Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes a protection device (12) inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition to help protect a vehicle occupant. Support structure (22) mounts the protection device (12) on a portion of a vehicle. A cover (30) includes a portion (42) movable from a closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of the protection device (12). The apparatus (10) further comprises an emblem (60). The movable cover portion (42) has an opening (50) through which the emblem (60) is visible to the vehicle occupant. The emblem (60) is retained in a position aligned with the opening (50) in the cover portion (42) when the protection device (12) is in the deflated condition. The emblem (60) is movable relative to the cover portion (42) upon inflation of the protection device (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat back (20) and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) supported on the seat back (20) for deployment upward from the upper end (62) of the seat back (20). The apparatus (10) further includes a backing member (70) supported on the seat back (20) for movement from a retracted position to a deployed position under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (18). When the backing member (70) is in the deployed position, it projects upward from the upper end (62) of the seat back (20) at a location behind the protection device (18). The backing member (70) is non-deflectable under the influence of the inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (18).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator structure (12) and a modular valve assembly (18). The inflator structure (12) defines an inflation fluid pressure chamber (15), a fluid exit opening (60), and a fluid flow path (62) extending between the chamber (15) and the exit opening (60). The modular valve assembly (18) has a plurality of parts that are interconnected separately from the inflator structure (12), including a metering member (182) and a tubular valve housing (180) containing and supporting the metering member (182) for movement within the valve housing (180). The modular valve assembly (18) has an installed position in which the valve housing (180) extends longitudinally across the flow path (62) defined by the inflator structure (12). The inflator structure (12) further defines a valve compartment (76) in which the valve housing (180) is receivable and movable longitudinally across the flow path (62) upon movement of the modular valve assembly (18) to its installed position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator structure (12) and a pyrotechnic initiator (80). The inflator structure (12) defines an inflation fluid pressure chamber (15), and includes a closure structure (44) which closes the chamber (15). The closure structure (44) has a rupturable portion (48). A first body of pyrotechnic material (54) is mounted on the rupturable portion (48) of the closure structure (44). The initiator (80) is mounted on the inflator structure (12) separately from the first body of pyrotechnic material (54), and contains a second body of pyrotechnic material (88). When the second body of pyrotechnic material (88) is ignited, it produces combustion products that ignite the first body of pyrotechnic material (54).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a housing (16, 40) defining a chamber (30). An actuatable inflation fluid source (80) in the chamber (30) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (12). A body of plastic material (50) is supported on the housing (40). An electrically energizable initiator (90), when energized, causes inflation fluid to flow from the chamber (30). A retainer (120) mounts the initiator (90) to the housing (40). The retainer (120) has a first portion (130) engaging the initiator (90) and securing the initiator to the retainer. The retainer (120) has a second portion (132) engaging the body of plastic material (50) and securing the retainer to the body of plastic material.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) for storing a quantity of inflation fluid (78) under pressure. First and second outlet passages (60, 62) in the container (12) can each direct flow of fluid (78) out of the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (36) for inflating the inflatable device. The first outlet passage (60) has a first flow area. The second outlet passage (62) has a second flow area less than the flow area of the first outlet passage (60). A first burst disk (70) on the container (12) blocks the first outlet passage (60). A second burst disk (72) on the container (12) blocks the second outlet passage (62). The apparatus (10) includes means (80) for rupturing the first burst disk (70) to direct flow of fluid out of the chamber (14) through the first outlet passage (60) without rupturing the second burst disk (72).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, includes a housing (20) defining a chamber (22), inflation fluid at a predetermined pressure in the chamber (22), and an initiator (34) for initiating the release of the inflation fluid from the chamber (22). The initiator (34) includes a capacitor (120, 240, 270), the capacitance of which changes with a change in pressure in the chamber (22). The apparatus (10) includes means, such as an electrical circuit (280), for sensing a change in the capacitance of the capacitor (286).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflator (20) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator (20) has a wall (32) defining a chamber (40) in the inflator. Inflation fluid is stored at a predetermined pressure in the chamber (40). The apparatus (10) further comprises a first device (102) for generating electrical energy. The first device (102) is located in the chamber (40). A second device (106, 108) senses a change in the predetermined pressure and transmits a signal indicative of the change in the predetermined pressure through the wall (32). The second device (106, 108) is located inside the chamber (40) and is electrically connected to the first device (102). A third device (122, 124) senses the signal. The third device (122, 124) is located outside of the chamber (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (2) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (4) for, when inflated, helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflator (10) is provided having a housing (12) defining a chamber (30). A mixture of gases (32) is stored in the chamber for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (4). A diode (60) is supported by the housing (12) and is exposed to the stored mixture of gases (32) in the chamber (30). An electrical property of the diode (60) is dependent upon the concentration of at least one of the gases in the mixture of gases (32) in the chamber (30). In a preferred embodiment, sensor means (70) is provided for sensing the electrical property of the diode (60). The sensor means (70) provides an output signal when the electrical property of the diode reaches a predetermined threshold indicating a reduction in the concentration of the one gas in the mixture of gases (32). Means responsive to the output signal (74) is provided for affecting vehicle occupant safety.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a frame structure (32) defining a deployment opening (40), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) aligned with the deployment opening (40), and a deployment structure (24) extending across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) has first and second locking portions (70, 72) in releasably interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32) at locations spaced apart across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) is configured to undergo non-rupturing deflection under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (14). Such non-rupturing deflection of the deployment structure (24) moves the first locking portion (70) partially out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32), and moves the second locking portion (72) fully out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32).

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes a housing (30) defining a chamber (50). An end-burning pyrotechnic charge (60) is in the chamber (50) in the housing (30) for, upon ignition, producing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable device. The charge (60) has a first predetermined burn rate at a first location along the length of the chamber (50) and a second predetermined burn rate at a second location along the length of the chamber spaced apart from the first location. The second predetermined burn rate is different from the first predetermined burn rate. The inflator (10) includes an initiator (112) for igniting the charge (60), and portions (34, 90, 110) for directing inflation fluid from the chamber (50) to the inflatable device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a first vehicle occupant protection apparatus (22), a second vehicle occupant protection apparatus (44), and an actuating device (46). The first protection apparatus (22), when actuated, helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat (16). The second protection apparatus (44), when actuated, also helps to protect the occupant of the seat (16). The first protection apparatus (22) comprises a seat belt pretensioner including a piston (70) supported for movement through a pretensioning stroke. The actuating device (46) responds to movement of the piston (70) through the pretensioning stroke by actuating the second protection apparatus (44).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) for, when inflated, helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. The protection device (12) has an inner surface (28) defining a volume (27) into which vehicle inflation fluid is directed to inflate the protection device. A source (14) of inflation fluid is provided which, when actuated, provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). A catalytic reducing material (50) for reducing components of the inflation fluid is adhered to at least a portion of the inner surface (28) of the protection device (12).

Abstract: A large-format solid state imaging device which can detect optical images without loss of sharpness or resolution is provided and includes a solid state imaging device supported by and secured to a frame. To ensure that the imaging device does not deviate from its desired surface configuration, the device is pressed between an optical coupling plate and a support plate each having at least one matching surface whose curvature matches the other with a precision which permits the solid state imaging device to detect optical images without loss of sharpness or resolution and which conforms the imaging device into a desired configuration. Preferably, the frame is annular and the edges of the imaging device are secured to the frame by at least two spaced bonds.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a body of material which is ignitable to generate a gas for inflating an air bag. The body of material comprises at least two layers of ignitable gas generating material which are pressed together. One of the layers comprises a nitrogen generating composition which is easily ignited and burns rapidly. The other of the layers comprises a nitrogen generating composition which is less easily ignited and burns less rapidly than the one layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, such as an air bag, includes a housing. A hermetically sealed canister in the housing includes a lower section and a cover. Gas generating material is located in the canister. The gas generating material, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the air bag. The canister is sealed with a single hermetic seal between the lower section and the cover.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an air bag includes a housing. A quantity of gas generating material is disposed within the housing. The gas generating material when ignited generates gas for inflating the air bag. An igniter is actuatable to ignite the gas generating material. A weld adaptor is welded to the housing. A body of injection molded plastic material adheres to both the igniter and the weld adaptor to attach the igniter to the weld adaptor. The weld adaptor is welded to a cover part of the inflator housing.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag structure comprises an outer bag which is expansible to a predetermined three dimensional configuration and an expansible inner bag which is located in an internal fluid cavity of the outer bag. The outer bag forms an impact area at a predetermined location when expanded to its predetermined three dimensional configuration. The inner and outer air bags have respective mouth portions which are attached together, and a mouth 46 of the air bag structure 14 is formed at the location of this attachment. The mouth defines a fluid inlet opening, which directs fluid from an external source into the inner bag, and fastening structure which enables the air bag to be fastened to a part of a vehicle air bag assembly. The inner bag is expansible to a predetermined three dimensional configuration, and has a plurality of vent openings for directing fluid from the inner bag into the internal cavity of the outer bag in a direction away from the occupant impact area.

Abstract: A filter filters the gas generated by an air bag inflator. The gas comprises an alkali metal oxide. The inflator comprises a non-woven metal fibrous mat and small particles of a silicon compound, reactive with the alkali metal oxide, adhered to strands of the mat.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint is assembled by welding various components of the inflator together, inserting a canister of gas generating material into the inflator, and then welding a closure member to the other components of the inflator. The step of welding the closure member to the other components of the inflator is the only welding step which is performed after inserting the canister of gas generating material. Prior to insertion of the canister of gas generating material, an end wall and a flange of a combustion cup are positioned in abutting engagement with an end wall and a flange of a diffuser cup. The end walls and flanges of the combustion and diffuser cups are welded together. An initiator assembly for igniting the gas generating material in the canister is connected with the closure member.