Abstract: A gas generating system includes an inflator that contains an auto-ignition cradle containing an auto-ignition composition. The cradle operatively and thermodynamically communicates with the exterior of the inflator and also resiliently contains the auto-ignition composition, thereby maximizing the ignitability of the auto-ignition composition in the event of a fire.

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 gas generating system includes an inflator that contains an auto-ignition cradle containing an auto-ignition composition. The cradle operatively and thermodynamically communicates with the exterior of the inflator and also resiliently contains the auto-ignition composition, thereby maximizing the ignitability of the auto-ignition composition in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A multi-chamber gas generating system (10) has a housing (12) with openings (24) formed in a wall thereof. A gas-tight internal divider (42) separates the housing into two chambers (80, 80?). A first gas generating sub-assembly (100) incorporating a baffle system is positioned in the first chamber (100). The sub-assembly (100) includes a first tubular member (44) and a second tubular member (52) positioned within the first member. The first and second members have openings (49, 54) formed therein to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber of the sub-assembly and the housing openings (24). The first sub-assembly openings (49, 54) are axially displaced from the housing openings (24) such that combustion products flow in opposing first and second axial directions between the first sub-assembly combustion chamber and the housing openings. A second sub-assembly (100?) of substantially identical construction is positioned in the housing second chamber (80?).

Abstract: An inflator for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The inflator includes a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and a first opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator. A first inflation fluid source is positioned within the outer wall. A baffle system is fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall, and for cooling the inflation fluid. A second opening enables fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system, and a third opening enables fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall. The first opening is substantially radially aligned with the second opening. An expanded metal mesh buffer may be positioned between within the baffle system.

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 airbag inflator (10) including an elongated outer housing (12) having an interior and a plurality of orifices (22) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the outer housing interior and an exterior of the outer housing (12). The outer housing orifice(s) (22) open from the outer housing interior toward a first side (F) of the inflator. An elongated inner housing (14) is positioned in the outer housing interior. The inner housing (14) has an interior and a plurality of orifices (20) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the inner housing interior and an exterior of the inner housing (14). The inner housing orifice(s) (20) open from the inner housing interior toward a second side (S) of the inflator. A quantity of a gas generant composition (16) extends along a portion of the interior of the inner housing (14).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. In one aspect of the invention, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).

Abstract: A dual stage inflator 10 utilizes a housing 12 having two laterally oriented propellant chambers 20 and 22. A perforated divider 18 provides lateral separation between chambers 20 and 22, and facilitates fluid communication between chambers 20 and 22 when both chambers are operated. Upon inflator 10 operation, the first chamber 20 is activated operatively independent of the second chamber 22, and if desired, the second chamber 22 may be activated simultaneously or sequentially with chamber 20. A perforated divider 18 provides lateral separation between chambers 20 and 22, and facilitates fluid communication between chambers 20 and 22 when both chambers are activated. The aforementioned design provides simplified manufacturing with equivalent or enhanced structural integrity relative to known inflators.

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: An airbelt inflator (10) is provided for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into an inflatable safety belt or airbag. The airbelt inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical body (12). One or more ledges (26, 42) are defined by the junctions of inner walls (34, 36, and 38) wherein each ledge (26, 42) functions to retain an inner inflator component. In another aspect of the invention, an enhancer disc (56) features a metallic density greater than an associated filter (48) whereby tailoring of the density of the metallic disc (56) facilitates a quick and easy method of modifying the gas flow exiting the inflator (10).

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 dual chamber inflator 10 contains a housing 12 having a base 14 and a cap 16. A divider disc 18 divides the inflator 10 into a first chamber 20 and a second chamber 22. Divider 18 contains at least one aperture 60 thereby facilitating fluid communication between chambers 20 and 22 for simultaneous operation of chambers 20 and 22.

Abstract: A dual stage inflator 10 utilizes a housing 12 having two laterally oriented propellant chambers 20 and 22. A perforated divider 18 provides lateral separation between chambers 20 and 22, and facilitates fluid communication between chambers 20 and 22 when both chambers are operated. Upon inflator 10 operation, the first chamber 20 is activated operatively independent of the second chamber 22, and if desired, the second chamber 22 may be activated simultaneously or sequentially with chamber 20. A perforated divider 18 provides lateral separation between chambers 20 and 22, and facilitates fluid communication between chambers 20 and 22 when both chambers are activated. The aforementioned design provides simplified manufacturing with equivalent or enhanced structural integrity relative to known inflators.

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: An airbelt inflator (10) is provided for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into an inflatable safety belt or airbag. The airbelt inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical body (12). One or more ledges (26, 42) are defined by the junctions of inner walls (34, 36, and 38) wherein each ledge (26, 42) functions to retain an inner inflator component. In another aspect of the invention, an enhancer disc (56) features a metallic density greater than an associated filter (48) whereby tailoring of the density of the metallic disc (56) facilitates a quick and easy method of modifying the gas flow exiting the inflator (10).

Abstract: A dual chamber inflator 10 contains a housing 12 having a base 14 and a cap 16. A divider disc 18 divides the inflator 10 into a first chamber 20 and a second chamber 22. Divider 18 contains at least one aperture 60 thereby facilitating fluid communication between chambers 20 and 22 for simultaneous operation of chambers 20 and 22.

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.