With Source Of Inflation Fluid And Flow Control Means Thereof Patents (Class 280/736)
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Patent number: 10300878Abstract: An airbag device for a car may include an inflator positioned between first and second seats and generating an operating gas, a chamber part receiving the operating gas generated by the inflator and expanding between the first and second seats, a tether part connected to the chamber part to control a deployment shape of the chamber part, and a locking release part connected to the tether part at an inner surface or side surface of the chamber part which removes the connection to the tether part according to a control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hae Kwon Park, Jiwoon Song, Ga Ram Jeong
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Patent number: 10239483Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing with a gas discharge port, an igniter assembly and a gas generating agent in the housing; and a metallic cup of constant inner diameter covering the igniter to define a charging chamber. The igniter assembly includes a main body, including an ignition portion and an electro-conductive pin integrated with a metallic collar by a resin. The metallic collar has a fixing portion inserted into a hole in a bottom surface of the housing and a remaining portion projecting inward from the bottom surface of the housing, and a guide portion. An inner circumferential wall surface of the metallic cup and an outer circumferential wall surface of the fixing portion are press-fitted, and an annular gap is formed between the inner circumferential wall of the metallic cup member and an outer circumferential wall surface of the guide portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Daicel CorporationInventor: Takashi Okuyama
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Patent number: 10145337Abstract: Electrical ignition of electrically operated propellant in a gas generation system provides an ignition condition at an ignition surface between a pair of electrodes that satisfies three criteria of a current density J that exhibits a decreasing gradient along an axis normal to an ignition surface, is substantially constant across the ignition surface and exceeds an ignition threshold at the ignition surface. These criteria may be satisfied by one or more of an angled electrode configuration, a segmented electrode configuration or an additive to the electrically operated propellant that modifies its conductivity. These configurations improve burn rate control and consumption of the available propellant and are scalable to greater propellant mass to support larger gas generation systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Matt H. Summers, James K. Villarreal, Mark T. Langhenry, Jeremy C. Danforth, John W. Walter
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Patent number: 10106118Abstract: A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at (east two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20). The diffuser bowl (14) and/or the cover (20) comprise a section (24) that is shaped, in particular deep-drawn, into an indentation, forming at least partially a circumferential section of the inner wall (32).Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GmbHInventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Fabien Cristoforetti, Dieter Sptizenberger
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Patent number: 10099645Abstract: A center airbag device may include: an inflator positioned between first and second seats, and generating an operating gas; a chamber part receiving the operating gas generated by the inflator, and expanding between the first and second seats; an internal tether part positioned in the chamber part, and connected to one or more of the top and side surfaces of the chamber part so as to control the deployment shape of the chamber part; and a locking release part connected to the internal tether part, and removing a restriction of the internal tether part according to a control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jiwoon Song, Ga Ram Jeong, Hae Kwon Park
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Patent number: 10086791Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including a metallic first collar of a first igniter of an ignition device chamber, which has a first columnar main body portion, a first plate portion extending in a radial direction of a housing from part of a circumferential surface thereof, and a first wall surface formed by extending part of the first plate portion in an axial direction of the housing, a metallic second collar of a second ignition device of a second combustion chamber, which has a second columnar main body portion, a second plate portion extending in the radial direction from part of a circumferential surface thereof and a second wall surface formed by extending part of the second plate portion in the axial direction of the housing, a bottom side of the first columnar main body portion portion of the first collar being fitted in a first hole to fix a first igniter of the ignition device chamber, the first hole being one of two holes formed in the bottom plate of the housing separately from eType: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventor: Toshihiro Izuma
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Patent number: 10091750Abstract: A synchronization device for synchronizing data associated with a vehicle test is presented. The synchronization device may include signal-generating circuitry configured to generate a signal and provide the signal to at least one output device associated with a vehicle so as to allow a data collection device to receive the signal from the at least one output device. The synchronization device may also include first additional circuitry configured to prevent the data collection device from receiving the signal based on whether a test associated with the vehicle has started. At least one of the providing of the signal to the at least one output device or the preventing of the data collection device from receiving the signal may indicate a start of the test and may allow data collected by the data collection device to be synchronized with other collected data.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Shawn M. Call, Jackie O. Jordan, II
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Patent number: 10053040Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel. The restraint system includes an airbag coupled to the instrument panel and having an impact panel facing away from the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated. The impact panel has a left half and a right half. A left tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the left half of the impact panel. A right tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the right half of the impact panel. A controller is programmed to selectively release one of the left and right tethers based on an impact angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TEHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee
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Patent number: 9994189Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator wherein a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port is disposed at one end of a cylindrical housing; an ignition device is disposed at the other end of the cylindrical housing; an axially-movable metallic partition wall having a plurality of through-holes is disposed between the ignition device and the diffuser portion; a space between the partition wall and the ignition device is an ignition device chamber charged with a molded article of a first gas generating agent; a space between the partition wall and the diffuser portion is a combustion chamber charged with a molded article of a second gas generating agent; the partition wall has a circular bottom surface and an annular wall extending, in a single direction, perpendicularly to an outer circumference of the circular bottom surface, and the circular bottom surface is disposed so as to be on the diffuser portion side; the ignition device has an igniter having a disk-shaped ignition portion protruding towarType: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventors: Katsuhiro Imoto, Teppei Hanano, Haruhiko Yamashita
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Patent number: 9944249Abstract: A gas generator includes, inside a housing, an ignition device chamber accommodating a transfer charge and an igniter in which an igniter main body is surrounded by an igniter collar. The ignition device chamber is formed such that an inner circumferential wall surface on an opening side of an ignition device chamber cup, which is charged with the transfer charge, is press-fitted to and in close contact with an outer circumferential wall surface of the igniter collar of the igniter. The ratio (Vh2/Vh1) of an average Vickers hardness (Vh1) of the igniter collar, which is measured by a method described in Examples, and an average Vickers hardness (Vh2) of the ignition device chamber cup, which is measured by a method described in Examples, is within a range of 0.25 to 0.65.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Okuyama
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Patent number: 9878685Abstract: An airbag apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag which is inflated when gas flows into the airbag, and has a left opening hole formed in a left surface, and a right opening hole formed in a right surface; and a cylinder which is disposed in the airbag while connecting the left opening hole and the right opening hole, and has a vent hole through which the gas flowing into the airbag is discharged.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Rae Ick Jang, Jae Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 9815431Abstract: An inflator for a protective device in a vehicle includes a diffuser (10) forming a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12), wherein the diffuser (10) includes a plurality of discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row, and which are of circular shape. The inflator also includes an igniter sleeve (38) which at least partially encloses an igniter (34) and an igniter chamber (42) filled with a booster charge and is adjacent to a first combustion chamber (44) filled with fuel, wherein the igniter sleeve (38), related to a central axis B of the igniter sleeve (38), has overflow orifices (98) unevenly distributed in circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GmbHInventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
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Patent number: 9776660Abstract: A vehicle subframe is provided with a main body formed in a hollow shape by a core unit. The subframe includes: a top parallel section and a bottom rear parallel section provided to the top and the bottom of the main body; a top left sand elimination opening and a top right sand eliminating opening formed at the top parallel section; and a left bottom rear sand elimination opening and a right bottom rear sand elimination opening formed at the bottom rear parallel section. The left bottom rear sand elimination opening is provided to a site opposing the top left sand elimination opening, and is formed in a shape equivalent to the top left sand elimination opening. The right bottom rear sand elimination opening is provided to a site opposing the top right sand elimination opening, and is formed in a shape equivalent to the top right sand elimination opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Imanishi, Toshimitsu Suzuki
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Patent number: 9731680Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator including a rupturable plate closing between the ignition device chamber having a gas discharge port and the pressurized gas chamber filled with a pressurized gas; a partition wall provided with a rod axially separating an interior of an ignition device unit housing, corresponding to the ignition device chamber, into two chambers; a combustion chamber provided on the side of a first end of the ignition device unit housing and provided with an igniter, and a diffuser chamber having the gas discharge port and provided on the side of a second end, which is an opposite end to the first end, the rupturable plate being circular and having, a circumferential edge fixing portion and a circular non-fixing portion on an inner portion other than the circumferential edge fixing portion, a fragile portion formed by not less than three grooves provided on a first surface facing the bottle, the grooves extending from a circumference of the circular non-fixing portion or from poType: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Masayuki Yamazaki, Kenji Fukumoto
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Patent number: 9718432Abstract: A gas generator for an airbag includes a first gas reserve with a first orifice, a first mechanism arranged for opening the first gas reserve, and a diffusion chamber arranged for diffusing the discharge gases. The generator additionally includes a mixing chamber comprising at least one first communication surface with the diffusion chamber. The gas generator further including a second mechanism comprising a second actuator and a mobile obturator between a first obstruction position, in which it obstructs a second communication surface with a diffusion chamber and a second passage position, in which the second communication surface is free.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Tobias Aderum, Stefan Svedjenäs, Magnus Nabbing, Mikael Hansson, Niclas Hörnquist, Xavier Abaziou
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Patent number: 9643565Abstract: A gas generating system includes a primary combustion chamber and a secondary combustion chamber. The secondary chamber includes a shell and a cap secured to the shell such that the cap is movable in a first direction responsive to a pressure differential wherein a pressure within the shell is greater than a pressure exterior of the shell. At least one gas flow passage is bounded by the shell and by a cavity extending along an exterior of the cap.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Jeremy M. Henck
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Patent number: 9643564Abstract: An inflator for a protective device in a vehicle includes a diffuser (10) forming a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12), wherein the diffuser (10) includes a plurality of discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row, and which are of circular shape. The inflator also includes a combustion chamber sleeve (60) which at least partially encloses a combustion chamber (56) filled with fuel, wherein the combustion chamber sleeve (60) is designed such that it changes its shape by pressure formed during combustion of the fuel so as to release a discharge orifice (112) leading out of the combustion chamber (56) into a further combustion chamber (44) of the inflator, for a combustion gas formed during combustion of the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
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Patent number: 9623834Abstract: A gas generating system is provided. The system includes a housing and a first baffle element positioned within the housing. The first baffle element includes a base portion and a wall extending from the base portion in a first direction. A second baffle element is positioned within the housing and includes a base portion, a first wall extending from the base portion in a second direction, and a second wall extending from the base portion in the second direction. The first baffle element wall extends between and is spaced apart from the second baffle element first and second walls.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Eduardo L. Quioc
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Patent number: 9624140Abstract: Provided is a gas generating composition that maintains stable ignition performance for a long period. A gas generating composition includes: a gas generating agent including (a) fuel selected from a triazine compound and a guanidine compound, (b) an oxidizing agent including a Combination of (b-1) basic metal nitrate and (b-2) basic metal carbonate, and (c) a binder; and (d) an absorbent. The gas generating agent and the absorbent may not be integrally molded or may be integrally molded.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventors: Yoji Fujisaki, Naoki Matsuda
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Patent number: 9550471Abstract: A gas generator is provided that contains a housing containing a base and a cap fixed to the base; a divider separating the housing into a first combustion chamber and a second combustion chamber, wherein the divider prevents sympathetic actuation of the second combustion chamber when the first combustion chamber is actuated; and an inner wall within the housing, the divider slidably engaged with the inner wall upon actuation of the first and second combustion chambers. Accordingly, a valve assembly of the present invention generally contains a movable divider that substantially seals an enclosure thereby defining a secondary combustion chamber within the gas generator.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Eduardo L. Quioc
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Patent number: 9527470Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including an ignition device provided at one end of a cylindrical housing and a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port and provided at the other end of the housing, molded articles of a gas generating agent and a molded article of a pressure increasing agent charged into a combustion chamber inside the cylindrical housing, the molded articles of a gas generating agent charged into a charging space remained except for a charging portion for the molded article of a pressure increasing agent inside the combustion chamber such that the molded articles of a gas generating agent are in contact with the ignition device and a total volume of the molded articles of a gas generating agent is less than a volume of the charging space, the molded article of a pressure increasing agent charged in contact with the molded articles of a gas generating agent at a position axially distant from the ignition device, a combustion temperature of the molded articles of a gas geType: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Daicel CorporationInventors: Teppei Hanano, Masayuki Yamazaki, Naoki Matsuda
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Patent number: 9521365Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device from a first media device associated with a first user, image information indicating vibrations of an object. The vibrations are caused at least in part by speech of the first user. The method further includes generating audio content by the device based on the image information. The audio content represents the speech of the first user. The method further includes transmitting the audio content from the device to a second media device.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: James H. Pratt, Michael Lattanzi, Steven Belz, Constance Missimer
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Patent number: 9511740Abstract: An air bag cushion device for protecting a pedestrian including: an inflator mounted on a vehicle body and generating working gas; a main chamber receiving the working gas generated from the inflator and expanding in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body; a sub-chamber connected to the main chamber, receiving the working gas through the main chamber, and expanding to the outside of an A-pillar of the vehicle body; and a connection path having both sides connected to the main chamber and the sub-chamber, respectively, so as to transfer the working gas between the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hae Kwon Park, Seok Min Lee
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Patent number: 9487183Abstract: A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at least two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20). The diffuser bowl (14) and/or the cover (20) comprise a section (24) that is shaped, in particular deep-drawn, into an indentation, forming at least partially a circumferential section of the inner wall (32).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Fabien Cristoforetti, Dieter Spitzenberger
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Patent number: 9440614Abstract: An airbag module assembly includes a module housing that defines a storage chamber. A thrust neutral inflator device is at least in part disposed within the storage chamber. The inflator device releases airbag inflation gas within the storage chamber in a cross-car manner. In specific embodiments, the cross-car release of the airbag inflation gas involves substantially all the airbag inflation gas being released at an angle of no more than ±60° and preferably at an angle of no more than ±50° from horizontal when viewed in a top planar view of the inflator device disposed within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
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Patent number: 9393924Abstract: An airbag device for a vehicle may include a main vent hole disposed in an airbag cushion and emit expansion gas therein, a cover disposed on an outer side of the airbag cushion, to be switched between an opened state and a closed state, by a tension force applied thereto, and provided with an auxiliary vent hole through which the expansion gas inside the airbag cushion may be emitted, a tether having a first one end connected to the cover through the main vent hole and a second end fixed inside the airbag cushion to provide the tension force to the cover, and a tether guide disposed on an inner side of the airbag cushion to support the tether and make the tether pass therethrough while being slid on the inner side of the airbag cushion.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Kia Motors Corp.Inventor: Jun Yeol Choi
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Patent number: 9353703Abstract: A gas generator includes a housing, an inner cylindrical member defining an ignition chamber therein and a combustion chamber outside, an ignition device disposed inside the ignition chamber, a solid gas generating agent charged in the combustion chamber, the inner cylindrical member including, a plurality of nozzles provided in a circumferential wall to communicate the ignition chamber with the combustion chamber, a guide member provided at least in the outer side or the inner side of the circumferential wall, so that combustion products from the ignition chamber is discharged from the nozzles and guided towards a bottom plate of the housing, the combustion chamber defined by the circumferential wall of the inner cylindrical member and the circumferential wall portion of the housing, an outlet from the inner cylindrical member being formed closer to the bottom plate than to the gas discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATIONInventor: Tomoharu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9340177Abstract: In an airbag, an airbag main body is formed into a bag so as to comprise at least a front panel and a rear panel in an inflated and deployed state, vent holes are formed on the rear panel, vent covers that open and close the vent holes are attached to an outer surface of the rear panel, patch members are attached to the vent covers, and opening degrees of the vent holes are regulated by the vent covers and the patch members inflating in cooperation using a portion of the pressurized gas supplied to the interior of the airbag main body when the airbag main body inflates and deploys.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: TAKATA CORPORATIONInventors: Teruhiko Hiruta, Kimihiro Koshikawa
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Patent number: 9295935Abstract: An inflator (40) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a primary stage (50) actuatable to produce a primary flow of inflation fluid, a secondary stage (100) actuatable to produce a secondary flow of inflation fluid, and a filter chamber (150) into which the primary and secondary flows of inflation fluid are directed. The inflator (40) also includes a secondary filter assembly (120) that permits the secondary flow of inflation fluid to flow into the filter chamber (150) and blocks particulates from flowing from the filter chamber into the secondary stage (100).Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick R. Adamczyk, Manesh Parshotam
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Patent number: 9193327Abstract: An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator that provides inflation gas to inflate the airbag. A filter module may be positioned such that inflation gas exiting the inflator must first pass through the filter module. The filter module may be formed of a sheet of metal that is wrapped into a generally tubular shape. The filter module may have a first layer and a second layer that generally encircles the first layer. The first layer may have a pattern of holes and dimples that are separate from and/or displaced from each other. The dimples may protrude toward the second layer to maintain spacing to enable relatively unrestricted gas flow from the holes of the first layer through unaligned holes of the second layer. The resulting tortuous gas flow path may help to slow, cool, and/or purify the gas before it exits the inflator.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Marcus T. Clark
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Patent number: 9150462Abstract: A heated inflation system for an inflatable device on an aircraft is provided. The heated inflation system includes an inflation cylinder configured to hold a gas mixture under pressure, a heating element configured to selectively heat the gas mixture, and a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the gas mixture. The heated inflation system also includes a control module coupled to the heating element and the temperature sensor. The control module is configured to regulate heat applied by the heating element to the gas mixture based on a sensed temperature from the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Jayant V. Deshpande, Tony Pope, Jagadish Thammanna, Petchi Subramanian, Guruprasad Srikanta Prasad
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Patent number: 9079561Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a smart airbag system using a dual chamber structure may include a gas generator to eject hot gas at the time of a car crash, a gas chamber which receives the hot gas ejected from the gas generator and transfers the hot gas into an airbag, and a fluid chamber which cools the hot gas by spraying stored fluid, before it is introduced into the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENTInventors: Jaehoon Ha, Seung-Jong Oh, Kyung-Yong Lee
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Patent number: 9043093Abstract: Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, e.g., a side curtain airbag, a housing, a gas generating system arranged apart from the housing for generating gas, and a conduit leading from the gas generating system to the housing to provide gas to the housing, e.g., to a lateral end of the housing. A filter may be arranged between the gas generating system and the housing, possibly in the conduit. A nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, which nozzle is varied as a function of temperature. The housing may be movably arranged relative to a fixed base and mounted to vary its relation to the base as a function of temperature, e.g., via elastic or deformable supports which support the housing on the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLCInventor: David S. Breed
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Patent number: 9033363Abstract: Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can have a low thermal conductivity and may be capable of melting during a deployment event.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: John F. Witt, Jr., David W. Schneider, Michael Kutchey, Jamie R. Fritz
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Publication number: 20150128799Abstract: An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag. The inflator may have a gas source chamber containing a gas source and a centrifugal flow chamber into which the gas flows from the gas source chamber through a centrifugal flow barrier. As the gas moves through the centrifugal flow barrier, it may be urged to move along a pathway that encircles at least a part of a longitudinal axis of the inflator. The gas may then move toward the longitudinal axis to flow through an orifice of an inward flow barrier. this inward flow may occur at a velocity that is generally too large for entrained particulates. Thus, such particulates may remain in the centrifugal flow chamber. The gas may flow from the orifice into a plenum chamber that releases the gas to the airbag via a plurality of apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Brian A. Laubacher, Christopher K. Fischer, Bradley W. Smith
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Publication number: 20150130173Abstract: An actuator, especially for a vehicle protection system, comprises at least one wire (14) variable in shape depending on temperature made from a shape memory alloy and an elongate pyrotechnical element (12) connected to the shape-variable wire (14) so that upon ignition of the pyrotechnical element (12) the wire (14) is heated and experiences a change of length. The vehicle protection system is, for example, an airbag system comprising an airbag and a regulating mechanism for the internal airbag pressure, wherein the wire (14) of the actuator (10) is connected to the regulating mechanism so that a change of shape of the wire (14) exerts a force on the regulating mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Joachim Biller, Silvia Feifel, Karl-Heinz Koeppel, Senra Oezkan
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Patent number: 9010802Abstract: An inflator including an initiator and a bulkhead molded around the initiator. The inflator includes a housing formed of two overlapping housing portions mechanically coupled together around a portion of the bulkhead. One of the housing portions includes cut tabs that are crimped into cut receivers of the other housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Brent Parks, Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith
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Patent number: 9003975Abstract: Provided is a gas generator which is reduced in weight and size while maintaining a sufficient strength as a pressure vessel. A gas generator (1) includes a housing (4) in a tubular shape having an opening (10) on at least one end thereof and a plug (12) inserted in the opening (10), so that an end portion (11) on the opening side is reduced in diameter and caulked in a caulking groove (13) of the plug (12), to thereby seal the opening (10), in which: the caulking groove (13) is a streak groove that extends along the periphery of the plug (12) and is rectangular in section; and the caulking groove (13) has at least one of side walls (14) forming the calking groove (13), the one side wall (14a) being closer to the center of the housing, which is orthogonal or sloped to the opening side, with respect to the axis (X) of the housing (4).Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Nipponkayaku KabushikikaishaInventors: Satoshi Aoyagi, Koichi Enami
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Patent number: 9004531Abstract: The present invention incorporates a tether release system within a conventional airbag system or a conventional vehicle occupant protection system. Release of an associated tether may simultaneously open a vent on an associated airbag. A housing contains an actuator contained within the housing for actuation of the tether release system upon receipt of a crash detection signal, for example. A first moving member is configured for receipt of a propulsive force emanating from the actuator upon actuation of the tether release system. A movable tether release member is contained within the housing wherein the movable tether release member operably communicates with the first moving member upon actuation of the tether release system, for release of an associated tether.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Eduardo L. Quioc, Bruce A. Stevens
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Publication number: 20150084318Abstract: An airbag device includes: an airbag; an inflator; a gas discharge state switching member; and a tether belt which is one example of a connecting member. The gas discharge state switching member is switched over from a gas discharge state to a gas non-discharge state by being pulled into the inside of the airbag. The tether belt connects the gas discharge state switching member and a portion of an inner peripheral portion of the airbag to each other. An arranged position of the gas discharge state switching member, a position where the tether belt is connected to the inner peripheral portion of the airbag, and a passing line of the tether belt are disposed at portions which avoid a portion of the airbag which comes into contact with an occupant in a regular posture state when the airbag receives the occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoki Yamaji, Satoshi Yamashita
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Patent number: 8985624Abstract: Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a primary housing, a primary inflation fluid source, a secondary housing, and a secondary inflation fluid source. The primary and secondary housings are constructed from sheet metal by stamping. The primary inflation fluid source is located in the primary housing. The primary inflation fluid source is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device. The secondary housing is disposed within the primary housing. The secondary inflation fluid source is located in the secondary housing. The secondary inflation fluid source is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing has a first portion that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion of the secondary housing when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R McFarland
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Patent number: 8979121Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator assembly including a shell member and an end cap joinable with the shell member to form a subassembly. The subassembly contains a quantity of pyrotechnic material and at least in part defines a combustion chamber wherein at least a portion of the quantity of pyrotechnic material is reactable to form product gas for inflation of an associated airbag cushion and to generate pressure therewithin. A diffuser assembly can be disposed adjacent an end of the shell member and includes flow control features for controlling flow of product gas from the inflator assembly. The inflator assembly further includes a composite overwrap about at least a portion of the subassembly and the diffuser assembly such that the pyrotechnic inflator assembly can withstand the pressure generated within the combustion chamber upon reaction of the pyrotechnic material. Corresponding methods of making a pyrotechnic inflator assembly are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Matthew A. Cox
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Patent number: 8979122Abstract: The invention relates to a combustion chamber screen, especially for an inflator, that includes plural flow orifices and bent segments. In accordance with the invention, the bent segments are arranged around a center (M) of the combustion chamber screen so that in the circumferential direction of the combustion chamber screen (10) a waveform having plural wave peaks (12) and wave troughs (13) is formed.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventor: Manfred Ramp
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Patent number: 8967664Abstract: A gas generator for a protective airbag includes at least one pressurized gas chamber, a first actuator arranged so as to open the pressurized gas chamber, and a diffusion chamber including at least one diffusion hole defining a communication surface. Outside the diffusion chamber, the gas generator includes an obturator having a second actuator. The obturator is arranged in a first position in which it defines a first diffusion surface. The second actuator is arranged so as to allow it to go into a second position in which it defines a second diffusion surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Mats Johanson, Tobias Aderum
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Publication number: 20150054268Abstract: An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded, expandable front wall deploys toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded back wall is joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes an inflator receptacle defined by a raised recess wall having an inflator aperture. An inflator with a gas outlet end and an electrical connector end is received in the inflator aperture with the gas outlet end inside the inflatable bladder. The recess wall has a predetermined thickness for substantially retaining shape during inflation of the bladder. The inflator receptacle includes a flexible seal disposed around an inner edge of the inflator aperture comprised of a flashing edge bearing against the inflator and having a thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the recess wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stacey H. Raines, Sean B. West
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Patent number: 8955878Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle including: an inflator which discharges high-pressure gas; an airbag cushion which has a vent hole so as to discharge a part of the high-pressure gas; a vent hole cover which is installed to shield the vent hole; and an operating unit which allows the vent hole cover to shield the vent hole when a predetermined time has passed at the time of deploying the airbag cushion, and provides advantages in that the severity of a neck injury to an occupant is reduced, and regulation satisfaction by the United States New Car Assessment Program (US-NCAP) is improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Rae Ick Jang
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Publication number: 20150035264Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into a first chamber and a second chamber. A first valve assembly is operatively coupled to the divider for controlling the gas flow between the first chamber and the second chamber. A second valve assembly is fixed within the first chamber and fluidly communicates with an exterior of the airbag. The second valve assembly is operably dependent on the first valve assembly, thereby dynamically controlling the inflation profile of the airbag.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Christopher L. Anderson
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Patent number: 8949153Abstract: One variation includes a product including actuator system including an actuator connected to a shield; a control module for selectively actuating or deploying the actuator wherein the actuator may be moved from a first position to a second position in which the shield is extended a distance away from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Alan G. Holmes
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Patent number: 8925963Abstract: There is provided an airbag coolant releasing device for releasing a coolant into an airbag. The device includes: a cylinder which is formed into a cylindrical shape; a coolant pack which is formed of a flexible film, wherein a coolant is sealed in the coolant pack and the coolant pack is received in the cylinder; a piston which is inserted into the cylinder; a drive unit which drives the piston with respect to the cylinder such that the piston presses the coolant pack; and a nozzle which is provided in an end portion of the cylinder which is located opposite to a side of the drive unit and which releases the coolant ejected from the coolant pack into the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Koji Inuzuka, Atsushi Noguchi
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Publication number: 20140375037Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a vehicle including an airbag stored in a folded state in a portion of a vehicle body and an inflator that provides a gas for inflating the airbag. The airbag including a main chamber and a delay chamber. The main chamber operable to be inflated earlier than the delay chamber. The delay chamber including an opening through which the gas passes from the main chamber to the delay chamber; and the delay chamber further including a weakened portion having less strength than the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Nora Arellano, Jonathan San, Jessica Riffe