Abstract: A system for protecting the legs of an occupant positioned in a seat of a vehicle from an explosive force originating under a floor of the vehicle. The system includes a movable bolster configured to move to contact the legs of the occupant and cause the feet of the occupant to move away from the floor of the vehicle. The system also includes a module positioned proximate the seat of the vehicle and including a movable rod linked to the bolster, wherein the module includes a gas generator configured to be activated to generate gas used to force the rod to move. The system also includes a controller that is configured to receive a signal from a vertical acceleration sensor and activate the gas generator when the signal from the sensor is indicative of a condition where the vertical acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for protecting the legs of an occupant positioned in a seat of a vehicle from an explosive force originating under a floor of the vehicle. The system includes a movable bolster configured to move to contact the legs of the occupant and cause the feet of the occupant to move away from the floor of the vehicle. The system also includes a module positioned proximate the seat of the vehicle and including a movable rod linked to the bolster, wherein the module includes a gas generator configured to be activated to generate gas used to force the rod to move. The system also includes a controller that is configured to receive a signal from a vertical acceleration sensor and activate the gas generator when the signal from the sensor is indicative of a condition where the vertical acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for protecting an occupant positioned in a seat of a vehicle. The system includes a gas emitting device positioned adjacent to an occupant of a vehicle. The system also may include a controller configured to control the activation of the gas emitting device. A sensor configured to detect the vertical acceleration of the vehicle, may be included. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor and activate the gas emitting device when the signal from the sensor is indicative of a condition where the vertical acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold. When activated, the gas emitting device may be configured to emit gas toward the legs of the occupant so that the force of the emitted gas directly forces the legs of the occupant to move.

Abstract: A system for protecting an occupant positioned in a seat of a vehicle. The system includes a gas emitting device positioned adjacent to an occupant of a vehicle. The system also may include a controller configured to control the activation of the gas emitting device. A sensor configured to detect the vertical acceleration of the vehicle, may be included. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor and activate the gas emitting device when the signal from the sensor is indicative of a condition where the vertical acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold. When activated, the gas emitting device may be configured to emit gas toward the legs of the occupant so that the force of the emitted gas directly forces the legs of the occupant to move.

Abstract: A gas generating system devoid of a booster chamber. The inflator includes a composition having a metal chlorate as a first oxidizer, a primary fuel selected from carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, and a second oxidizer not having perchlorate character. The metal chlorate is provided at about 10-20 wt %, the primary fuel is provided at about 15-45 wt %, and the second oxidizer is provided at about 30-50 wt % stated by weight of the total composition.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gas generator 10 that incorporates a gas generating composition 12 and a scavenging additive 16 in heterogeneous but vapor/gaseous communication with the gas generating composition 12. The scavenging additive retains moisture/contaminants typically evolving over time at relatively higher temperatures. The present invention further includes a gas generating system 180 incorporating the gas generator 10.

Abstract: Preferred gas generant compositions incorporate a combination of 5-aminotetrazole nitrate and an oxidizer. The oxidizer may be selected from a group including nonmetal and metal nitrates, nitrites, chlorates, chlorites, perchlorates, and oxides. 5-aminotetrazole nitrate is characterized as an oxygen-rich fuel and is therefore considered to be a self-deflagrating fuel. To tailor the oxygen balance in certain applications, however, the use of an oxidizer is preferred. Methods of formulating the compositions are also described. These compositions are especially suitable for inflating air bags and actuating seatbelt pretensioners in passenger-restraint devices.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a tubular outer housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (L) and one or more apertures (12d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and an exterior of the outer housing. A tubular inner housing (70) is positioned within the interior of the outer housing (12). The inner housing (70) includes one or more apertures (70d ) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the inner housing and an exterior of the inner housing. A first tubular baffle (80) is provided for cooling and regulating a flow of gas produced by the gas generating system (10). The first baffle (80) has a plurality of corrugations (80c) formed therealong and is positioned between the inner housing (70) and the outer housing (12) to define a gas flow channel (82) extending between the first baffle (80) and the inner housing (70).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided. In one aspect of the invention, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).

Abstract: A multi-chamber gas generating system (10) has a housing (12) with openings (24) formed in a wall thereof. A gas-tight internal divider (42) separates the housing into two chambers (80, 80?). A gas generating sub-assembly (100) incorporating a baffle system is positioned in the first chamber (100). The sub-assembly (100) includes a first tubular member (44) and a second tubular member (52) positioned within the first member. The first and second members have openings (49, 54) formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the second member (52) and the housing openings (24). The housing openings (24) are axially displaced from the first member opening (49) such that combustion products flow in a first axial direction between the first member opening and the housing opening.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. In one aspect of the invention, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system including an airbag module containing an elongated inflator and an elongated airbag is provided. The airbag contains a first and a second upper portion, and at least one lower or thoracic portion in fluid communication with at least one upper portion upon activation of the airbag.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to auto-ignition/booster compositions for inflators of occupant restraint systems, for example. An exemplary auto-ignition composition in accordance with the present invention includes a metal chlorate, an auto-ignition fuel selected from the group including sugars and orgainic acids, and a nitrogen-containing secondary fuel.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator (10) includes a pressure vessel (12) having an opening (60) formed therein. A quantity of relatively unreactive pressurized gas is stored in the pressure vessel (12). A quantity of a gas generant composition (14) is positioned in an interior of the pressure vessel (12) and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas. An igniter (18) is positioned proximate the gas generant (14) for initiating combustion of the gas generant. A rupturable, fluid-tight seal (30) is positioned to seal the opening (60) in the pressure vessel (12) for maintaining the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel (12) prior to activation of the igniter (18). Activation of the igniter (18) results in combustion of the gas generant (14).

Abstract: A filterless airbag module (10) including a structure for cooling combustion gases. The airbag module (10) includes an inflator (12) having a housing (18) and a smokeless gas generating propellant (20) contained within the housing. One or more apertures (24) are formed in the housing (18) to enable fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing. An airbag (16) is arranged to fluidly communicate with the apertures (24). A combustion gas retainer (42) is positioned exterior of the housing (18) and in alignment with the apertures (24). The retainer (42) and a surface (72) of the housing (18) combine to define a cooling chamber (50) for cooling combustion gases received from the housing (18) via the apertures (24).