Abstract: An ignitable pyrotechnic transmission line, when ignited, actuates a vehicle safety device. A microdet receives a firing signal indicative of a vehicle collision and generates combustion products to ignite the pyrotechnic transmission line. A blocking member in the form of a slidable spool is interposed between the microdet and the pyrotechnic transmission line. The spool has a blocking position in which the spool prevents transmission of combustion products from the microdet to the pyrotechnic transmission line. The spool also has a non-blocking position in which the spool allows transmission of combustion products from the microdet to the pyrotechnic transmission line to ignite the pyrotechnic transmission line. The movement of the spool from the blocking position to the non-blocking position is controlled so that it moves only in the event of vehicle deceleration above a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a vehicle occupant comprises an airbag which inflates outwardly from a housing into a vehicle occupant compartment. An ignitable material for facilitating outward movement of the inflating airbag past a closure panel is supported by the closure panel between the airbag and the occupant compartment.

Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner according to the present invention comprises a piston movable by high pressure gas. A flexible cable, responsive to movement of the piston, rotates the take-up spool in a belt retraction direction to pull the belt against the vehicle occupant and eliminate slack in the belt. A linear ignition material for generating a high pressure gas is in fluid communication with the piston to move the piston in response to ignition of said linear ignition material. The linear ignition material comprises a frangible sheath and at least one gas generating pyrotechnic cord disposed within said sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring the operability of at least a pair of pyrotechnic transmission lines connected to an actuatable safety device. The apparatus includes a conduit in the form of an optical fiber, which extends through one pyurotechnic transmission line, through the actuatable safety device, and through the other pyrotechnic transmission line. One end of the conduit is coupled to a signal source for receiving a signal from the signal source. The signal is directed through the conduit. A sensor coupled at the other end of the conduit senses receipt of the signal directed through the conduit. If the sensor senses the signal directed through the conduit has decreased to or below a predetermined level, then an indicator operates to warn of a break or interruption in at least one of the pyrotechnic transmission lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for igniting a gas generating propellant grain which is susceptible to shattering when suddenly exposed to pressure above a predetermined pressure. The apparatus comprises a housing having a peripheral side surface, an axial end surface and a longitudinal central axis. An ignitable material is contained in the housing. The ignitable material develops hot gases, flame and pressure within said housing upon combustion of the ignitable material. The peripheral side surface of the housing ruptures at a pressure which is substantially less than the predetermined pressure at which the propellant grain shatters to direct the hot gases and flame radially of the longitudinal central axis of the housing to ignite the propellant grain.

Abstract: An igniter for use in a vehicle having gas generating material which upon ignition produces gas for inflating an inflatable occupant restraint. The igniter comprises a pyrotechnic transmission line having one end located adjacent the gas generating material. The pyrotechnic transmission line includes a housing and a plurality of pyrotechnic cords located in the housing and extending for substantially the length of the housing. A pair of electrically conductive members are located at a position spaced from the one end of the pyrotechnic transmission line. Each of the members have a portion disposed within the housing. The members are spaced apart. A spark is generated between the members to heat and thereby ignite the pyrotechnic cords in response to a sensor sensing deceleration of the vehicle at a rate above a predetermined rate of deceleration.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating an actuatable vehicle safety device, such as an airbag inflator, includes an ignitable pyrotechnic transmission line having one end connected with the vehicle safety device. The safety device actuates in response to ignition of the pyrotechnic transmission line. The other end of the pyrotechnic transmission line is connected with an actuatable semiconductor bridge which, when actuated, ignites the pyrotechnic transmission line. The semiconductor bridge actuates in response to receiving a firing signal indicative of a vehicle collision from an impact sensor. Thus, when a vehicle collision occurs, the impact sensor provides the firing signal to actuate the semiconductor bridge which, in turn, ignites the pyrotechnic transmission line to thereby actuate the airbag inflator.

Abstract: An igniter for use in a vehicle having gas generating material which upon ignition produces gas for inflating an inflatable occupant restraint. The igniter comprises a pyrotechnic transmission line having one end located adjacent the gas generating material. The pyrotechnic transmission line includes a housing and a plurality of pyrotechnic cords located in the housing and extending for substantially the length of the housing. A pair of electrically conductive members are located at a position spaced from the one end of the pyrotechnic transmission line. Each of the members have a portion disposed within the housing. The members are spaced apart. A spark is generated between the members to heat and thereby ignite the pyrotechnic cords in response to a sensor sensing deceleration of the vehicle at a rate above a predetermined rate of deceleration.

Abstract: An apparatus for igniting gas generating material includes a container having ignitable material for igniting the gas generating material upon ignition of the ignitable material. The ignitable material ignites when heated to a predetermined temperature. The ignitable material includes booster material and auto-ignition material which ignites when heated to the predetermined temperature. The ignitable material is a homogeneous mixture of the booster material and the auto-ignition material and has a ratio by weight of the booster material to the auto-ignition material of between 1.25 to 1 and 30 to 1. The booster material is a BKNO.sub.3 based compound and the auto-ignition material is a smokeless powder which ignites at a temperature in the range of 300.degree. F.-400.degree. F.