Abstract: An actuatable fastener (50) includes a body (80) including a head (82) and a shank (84). The body (80) includes an interior chamber (120) partially defined by a side wall (132) extending from the head (82) into the shank (84) and an end wall (138) positioned in the shank. A member (140) is disposed in the chamber (120). An initiator (160) is actuatable to produce combustion products in the chamber (120) that act on the member (140) to move the member in a first direction in the chamber to strike the end wall (138). The member (140) strikes the end wall (138) creating a fracture (222) in the shank (84) separating at least a portion of the shank from a remainder (220) of the shank. The combustion products moving the member (150) beyond the fracture (222) at least a predetermined distance (226) to move the portion of the shank (84) at least the predetermined distance from the remainder (220) of the shank.

Abstract: An actuatable fastener (50) includes a body (80) including a head (82) and a shank (84). The body (80) includes an interior chamber (120) partially defined by a side wall (132) extending from the head (82) into the shank (84) and an end wall (138) positioned in the shank. A member (140) is disposed in the chamber (120). An initiator (160) is actuatable to produce combustion products in the chamber (120) that act on the member (140) to move the member in a first direction in the chamber to strike the end wall (138). The member (140) strikes the end wall (138) creating a fracture (222) in the shank (84) separating at least a portion of the shank from a remainder (220) of the shank. The combustion products moving the member (150) beyond the fracture (222) at least a predetermined distance (226) to move the portion of the shank (84) at least the predetermined distance from the remainder (220) of the shank.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a first assembly (60) and a second assembly (62). The first assembly comprises a base (70) and an electrically energizable mechanism (108, 110), and has a first mounting portion (86). The second assembly (62) comprises an ignitable material (121) in a sealed container (120). The container (120) has a first wall portion (144) that is rupturable to enable ignition of the ignitable material (121). The container has a second wall portion (128) that is rupturable in response to ignition of the ignitable material (121) to enable flow of combustion products out of the container (120). The container (120) has a second mounting portion (152). The first mounting portion (86) of the first assembly (60) is in abutting engagement with the second mounting portion (152) of the second assembly (62) thereby to fix the first assembly for movement with the second assembly.

Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes an assembly (31) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (30) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly (31) further comprises a sensor mechanism (60) for sensing a condition of the inflator (10) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices (30) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator (10).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) comprises a sensor (12) for sensing a vehicle crash condition and a control module (14) for receiving a signal from the sensor (12) and generating a demand-to-fire signal if the crash condition is above a threshold level. The apparatus (10) further comprises a plurality of restraint modules (20) for, when actuated, helping to protect a vehicle occupant. Each restraint module (20) has at least one initiator (22) that is energizable to actuate the restraint module (20). A restraint communication bus (58) transfers the demand-to-fire signal from the control module (14) to the restraint modules (20). A connector (66) is associated with each initiator (22). Each initiator (22) and the associated connector (66) collectively form a transformer (80). The demand-to-fire signal is inductively coupled to the initiator (22) for actuating the restraint module (20).

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device comprises a body of ignitable material (66). A pair of electrodes (44) and (52) provide electrical energy to heat and ignite the body of pyrotechnic material (66). The electrodes (44) and (52) extend through an electrical insulation housing (78). The electrical insulation housing (78) has surfaces defining a chamber (92) through which the electrodes (44) and (52) pass. A body (94) of a solid electromagnetically lossy, substantially gas impermeable material is positioned within the chamber (92). The lossy material comprises a vitreous ceramic matrix consisting essentially of about 5% to about 50% by weight of a multi-component glass binder and about 50% to about 95% by weight of an electromagnetically lossy ferromagnetic and/or ferroelectric filler. The body (94) of lossy material is fused to the surfaces defining the chamber (92) in the electrical insulation housing (78) and to the electrodes (44) and (52).

Abstract: A circuit chip (64) contains a semi-conductor bridge circuit (“SCB”) (66). The SCB (66) initiates an actuatable device, such as an occupant protection device (16A). The circuit chip (64) also contains a memory (68) that holds an identification (70A) of the actuatable device (16A). Preferably, the circuit chip (64) is part of a vehicle occupant protection system (12). Within the system (12) is a controller (14) and a communication interconnection (44) that permits communication between the controller (14) and the device (16A) to control actuation of the device. The controller (14) includes a theft deterrent function (78) to discern the identity of the device (16A) held within the memory (68). The theft deterrent function (78) also makes a determination as to whether the discerned identity of the device corresponds to a predetermined identity and provides a signal indicative of the determination.

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (44) and first and second electrically actuatable devices (30, 32) for, when actuated, effecting flow of inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The apparatus (12) further includes an electrical connector (10) electrically connected with the first and second actuatable devices (30, 32) for supplying electric current to the first and second electrically actuatable devices. The electrical connector (10) includes electrical components, such as diodes, (80, 82) responsive to the direction of current flow through the electrical connector for actuating a selected one of the first and second actuatable devices (30, 32).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflator (16) which, when actuated, emits inflation fluid. The apparatus (10) further includes an electrically actuatable igniter (24) which, when actuated, actuates the inflator (16). The igniter (24) includes an ohmic heating element (44) connected between a pair of electrodes (40, 42). An ignition droplet (46) is adhered to the ohmic heating element (44). The ignition droplet (46) is a mixture of pyrotechnic material and a resin binder which is cured by UV irradiation.

Abstract: An ignition element (106) for heating temperature sensitive ignitable material (86) in an air bag inflator comprises an electrically conductive first material layer (142). An electrically conductive second material layer (144) has a portion (146) spaced from and overlying a portion (148) of the first material layer (142). A lossy dielectric material (180) is disposed between the overlying portions (146, 148) of the first and second material layers (142, 144). A high frequency alternating electric field is applied to the first and second material layers (142, 144). The temperature sensitive material (86) is located adjacent the ignition element (106). The temperature of the dielectric material (180) increases to a temperature sufficient to cause ignition of the temperature sensitive material (86) in response to the application of the high frequency alternating electric field to the dielectric material.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes combustible fluid (18) and a pair of electrodes (102,104). The electrodes (102,104) have a corresponding pair of surface portions (126,128) which are spaced from each other across an electrode gap (130). An ohmic heating element (120) bridges the gap (130) in an ignitable heat transferring relationship with the combustible fluid (18). The heating element (120) has a pair of opposite end portions (132,134) which are mounted on, and fixed to, the surface portions (126,128) of the electrodes (102,104). The surface portions (126,128) of the electrodes (102,104) have arcuate contours facing oppositely across the gap (130).

Abstract: An initiator assembly (140) comprises a retainer (46), which can be the cover for an inflator housing (10), and an igniter (142). An opening (85) is formed in the retainer (46). The igniter (142) has a longitudinal axis (143) and comprises a pyrotechnic material (152, 156) on the axis. The pyrotechnic material (152, 156) on ignition exerts a force along the axis (143). The assembly further comprises a preformed compressible plastic coupler plug (148) which includes a plug portion (170) received within the retainer opening (85). The coupler plug (148) comprises locking surfaces (184, 188) which engage the igniter (142) and the retainer (46) and hold the igniter in a spaced relationship with respect to the retainer. The plastic coupler plug (148) further comprises an inwardly extending compressible web (174) integral with the locking surfaces (184, 188). The compressible web (174) provides a seal in the space between the igniter (142) and the retainer (46).

Abstract: An electromagnetically lossy liquid- or gas-tight fusion seal for use as a low pass radio frequency signal filter constructed as a matrix of glass binder and ferromagnetic and/or ferroelectric filler. Metal cased electrical filters are made by reflowing the material to form fused glass-to-metal seals and incorporating electrical thru-conductors therein which may be formed as inductive windings.

Abstract: A filtered electrical connection assembly in an electroexplosive device uses a lossy magnetostrictive ferrite element surrounding an electrical conductor. The ferrite element is immersed in a dielectric heat transfer liquid, and an epoxy-based potting compound, used to seal the opening through which electrical wires enter the device, is maintained separate from the ferrite element so that its shrinkage during curing does not compressively load the ferrite element and thereby impair its effectiveness as an RF attenuator. The liquid transfers heat away from the ferrite element, thereby preventing its effectiveness from being degraded by high temperatures, and preventing excessive heat from being conducted toward the pyrotechnic charge, and its initiating bridge, through the electrical conductor.

Abstract: In a currency alarm pack, greater flexibility is achieved by multiple circuit boards and an alarm device, connected together by a thin, flexible substrate having printed conductors. The components are movable relative to one another for realistic flexure of the stack. At least two of the components are slidable relative to the stack along its direction of elongation as the stack is flexed. Portions of the substrate have tabs which extend laterally between opposed peripheral portions of adjacent intermediate sheets of the currency pack so that the alarm components are supported and can slide longitudinally as the stack is flexed. Adjacent components are connected by narrow portions of the substrate, which permit torsion of the stack. These narrow portions extend transverse to the surfaces of the currency sheets to allow the alarm components a high degree of relative movement. Compressible foam pads conceal the presence of the alarm components.

Abstract: A currency alarm pack especially adapted for use in the cash supply of an automatic teller machine comprises a motion detector, an exit field detector, a smoke generating device, and electronic circuitry, responsive to the motion detector and the field detector, for triggering the smoke generator if, and only if, the field detector detects the exit field and thereafter ceases to detect the exit field, and the motion detector detects motion of the alarm pack during a predetermined delay interval following the time at which the field detector ceases to detect the exit field.