Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device (20) energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device (20) is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (12). The apparatus (10) may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices (20) individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.

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 seat belt system (13) includes a seat belt (19) having an inflatable portion (32). The system (13) further comprises at least one microelectromechanical device (MEMS) device (120) connected in fluid communication with the inflatable portion (32) of the seat belt (19) and energizable to supply inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable portion (32) of the seat belt.

Abstract: An initiator (40) for actuating an inflation fluid source (34) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a plurality of electrically energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (120-126). In one embodiment, the MEMS devices (120-126) are associated in a one to one relationship with chambers (75-78) containing ignitable material (130). Each one of the MEMS devices (120-126), when energized, generates combustion products, including heat, for igniting the associated ignitable material (130). At least one terminal pin (44-46) is electrically connected with the plurality of MEMS devices (120-126) for receiving an electric signal for energizing at least one of the MEMS devices.

Abstract: A seat belt system (13) includes a seat belt (19) having an inflatable portion (32). The system (13) further comprises at least one microelectromechanical device (MEMS) device (120) connected in fluid communication with the inflatable portion (32) of the seat belt (19) and energizable to supply inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable portion (32) of the seat belt.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant comprises an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device (20) energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device (20) is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (12). The apparatus (10) may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices (20) individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.

Abstract: An initiator (40) for actuating an inflation fluid source (34) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a plurality of electrically energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (120-126). In one embodiment, the MEMS devices (120-126) are associated in a one to one relationship with chambers (75-78) containing ignitable material (130). Each one of the MEMS devices (120-126), when energized, generates combustion products, including heat, for igniting the associated ignitable material (130). At least one terminal pin (44-46) is electrically connected with the plurality of MEMS devices (120-126) for receiving an electric signal for energizing at least one of the MEMS devices.

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 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: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) for use in inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a pressure vessel (14) for containing a combustible mixture of gases. A combustible mixture (18) of gases is contained within the pressure vessel. The combustible mixture (18) of gases comprises a combustible fuel gas mixture, an oxidizer gas for supporting combustion of the fuel gas mixture, and an inert gas. The fuel gas mixture comprises hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon gas. The hydrogen gas comprises about 84 to about 96 molar percent of the fuel gas mixture. The hydrocarbon gas comprises about 4 to about 16 molar percent of the fuel gas mixture. An actuatable igniter (12) is provided for igniting the combustible mixture (18) of gases in the pressure vessel (14). Gas is enabled to flow from the pressure vessel (14) into the vehicle occupant protection device (12).

Abstract: An inflator (12) includes a vessel (30) having a chamber (34) containing inflation fluid under pressure for inflating an air bag (16). A plug (50) is located in an opening (52) into the chamber (34). The plug (50) has a fluid passage (72) for directing inflation fluid from the chamber (34) to the air bag (16). The plug (50) has a tapered surface (90) which partially defines an electrical conductor passage (82) extending through the plug at a location spaced apart from the fluid passage (72). A tapered seal member (100) is press fit into a tapered end portion (88) of the electrical conductor passage (82) in fluid tight sealing engagement with the tapered surface (90). An electrical conductor (126) extends through the electrical conductor passage (82) and through the seal member (100). The electrical conductor (126) is connectable with an electrical device (24), such as an igniter, in the chamber (34).

Abstract: An inflator (26) provides inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (24). The inflator (26) comprises an electrically conductive container (64) defining a chamber (66) for holding fluid at a first pressure. An electrically actuatable device (48) is located in the chamber (66) for effecting a change in the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to a second pressure greater than the first pressure. A first surface (206) defines a tapered portion (202) of a passage (200) extending through the container (64). An electrical conduit (220) extends through the tapered portion (202) to deliver electrical energy to the electrically actuatable device (48). The electrical conduit (220) has opposite connector ends (224, 226) and a tapered body (222) contacting the first surface (206) to provide a fluid seal. One connector end is located in the chamber (66) and is electrically connectable with the electrically actuatable device (48).

Abstract: An air bag inflator (22) includes a source (40) of inflation fluid for inflating the air bag (20), and includes an initiator (30) which, when actuated, initiates a flow of the inflation fluid from the source (40) to the air bag (20) to inflate the air bag (20). The initiator (30) includes pyrotechnic material (100) and a laser diode (106). The laser diode (106) emits laser light which ignites the pyrotechnic material (100) when the initiator (30) is actuated.

Abstract: An air bag inflator (22) includes a container (40) and an initiator (42). The container (40) defines a storage chamber (50) containing inflation fluid at an elevated pressure. A container wall (46) has a frusto-conical surface (154) defining a passage (156) extending outward from the storage chamber (50) through the container wall (46). The initiator (42) extends into the storage chamber (50) through the passage (156) in the container wall (46), and has a frusto-conical peripheral surface (88). The frusto-conical surfaces (88,154) are pressed tightly against each other in sealing contact so as to block the inflation fluid from leaking outward through the passage in the container wall (46).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a storage chamber (18) containing a mixture of gases which is releasable to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The mixture of gases includes a combustible fuel gas which, when burning, produces first combustion products which pressurize and supplement the mixture of gases. The apparatus (10) also includes an actuator assembly (16) for igniting the combustible fuel gas. The actuator assembly (16) includes a movable container (104) in which an ignitable material (122) is contained. The ignitable material (122) in the movable container (104), when burning, produces second combustion products which ignite the combustible fuel gas. The actuator assembly (16) casts the movable container (104) across the storage chamber when the second ignitable material (122) is burning.

Abstract: Improved ice penetrator apparatus includes protective apparatus for the thermochemical ice penetrator to prevent an undesired explosive sound producing chemical reaction between water and the material of said ice penetrator, particularly while the penetrator is resident in a buoy tube prior to release. The protective apparatus at least partially covers the thermochemical ice penetrator and forms a unitary assembly therewith. The characteristic of the protective material is such that it is non-reactive to the ice penetrator material, typically lithium and/or a sodium lithium alloy, and to water. The protective apparatus may assume any of a diving bell, clam shell and banana skin structural form.