Abstract: An inflator apparatus wherein the molecular weight of the gas mixture therein contained is manipulated by varying the relative amounts of the various constituents thereof. Through such manipulation and tight control of gas mixture molecular weight, the performance of the inflator can be properly tuned such as to desirably control or influence the speed of deployment of an associated airbag cushion and minimize or reduce damage to an associated airbag cushion caused by excessive deployment speeds, as well as satisfy the relatively onerous inflation demands required for proper or desired operation of various close proximity airbag cushions or inflatable restraint devices.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus wherein the molecular weight of the gas mixture therein contained is manipulated by varying the relative amounts of the various constituents thereof. Through such manipulation and tight control of gas mixture molecular weight, the performance of the inflator can be properly tuned such as to desirably control or influence the speed of deployment of an associated airbag cushion and minimize or reduce damage to an associated airbag cushion caused by excessive deployment speeds, as well as satisfy the relatively onerous inflation demands required for proper or desired operation of various close proximity airbag cushions or inflatable restraint devices.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus and a method are provided using a quantity of a compensatory material to supplement a stored pressurized gas.

Abstract: An airbag inflator with venturi effect cooling and gas supplement. The inflator includes a housing having a quantity of gas-producing fuel therein, and possibly a stored gas also, along with appropriate igniters. These materials are stored within a gas production chamber of the housing. The gas leaving this chamber travels through the housing to an exit port on the housing. Intermediate the gas production chamber and the housing exit port is a venturi section of the housing. This section reduces the pressure of the gas, and thus the pressure at the interior end of draw vents opening onto the venturi section. The vents therefore draw outside air into the housing to mix with the gas. This cools the gas to the desired temperature, and also supplements the gas exiting the housing. As such, the need for a heat sink to cool the gas is reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, since the cushion is inflated with a mixture of gas and air, the amount of gas typically needed is reduced by the amount of added air.

Abstract: Components of a vehicle airbag gas generator, or inflator, are coated with reactivity resistant materials to protect them from deterioration caused by contact with the high temperature, reactive gases generated by recently developed non-azide high reactive temperature gas generating materials. Suitable coatings include those produced from ceramics and reactivity resistant metals. These coatings also provide long term protection of the components from deterioration caused by the environment/atmosphere within the inflator.

Abstract: Unitary filters for airbags. The filters may be formed from various combinations of ceramic grit, ceramic fiber, metal grit, metal fiber, and non-metal fibers. Combinations of disparate particle sizes may be used to increase filter diffusion and reduce the size of particles filtered. The disparate size particles may be uniformly mixed, or may be in relatively discrete layers. Fibers may be used to increase the strength of the filter. The fibers may be mixed with an initial slurry, or the slurry may be pressed into a mat of the fibers.

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: An inflatable restraint system assembly and method of operation are provided wherein a compliance chamber pressure vessel formed about the gas exit area of an inflator appropriately and desirably moderates the inflation gas output from the inflator into an associated inflatable device such as inflatable vehicle occupant restraint. The invention has particular utility for use in conjunction with high mass flow rate inflators.

Abstract: An improved method for fabricating a filter for use in automotive air bag inflators which comprises forming a hollow cylindrical inner core or combustion screen of filter material and outer filter layers wound outward from the surface of the core so as to be maintained in cylindrical relation thereabout. This invention is specifically directed to an improved filter which does not include a perforated support tube and relies on only the interior combustion screen for support in the final wrapping of the remaining filter structure.

Abstract: An improved method for fabricating a filter for use in automotive air bag inflators which comprises forming a hollow cylindrical inner core or combustion screen of filter material and outer filter layers wound outward from the surface of the core so as to be maintained in cylindrical relation thereabout. This invention is specifically directed to an improved filter which does not include a perforated support tube and relies on only the interior combustion screen for support in the final wrapping of the remaining filter structure.

Abstract: A liquid fueled inflator for a vehicle passive restraint airbag system is enhanced by storing the liquid fuel or propellant in a porous solid structure. The structure provides enhanced control over the combustion process by its influence over disbursement of the fuel or propellant into the combustion chamber. Porous structures which meter the disbursement of fuel or propellant into the combustion chamber, and frangible porous structures which propel the fuel throughout the combustion chamber are described.

Abstract: A dual-walled air bag inflator having a filter and gas generant within a common chamber, with the gas exiting radially from the inflator. Various arrangements are provided to force the generated gas to change its direction of travel at least 90.degree. prior to exiting in order to slow the gas and improve filtration. Gas barriers are placed within the chamber to force the desired flow. The gas flow may be directed radially inward in opposed streams to cancel velocity, and then directed radially outward toward the filter and exits. In one embodiment a mixing chamber is provided for the gas prior to encountering the filter.

Abstract: A unitary rigid filter for use in a high temperature, high pressure application in a pyrotechnic airbag inflator includes a matrix structure formed of porous carbonaceous foam material coated with silicon material and having a high thermal conductivity coefficient for absorbing heat from the gases generated on ignition of a pyrotechnic material. The porous, carbonaceous foam has a porosity or permeability of approximately 40 ppi to 80 ppi and a thin, sheet-like liner of porous, ceramic paper is mounted on the body of the foam matrix structure for improving operational characteristics.

Abstract: A process for treating particulate-containing gas of a vehicular safety restraint inflator and improvements in inflatable vehicular safety restraint systems are provided. The invention makes use of an element having at least one layer of an expanded metal.

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 pyrotechnic air bag inflator utilizing non-azide gas generating material such as mixtures of copper oxide and amino tetrazol includes a unitary, rigid, drop-in type, filter for cooling and filtering high temperature, high pressure corrosive gas generated when the air bag inflator is activated to inflate an associated air bag. The filter comprises a reticulated structure formed of strong, porous, metal, metal alloy or ceramic material having a high thermal diffusivity and surface area for absorbing heat from the gas and defining a plurality of tortuous passages for entrapping contaminants from the gas passing through the filter.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator for an air bag includes a housing for containing gas generating material for inflating an air bag. The housing has a wall formed of rigid, porous material and serves both as a filter for entrapping contaminants from the gas that is generated within as the gas passes outward through the wall into the air bag and cools the gas by absorbing heat therefrom. Gas generating material and an ignition train is hermetically sealed in a bag or packet inside the porous housing which serves triple duty as a solid pyrotechnic container, a gas filter and a gas cooler.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing inflation gas for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint are provided wherein a filter housed within a chamber of the apparatus effects gas redirection and particulate removal from at least a portion of the hot gas released from a gas generating material-containing first chamber of the apparatus, forming a hot gas having a significantly reduced particulate content. The apparatus includes a diffuser having one or more controlling orifices and exit ports to provide for the passage of inflation gas therethrough into the vehicle occupant restraint. There is at least an approximately 180.degree. cumulative change in gas direction between contacting the filter and the passage of the inflation gas into the diffuser.

Abstract: A filter assembly, as well as a treatment system and an inflator module assembly including such a filter assembly are provided. The filter assembly is mounted within the module diffuser housing, external the side or end of an inflator from which gas is emitted and is effective in the treatment of the gaseous emission. Such treatment can include the filtration of particulate from the gaseous emission as well as redirecting the flow of such emission in a desired manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method suitable for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint are provided. The apparatus stores a gas generating material in a first chamber and stores a supply of gas under pressure in a second chamber. When ignited, the gas generating material produces a hot gas which contains particulate material. To effect particulate removal, housed within the container and extending about the gas exit nozzle of the first chamber is a filter structure. The filter structure forms inner and outer mixing zones within the second chamber wherein portions of the stored gas mix with the appropriately generated and/or treated gas, forming inflation gas. The inflation gas in turn is passed through a diffuser and into the vehicle occupant restraint.