Abstract: The improved steering apparatus is an invention that increases vehicular operational safety by providing means for a vehicle operator to control various vehicle functions and accessories while keeping both hands on the steering apparatus. The apparatus also automatically provides for the display of a variety of driver relevant information including automatic live video (160) feed of blind spots, rear vehicle cabin area, and road sign information (320), by displaying the information on the steering apparatus mounted video screen. The apparatus includes a built-in speaker (170) and is controlled by either voice commands or by a touching of the touch activatable video display screen (160).

Abstract: The improved steering apparatus is an invention that increases vehicular operational safety by providing means for a vehicle operator to control various vehicle functions and accessories while keeping both hands on the steering apparatus. The apparatus also automatically provides for the display of a variety of driver relevant information including automatic live video (160) feed of blind spots, rear vehicle cabin area, and road sign information (320), by displaying the information on the steering apparatus mounted video screen. The apparatus includes a built-in speaker (170) and is controlled by either voice commands or by a touching of the touch activatable video display screen (160).

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: An inflator assembly having an inflator base including a simple stamping. The inflator base includes an end wall, first and second openings in the end wall, a base side wall generally perpendicularly extending from the end wall, and an attachment collar generally perpendicularly extending from the base side wall at a side opposite the end wall. A first initiator assembly is disposed through the end wall first opening. The first initiator assembly includes a first stamped adapter that is resistance welded joined to the inflator base. A second initiator assembly is disposed through the inflator base second opening. The second initiator assembly includes a second stamped adapter that is resistance welded joined to the inflator base.

Abstract: A novel active hood system is disclosed. The active hood system is designed such that in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle accident, the active hood system will soften the impact between the pedestrian and the vehicle by moving the vehicle hood into an elevated position. In some embodiments, the active hood system is constructed such that during a pedestrian/vehicle collision, the active hood system will raise the vehicle hood into an elevated position by having the hood move through a first travel distance and a second travel distance. The active hood system includes an actuator and a hinge. The actuator may be attached to the hinge. The actuator is designed such that if it is deployed, the actuator will raise the hood into the elevated position. Additional embodiments may also be made in which the actuator is vented during deployment. A dampener is also added to the active hood system. The dampener is designed to dampen the movement of the hood as the hood is moved through the second travel distance.

Abstract: Fire extinguishing or suppression apparatus and method employing a liquid pyrotechnic composition of a ternary mixture of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate, an amine nitrate salt, and water, in a closed combustion chamber of a pressure container. The apparatus is constructed to permit a large volume of water vapor exothermically generated by the reaction of a liquid pyrotechnic composition to be discharged from the combustion chamber and pressure container to an area of a fire.

Abstract: Reinforced ceramic unitary filters for air bags. The filters have a first layer having a high porosity, and a second layer having a low porosity. The first layer is preferably formed of low-cost ceramic grit sintered into a rigid mass, or a rigid reticulated ceramic. The second layer is formed of metal particles, and provides increased strength for the brittle ceramic. The metal particles may be formed onto the second layer and then sintered in place. Alternatively, the second layer may be formed separately and secured in position on the first layer. As a third alternative, the second layer may be applied by plasma arc deposition upon the first layer. The metal particles provide increased strength to the filter, as well as providing a fine filtering layer. The metal layer can also place the ceramic in compression to pre-load the ceramic layer for increased resistance to breakage.

Abstract: The storage of combustible mixed fluid fuel and oxidizer in a porous matrix provides for enhanced control of fluid fueled inflators such as are used in automotive passive restraint airbag systems. By storing such in mixtures in a porous matrix having pores smaller than the quenching distance of the stored mixture the flammability of the mixture is suppressed. Storage of the mixture in a porous matrix having larger pores provides a mechanism for controlling the rate of release of the mixture, as well as providing a heat sink which helps moderate the temperature of the mixture during the filling operation, during long term storage and during the combustion process. Several inflator embodiments, with particularly advantageous structures for storing and releasing the mixture, are disclosed.

Abstract: A filter, seal and port arrangement for a pyrotechnic air bag inflator. The seal consists of a ring or annulus of sheet metal which has a foot section abutting against the filter, and a leg section of the seal angled to form an interference fit against an interior wall of the generator housing. For annular filters used in axial flow inflators, a ring is used at the radially inner and outer edges of the annular filter. For tubular filters used in radial flow inflators, a single seal at a longitudinal end may be sufficient. With such tubular filters, the seal may include a stand-off to form an annular void between the radially outer face of the filter and the wall of the housing. This void will act as a plenum to ensure that a greater volume of the filter is used. The tubular filter itself may also be formed with raised lands such that the interposed grooves form such a plenum. In a similar manner the disk filters may also have plenum producing lands on their outer faces, or the housing may include such lands.

Abstract: A gas generant body having a plurality of alike, flat-surfaced projections equally spaced and radially equidistant about the periphery of one or both sides of the body. The spaced projections are defined by curved or arcuate walls emanating from the center of the generant body which flare outwardly to the body's perimeter, each having an angular arc length greater than the space therebetween. The outer edge of each projection is preferably contiguous with the perimeter of the body. When the projections are on both sides, as is preferred, the projections on one side are preferably in a staggered or offset relationship to those on the other side. A washer-shaped wafer disc is the most preferred overall generant body form. A stack or assembly of the multiprojection generant wafers may be formed into an array for use in a gas generator for an automobile gas bag inflator.

Abstract: A device is provided for ignition of a pyrotechnic or hybrid inflator for use in motor vehicles by the input of energy provided by a laser source. The laser energy is conducted through an optical fibre and an optical window in the inflator housing where the ignition of a propellant initiator is triggered. This apparatus eliminates the potential for ignition of the inflator by radio frequency energy or static electricity acting on the electrical squib which is standardly used to ignite an inflator. This design further simplifies the igniter assembly for use in an inflator.