10) varying gas output characteristics can be utilized with inflator (10), for example thrusting inflators or thrust-neutral inflators, depending on the operating requirements of the airbelt system.

Abstract: A simplified multi-chamber inflator 10 utilizes a housing 12 having two initiator chambers 42 and 44 respectively formed within an initiator assembly 18. The initiator assembly 18 may be formed from a one-piece component or alternatively, may be formed by coupling a first component 26 and a second component 28 in nested relationship within the housing 12. A primary propellant chamber 52 fluidly communicates with initiator chambers 42 and 44 upon actuation of inflator 10.

Abstract: The present invention is best described as a gas generator including an inflator housing 12 containing an initiator assembly 18 and a propellant bed 44 in ignitable communication with the initiator assembly 18. The gas generator 10 further contains a filter body 14 fixed to the inflator housing 12 and coaxially aligned therewith, wherein the filter body 14 at least contains a first filter 56 and a second filter 62 such that the second filter 62 is in coaxial and linear relation with the first filter 56. If desired, the filter body 14 may additionally contain at least one perforated disc 50, at least one spacer member 54, and at least one additional filter member 62. Design requirements or specific applications determine the arrangement and addition of these components in the filter body 14.

Abstract: A simplified multi-chamber inflator 10 utilizes a housing 12 having two initiator chambers 42 and 44 respectively formed within an initiator assembly 18. The initiator assembly 18 may be formed from a one-piece component or alternatively, may be formed by coupling a first component 26 and a second component 28 in nested relationship within the housing 12. A primary propellant chamber 52 fluidly communicates with initiator chambers 42 and 44 upon actuation of inflator 10.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bridgewire initiator used to ignite a booster charge in an airbag inflator. A pair of connectors are electrically connected to a bridgewire disposed within a charge holder containing an ignition composition. The ignition composition is biased against the bridgewire by an output cup having a concave end telescoped over the charge holder. When firing current is applied to the connectors the bridgewire is electrically heated thereby igniting the booster charge.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of fabricating an electroexplosive device which utilizes a semiconductor bridge as an ignition element. The semiconductor bridge is electrically connected to a metal header by a small, low resistance contact to the extension of bridge material and through an insulating silicon substrate to an eutectic bond created by gold plating on the metal header and the silicon. The second electrode of the bridge circuit is connected via wire bonds to one or two conducting pins which penetrate the metal header and are insulated by surrounding glass. A redundant connection via two conducting pins insulated from the header to one electrode of the semiconductor bridge allows a post assembly test of the integrity of the wire bonds, thereby increasing reliability of the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a circuit and method for generating sequential, multiple impulses for use in firing or initiating more than one output device. The invention permits the firing, or actuation, of multiple devices at different times. The disclosed invention is an improvement on existing designs for multiple output impulse cartridges. This multi-output impulse cartridge has self-contained an electrical circuit and electrical energy storage capacitors which allow a single, short pulse of input current to initiate a first output, time out a second or multiple later outputs, and fire the outputs from the remaining energy stored on the capacitors.