Abstract: An adapter and retainer secures a hybrid inflator within the reaction canister of a passenger-side airbag module. It attaches to, or is integral with, the end wall of the canister and includes a cup which receives the nozzle end of the inflator. Surrounding the cup is a gas-impermeable flange. The flange includes compressive force means for applying clamping force to the inflator parallel to its longitudinal axis while resisting pressure buildup from within the canister during inflator actuation.

Abstract: The reaction canister for a passenger side airbag restraint system comprises a trough-like main body and a substantially cylindrical inflator housing which are extruded in one piece. The generant charge and igniter strips within the inflator housing are also extruded. The generant charge may be divided into active and inert segments to control the volume of gas produced upon ignition.

Abstract: An air bag inflator subassembly is described which when installed onto a dashboard substrate forms a complete air bag inflator unit. The air bag inflator subassembly comprises a plurality of flanges formed integral to the body of the inflator. An air bag cushion and retainer cover are attached to the inflator subassembly. The subassembly eliminates the need for a separate canister and simplifies the process of installing the air bag inflator unit. The subassembly is installed on the dashboard substrate and is attached to the appropriate electrical connections. The subassembly utilizes existing vehicle hardware to form part of the air bag canister.

Abstract: An inflator substantially shorter than the reaction canister is employed in a passenger-side airbag module. In order to properly distribute the inflating gas, a diffuser is employed which forms a plenum chamber having gas discharge openings in preselected locations relative to the mouth of the airbag.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of a reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a reaction canister body part having an integrally shaped inflator holder of partial, generally circular cross section.

Abstract: The reaction canister of an airbag module assembly is extruded to include a floor bounded by a pair of channels extending along its length. An inflator chamber is suspended beneath the floor of the canister by rails which are integral with the chamber and slide into the channels.

Abstract: A reaction canister body part having an integral inflator chamber and an inflatable restraint system using reaction canister assemblies with such a body part are provided.

Abstract: A reaction canister for a vehicle passive restraint system has a resilient, impact energy absorbing element joined adjacent the edge of its wall which is adjacent an automotive panel likely to be impacted by an occupant in the event of a low speed collision. The resulting softening serves to avoid injury to the occupant as a result of contact with the panel.

Abstract: An all-metal preload for the gas generant charge of a passenger-side vehicular airbag assembly includes a base member which lodges firmly in one end of the cylindrical filter. A contact member engages the end of the generant charge. Spring means are interposed between the base member and the contact member for maintaining a compressive force against the generant charge.

Abstract: The cylindrical inflator housing of a passenger-side airbag module encloses a cylindrical filter pack containing the gas generant. The ends of the housing are closed by a pair of circular end bases which are press-fitted against the ends of the filter pack and provide improved heat transmission characteristics from the outside of the housing to the interiors of the end bases. In place of O-rings, the end bases are sealed to the housing by sheet gaskets.

Abstract: An inflator, which is shorter than a reaction can of an airbag restraint assembly and which has a flangeless base at one end thereof, is mounted in the reaction can. The mounting structure for the flangeless inflator has a generally circular open cylindrical shape, with its sidewall terminated at a first end in a mounting flange and terminating on the other end thereof in a resilient arm flared radially outward at the end thereof. Preferably, intermediate the mounting flange and the resilient arm is a radially-inwardly-extending integral circumferential rib or discrete dimples.

Abstract: An inflator, preferably for an automotive gas bag restraint system, containing a plurality of gas generant bodies which have a relatively inert burn inhibitor coating material thereon. The inhibitor material is preferably a plastic resin. The inhibitor material may also be alumina, titania, silica or a silicate compound,e.g. bentonite. The inhibitors are preferably applied to the generant bodies as a spray. The gas generant may be an azide or a non-azide, preferably an azide and most preferably sodium azide. The inhibited bodies may be any shape, preferably washer-shaped discs in side by side array.

Abstract: An attachment system, an air bag module subassembly and a method of attachment are provided for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion into a restraint system. A thickened gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion is secured within a channel portion of a cushion retainer to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein the secured inlet opening forms an attachment insert. The attachment insert is inserted into an attachment sleeve portion of the reaction housing to secure the cushion to the housing.

Abstract: A reaction canister for a vehicle passive restraint system has its side walls weakened in the regions adjoining edges which are adjacent automotive panels likely to be impacted by occupants in the event of a low speed collision. The resultant softening serves to prevent injury.

Abstract: An inflator, which is shorter than a reaction can of an airbag restraint assembly and which has a flanged base at one end thereof, is mounted in the reaction can. The mounting structure for the flange based inflator has a generally circular open cylindrical shape, with its sidewall terminated on one end in a mounting flange and terminating in an inwardly tapered conical flange at the other end. The mounting structure is located in an access opening in an end wall of the reaction can, with the inwardly tapered conical flange frictionally engaging and holding the flanged base of the inflator in the reaction can by biased radially compressive force, thereby providing essentially rattle- and squeak-free retention of the flange based inflator in the reaction can in an appropriately positioned and centered manner.

Abstract: Featured for use in the reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a continuous circumference diffuser tube. The diffuser tube may be a one-piece, two-piece or clamshell type all of which functionally are the same although the clamshell type is more versatile. The diffuser tube provides for the attachment of brackets for installation of the reaction canister in the instrument panel of a vehicle, provides a secure reliable attachment for the inflatable bag or protective cushion, and a secure installation of the inflator. The diffuser tube completely encloses the inflator and allows a last operation of assembly thereof.

Abstract: A gas generator which may be used for ejecting submunitions. The gas generator comprises a diffuser chamber which is flanked by differently sized combustion chambers whereby three different ejection velocities may be achieved by firing only one of the combustion chambers or by firing both of them together. The generated gas is exited from the gas generator at the same central location, i.e., the centrally located diffuser chamber, to control submunition yaw and loading locations. The provision of combustion chambers at opposite ends of the diffuser chamber permits minimization of gas generator diameter, and a tie member in the diffuser chamber permits a non-complicated and inexpensive structure which is rugged and reliable. The gas generator may have other applications such as for inflating airbags for automobiles.

Abstract: A dual-stage gas bag inflator, operable initially, when activated, to cause the gas bag to deploy slowly and then, after a delay, to deploy rapidly, includes a housing having first and second compartments of different size separated by a bulkhead. The first compartment is the smaller since it is to produce a smaller amount of gas to cause the initial slow deployment of the gas bag. A gas generant charge is ignited in the first compartment, and after some delay, a gas generant charge in the second compartment is ignited. The delay is produced by an initiator including a squib, igniter material in each of the first and second compartments, and a fuse cord which is ignited by the squib. The fuse cord passes through the bulkhead and ignites all igniter materials in both inflator compartments simultaneously. The igniter material in the second compartment is so characterized that it burns slower than the igniter material in the first compartment.

Abstract: A lightweight can assembly for housing and protecting the gas generator and inflatable bag of a passenger side restraint system includes a tether in the bag flush with the mouth of the can and at its center which retains the spreading forces at the mouth of the can upon bag deployment. This allows for a lighter section at the mouth of the can and eliminates the need for flanges along the sides of the can, which flanges would undesirably increase the envelope.

Abstract: A gas generator which has a high volume combustion chamber for increased gas production and which is sized small enough to be confined within a vehicle steering wheel circumference with a minimum impact on the aesthetics of the steering wheel and general interior of the vehicle is used for inflating a vehicle inflatable restraint cushion in the event of an accident. The inflater is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a centrally disposed combustion chamber flanked by a pair of diffuser chambers.