Abstract: An authentication server (AS) is provided which stores authentication details of authorised users, and a list of currently-authenticated users. A number of application servers (APS) are connected to the authentication server (AS), to allow the application servers (APS) to check the current authentication status of a user (T1, T2, T3) which requests service by the application servers (APS).

Abstract: An igniter composition for a gas generant and a related method of igniting a gas generant are provided in which, in addition to a boron fuel component and an oxidizer component, the igniter composition additionally includes a gas-forming source of a condensable metal effective for transferring heat to the gas generant.

Abstract: An ignition composition effective to form a porous igniter substance capable of adhering to an associated inflator apparatus surface for use in an automotive inflatable restraint system and a method for preparing a porous igniter coating formed from the ignition composition are provided. The ignition composition includes a fuel, an oxidizer, a polymeric binder and a blowing agent effective, upon decomposition, to increase the surface area of the porous igniter substance. The porous igniter substance or coating is formed by heating the ignition composition to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies wherein an igniter composition used to ignite an associated gas generant material is provided on a selected surface, such as on a damper pad, within the inflator device. Suitable igniter compositions may include a silicone resin additive effective to adhere the igniter composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions containing or including a sufficient quantity of a non-nitrate containing ammonia source whereby, upon reaction of the gas generating composition, NOx products are present in the product gas in a reduced amount as compared to reaction product gas resulting from reaction of the same composition without said quantity of non-nitrate containing ammonia source. Also disclosed are associated methods of reducing NOx products present in an effluent of a gas generating composition that upon combustion forms gas useful for inflating a vehicle occupant safety restraint device.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of gas generation are provided whereby desired gas generation can be realized without requiring the presence and use a charge or coating of an associated igniter composition.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies wherein an igniter composition used to ignite an associated gas generant material is provided on a selected surface, such as on a damper pad, within the inflator device. Suitable igniter compositions may include a silicone resin additive effective to adhere the igniter composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies wherein an igniter composition used to ignite an associated gas generant material is provided on a selected surface, such as on a damper pad, within the inflator device. Suitable igniter compositions may include a silicone resin additive effective to adhere the igniter composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of gas generation are provided whereby desired gas generation can be realized without requiring the presence and use a charge or coating of an associated igniter composition.

Abstract: A communications system includes a telecommunications link (3) between a remote terminal (CPa-c) (such as a burglar alarm control panel) and a control station (1). Polling requests are transmitted on a digital messaging channel which is carried by the telecommunications link. The remote terminal (CPa-c) generates a poll response message which is partially encrypted and is returned on the digital messaging channel to the control station where it is decoded.

Abstract: A device for discharging a fire retardant material comprising a housing capable of storing a fire retardant material. The housing has an initiator attached to a first end, while a discharging port is attached at a second end. Additionally, sealed within the housing is a driver which forces the fire retardant material towards the discharging port. The driver follows a path defined by a bypass tube located centrally within the housing. The driver is forced along the path by exit gases created by the initiator attached at the first end. The housing also has a choke assembly located near the second end thereof. The choke assembly selectively controls the rate at which the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases exit through the discharging port. The choke assembly has a choke body with a first and second cavity. Furthermore, choke body has passageways and apertures for directing the flow of both the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases.

Abstract: An igniter composition for a gas generant and related methods of gas generation are provided in which the igniter composition desirably avoids or is not prone to being ignited by thermal means at ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: Basic copper nitrate-containing gas generant compositions and associated methods are provided for producing or resulting in increased burn rates via the inclusion of an effective amount of one or more metal (e.g., Al, Ti, Zn, Mg and/or Zr) oxide additives.

Abstract: An ignition enhanced gas generant material and method of making the same utilizing a solvent effective to partially solubilize at least one component of each of a selected ignition composition and, upon application to the gas generant material, at least one component of an associated gas generant material.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher comprises a pressure bottle containing the fire extinguishing material and having mounted therein a diffuser-actuation housing. A source of pressurized gas is in at least one of the pressure bottle or the housing or may be in both. The housing has internal exhaust ports for permitting flow of the fire extinguishing material from the interior of the pressure bottle to the interior of the housing and external diffuser ports for delivering the fire extinguishing material from the interior of the housing to the area of a fire. Intermediate the internal exhaust ports and the external diffuser ports there is positioned a burst element, for interrupting the flow path between the internal exhaust ports and the external diffuser ports until the burst element is ruptured.

Abstract: A low pressure sensing device for sensing pressure changes in a pressurized gas storage bottle of an inflater. At least one wire is wrapped around the vessel to sense the expansion or contraction of the vessel due to pressure changes in the vessel. The wire has a first end and a second end. The first end of the wire is secured to the vessel and the remainder of the wire is free to move circumferentially relative to the vessel in response to the expansion and contraction of the vessel. This relative movement can be monitored to determine if a pressure change has occurred in the vessel.

Abstract: An airbag inflator including a stack of gas generant wafers, each having a central core opening and the stack contained in an elongated housing having an initiator at one end. The initiator is aligned with an elongated passage formed by aligned core openings of the stack of gas generant wafers contained in the housing. A thin disk extends across the elongated passage dividing the passage into smaller separate core chambers. A charge of granular pyrotechnic ignition material is contained in one of the core chambers formed between the disk and the initiator. Activation of the initiator causes ignition of the pyrotechnic material in the adjacent core chamber which in turn ignites the adjacent gas generant wafers. Ignition of the pyrotechnic ignition material and the gas generant wafers causes the thin disk to be consumed or rupture so that the gas generant wafers forming the other chamber are also ignited.

Abstract: A fault detection apparatus which monitors a heat pump system used for maintaining a selected temperature in an enclosed space is disclosed. The apparatus includes measuring the run time for a heat pump compressor, ascertaining the status of the heat pump reversing valve, measuring the run time of an auxiliary heating unit, measuring the run time of the defrost cycle of the heat pump, and sensing outdoor temperature. The compressor, the auxiliary heating unit, and the defrost cycle run times are each compared with their respective expected run times for the outdoor temperature sensed and for a known heat loss rate for the enclosed space. The apparatus will send out an alarm signal when the heat pump system fails to operate within the expected parameters.

Abstract: A microprocessor based, power systems stabilizer operating through excitation control wherein all required stabilizing information is derived from sampled values of voltage and current taken from potential and current transformers. The instantaneous values of terminal voltage and current are processed using algorithms in the accelerating power signal digital processor portion of the microprocessor to thereby develop a value of instantaneous internal voltage, the value of slip frequency of such voltages in relation to rated frequency and a digitally filtered value of electrical power. The accelerating power is calculated from the rate of change of slip and electrical power. The values of accelerating power are processed with digital algorithms in a stabilizing signal compute section of the microprocessor to yield a stabilizing signal which provides the desired modulating action for damping the machine oscillations of the synchronous generator.