Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18) is provided. The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the container (18), thereby exposing the membrane (22) to the fluid. The membrane (22) is configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is also rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) is provided for externally supporting the membrane (22) against pressure exerted by the fluid. The support member (28) is configured to be fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66) at least partially encased within the support member (28).

Abstract: An airbag (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The airbag includes an airbag body (12) defining an interior (15) of the airbag (10). A series of substantially sinusoidal seams (20) join together portions of the airbag body (12) to partition the airbag interior (15) into a plurality of fluidly communicating chambers (22). It is believed that characteristics of the airbag (10) during inflation and after inflation may be controlled by varying the characteristics of the sinusoidal seams (20).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (180) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint device (202) positioned in the vehicle, and a gas generating system (8) coupled to the inflatable restraint device (202) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint device. The gas generating system (8) is secured to the vehicle by a mounting mechanism (10) having a first strap (12) wrapped around a portion of the gas generating system (8) and a second strap (14) coupled to the first strap (12) and wrapped around a portion (24) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18) is provided. The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the container (18), thereby exposing the membrane (22) to the fluid. The membrane (22) is configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is also rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) is provided for externally supporting the membrane (22) against pressure exerted by the fluid. The support member (28) is configured to be fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66) at least partially encased within the support member (28).

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18) is provided. The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the container (18), thereby exposing the membrane (22) to the fluid. The membrane (22) is configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is also rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) is provided for externally supporting the membrane (22) against pressure exerted by the fluid. The support member (28) is configured to be fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66) at least partially encased within the support member (28).

Abstract: A gas generating system including a mechanism (10) for releasing a pressurized fluid from a storage container (12). The mechanism (10) includes an enclosure (39) for receiving a gas from a gas source therein. An actuator (66) is slidably mounted in fluid communication with an interior of the enclosure (39) for initiating release of the fluid by a sliding motion of the actuator (66). The actuator (66) is slidable in response to a force exerted by a gas from the gas source received in the enclosure (39). A stop portion is coupled to the enclosure (39) for restricting sliding motion of the actuator (66). A seal (86) is provided for sealing the container (12). A penetrator portion is formed on the actuator (66) for opening the seal (86) to release the fluid from the container (12). A diffuser (34) is provided for receiving pressurized fluid from the container (12) upon opening of the seal (86). The diffuser (34) includes gas exit apertures (36) formed therealong to enable distribution of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) is provided including a housing (12) with a longitudinal axis (A), and a first baffle tube (22a) positioned within the housing (12) and having a pair of opposed ends. A second baffle tube (24a) is also positioned within the housing (12) and has a pair of opposed ends. A first pair of opposed surfaces (59a, 60a) is formed within the housing (12). Each of the first pair of opposed surfaces (59a, 60a) is sloped with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) and abuts a corresponding end of the first baffle tube (22a) to position the first baffle tube (22a) within the housing (12) such that a longitudinal axis of the first baffle tube (22a) is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (12).

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18). The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid from the container when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) supports the membrane (22) against fluid pressure. The support member (28) fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66). Upon activation of the gas generator (66), the combustion products contact the support member (28) to decompose and/or fracture the support member (28), thereby removing support for the membrane (22) and enabling rupture of the membrane (22) by the pressurized fluid, releasing the pressurized fluid from the container.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a base (14) and a cap (16), one of the base (14) and the cap (16) having at least one groove (34) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber (18) of the gas generator and an exterior of the combustion chamber (18). The other one of the base (14) and the cap (16) covers the at least one groove (34) to define at least one enclosed passage (36) extending along the at least one groove (34) for enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber (18) and the exterior of the combustion chamber. In another aspect, a gas generant composition (20) having an auto-ignition temperature is positioned within the gas generating system (10). An adhesive composition (30) having a decomposition temperature lower than the gas generant auto-ignition temperature secures the cap (16) to the base (14).

Abstract: An inflator for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator includes a pressure vessel having an opening formed therein. A quantity of relatively unreactive pressurized gas is stored in the pressure vessel. A quantity of a gas generant composition is positioned in an interior of the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas. An igniter is positioned proximate the gas generant for initiating combustion of the gas generant. A rupturable, fluid-tight seal is positioned to seal the opening in the pressure vessel for maintaining the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel prior to activation of the igniter. Activation of the igniter results in combustion of the gas generant. Pressure from the combustion gases, in combination with the pressure of the gases stored under pressure in vessel, cause the burst disk to rupture, providing an inflation gas to an associated vehicle airbag, for example.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) includes an igniter (27) and first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?) positioned to enable fluid communication with the igniter (27) upon activation of the igniter. Flow regulators (54, 54?) are provided to regulate a flow of combustion products from the igniter (27) to the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?), to correspondingly regulate a time period between activation of the igniter (27) and initiation of combustion of the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?). In another aspect, the gas generator (10) includes a modular baffle system (70) including a first baffle chamber (71) in fluid communication with an inflation gas generant combustion chamber (50) for receiving therein combustion products from combustion of an inflation gas generant (52) positioned in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (A) and a pair of baffle tubes (22, 24) positioned within the housing (12). The baffle tubes each have a pair of opposed ends. At least a pair of opposed longitudinally aligned surfaces (62, 64) is formed within the housing (12) proximate the ends of the housing. Each of the surfaces (62, 64) is sloped with respect to the housing longitudinal axis (A) and abuts a corresponding end of one of the baffle tubes (22, 24) to position the baffle tubes within the housing (12) such that longitudinal axes of the first baffle tube (22) and the second baffle tube (24) are both substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (12). Abutment between the sloped surfaces (62, 64) and the baffle tubes (22, 24) during assembly of the gas generating system provides an efficient means of automatically centering the baffle tubes (22, 24) within the housing (12), thereby easing assembly of the gas generating system.

Abstract: A safety belt construction (10) for use in a vehicle occupant protection system. The safety belt construction (10) includes a first panel (12), a second panel (14) affixed to the first panel (12) to form a pocket (16) therebetween, and an amount of an energy-absorbing material (18) secured in the pocket (16) to provide an energy-absorption capability to the safety-belt structure. A safety-belt system including a safety-belt incorporating an energy-absorbing material and a method for manufacturing the safety-belt are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile. The inflator includes an elongate inflator body containing a baffle tube that cools gases as they are shunted therethrough upon gas generator activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator (10) that includes a housing (12) formed from coupling a cap (14) and a base (16) in nested relationship. At least one attachment member (20) is preferably formed symmetrically about and integral to a peripheral flange (18) of the cap (14). The contour of a peripheral edge (60) formed from recessed and protruding portions provides interlocking communication between the cap (14) and the base (16). A plurality of hook members (36) is symmetrically formed about the peripheral edge (38) of the base (16). Each hook member (36) corresponds to a respective protruding portion (30) of the cap (14). An arcuate groove (40) is formed by an inner wall (42) of each respective hook member (36). The groove (40) is preferably tapered whereby the arcuate length of the groove or the inner wall (42) is greater at the first end (44) than at the second end (46).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in inflatable restraint systems. The inflator includes an inner body portion (12) defining a combustion chamber (20) and including one or more apertures (13) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the combustion chamber (20) and an exterior of the combustion chamber. A filter material (14) is positioned along an exterior of the inner body portion (12), for filtering and cooling combustion products emanating from the apertures (13) of the inner body portion (12). An outer body wrap (16) is provided having a pair of opposed longitudinal edges (16a, 16b). The outer body wrap (16) is formed from a foldable sheet material and has a dimension between the opposed edges (16a, 16b) sufficient to enable the wrap (16) to substantially enclose the predetermined thickness of filter material (14) when the wrap (16) is folded about the filter material (14).

Abstract: An inflator 10 of a vehicle occupant protection system, for example, contains an elongated housing 12 having a first end 14 and a second 16. The gas generator 10 includes a sealed pressurized gas supply or gas tank 18 in fluid communication with the first end 14 upon inflator 10 operation. A first seal 36 seals the first end 14 prior to gas generator 10 operation. A notched support member 56 is wedged within the housing 12 and fixes the first seal 36 against a sealed opening 24 of the gas tank 18, thereby preventing fluid flow during gas generator 10 inactivity. Upon gas generator 10 activation, the support member 56 is fractured by a force produced by an initiator 68 thereby releasing pressurized gas into the first end 14 and through the housing 12.

Abstract: A gas generator 10 for an inflatable occupant restraint system is provided. The gas generator 10 includes a projectile firing barrel 20 having a touch hole 26 on a side thereof for ignition of a propellant 24 within the barrel 20. Ignition of the propellant 24 drives a projectile 50 through the barrel 20 and into a rupturable seal 36 on a stored gas canister 32. After rupturing the seal 36, the projectile 50 is positively retained between a base end 21 of the barrel 20 and the gas canister 32.

Abstract: An inflator (10) is provided for supplying gas to a vehicle airbag from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials. The inflator (10) has a two-piece inflator body (12) held together by crimping the body components, rather than welding. An igniter assembly (18) is positioned in a bore (22) in an upper piece (14) of the inflator body and is held in place with a press-fit interface and an adhesive seal. The upper piece (14) of the inflator body is rounded, increasing its strength, and fits partially into the lower piece (16). A booster tube is unnecessary, making the inflator lighter in weight and increasing available volume for propellant.

Abstract: Assembly of a gas generator 10 includes the step of adding uncured silicone to a propellant cup 25. Granulated oxidizer is then added over the top of the silicone and allowed to disperse therein. Afterwards, the silicone is cured to provide flush communication with an inner wall 14 of the propellant cup 25. Other granulated gas generant constituents may be added as well. A gas generator 10 assembled in this manner provides more predictable burn rates of a gas generant composition 26 and therefore more predictable performance of the gas generator 10.