Inflation Fluid Source Patents (Class 280/741)
  • Patent number: 9010802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Parks, Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9003975
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nipponkayaku Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Aoyagi, Koichi Enami
  • Patent number: 8997655
    Abstract: A gas generator containing perforate internal chambers, each chamber in vapor communication with at least one other chamber in the gas generator, is provided. When granulated compositions are utilized in one or more of the chambers, permeable materials such as cheesecloth, neoprene, Tyvek™, metal or non-metallic screen, and other suitable fluid permeable materials, may be provided to physically seal the perforations of the various chambers, thereby separating the granulated composition(s) contained therein. In this way, off-gas products formed naturally over time may be effectively managed to ensure expected performance criteria of the associated inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Justin W. Ranson, Deborah L. Hordos, Sean P. Burns
  • Publication number: 20150091285
    Abstract: An airbag according to the present invention has: an airbag main body that is provided with a gas introduction opening; and an inner cloth portion that is arranged to cover the gas introduction opening in the airbag main body. The inner cloth portion has a first and a second opening end parts, and is fixed to a peripheral edge part of the gas introduction opening of the airbag main body while a position of the inner cloth portion is superimposed with the gas introduction opening of the airbag main body. In this manner, an airbag is caused to inflate and expand more speedily and widely in a direction which is orthogonal to an occupant's side direction, and an occupant can be buffered and supported in a stable manner so as to have a wide area from a front side irrespective of whatsoever posture seated by the occupant may be.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kei Sano, Yohei Kiuchi, Akito Urushibata, Hidenobu Suzuki, Minoru Oda, Hideki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8985624
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R McFarland
  • Patent number: 8979118
    Abstract: A subassembly (10) includes an inflator (12) for a vehicle safety system having a cylindrical outer wall (14), at least one bolt (16) fastened to the outer wall (14) in a substance-to-substance or form-fit manner, for mounting the inflator (12) on a component and a saddle element (18) attached to the bolt. The saddle element (18) includes a supporting portion (24) that bears on the outer wall (14) of the inflator (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Bibo, Michael Beyer, Karl Englbrecht, Anton Greissl, Christian Grundl, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Patent number: 8979122
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Ramp
  • Patent number: 8979121
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Matthew A. Cox
  • Patent number: 8960095
    Abstract: A gas generator includes two reserves of reactive gases, an ignition device capable of being triggered in order to open lids of the reserves and initiating combustion of the reactive gases, and an orifice for letting out combustion gas towards the outside. The gas reserve, a device for diffusing the combustion gas towards the outside and the second gas reserve are successively positioned along a longitudinal direction. A guiding wall is provided in the reserve for guiding the pressure wave generated by the device up to the lid in order to open this first lid. The diffusing device includes a conduit for guiding the pressure wave from the first lid to the second lid so as to open the latter, and which communicates with the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: François Peremarty, Franck Camborde, Yvonnig Patton, Nicolas Daviot
  • Publication number: 20150048605
    Abstract: A gas generator for an airbag includes a storage container and at least one chamber defined by the storage container. The at least one chamber includes a metal wall and contains at least gaseous hydrogen. A coating layer of iron oxide is disposed on at least a surface portion of the metal wall to prevent diffusion of hydrogen atoms through the metal wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ronnie Andersson, Niclas Hornquist, Mats Johanson, Tobias Aderum
  • Publication number: 20150048606
    Abstract: An airbag comprises a textile substrate and a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. An airbag module comprises an airbag, a gas generator connected to the airbag, and a cover at least partially enclosing the airbag and the gas generator. A process for producing an airbag comprises the steps of providing a textile substrate, providing a coating composition, applying the coating composition to the substrate, and heating the textile substrate. A system for producing a filled, cross-linked silicone polymer comprises a first part and a second part. Each part comprises a polysiloxane compound and a plurality of filler particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Ramesh Keshavaraj
  • Publication number: 20150021888
    Abstract: An inflator (10) for a vehicle airbag module comprises an external housing (12) in which a combustion chamber (36) is formed, wherein the inflator (10) can be supported to be oscillating on a body-side component of the vehicle, especially on a component of the airbag module. Inside the external housing (12) a separate balancing weight (58) is arranged for adjusting the vibration behavior of the inflator (10), wherein the balancing weight (58) has no further inflator-specific function. In an airbag module for a vehicle including such inflator (10) the latter is supported by its retaining means on another component of the airbag module so that it is adapted to oscillate about a suspension plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Alin-Silviu Dogarescu, Franz Furstenberger
  • Patent number: 8936272
    Abstract: A base assembly is provided for a gas generating system. The assembly includes a base having at least one opening formed therein, and an initiator assembly attached to the base so as to form a gas-tight seal surrounding the at least one opening. A retainer is attached to the base and includes an opening into which a portion of the initiator assembly extends. The retainer is attached to the initiator assembly along the retainer opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo L. Quioc, Richard W. Morgan, Bryan T. Cole
  • Patent number: 8925464
    Abstract: A sub-assembly for a housing of a gas generating system is provided. The sub-assembly includes a housing portion and an insert attached to the housing portion such that at least a portion of a force applied to one of the housing portion and the attached insert is transferred through the attachment to the other one of the housing portion and the attached insert. A housing, a gas generating system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the sub-assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo L. Quioc, Bryan T. Cole
  • Patent number: 8925963
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Inuzuka, Atsushi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8910364
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a heat sink/filter positioned between a pressure vessel and a diffuser in an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel is constructed so that upon activation of the inflator of the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel is smaller than the area of gas exiting the diffuser to create pressures in the pressure vessel that are higher than the pressures in the diffuser. This results in deformation of the pressure vessel that is equal to or greater than the deformation of the diffuser to maintain compression of the heat sink/filter between the pressure vessel and the diffuser during activation of the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Arc Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Earl Overton, James Michael Rose
  • Patent number: 8894096
    Abstract: Air bag cushion inflators can include a body including a base member coupled to a diffuser member, the diffuser member including a sidewall with exit ports and a ceiling. A combustion chamber may be positioned within the body and includes a cap with an opening formed therein. A filter element may be positioned in fluid communication with the opening in the combustion chamber cap, and located between the combustion chamber cap and the diffuser member ceiling. The filter element includes at least one barrier and a plurality of apertures positioned to cause inflation gas from the combustion chamber to travel from the opening in the combustion chamber cap to the exit port along a tortuous path including at least one debris pocket and at least one impact region. Methods of forming a filter, and disposing the filter in an inflator body. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Fischer
  • Patent number: 8893622
    Abstract: An igniter for a passenger vehicle safety airbag module includes a housing with apertured walls, gas-generating tablets filling the housing, and, in direct contact with gas-generating tablets, an initiator containing combustible material. A plurality of four malleable flaps of substantially identical shape and size are secured about the squib in an upstanding circumscribing array with spaced-apart, opposed lateral edges between adjacent of the flaps interconnected by fluid seals in the form of webbing that is structurally less robust than the flaps. The ends of the flaps remote from the squib curl radially inwardly into a spaced-apart edge-to-edge disposition beyond the combustible material. The webbing and the flaps together enclose an interior space and the combustible material. Pressure from the ignition of the combustible material causes the fluid seals to burst and the flaps to pivot outwardly crushing the gas-generating tablets in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Jackson, Andrew P. Jackson, Alan R. Larsen
  • Patent number: 8876158
    Abstract: An air bag apparatus includes: a base plate, two gas generators, a cover member covering the two gas generators so as to form a gap, an air bag accommodated in contact with the base plate, a hollow formed in the base plate and provided with a communication hole, the hollow accommodating the two gas generators such that a space is provided between two gas generators and another gap, for communicating with the communication hole, is formed, the air bag accommodated such that a gas inlet thereof enclose the communication hole from the other side of the base plate, the air bag, the base plate and the cover member being integrally fixed, and a sealed gas discharge path formed by the cover member and the base member, and leading from the gas discharge port of the two gas generators to the gas inlet of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamazaki, Masayuki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20140300093
    Abstract: Gas generator housing for an air bag containing one or more parts of a polymer composition, wherein each part of the polymer composition is a hemispherical part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Jozef Willem Hendrik Bellemakers, Andy Rose
  • Patent number: 8844967
    Abstract: A device for inflating an at least two-layered air bag folded to form an inflatable belt for a safety system of a motor vehicle equipped with a gas generator is provided. The gas stream generated by the gas generator is directed onto the air bag from the outside and the gas stream produces an opening in at least one of the layers of the air bag in a physical process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Christian Burczyk
  • Publication number: 20140265276
    Abstract: Air bag cushion inflators can include a body including a base member coupled to a diffuser member, the diffuser member including a sidewall with exit ports and a ceiling. A combustion chamber may be positioned within the body and includes a cap with an opening formed therein. A filter element may be positioned in fluid communication with the opening in the combustion chamber cap, and located between the combustion chamber cap and the diffuser member ceiling. The filter element includes at least one barrier and a plurality of apertures positioned to cause inflation gas from the combustion chamber to travel from the opening in the combustion chamber cap to the exit port along a tortuous path including at least one debris pocket and at least one impact region. Methods of forming a filter, and disposing the filter in an inflator body. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Fischer
  • Patent number: 8827308
    Abstract: An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag. The inflator may have a first chamber containing a first gas source and a second chamber containing a second gas source. A filter module may be positioned to filter and redirect gas flows from the first and second gas sources. The filter module may be constructed by securing a baffle within an interior cavity of a filter medium having a generally tubular shape, prior to installation of the filter module the inflator. The baffle may be supported directly by the material of the filter module, by a bracket, or by a support structure formed of wire thicker than that of the filter medium. The baffle may maintain isolation between the first and second chambers, or may help gas from the first gas source initiate gas provision from the second gas source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Lewis, Kirk H. Rasmussen, Matthew A. Cox
  • Patent number: 8820783
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing structured to form a booster tube mounting structure therein, and a booster tube engaged with the mounting structure so as to form a gas-tight seal therebetween and so as to be movable with respect to the mounting structure, and such that the seal is maintained during movement of the tube with respect to the mounting structure, while the tube is engaged with the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Christian P. Thompson, David M. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20140225353
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Koji Inuzuka, Atsushi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8800451
    Abstract: The present invention configures a gas generator (A) wherein, with regard to a plug assembly (2), a ring (22) is formed of insulative resin, electrode pins (21) are equipped midway with flange portions (21a), and these flange portions (21a) are integrally formed in a state embedded inside the ring (22), and, in addition, the diameter of the flange portions (21a) is made a larger diameter than the short sides of this opening portion (1a) of the holder (1), the sum of the sector angles (R) formed by the outer peripheral portions (21r) of the flange portions (21a) of the electrode pins (21) located outside the opening portion of the holder (1) and the electrode pins (21) is configured to be 180 degrees or greater, the flange portions (21a) of the electrode pins (21) are further made mutually non-contacting, and the minimum distance (D) between the electrode pins (21) and the periphery of the opening portion (1a) of the holder (1) through which these electrode pins (21) are inserted is made 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Kinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sawada, Toshihiko Tamura, Masayuki Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8801034
    Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing, an ignition device chamber, a combustion chamber, a filter facing a top plate of the housing, and a retainer supporting the filter and having first and second retainers. The first retainer includes a filter support abutting a lower surface of the filter, an annular wall positioned at outer circumference of the filter support, a plate portion extending outward from the annular wall, and a tubular wall extending axially from the plate portion, and the second retainer includes a support surface supporting the outer circumferential surface, and a support bottom extending inward from the support surface. The support bottom is positioned between the plate portion and the lower surface and that an inner circumferential edge of the support bottom abuts the annular wall surface. At least a part of the lower surface and the outer circumferential surface is supported by the first and second retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Ukita
  • Patent number: 8794665
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system includes a module including an airbag and an inflator. The inflator includes a housing (12) in which a combustion chamber (16) containing a pyrotechnic propellant is arranged in which hot gas is generated and which housing includes at least one escape orifice (22) toward the environment of the inflator (10), as well as a coolant reservoir (24) arranged in the housing (12) in which coolant is accommodated prior to activation of the inflator (10) and which has at least one coolant outlet orifice (28?). The coolant outlet orifice (28) is arranged in direct vicinity of the outlet orifice (22). Upon activation of the inflator (10) coolant flows out of the inflator into the protection system and wets an adjacent wall (32) of the protection system against which also the hot gas is flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Biebl, Michael Gabler, Achim Hofmann, Dieter Leier, Ning Wei
  • Patent number: 8794666
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor-vehicle safety includes a combustion chamber of cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape. An initiator is located within the combustion chamber and is associated with at least one solid pyrotechnic charge. A diffusion chamber communicates with the combustion chamber and receives gases generated by the pyrotechnic charge and transfers the gases to atmosphere via at least one evacuation opening. The diffusion chamber extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, in the extension of one of its end faces. The diffusion chamber is also of generally cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape, but with a cross section that is less than that of the combustion chamber. The diffusion chamber is devoid of structure for filtering the gases that pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yvonnig Patton, François Peremarty
  • Patent number: 8789471
    Abstract: A seal tape, a gas generator for a restraining apparatus using the seal tape, and a method for manufacturing a gas generator are provided. The seal tape closes, from an outside of the gas generator housing, a gas discharge port in a housing. The seal tape includes, a rupture portion for forming a door portion, and including a fragile portion and a rupture blocking portion at a tip of the fragile portion, a fixing support portion remaining attached to the housing, and the door portion bounded by the rupture portion and the fixing support portion being adjusted such that the gas discharge port is entirely open in a case where the door portion is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventors: Teppei Hanano, Shinichiro Ukita
  • Patent number: 8783714
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus is provided having an inflator in which the waterproofing property of the connection between an initiator and a harness for distributing power is ensured by potting, and leakage at the time of the filling of a potting material is prevented. An airbag apparatus includes a bag portion formed of a base cloth panel in a bag shape and deployed and inflated by being supplied with gas for deployment, and an inflator that generates the gas for deployment supplied to the bag portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Takata Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Sugimoto, Hideo Namiki, Fujio Umebayashi, Takumi Makabe
  • Patent number: 8783188
    Abstract: An inflator containing a housing having a first end and a second end is provided. An igniter is fixed within the first end of the housing for ignition of gas generant charges within the housing. A discrete fuel charge and a discrete oxidizer charge ignitably communicates with the igniter. The fuel charge and the oxidizer charge may be axially aligned and are substantially simultaneously combusted upon actuation of the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Deborah L. Hordos, Scott M. Rambow
  • Patent number: 8783715
    Abstract: A housing unit for a gas generating system is provided. The housing unit includes a housing and a thermal barrier covering a portion of the housing exterior. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the housing unit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick O. Kelley, Robert J. Schubert, Jr., David T. Schumann, Steven N. Grucz, Federico Moreno, Larissa D. Pfendt
  • Patent number: 8777260
    Abstract: An airbag unit with an airbag (10) encloses a gas compartment, an inflator, and a housing (20) containing the folded airbag. A holding device (40) having a first and a second section (42, 44) is provided, the first section (42) is connected to the housing (20), and the second section (44) can be detached from, the first section (42) upon an electrical signal. The holding device detachably fastens a tensioning element, whose first end is connected to the airbag, and its second end is connected to the housing (20) via the holding device (40) when the first and second sections (42 or 44) are connected. The holding device second section (44) is arranged inside the gas compartment, and a hole (13) is provided in the airbag (10), through which an ignition cable plug socket, an ignition lead (50) or the holding device first section (42) protrudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Armin Kränzle, Stephan Schellbronn
  • Patent number: 8777258
    Abstract: The invention provides a gas generator for a restraining apparatus, including: a housing an ignition device, and a gas generating agent accommodated in the housing, and a cup-shaped container having a flame-transferring hole in a circumferential wall and being disposed on a tubular igniter-fixing portion of the housing to form an ignition device chamber accommodating the ignition device, the cup-shaped container having a plurality of protruding portions protruding inward in the radial direction from the circumferential wall portion, the tubular igniter-fixing portion having a recess on an outer surface, at least a distal end portion of the protruding portion engaging with an inner wall surface of the recess to block an axial movement of the cup-shaped container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Masayuki Yamazaki, Shinichiro Ukita
  • Patent number: 8777259
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a cylindrical ignition device chamber, a cylindrical pressurized gas chamber, a closing member having a fragile portion, a multifunctional member inside the ignition device chamber, and having a base plate portion with a first through-hole and a cylindrical wall portion with a second through-hole, an opening portion of the cylindrical wall portion abutting against the fragile portion, first and second plenum chambers, a discharge port in the ignition device chamber housing facing the second plenum chamber, and the multifunctional member movable in the axial direction to rupture the closing member. Gas passing through the first through-hole, the first plenum chamber, the second through-hole and the second plenum chamber is discharged from the gas discharge port. Gas inside the pressurized gas chamber housing entering the first plenum chamber, passes through the second through-hole and the second plenum chamber and is discharged from the gas discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8770621
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel has a portion that is deformable by internal pressure resulting from combustion of gas generant therein. The deformable portion of the pressure vessel has at least one exit orifice therein. Upon deformation of the pressure vessel portion by internal pressure, the size of the exit orifice is increased to expedite the release of pressurized combustion gas from the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ARC Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Earl Overton, James Michael Rose, Rebekah Lyn Locke Reid
  • Patent number: 8764054
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing, a gas generant combustion chamber within the housing, and a liquid coolant chamber within the housing. A mixing chamber is positioned within the housing so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the coolant chamber after activation of the gas generating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Dale E. Tauchen, Joshua D. VanHooser
  • Patent number: 8752486
    Abstract: Power sources and methods for applying a force to an object include use of thermite in a quantity sufficient to generate a thermite reaction, and a gas producing substance disposed in association with the thermite. The gas producing substance produces a gas when the thermite reaction occurs. The thermite reaction, the gas, or combinations thereof provide a force to the object. The gas can slow the thermite reaction to enable slower or continuous application of force while being non-extinguishing of the thermite reaction. The gas can further control heat transfer from the thermite reaction to adjacent objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C Robertson, Douglas J Streibich, Mark Lancaster
  • Patent number: 8746737
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a metallic housing, an ignition device including an igniter assembly, and gas generating agent, the igniter assembly including an igniter main body fixed to a metallic cylindrical fixing member with a resin and a connector-connecting portion for fitting a connector, at least part of the metallic cylindrical fixing member being electro-conductive to the housing, and including an exposed portion exposed to an inner surface of the connector-connecting portion, the exposed portion of the metallic cylindrical fixing member serving as a ground terminal, when the connector is connected to the connector-connecting portion, the ground terminal being in contact with an earth terminal of the connector, a grounding lead wire of the connector being grounded to a ground circuit located outside the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Ozaki, Masayuki Yamazaki, Takao Kuroda, Mikio Yabuta
  • Publication number: 20140151988
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Mats JOHANSON, Tobias ADERUM
  • Patent number: 8740245
    Abstract: An inflator includes: an inflator case configured from a bottomed cylindrical upper case and lower case, with the inflator case having an upper combustion chamber and a lower combustion chamber in which gas generants are accommodated, the upper combustion chamber and the lower combustion chamber being partitioned by a partition wall, and with the inflator case having a peripheral wall in which upper gas discharge holes and lower gas discharge holes are formed; a first inner cylinder member in which a transfer charge for combusting the gas generant inside the lower combustion chamber is accommodated; a second inner cylinder member whose upper end portion penetrates the partition wall and is positioned in a lower portion of the upper combustion chamber, with a transfer charge for combusting the gas generant inside the upper combustion chamber being accommodated inside the second inner cylinder member; a first igniter and a second igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Yusuke Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20140145421
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. McFarland
  • Publication number: 20140138938
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an airbag that can be efficiently stored according to a storage space. The invention is a side airbag 1 stored in the backrest portion SA of a vehicle seat S, having a first airbag 3 which is inflated in a circular shape by gas supplied by an inflator 2 provided in the backrest portion SA when seen from the side of the backrest portion SA; a second airbag 4 provided so as to be located in the first airbag 3 in an inflated state; and a communicating path 5 that communicates the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 on the side of the backrest portion of the second airbag when seen from the side of the backrest portion, in which the second airbag 4 has a vertical width T2 set to be larger than the vertical width T3 of the communication path 5, and has at least the top portion 4b, the bottom portion 4c, and the front portion 4d separated from the first airbag 3 when seen from the side of the backrest portion SA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Isao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8720945
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a pyrotechnic charge contained in a chamber delimited by a wall and by two transversal walls. At least one of the walls comprises at least one through hole. A covering sheet in the form of a box is located facing the through hole. A seal gasket is provided between the sheet and one of the walls. The seal gasket is positioned between the first tubular part of the covering sheet and the wall for ensuring the seal between the box and the wall towards the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Gérald Prima, Sébastien Kermarrec, Maxime Lejeune, Philippe Moullec
  • Patent number: 8720947
    Abstract: A gas generator for a restraining device includes, a housing having an ignition device and a diffuser portion, and a gas generating agent charged in an inner space of the housing, a partition member, having a communication hole, and inclining with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) of the housing, thereby dividing the inner space into a gas generating agent charging space and a gas flow channel space, the gas flow channel space communicating with the diffuser portion, both of the edges of the partition member abutting against an inner circumferential surface of the housing, a cross-sectional area of the gas generating agent charging space decreasing from the ignition device side at one end of the housing to the diffuser portion side at the other end of the housing, and a cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel space increasing from the ignition device side to the diffuser portion side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Ozaki, Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8720944
    Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing having a circumferential wall, a first end, and a second end, an inner tube member disposed in the housing, an outer space thereof being a combustion chamber, an outer circumference cylindrical member being such that one end opening abuts against a bottom plate of the second end, an annular porous member provided between the outer circumference cylindrical member and the cup-shaped inner tube member so as to form a space above the combustion chamber, a gas discharge path formed between the outer circumference cylindrical member and an inner wall surface of the circumferential wall portion of the housing; a communicating portion communicating the space and the gas discharge path, and being provided in the other end opening of the outer circumference cylindrical member; and a total cross-sectional area of the gas discharge port being smaller than a smallest cross-sectional area of a gas pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Naoki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8720946
    Abstract: A gas generator has two pyrotechnic charges in two chambers having openings for gas outlet to the outside. Only the first chamber is provided with an igniter for first charge. The chambers are separated by a third wall with a through hole for permanent gas communication, sealed in an initial state by a cap. The cap is configured to be broken under the pressure of the combustion gases from first charge to keep the hole opened permanently and allow the combustion gases from the first charge to go via the hole kept permanently opened from a first chamber to a second chamber, where these gases induce the combustion of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Gérald Prima, Sébastien Kermarrec, Maxime Lejeune, Gildas Clech
  • Patent number: 8714590
    Abstract: A gas generator for a restraining device includes: a housing formed by a diffuser shell having a gas discharge port and a closure shell, an ignition device chamber in which an ignition device is accommodated, and a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated, being defined inside the housing, the ignition device chamber being defined inside an inner tube disposed in the housing, and the combustion chamber being defined outside the inner tube, the inner tube including, openings on both ends being fixed to a bottom surface and a top surface of the housing, a flame-transferring hole being formed in a circumferential wall portion to communicate the ignition device chamber with the combustion chamber, and a reduced strength portion being provided in the circumferential wall portion between the flame-transferring hole and the top surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Kenji Numoto
  • Patent number: 8708367
    Abstract: A gas generator for a safety device for a motor vehicle, comprises at least two distinct chambers which communicate with each other through at least one opening or nozzle. A first chamber is isolated from the outside. A second chamber or “diffusion” chamber is able to receive gases generated by the combustion of a solid pyrotechnical charge placed in the first chamber, and to discharge them towards the outside. The solid charge is a mixture consisting of at least one oxidizing charge and a reducing charge, the oxygen balance of which is equilibrated. A heat generator is provided which generates sufficient heat for triggering and sustaining the combustion of the charge without any other interaction, notably of the chemical type, between the heat generator and the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seva Technologies
    Inventors: Daniel Duvacquier, Xavier Lelievre, Yvonnig Patton, François Peremarty