Abstract: A flattened expanded metal strip (9) is wrapped into an airbag inflator filter (21) with the strip oriented such that the flattened rough side (17) of the strip is pointing toward the inside diameter (ID) of the filter and the flattened smooth side (15) is pointing towards the outside diameter (OD). With this orientation, the filter (21) is able to capture more slag than filters made using the standard wrapping method in which the smooth side is oriented inward. The expanded metal can be of various types including, for example, variable expanded metal (VEM) or standard expanded metal (SEM).

Abstract: A battery exhaust vent includes an expanded metal filter which acts as a heat sink to cool an overheating battery. The exhaust vent acts as a particulate filter and flame arrestor which reduces flames and particulate slag projectiles from being expelled outside a battery housing. Directional Flow Expanded Metal (DFEM) and Variable Expanded Metal (VEM) are utilized for their directional fins and associated plethora of openings offset in overlapping layers to create a cyclone effect for gases or particles passing through the filter. The fins and holes are offset from layer to layer within a multi-layer filter construction and are designed to immediately change the direction of the flames and burning particles relative to the input flame flow direction. The vent may include an elastomeric umbrella valve which seals the vent from external airflow but allows quick venting for internal gas pressure during a runaway event or excessive heating.

Abstract: Filters (21) comprising a rolled expanded metal strip (13) are provided. The expanded metal strip (13) has an entrance zone (e.g., layer 1 and layer 2), a nozzle zone (e.g., layer 3), and, optionally, an exit zone (e.g., layers 4 and 5). The filter can also include an optional layer of woven wire mesh (e.g., layer 6). The filters have a thin wall (39) such that, in an embodiment, the ratio of the thickness (t) of the wall to the filter's outer diameter (OD) is less than or equal to 0.07, whereby the filter can weigh less and/or have a smaller envelope size than existing expanded metal filters. In an embodiment, the filter (21) can be used to filter and cool the gas stream produced by the rapid burning of the solid propellant (26) of an airbag inflator (157).

Abstract: A flattened expanded metal strip (9) is wrapped into an airbag inflator filter (21) with the strip oriented such that the flattened rough side (17) of the strip is pointing toward the inside diameter (ID) of the filter and the flattened smooth side (15) is pointing towards the outside diameter (OD). With this orientation, the filter (21) is able to capture more slag than filters made using the standard wrapping method in which the smooth side is oriented inward. The expanded metal can be of various types including, for example, variable expanded metal (VEM) or standard expanded metal (SEM).

Abstract: A filter for an inflator includes a rolled sheet centered on an axis or three dimensionally printed as a whole and including a plurality of openings. A deflector is associated with each opening for directing inflation fluid in a non-radial direction relative to the axis.

Abstract: A primary mining post, prop, or support that is yieldable to the settling forces of a mine shaft and has a double ball and socket configuration to respond to the shifting that occurs with roof settling in mine shafts. The post has a ball on each end of the main support body and corresponding sockets in each of the respective top and bottom bases. The main body has means for yielding to the heavy weights put thereon.The double ball and socket configuration allows the heavy weights of a settling subterranean roof to be fully transmitted axially along the length of the main body of the post during off vertical loading without undue buckling and failure. The loading characteristics remain virtually identical with straight vertical and off vertical loading. Traditional supports will buckle and fail under a shifting load since the load forces are distributed differently under a non vertical load.