With Source Of Inflation Fluid And Flow Control Means Thereof Patents (Class 280/736)
  • Publication number: 20110175334
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes a gas generator for generating a gas and a multi-chamber airbag operatively connected to the gas generator for receiving the gas. The airbag defines a first inflation chamber, at least one second inflation chamber, at least one third inflation chamber and a fourth inflation chamber. The airbag includes internal vents configured to allow selective communication between the first chamber and each of the at least one second chamber and the at least one third chamber and selective communication between the at least one second chamber and the fourth chamber. The internal vents are configured to maintain a higher pressure in selective chambers by restricting ability of the gas to escape the selective chamber. The order of internal venting between the respective inflation chambers controls the pressure and timing of inflation of the multi-chamber airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Miller, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 7980589
    Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation. A bolster is also provided having portions which inflate at differing rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael James Best, Ray S. Roychoudhury, Rimas Ciplijauskas
  • Publication number: 20110148085
    Abstract: An occupant protection device includes a plurality of gas generators that actuate respective mechanisms, and a control portion that actuates the gas generators. If a condition for actuating at least one of the gas generators is fulfilled and a condition for actuating the other gas generators are unfulfilled, the other gas generators are controlled by the control portion at a timing that is uninfluential on an actuation state of one of the mechanism actuated by the one of the gas generators and that is different from a preset timing for actuating the other mechanisms actuated by the other gas generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Shuji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20110148083
    Abstract: Inflatable airbags often have inflation gas deflectors to protect the airbag or airbag seams from sustaining damage from the force of the inflation gas and to direct the inflation gas to predetermined areas of the airbag. The deflectors can be coupled to the airbag so that the deflector projects radially away from the surface of the airbag to which the deflector is coupled. The deflectors can also have a plurality of vent apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Donald J. Paxton, Quin Soderquist, David Stites
  • Publication number: 20110148084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an airbag module, comprising a housing, and a filter fastened in the housing for filtering a gas that can be generated with the gas generator. According to the invention, it is provided that a part of the gas generator is inserted into a recess of the filter for fastening the filter in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Heiko KRATZ, Björn WINDHAUSEN, Michael MENZEL
  • Patent number: 7963555
    Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag module comprising a first subassembly which may be arranged on a motor vehicle, an airbag of the first subassembly which may be inflated for protecting a person, which comprises an interior which may be filled with gas for inflating the airbag, a housing of the first subassembly, for receiving the airbag, a gas generator of the first subassembly for inflating the airbag with gas, an additional second subassembly and a reservoir of the second subassembly (for storing a coolant which is designed and provided for cooling gases located in the interior of the airbag. The additional second subassembly is separate from the first subassembly and is designed and provided to be arranged at a distance from the first subassembly on the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Ingo Kalliske, Christian Schreiber, Michael Hänsel, Kazuhiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7963552
    Abstract: A head-protecting airbag is deployable downward from an upper periphery of a window of vehicle to cover the window. The airbag includes a primary inflatable portion that includes a protection portion for receiving an occupant's head and a secondary inflatable portion that admits inflation gas of the primary inflatable portion and is inflatable secondarily for preventing a pressure increase of the primary inflatable portion. The primary inflatable portion and the secondary inflatable portion are communicated with a tubular conduit that is arranged along the lower periphery of the airbag. The protection portion includes an inlet-side inflatable portion communicated with the conduit and an upper inflatable portion located above the conduit. The conduit includes a main region located facing the outlet port and an enlarged-diameter region that is located facing the inlet port and has a greater opening dimension than the main region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Tanaka, Yoshio Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20110133436
    Abstract: A gas generator assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The gas generator assembly having a gas generator which is designed to provide gas to inflate in airbag after the gas generator is activated, a filter for filtering gases provided by the gas generator and a device which is designed to release a fluid so that said fluid comes into contact with the filter. The device is designed to release the fluid at a point in time which can be pre-defined and which is independent of the point in time of the activation of the gas generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Gerrit VON BREITENBACH, Björn Windhausen
  • Patent number: 7954848
    Abstract: An inflator includes in a combustion chamber a first gas generating charge and a second gas generating charge to be ignited and burned to generate an inflation gas. The second gas generating charge is slower in speed of combustion than the first gas generating charge. The inflator further includes a partition wall that segregates the first and second gas generating charges. The partition wall is located away from an ignition area of an ignition device that ignites the first gas generating charge, with the first gas generating charge located between itself and the ignition area. The partition wall is burnable to destruction by the fire generated by combustion of the first gas generating charge so as to permit propagation of the fire to the second gas generating charge by its generally entire area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., NipponKayaku KabushikiKaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Hayakawa, Toru Ozaki, Yasushi Masuda, Hiroyuki Ochi, Shinya Hasegawa, Hirotaka Mukunoki
  • Patent number: 7950691
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing having an adapter formed integral with the housing to enable operative coupling of the gas generating system to an associated gas-actuatable device. The adapter may include openings formed therein to enable distribution of gases to an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian A. Mayville
  • Patent number: 7950693
    Abstract: A dual stage inflator device including a housing defining first and second chamber each containing a quantity of gas generant material ignitable to produce combustion products. A divider plate, separating the first chamber from the second chamber, is disposed and fixed within the housing. The divider plate includes an opening to allow gas flow communication from the second chamber to the first chamber. A removable plug element is normally disposed in the divider plate opening to prevent gas flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber when in a static state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Jackson, Kevin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7949448
    Abstract: Disclosed is a calibration apparatus for an airbag inflator resistance. The calibration apparatus for an airbag inflator resistance includes: an airbag inflator unit for applying a deployment signal for deployment of an airbag; a resistance detection unit for detecting a change in the resistance of the airbag inflator connector; and a control unit for self-cleaning the airbag inflator connector in accordance with the resultant resistance detected by the resistance detection unit. The calibration apparatus is effective in preventing malfunction of an airbag warning light and ensuring reliability by preventing an increase in resistance due to the contamination of the airbag inflator by the self-diagnosing and self-cleaning effect using an electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chang Beom You
  • Patent number: 7946617
    Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes a gas sack that can be inflated with gas to protect an occupant, a gas generator for generating the gas provided for inflating the gas sack, and an additional cooling device comprising an openable reservoir for storing a coolant. The reservoir is opened when the gas sack is inflated, so that the coolant for cooling the gas used to inflate the gas sack can come into contact with the gas. The cooling device comprises a movement generating device that opens the reservoir to release the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Juan Fernàndez, Kliment Vidolov, Dieter Markfort, Thomas Lube, Michael Hänsel
  • Publication number: 20110109069
    Abstract: An airbag module is provided for a vehicle, including, but not limited to an airbag including, but not limited to a gas filling device, which has at least two outflow openings through which the gas flows into the airbag. The at least two outflow openings adapted such that a majority of the gas flows in a thrust-neutral and/or force-neutral manner into the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Ulrich Rick
  • Patent number: 7938443
    Abstract: An inflator capable of directing inflation gas into the cushion of an airbag module is thrust neutral during shipping, handling and installation. The inflator's thrust-neutral feature can be rendered inoperable for use with the airbag module. A thrust-balancing portion of the inflator has a circumferentially continuous sidewall that encloses an elongated passageway and has a proximal end configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator and a distal end configured to release a primary portion of the inflation gas into the cushion. In the event of unintended discharge during shipping or handling, an elongated secondary discharge aperture formed through the sidewall releases to the exterior of the thrust-balancing portion a secondary portion of the inflation gas that imposes thrust on the inflator directed oppositely from thrust imposed by release of the primary portion of the inflation gas stabilizing the inflator during shipping, handling and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110101652
    Abstract: An airbag that can inflate without using a high-power inflator, and an airbag apparatus provided with such an airbag are disclosed. In one form, the airbag, when inflating, has a normally open vent hole disposed in a rear panel in a region extending toward the center of a steering wheel from the rim of the steering wheel and an openable vent hole disposed in a region extending toward the outside of the steering wheel from the rim. The openable vent hole is covered by a cover. The cover and a strap inside the airbag are connected to each other with a tether. From the commencement of inflation of the airbag, the cover is placed over the openable vent hole to close the openable vent hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7934749
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a flexible gas generator (10) is provided which includes a first flexible housing (14) defining an interior, the first housing (14) having an exterior surface. A first flexible, porous covering (15) is positioned in contact with substantially the entire exterior surface of the first housing (14). The first housing (14) and covering (15) are positioned within a second flexible housing (12). The first (14) and second (12) housings may be formed from polymeric or metallic tubing. A second flexible, porous covering (19) may be positioned to cover substantially the entire exterior surface of the second housing (12). The flexible first covering (15) may comprise multiple layers of, for example, a braided or a mesh material. The flexible coverings (15, 19) provide structural support for the housings (12, 14) while cooling and filtering the generated gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean P. Burns
  • Patent number: 7926837
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (16) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition. An inflator (32) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A retainer (70) has an opening (78) for receiving the inflator (32). The retainer (70) includes a base portion (72) and an annular wall (74) that extends transversely from the base portion (72). The annular wall (74) has a deflector portion (88) and a retaining portion (86). The deflector portion (88) is positioned radially outward from the retaining portion (86) and extends substantially orthogonal to the base portion (72) to direct inflation fluid from the inflator (32) into the protection device (14) in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis (37) of the inflator (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Harvey, Rickey L. Stratton, Wilfried Burghardt
  • Patent number: 7926838
    Abstract: A side impact protection airbag system includes an inflator, a retainer and an airbag. An interior space of the airbag is divided into a pelvis portion protecting chamber and a chest portion protecting chamber by a dividing part. A gas ejecting part of the inflator and an opening in the retainer are provided between a fixing end portion of the airbag and an end portion (a connecting portion) of the dividing part which lies a side facing the fixing end portion. A circumferential portion on a wall part which is separate from the opening is made to constitute an interruption wall which interrupts the passage of an inflation gas to the dividing part side, and the interruption wall is provided between the gas ejecting part and the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Honda, Koji Shibayama, Yuji Sato, Atsushi Nagata
  • Patent number: 7922190
    Abstract: In one form, an airbag is provided with a first bag as a bag formed by joining base fabrics which includes a gas inlet for supplying pressure fluid fed from an inflator inward and a discharge passage for discharging the pressure fluid supplied inward to an outside, a second bag as a bag formed by joining base fabrics which includes an intake passage for introducing the pressure fluid discharged from the discharge passage of the first bag inward, and a passage joint member for joining the discharge passage of the first bag and the intake passage of the second bag while maintaining each cross section shape of the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Sugimoto, Takeshi Sone
  • Publication number: 20110079991
    Abstract: An inflatable side airbag has an inflatable duct for the delivery of inflation gas. The inflatable duct of the inflatable side airbag provides for rapid deployment of a multi-chamber air bag while controlling the rate of inflation and the relative pressure of the chambers. The inflatable duct allows a single inflator to inflate a high pressure pelvis chamber and a lower pressure thorax chamber while preventing fluid communication between the two chambers upon completion of inflation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Mike Ravenberg, Balaskandan Shankar, Patrick Jamison, Arthur Yakumo, Larry F. Lunt
  • Patent number: 7918040
    Abstract: A drier installation (1) for drying web (2), more particularly paper, which installation is provided for drying a maximum web width, the installation (1) comprises gas-heated radiant elements (3) for radiating the web, arranged according to at least one row (4) stretching out in the transversal (5) direction over the substantially entire maximum web width. The installation (1) comprises at least a transversal convective system (7, 36) equipped with suction and blowing devices (8) for sucking at least part of the combustion products produced by the radiant elements (3) by means of a suction duct (13) and for blowing this pa o the combustion products towards the web (2) by means of a blowing duct (14). Both suction (13) and blowing (14) ducts stretch out in the transversal (5) direction of the web (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignees: NV Bekaert SA, Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V.
    Inventor: Patrick Lenoir
  • Publication number: 20110074141
    Abstract: An airbag module comprising an inflatable airbag; and an inflator configured to provide gas to inflate the airbag; wherein the airbag comprises first and second panels positioned on opposite sides of an inflatable chamber; wherein each of the panels include a peripheral portion and an interior portion; wherein a portion of the interior portion is a covered portion; wherein a portion outside of the covered portion of the interior portions of the first and second panels are connected together to thereby limit the inflation of a portion of the inflatable chamber; and wherein the airbag is configured so that the connection between the interior portions of the first and second panels is released during inflation of the airbag in order to permit an increase in the volume of the inflatable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Pongdet Paul Wipasuramonton, Jonathan Lee Clarke, Prabhakar Padiyar
  • Patent number: 7914040
    Abstract: A gas generating system incorporating a gas flow control mechanism including opposed wall portions defining a cavity for slidably receiving a support member therein. A gas exit passage is exterior of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity. An opening in one wall portion enables fluid flow into the cavity. An opening in another wall portion enables a fluid flow from the cavity into the gas exit passage. A seal prevents fluid flow into the cavity when the seal is supported against a force exerted by the fluid. A support member slidably received within the cavity supports the seal against the fluid force. A mechanism is provided for moving the support member from a first position supporting the seal to a second position wherein the seal is unsupported by the support member, enabling failure of the seal and flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20110062691
    Abstract: An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle is provided, the inflatable cushion having a first sheet of material; a second sheet of material, the first sheet of material being secured to the second sheet of material at a seam to define the inflatable cushion; and wherein the seam consists only of: a first plurality of stitches; a peripheral edge portion of the first sheet of material; and a peripheral edge portion of the second sheet of material; and wherein no adhesives or sealants are applied to the first sheet and the second sheet when the seam is formed by applying the first plurality of stitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Michael F. Fink
  • Patent number: 7905514
    Abstract: A safety restraint system for selectively restraining an occupant of a motorized vehicle is provided. The safety restraint system includes a safety belt webbing that is operatively mounted inside the vehicle passenger compartment, proximate to a seat assembly. An inflatable airbag cushion is engaged with a first end portion of the belt webbing. The cushion is configured to selectively transition from a non-expanded state, in which the cushion is in a stowed condition, to an expanded state, in which the cushion is in an inflated condition. An inflation device, operable to release inflation fluid, is in fluid communication with the cushion. Activation of the inflation device operates to transition the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state. Transitioning of the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state operates to retract a predetermined length of the belt webbing, thereby increasing the tension of the belt webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110057427
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle including a seat on which a passenger may be seated; an airbag cushion that is expanded according to an inflow of a gas to protect the passenger seated on the seat; an inflator that introduces the gas into the airbag cushion; a first vent hole provided at the airbag cushion to exhaust therethrough the gas introduced from the inflator; a second vent hole provided at the airbag cushion to face the passenger to exhaust therethrough the gas introduced from the inflator; and a vent amount adjustment member connected to the second vent hole to adjust the amount of the gas exhausted through the second vent hole depending on whether an adult is seated on the seat or a child restraint system is installed on the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Yeong Gi Cho, Yeon Kyeong Kim, Gun Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20110049850
    Abstract: To prevent positional deviation in a folded back portion of a deployment restriction sheet reliably, an air bag device includes an air bag 1, an inflator 7 for deploying the air bag 1 by supplying the air bag with a generated gas, an air bag case 3 used to attach the inflator 7 and store the air bag 1, a retainer 6 for fixing an opening portion peripheral edge of the air bag 1 to the air bag case 3, and a deployment restriction sheet 11 that covers the air bag 1 from a vehicle body rear side to a vehicle body front side when the air bag 1 is stored. In the deployment restriction sheet 11, a folded back portion 11c is subjected to tacking 11d so as to separate upon application of a predetermined load A, and a rupturable portion 11e that ruptures upon application of a predetermined load B, which is larger than the load A, is provided on a first end 11a side positioned on the vehicle body front side. The first end 11a is attached to an air bag main body. A second end 11b is installed on the air bag main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Jun Horikawa, Takashi Haga
  • Patent number: 7896393
    Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes a gas sack that can be inflated with gas to protect an occupant, a gas generator for generating the gas provided for inflating the gas sack, and an additional cooling device comprising an openable reservoir for storing a coolant. The reservoir is opened when the gas sack is inflated, so that the coolant for cooling the gas used to inflate the gas sack can come into contact with the gas. The cooling device comprises a movement generating device that opens the reservoir to release the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Juan Fernàndez, Kliment Vidolov, Dieter Markfort, Thomas Lube, Michael Hänsel
  • Publication number: 20110042927
    Abstract: Gas supplied from gas discharge ports is guided without providing a metal guide tube on the inflator of an airbag device, and the airbag is protected from the gas. An inner tube (50) is connected to a gas inlet (13) formed in an airbag (10), and an inflator (40) around which a fabric member (60) is wound is inserted into and attached to a gas passage (54) formed in the inner tube (50). The fabric member (60) is wound around the inflator (40) several times into a tubular shape such that it covers a plurality of gas discharge ports (42) provided in the inflator (40) and such that one end thereof opens to the inside of the airbag (10), and the fabric member (60) is inserted into the inner tube (50). When the inflator (40) is activated, gas from the gas discharge ports (42) is guided to the inside of the inner tube (50) by the fabric member (60) and is guided and supplied to air chambers (31) and (32) through the gas passage (54), thereby inflating and deploying the airbag (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Azuma, Shuhei Konishi
  • Patent number: 7891703
    Abstract: An inflator includes a plate-like retainer that is placed in a pressure container of the inflator for producing gas to be supplied to an airbag. At the center of inflator is formed a fitting section fitted to a tube placed in the pressure container. The tube separates an ignition source and a gas generation agent. At least one pressure release hole is provided on the outer side of the outer periphery of the fitting section. The retainer has a step formed at a portion where the outer periphery of the retainer is in contact with the filter. The retainer and inflator may have simple structures not affecting productivity and reliably preventing gas leakage between the retainer and a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianlin Chen, Atsuhiro Arai, Yoji Tasaki
  • Patent number: 7887090
    Abstract: An ignition delay module (10) for use in an airbag inflator (100, 200) has an ignition delay module housing (11). The ignition delay module (10) separates the inflator (100, 200) into two chambers (40, 60). A pyrotechnic tablet (2) is positioned inside the ignition delay module housing (11). Upon activation of the inflator (100, 200) the ignition delay module (10) prevents a gas generant (62) in a second chamber (60) of the inflator (100, 200) from igniting until at least a portion of the pyrotechnic tablet (2) is burnt. Preferably a burn inhibitor layer (3) is affixed or otherwise applied to a surface of the pyrotechnic tablet (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Trevillyan
  • Patent number: 7887091
    Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid including at least one of a fuel soluble in the liquid or an oxidizer soluble in the liquid and a piston are housed within another chamber of the inflator. This chamber is sealed. Upon actuation, movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through an opening in the piston such that the liquid contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant and cools the same. The fuel and/or oxidizer in the liquid can react to form additional gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith, Robert D. Taylor, Gary K. Lund, Michael P. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20110031725
    Abstract: The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, John C. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 7883111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator, in particular for airbag modules in motor vehicles, comprising two generator stages each of which includes in its pressure housing at least one igniter, at least one propellant charge and at least one combustion chamber. An inner generator stage is arranged at least substantially inside an outer generator stage and the two generator stages are arranged at least partly in a common filter housing together with a common filter unit arranged outside a pressure housing of the outer generator stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe Blessing, Jochem Gaertner, Peter Lehniger, Marc Alexander Winterhalder
  • Patent number: 7883108
    Abstract: An inflator for an airbag is provided. The inflator can include a housing that has a first end and a second end. The inflator can also include a gas generant disposed in the housing that defines a bore. The inflator can include an igniter coupled to the first end of the housing that can ignite the gas generant upon receipt of a signal. The inflator can further include a temporary closure coupled to the second end of the housing that can be opened to provide an exit out of the housing. The ignition of the igniter can generate a shockwave that passes through the bore to open the temporary closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce Robinette, Ken Clark
  • Patent number: 7878532
    Abstract: A knee-protecting airbag apparatus is mountable on a door of a glove box that has a box body provided with an opening at the rear and the door. The airbag apparatus includes an airbag, a generally columnar inflator housed in the airbag, a case housing the airbag and inflator, and an airbag cover constituting a rear face of the glove box door and being openable at airbag deployment. The inflator includes a body that discharges inflation gas and a fixing section that secures the body and the airbag to the case. The fixing section includes a projecting portion and the projecting portion extends at an upward or downward angle to the thickness direction of the glove box door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Kazuaki Bito
  • Patent number: 7878535
    Abstract: An adaptive valve for an airbag inflator having a manifold with an exhaust opening for fluid communication with an airbag. The adaptive valve is constructed for connection to a manifold so that it is in fluid communication therewith. The adaptive valve has an exhaust orifice and is constructed to selectively open the exhaust orifice to divert inflation gas away from an inflator manifold when it is connected thereto to lower the rate of inflation of an airbag in fluid communication with the exhaust opening of the manifold. The adaptive valve may have a valve member movably mounted therein for movement between a first position wherein it closes the exhaust orifice and a second position wherein it opens the exhaust orifice. An initiator is provided in the adaptive valve to generate sufficient gas pressure to move the valve member to the first or second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ARC Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Rose, Cornelia Jane Quimby, Todd Steven Carlson, Stephen C. Gold
  • Patent number: 7878538
    Abstract: An airbag is constructed such that a gas-discharging amount from a venthole becomes largest when an occupant contacts a center portion, in the left and right direction, of an occupant-facing surface of the expanded airbag. In the airbag, a hanging strap couples a center portion of a front panel and a rear panel. A lid body covers an open-and-close venthole from outside the airbag, and the hanging strap is coupled by a tether. In a case that the airbag is expanded, the hanging strap and the tether are tensed, and the lid body is brought to a state to close the open-and-close venthole. A loosening amount of the hanging strap and the tether becomes largest when an occupant contacts the center portion of the front panel to retreat, and an opening amount of the open-and-close venthole also becomes largest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Abe, Masayoshi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7874584
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle in the event of a collision, comprising a cushion (11) that can expand with the gas provided by a generator with at least one ventilation hole (13) sealed with a patch (21) including a silicone membrane (23) intended to break due to the effect of the internal pressure in the cushion (11) so as to allow gas discharge, in which the fabric of the cushion (11) does not have a silicone coating, the patch (21) is formed by said membrane (23) joined at its edges to two pieces (25, 27) of fabric and fixed to the cushion (11) by means of a seam (31). The invention also comprises a process for manufacturing the cushion (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Dalphi Metal España
    Inventor: Alexandre José Carvalho Marques
  • Publication number: 20110012329
    Abstract: An air-bag device capable of improving degree of freedom in setting of reaction forces according to physical frames of occupants, a vehicle occupant's lower limb protecting device and a device for protecting an occupant at the time of vehicle side collision using the air-bag device. Knees of an occupant of large build whose inertia load at the time of collision is great are assuredly protected by collective energy absorbing action of the upper cylinders (121, 121) and the lower cylinders (122, 122) at the time of collision. In a case of an occupant of small build whose inertia load at the time of collision is small, loads from the upper cylinders (121, 121) and the lower cylinders (122, 122) are exerted on the occupant in appropriate proportions according to physical size of the occupant to fulfill impact absorption at the time of collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicants: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD., SANKO GOSEI Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadaaki SEKINO, Keisuke MORITANI, Koji KORECHIKA, Masao KATAOKA
  • Patent number: 7866692
    Abstract: A gas generator for a vehicle passenger protection device. The gas generator includes a combustion chamber in which a gas-generating charge is arranged. A conical deposition chamber is provided that has a first wall, within which a plurality of gas through-holes are formed, and at least one second wall which extends at an angle from the first wall and within which at least one blow-off hole is formed. Gas generated inside the combustion chamber enters the deposition chamber through the gas through-holes and leaves the deposition chamber through the at least one blow-off hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Björn Windhausen, Heiko Kratz
  • Patent number: 7866690
    Abstract: An air belt apparatus that can reduce the required tolerance level of a pipe is provided. Gas supplied from an inflator 12 flows into a bag body 16 through a pipe 18 so as to inflate a lap bag 15. The inflator 12 is connected to a gas inlet 16a of the bag body 16 via the pipe 18. The gas inlet 16a is cylindrical, and the pipe 18 is inserted in this cylindrical gas inlet 16a so as to extend beyond an inner end of the gas inlet 16a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Itoga
  • Patent number: 7862081
    Abstract: A safety restraint system for selectively restraining an occupant of a motorized vehicle is provided. The safety restraint system includes a cylinder defining an elongate channel therein. A piston is disposed inside the channel, and selectively translates from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A linking member operatively connects the safety belt webbing to the piston such that translation of the piston increases the tension of the belt webbing. The safety restraint system also includes an inflatable cushion operatively attached to the cylinder, and configured to selectively transition from a non-expanded state to an expanded state. An inflation device operable to release inflation fluid is in fluid communication with both the inflatable cushion and the cylinder. Activation of the inflation device operates to transition the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state, and translate the piston from the undeployed position to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7857345
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage, a forcing member positioned in the passage, and a flowable material positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The flowable material flows out of the housing responsive to a force exerted on the forcing member by a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7850202
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (28). The apparatus (10) further includes a fill tube (22) for delivering inflation fluid to the protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes an opening (104) through which the fill tube (22) extends and a portion (106) adjacent the opening that forms a friction fit around the fill tube (22). The friction fit forms an effective seal for preventing inflation fluid leakage through the opening (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Boxey, Kevin L. Ruedisueli
  • Patent number: 7845679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:. a first chamber (C) for combustion containing a pyrotechnic initiator (2) and a pyrotechnic charge (3) whose combustion is triggered by said initiator; and. a second chamber (D) for diffusion into which the gas that results from combustion of said charge (3) is transferred prior to being exhausted to the outside; these two chambers (C, D) being separated from each other by a “nozzle” partition (12) presenting at least one communication orifice (13). According to the invention, said diffusion chamber (D) is provided with a piston (5) suitable for closing or not closing said orifice (13) as a function of the gas pressure in the combustion chamber (C), said piston (5) being urged to its position for closing the orifice (13) by a mass (6) of elastically deformable material, said mass (6) presenting stiffness that varies as a function of temperature, said stiffness decreasing with increasing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Xavier Abaziou
  • Patent number: 7845681
    Abstract: An airbag and an airbag apparatus in which a vent hole is in a closed state or a slightly open state until an occupant plunges into the airbag and the vent hole becomes to an open state or a widely open state when the occupant plunges into the airbag. The inside of the airbag 10 is partitioned by inner panels 22A, 22B into a first chamber 1 centrally located and a second chamber surrounding the first chamber 1. A vent hole 18 is formed in a rear panel 14 to allow the communication between the second chamber 2 and the outside of the airbag. A lid member 60 is provided to cover the vent hole 18 from the inside of the rear panel 14. A tether (tethering member) 70 connects the lid member 60 and the inner panels 22A, 22B. When the airbag 10 is inflated, the tether 70 is tensioned to prevent the lid member 60 from moving out of the airbag 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Abe, Yasuhito Miyata
  • Patent number: 7841623
    Abstract: An airbag device includes: a bag body; a linkage member whose an end portion is provided with a latch stopper hole; and a retention device that has a retention member capable of penetrating the latch stopper hole, and that retains the linkage member while the latch stopper hole is penetrated by the retention member, and that discontinues retention of the linkage member as the retention member comes out of the latch stopper hole. The retention member is provided with a slope surface that transforms into a force acts in a direction from a site relatively near to a base end of the retention member to the distal end of the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideichi Ito
  • Patent number: 7828318
    Abstract: The airbag system for vehicles includes an airbag housing, a sliding door and a connection member. The airbag housing has a gas injection hole, through which inflation gas is injected into an airbag cushion when a vehicle collision occurs. The sliding door moves over the gas injection hole to control the amount of inflation gas injected into the airbag cushion. The connection member is connected between the airbag cushion and the sliding door such that the sliding door is moved by the inflation of the airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyung Taek Lim