Abstract: Fail-operational display devices and methods for controlling such fail-operational display devices are disclosed. More specifically, emissive displays having independently addressable (controllable) light emitting elements fitted with redundant control circuits may be utilized. In the event of a failure, one set of redundant control circuits may be disabled while another set of redundant control circuits may be enabled to keep the display device fail-operational.

Abstract: Fail-operational display devices and methods for controlling such fail-operational display devices are disclosed. More specifically, emissive displays having independently addressable (controllable) light emitting elements fitted with redundant control circuits may be utilized. In the event of a failure, one set of redundant control circuits may be disabled while another set of redundant control circuits may be enabled to keep the display device fail-operational.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a display assembly. The display assembly includes a display panel and a backlight module. The backlight module may be operationally coupled to the display panel and may include a light source and light guide. The light guide may be operationally coupled to the light source. The light guide may include a top surface (oriented towards the display panel) and a bottom surface (oriented towards the light source). The light source may provide a plurality of light rays to the light guide via the bottom surface of the light guide, thereby providing a rear lit wave guide (ex.—a rear lit light guide). Further, the light guide may receive the plurality of light rays and direct them, via the top surface of the light guide, to the display panel for illuminating the display panel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between a vehicle part (16) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) also includes an inflation fluid source (24) that provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflation fluid source (24) contains a stored inflation fluid (118) consisting essentially of 65-95% helium gas and 5-35% nitrogen gas stored under pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between a vehicle part (16) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) also includes an inflation fluid source (24) that provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflation fluid source (24) contains a stored inflation fluid (118) consisting essentially of 65-95% helium gas and 5-35% nitrogen gas stored under pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a container (32) for storing gas (36) under pressure. The container (32) has an outlet (38). The apparatus (10) includes a mechanism (42) for opening the container (32) to release the gas (36) to flow from the outlet (38) at supersonic speed. The apparatus (10) also includes a pyrotechnic material (70) which is ignitable to generate gas for helping to inflate the inflatable device (20). The pyrotechnic material (70) is ignitable in response to being impacted by the gas (36) flowing from the outlet (38) at supersonic speed. The apparatus (10) further includes a conduit (50) directing at least a first portion of the gas (36) flowing from the container (32) to the pyrotechnic material (70) to ignite the pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable device includes a container (12) containing a stored pressurized gas. The container (12) has a primary chamber (24) and a secondary chamber (26). The container (12) has a wall (32) separating the primary and secondary chambers (24, 26). An orifice (34) communicates the primary chamber (24) with the secondary chamber (26). The container (12) has an outlet passage (42) communicating with the secondary chamber (26). The flow area of the outlet passage (42) is greater than the flow area of the orifice (34). A member (46) has a first condition blocking flow through the outlet passage (42) and a second condition permitting flow through the outlet passage. An initiator (52) causes the member (46) to assume the second condition so as to permit flow from the secondary chamber (26) through the outlet passage (42) and create a pressure differential between the primary and secondary chambers (24, 26) acting on the wall (32).