Abstract: The variable output inflator includes an injection piston assembly containing a liquid propellant chamber from which liquid propellant is injected through one or more nozzles in the injection piston into a combustion chamber. The movement of the injection piston is controlled by a magnetic control unit employing an annular gap through which the MR fluid flows in a controlled manner. The inflator is of cylindrical type and may be made of small compact dimensions.

Abstract: The air bag inflator employs an injection piston assembly in which liquid propellant is delivered through nozzles in the injection piston to the combustion chamber. Metering of the liquid propellant is accomplished in a manner that is not sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures. A plug is slidably mounted between the propellant chamber and the nozzles to prevent flashback at startup. The plug is pushed forwardly to expose the nozzles to the propellant chamber in response to a predetermined pressure in the propellant chamber. A plug may also be fitted into each nozzle to be expelled into the combustion chamber upon opening of the nozzle. A tape may also be provided over the outlet of the nozzle to prevent flashback into the propellant chamber.

Abstract: The air bag inflator is particularly useful for mounting in a steering wheel of a vehicle for inflating an air bag. A magnetic control unit is disposed concentrically of an injection piston through which liquid propellant is injected from a liquid propellant chamber into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, the injection piston and pump piston are contoured to define a contoured liquid propellant chamber. In a second embodiment, an annular injection piston is slidably mounted on an annular pump piston to define an annular liquid propellant chamber.

Abstract: The air bag inflator employs an injection piston assembly in which liquid propellant is delivered through nozzles in the injection piston to the combustion chamber. Metering of the liquid propellant is accomplished in a manner that is not sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures. A plug is sladably mounted between the propellant chamber and the nozzles to prevent flashback at startup. The plug is pushed forwardly to expose the nozzles to the propellant chamber in response to a predetermined pressure in the propellant chamber. A plug may also be fitted into each nozzle to be expelled into the combustion chamber upon opening of the nozzle. A tape may also be provided over the outlet of the nozzle to prevent flashback into the propellant chamber.

Abstract: The variable output inflator includes an injection piston assembly containing a liquid propellant chamber from which liquid propellant is injected through one or more nozzles in the injection piston into a combustion chamber. The movement of the injection piston is controlled by a magnetic control unit employing an annular gap through which the MR fluid flows in a controlled manner. The inflator is of cylindrical type and may be made of small compact dimensions.

Abstract: The air bag inflator is particularly useful for mounting in a steering wheel of a vehicle for inflating an air bag. A magnetic control unit is disposed concentrically of an injection piston through which liquid propellant is injected from a liquid propellant chamber into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, the injection piston and pump piston are contoured to define a contoured liquid propellant chamber. In a second embodiment, an annular injection piston is slidably mounted on an annular pump piston to define an annular liquid propellant chamber.

Abstract: The seat belt module is electronically controlled using magneto-rheological fluid. A CPU delivers a signal to an electromagnetic coil within the module at the beginning of a crash to cause the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid to increase sufficient to lock the spool on which the seat belt is wound against rotation. Thereafter, a subsequent signal is delivered by the CPU to the coil to reduce the magnetic field and the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid allowing the spool to be unwound in a programmed manner so as to reduce the forces imposed on an occupant by the seat belt. The CPU may be pre-programmed in response to signals from sensors throughout the vehicle that deliver signals corresponding to the characteristics of the occupant and may be programmed in response to signals from these sensors and from an air bag to respond in real time.

Abstract: In an occupant restraint apparatus for installation in a vehicle, a smart airbag inflator is provided with a piston for regeneratively pumping liquid propellant from a reservoir into a combustion chamber for ignition and combustion to generate airbag inflation gases. To control the airbag inflation rate, the piston includes a piston head slidingly received in a damping chamber filled with a magneto-rheological fluid that is pumped through an orifice during the regenerative pumping stroke of the piston. An electromagnet is selectively energized to produce a varying magnetic field to adjust the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid flowing through the orifice and thus vary a damping force exerted on the piston stroke, thereby modulating the rate of liquid propellant combustion. Electromagnet current excitation is controlled in response to a particular accident scenario.