Abstract: Opposite end portions of an airbag made of a folded metal plate and formed into a tubular shape are capped by respective end caps and are attached to an attachment surface of a front pillar, and the airbag is deployed along the front pillar by use of gas produced by an inflator, thereby protecting by the airbag a pedestrian that collides with the front pillar. Bolts penetrating through long holes formed in the end portions of the airbag and bolt holes of the end caps are screwed to weld nuts, and thereby the end portions of the airbag are slidably supported by the end caps. Accordingly, when the airbag is deployed the long holes slide with respect to the respective bolts toward inside in a longitudinal direction of the airbag, and a tension in the longitudinal direction of the airbag is prevented from acting on a metal plate of the airbag, thereby enabling the airbag to be deployed reliably near the end caps.

Abstract: A reinforced frame having a roof member and a pillar includes a brace interconnected to the frame. The brace is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployed position is defined by the brace extending diagonally between the pillar and the roof member.

Abstract: An impact energy management system for absorbing or displacing kinetic energy during a collision. The system includes a housing defining a chamber and a contact element disposed at least partially within the chamber and longitudinally movable therein. A tab extends from a side wall of one of the housing and the contact element. Prior to a collision, the contact element is disposed in an impact position, and upon the collision the contact element moves within the chamber. The tab contacts a side wall portion of an other of the one of the housing and the contact element. The side wall of the housing and/or the contact element tears to absorb or displace kinetic energy during the collision, thereby reducing the force of the impact by transferring energy through the tearing.

Abstract: A collapsible gas guide for use in inflatable curtain airbags is disclosed. The gas guide may include two or more conduit segments that are interconnected by adjustable joints. The adjustable joints may permit adjustment of an angle formed between conduit segments that are coupled to the adjustable joint. The adjustable joint may rotatably or hingedly couple the conduit segments of the gas guide together.

Abstract: An airbag module has a rigid cushion with an integrated inflator. The cushion has a rear cushion panel and the inflator may have a front inflator plate attached to the rear cushion panel. A rear inflator plate is optionally provided and may be positioned within the cushion or outside the cushion. A pyrotechnic may be disposed within the space between the front inflator plate and the rear cushion panel and/or the rear inflator plate. An initiator may be seated in the rear inflator plate and/or the rear cushion panel to initiate combustion of the pyrotechnic. Instead of the front inflator plate, the inflator may have an expanse of tape that secures the pyrotechnic and/or the initiator to the interior of the cushion. The pyrotechnic may be sealed by the tape or by a foil pouch. The initiator may be secured by the tape or by a rear inflator plate.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods and apparatus for inflating an airbag with a tether release system. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second inflators are employed. A tether is operatively connected with one of the inflators such that the system is configured to release the tether upon deployment of one of the inflators and to allow the tether to restrict the full inflation size of the airbag upon deployment of the other inflator.

Abstract: An airbag restrain system is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag restraint system includes an inflatable airbag cushion having a tether coupled to the interior surface of the cushion. The airbag restraint system further includes first and second inflators for dual mode airbag cushion deployment. Upon a pre-impact condition, the first inflator deploys to partially inflate the cushion and release the tether. The second inflator also deploys to inflate the cushion to approximately full capacity. Upon an impact condition, only the second inflator deploys and the tether extends until taut to limit expansion of the cushion. Means are provided to retain and release the tether in response to the first inflator.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a catalytic converter installed in the motor vehicles. More specifically to a method of measuring the pressure on the substrate as the catalytic converter is subject to the spin forming process. A pressure-measuring device such as a sensor is contact with the substrate. In order to transfer data from the rotating catalytic converter to a stationary object, a slip ring device is connected to the pressure-measuring sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a catalytic converter installed in the motor vehicles. More specifically to a method and apparatus of measuring the pressure on the substrate as the catalytic converter is subject to the spin forming process. A pressure-measuring device such as a sensor is contact with the substrate. In order to transfer data from the rotating catalytic converter to a stationary object, a slip ring device is connected to the pressure-measuring sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a catalytic converter installed in the motor vehicles. More specifically to a method of forming the end portion of the catalytic converter using the spinform technique. The catalytic converter defines a central axis and is rotated around the central axis. At least one roller is placed perpendicular to the central axis. The roller moves in a transverse direction with respect to the central axis such that the axis of the end portion is at an angle with respect to the central axis.