Inflation Fluid Source Patents (Class 280/741)
-
Publication number: 20130134696Abstract: A gas generating system is provided including a first housing formed from a polymeric material, and a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing. The first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant. An airbag system and a vehicle occupant protection system, each incorporating a gas generating system as described herein, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2013Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: TK Holdings Inc.
-
Patent number: 8444179Abstract: An apparatus (12) includes a primary housing (20) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, a primary inflation fluid source (100), a secondary housing (70) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, and a secondary inflation fluid source (200). The primary inflation fluid source (100) is located in the primary housing (20) and is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device (14). The secondary housing (70) is disposed within the primary housing (20). The secondary inflation fluid source (200) is located in the secondary housing (70) and is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing (70) has a first portion (77) that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion (74) of the secondary housing (70) when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventor: Eric R. McFarland
-
Patent number: 8434783Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing having a circumferential wall portion defining a gas discharge port, a first end, and a second end, the first and second ends being closed, a cup-shaped inner tube member disposed in the housing, an inside thereof accommodating an ignition device, an outside thereof being a combustion chamber charged with a gas generating agent, a bottom surface of the inner tube member being located in a bottom plate of the first end of the housing, an opening end portion of the inner tube member being provided with a ventilating portion for allowing a combustion product to pass therethrough, an igniter attached to an igniter attaching portion formed at the second end of the housing, and a passage for the combustion product formed between an inner wall surface of the inner tube member and the igniter attaching portion, and reaching the ventilating portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Naoki Matsuda
-
Publication number: 20130099469Abstract: A safety device is provided, comprising an elastic membrane, which partially or completely delimits a hollow space, which is provided for the accident-initiated filling subject to elastic expansion of the membrane, and a gas generator with a filling fluid source communicating with the hollow space, wherein between the filling fluid source and a surface of the membrane facing the hollow space and/or in the membrane at least one heat protection means is arranged, which is provided for the protection of the membrane from a thermal impact through filling fluid of the filling fluid source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
-
Patent number: 8424908Abstract: A gas generator, includes: a housing having closure shell, a diffuser shell including a gas discharge ports, and a flange portion; an inner tube member defining a combustion chamber in an outside thereof for accommodating a gas generating agent, the igniter being attached to the closure shell such that the igniter projects inside from a hole formed in the bottom plate of the closure shell, the annular porous member having a plurality of holes which are smaller than the size of the gas generator, defining a space above the combustion chamber, a total opening area (A1) of the gas discharge ports being smaller than a total opening area (A2) of a gas pathway extending from the combustion chamber to the gas discharge ports (A1<A2), and the space and the gas discharge path being communicated with each other by a communicating portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignees: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Naoki Matsuda, Osamu Fukawatase, Tomoko Kurata, Yuki Nonoyama, Tadashi Yamada, Toru Ozaki
-
Patent number: 8424909Abstract: A gas generator includes: a housing having closure and diffuser shells; an inner tube member accommodating an igniter, an opening end of the inner tube member being located opposing a bottom plate of the closure shell and defining a ventilating portion formed at the opening end, the inner tube member being fixed to an igniter attaching portion, and having a cylindrical portion projecting inwardly in the closure shell, and a passage being formed between the inner tube member and the igniter attaching portion to reach the ventilating portion; an outer circumference cylindrical member provided in the combustion chamber and one end opening thereof being located at the bottom plate; and an annular porous member defining a space above the combustion chamber, the space being communicated to a gas discharge path defined between the outer circumference cylindrical member and a side surface of the diffuser shell through a communicating portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignees: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Gosei Co., LtdInventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Naoki Matsuda, Osamu Fukawatase, Tomoko Kurata, Yuki Nonoyama, Tadashi Yamada, Toru Ozaki
-
Patent number: 8419057Abstract: A gas generating system includes a first enclosure containing a gas, and a second enclosure having a gas generant material contained therein. The second enclosure is operatively coupled to the first enclosure so as to enable fluid communication between the first enclosure and the second enclosure. After activation of the gas generating system, the gas in the first enclosure passes through the second enclosure prior to exiting the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Stevens, Donald B. Patterson, Robert M. Krupp, David M. McCormick
-
Patent number: 8408583Abstract: Flangeless inflators include a body comprising a base member and a diffuser member coupled together, where the body is devoid of a lateral inflator-coupling flange. At least one fastener is coupled to the base member of the body. In an inflatable airbag system, the flangeless inflator is coupled to an airbag cushion, as well as to a steering wheel armature. In forming flangeless inflators, a body is formed that is devoid of the lateral inflator-coupling flange, and at least one fastener is attached to the body.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Quin Soderquist, Bradley W. Smith
-
Publication number: 20130069351Abstract: Protecting system for occupants of heavy or medium—heavy transport means composed of a frame able to constrain an airbag to a heavy transport means.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: NEW POLI GROUP S.R.L.Inventor: Alessandro Poli
-
Patent number: 8397639Abstract: An initiator assembly can include an outer body can have a first end, a second end, and an internal passage between the first and second ends. An initiator canister can be joined to the outer body at the first end and can define a charge chamber that includes a pair of pins extending therefrom. An insulative material can be molded within the passage to form an insulative structural member that joins the canister and pins to the outer body and insulates the pins and a portion of the canister from electrical contact with the outer body. An electrostatic discharge dissipater can be formed from an electrically conductive material and can be molded to the canister and the outer body at the first end. The dissipater can electrically connect the canister to the outer body to provide a controlled dissipation path for electrostatic discharge energy carried by the initiator assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Scott C. Gordon, Jeffrey T. Kida
-
Patent number: 8393640Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator (10) for a car airbag (12), the generator including a pyrotechnic charge and a pyrotechnic initiator (28) situated in a combustion chamber (14) and suitable for being actuated by a first detection system (30) for detecting an imminent collision state and/or by a second detection system (32) for detecting an actual collision state. The pyrotechnic gas generator of the invention further includes a gas flow passage (16, 18) between said combustion chamber (14) and said airbag (12), and at least one valve (34) suitable for being moved from a first position in which it defines a first flow section to a second position in which it defines a second flow section greater than said first flow section, or vice versa. In particular, the valve (34) is arranged in such a manner as to define a greater flow section when the pyrotechnic initiator (28) is actuated by the first detection system (30).Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: HeraklesInventors: Evrard Borg, Eric Laspesa, Jean-Paul Nadeau
-
Patent number: 8393639Abstract: A disc inflator having gas cooling and mist removal functions, and reduced in weight and in size in a radial direction. An inflator case (40) has an upper case (36) at an occupant side and a lower case (38) at a side opposite an occupant. A tubular holding member (60) having a separation wall (64) at a base portion thereof is provided in the inflator case. A gas flow path (74) is formed at a periphery of the holding member (60), and communication holes (80) communicating with the gas flow path (74) are formed in the separation wall (64). At a peripheral wall portion (36B) of the upper case (36) is formed a gas ejection hole (76) at a position offset towards an occupant side only by a distance ? from a central position P of a combustion chamber (68). Accordingly, a length (L1) of a flow path from the starting end of the flow path to the gas ejection hole (76) increases, enabling effective heat exchange of a high temperature gas and removal of mist (82). Thereby, a conventionally used filter may be disposed of.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Gosei co., Ltd., Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Yasushi Itou, Takaki Fukuyama, Hiroki Murase, Naoki Matsuda, Tomoharu Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 8393641Abstract: A gas generator contains a housing containing an end closure assembly. An annular end closure is fixed within an annular igniter retainer thereby forming an annular wall for retention of an associated igniter. A first base portion of the annular end closure, and a second base portion of the annular igniter retainer are fixed together, by projection-welding for example, thereby facilitating a cost-effective seal about the igniter when assembled therewith.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Tk Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Eduardo L. Quioc
-
Publication number: 20130049336Abstract: In a front passenger seat air bag apparatus, an inflator for supplying gas to an air bag is formed in a cylindrical shape and arranged with a vehicle width direction being an axial direction. Also, the inflator is attached to a bottom wall portion formed on a case, with an axial portion of the inflator being offset farther toward a vehicle front side than a center portion, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the bottom wall portion. Meanwhile, an actuator for opening and closing a vent hole provided in the air bag is attached to the bottom wall portion farther toward a vehicle rear side than the inflator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Osamu Fukawatase
-
Patent number: 8382155Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing having a defining a first combustion chamber, an ignition chamber cup, defining an ignition chamber, and a combustion chamber cup, defining a second combustion chamber, being aligned at a distance in a radial direction, a first communication hole communicating the ignition chamber with the first combustion chamber being provided in a circumferential wall portion of the ignition chamber cup, a second communication hole communicating the second combustion chamber with the first combustion chamber being provided in a circumferential wall portion of the combustion chamber cup, a cup-shaped cover member covering the combustion chamber cup and closing the second communication hole, a disk-shaped retainer retaining a gas generating agent, being provided with a first opening for fitting the ignition chamber cup and a second opening for fitting the combustion chamber cup, an annular gap being formed between the second opening and the cover member.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Masayuki Nakayasu
-
Patent number: 8376400Abstract: A gas generating system is provided including a first housing formed from a polymeric material, and a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing. The first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant. An airbag system and a vehicle occupant protection system, each incorporating a gas generating system as described herein, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Mason, David M. McCormick, Richard W. Morgan, Jeffrey Anderson
-
Patent number: 8371647Abstract: Disclosed are various seats for vehicles particularly military vehicles that are susceptible to attack by road-bed explosive devices such as land mines or improvised explosive devices. The seats often have rigid seat shells and may include rigid bracing for rigidly securing the seat to the chassis of the vehicle. Typically embodiments include channels and particulate media such as sand disposed in the channels. A gas distribution system is generally employed to pump a gas through the channels and in some embodiments the gas is provided at a pressure sufficient to fluidize the particulate media when an occupant is sitting on the seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLCInventor: Edward B. Ripley
-
Publication number: 20130026743Abstract: Inflator connectors for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems and methods are described herein. An inflator connector configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a body having an attachment portion and a sleeve portion and a coupling rotatably received in the sleeve portion. The attachment portion of the body can include a first bore having a first engagement feature positioned toward a first opening for operably engaging at least one of an inflator and a gas tube. The sleeve portion can include a second bore in fluid communication with the first bore. The coupling can include a second engagement feature positioned toward a second opening for operably engaging the other of the inflator and the gas tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: AmSafe, Inc.Inventor: Andre Baca
-
Publication number: 20130001938Abstract: A vehicle has an inflatable occupant restraint system that includes an inflatable occupant protection device and an inflator operable to inflate the inflatable occupant protection device when a predetermined event occurs. The vehicle also includes a child restraint system having a portable child seat with an inflatable child protection apparatus attached thereto. The child restraint system includes a connection interface connected to the child seat and adapted for connection to the occupant restraint system such that the child protection apparatus is inflated when the predetermined event occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steven Yellin Schondorf, Abraham Philip, David James Tippy
-
Patent number: 8342100Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including a combustion chamber formed inside a housing having a gas discharge port, a disk-shaped gas generating agent stacked and loaded or a single tubular gas generating agent loaded in the combustion chamber in the axial direction of the housing, an igniter disposed inside the combustion chamber to enclose the igniter and fixed to a bottom surface of the housing by a fixing member, the fixing member including a fixing portion for the igniter and a plurality of elastic rod-like gas generating agent support portions extending in the radial direction of the housing from the fixing portion, the gas generating agent support portions abutting against a surface of the gas generating agent opposing the bottom surface of the housing, and the gas generating agent being pressed and fixed between the gas generating agent support portions and a top surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Yamazaki, Naoki Matsuda
-
Publication number: 20120326423Abstract: A filter element made up of a plurality of substantially spaced-apart barriers that afford fluid communication between a source of pressurized airbag inflation gas containing entrained particulates and an airbag inflation gas entry port. The inflation gas and entrained debris pass along a tortuous path of back-and-forth oppositely-directed gas flow pathways between successive pairs of adjacent of the barriers. An aperture is formed through each of the barriers, and the barriers are so arranged that the aperture in a selected barrier is remote from the aperture in any barrier adjacent thereto. A debris pocket at an end of one of the gas flow pathways is so configured that particulates entrained in inflation gas collect in the debris pocket sheltered from sustained entrainment in the outflow of inflation gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventor: Isaac Hoffman
-
Patent number: 8333154Abstract: An inflator (1) comprised of an inner case (19) and an outer case (28). The inflator (1) includes a combustion chamber located inside the inner case (19), a plurality of gas discharge ports (16) formed on the outer case (28), a gas outlet port (11) formed on an outer surface of the inner case (19) and a gas guide section that guides the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) toward the gas discharge ports (16). The gas guide section includes between the outer case (28) and inner case (19) a guide wall (13a) provided with a guide plane that contacts with and redirects the inflation gas. The guide plane is formed into an arc face so as to swivel the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) in a swirl or helical fashion, guide the inflation gas toward the gas discharge ports (16) and capture residuals.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Takaki Fukuyama, Toru Ozaki, Hiroki Murase, Osamu Fukawatase, Yasushi Itou, Naoki Matsuda, Yusuke Komine, Tomoharu Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 8333406Abstract: The present invention can include an automobile having a multi-stage inflation system. The multi-stage inflation system can include an engine control unit, a multi-stage inflation unit, a curtain airbag, a curtain airbag pressure indicator, and/or a rollover side impact detection unit. The rollover side impact detection unit can detect when a side impact or a rollover occurs to the automobile. When the rollover or the side impact is detected, the engine control unit can instruct the multi-stage inflation unit to deploy and inflate the curtain airbag in multiple stages. The multi-stage inflation unit can include a pyrotechnic inflation unit with multiple compartments. At each of the stages, a different one of the multiple compartments can be activated to substantially inflate the curtain airbag. The multi-stage inflation unit can also optionally include a cold gas inflation unit to supplement the pyrotechnic inflation unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Paul M. Slaats
-
Publication number: 20120313353Abstract: Cover apparatuses for use with airbag modules for facilitating routing of a wire harness away from an attachment point of the airbag module include a body member adapted to at least partially surround a portion of an inflator and an inflatable cushion. At least one stud aperture is positioned in an attachment side of the cover apparatus, and adapted to receive one or more mounting studs therethrough. A plurality of wire apertures are disposed in the cover apparatus away from the attachment side. Each wire aperture of the plurality of wire apertures is adapted to receive a wire harness therethrough. Methods of making inflatable airbag modules includes coupling an inflator with an inflatable cushion, disposing a cover apparatus around at least a portion of the inflatable cushion and inflator, and disposing a wire harness through the plurality of wire apertures in the cover apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventor: Balaskandan Shankar
-
Patent number: 8328234Abstract: An airbag inflator in which a pressure vessel constituted by a base and a diffuser accommodates an igniter, a gas generating agent, a filter, and an inner cover that covers the gas generating agent and includes a bent portion that contacts an inner wall of the filter. The filter has a layered structure constituted by an inner filter and a wire mesh outer filter. The inner filter is of a cylindrical shape, in which upper and lower end portions are formed in a tapered shape that decreases in height toward an outer peripheral side. The wire mesh outer filter is fitted over an outer peripheral surface of the inner filter, excluding at least the respective end portions formed in the tapered shape, and has a slightly larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the base. The filter is press-fitted into the base. Thus, the filter can be incorporated into the base easily. Further, close contact with the inner cover can be maintained when the diffuser and the base are integrated by welding.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Jianlin Chen, Yoji Tasaki, Akinori Sakamoto, Casey Jenkins, Krista Nash
-
Publication number: 20120292897Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle including an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator configured to inflate the airbag cushion, an inflatable tube having a fixed first end and a second end, and a second inflator configured to inflate the tube. The second end of the tube is configured to be coupled to a portion of the airbag cushion. The tube has a first length when not inflated and a second length when inflated. When in a first mode of operation, the airbag cushion is configured to deploy to a first depth that is restrained by the first length of the tube. When in a second mode of operation, the airbag cushion is configured to deploy to a second depth that is restrained by the second length of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Inventor: John Pasquale PUZZONIA
-
Patent number: 8302989Abstract: An airbag having an inflator therein and an airbag system equipped with the airbag are provided, the inflator having a harness taken to the outside through a harness through opening, and the airbag having high inflation durability. An airbag has an inflator therein. Three stud bolts project from an inflator holder attached to the inflator. The bottom of the airbag has three bolt insertion holes through which the stud bolts are passed. A harness through opening is provided between adjacent bolt insertion holes, the harness through opening being for taking a harness for passing electric current to the initiator of the inflator out of the airbag. The harness through opening is shaped like a slit, which extends in the direction substantially orthogonal to the line connecting the bolt insertion holes.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Takayuki Takimoto, Yoshihiro Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 8302992Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator, including: a tubular housing, an ignition device attached to one end of the tubular housing, a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port and being attached to the other end of the tubular housing, in the tubular housing, a first combustion chamber defined by a first perforated-plate member on one end side in the tubular housing and filled with a first gas generating agent, a tubular member disposed in the remaining inner space of the tubular housing and having a communication hole on a peripheral wall portion thereof, a second-perforated plate member disposed between the first perforated-plate member and the tubular member, a second combustion chamber defined by the tubular member and filled with a second gas generating agent, the tubular member being disposed so that a gap is formed between the peripheral wall portion of the tubular housing and the tubular member, the tubular member having a first opening end portion abutting against the inner peripheralType: GrantFiled: February 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Teppei Hanano, Masayuki Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 8297652Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing defining an interior, a housing partition dividing the interior into a first portion and a second portion, and at least one opening to enable fluid communication between the second portion and an exterior of the second portion after activation of the gas generating system. The partition is movable within the interior such that a movement of the partition in a first direction causes a flowable material positioned within the second portion to flow through the at least one opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Dale E. Tauchen
-
Patent number: 8297653Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator assembly including a shell member and an end cap joinable with the shell member to form a subassembly. The subassembly containing a quantity of pyrotechnic material and at least in part defining 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 within the combustion chamber. The inflator assembly further including an overwrap about at least a portion of the subassembly to form a pyrotechnic inflator assembly that withstands the pressure generated within the combustion chamber upon reaction of the pyrotechnic material.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Bradley W. Smith
-
Publication number: 20120256406Abstract: An initiator assembly can include an outer body can have a first end, a second end, and an internal passage between the first and second ends. An initiator canister can be joined to the outer body at the first end and can define a charge chamber that includes a pair of pins extending therefrom. An insulative material can be molded within the passage to form an insulative structural member that joins the canister and pins to the outer body and insulates the pins and a portion of the canister from electrical contact with the outer body. An electrostatic discharge dissipater can be formed from an electrically conductive material and can be molded to the canister and the outer body at the first end. The dissipater can electrically connect the canister to the outer body to provide a controlled dissipation path for electrostatic discharge energy carried by the initiator assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: Scott C. Gordon, Jeffrey T. Kida
-
Patent number: 8282127Abstract: A gas generating system including a housing and a divider dividing an interior of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. First and second tubes extend into the second chamber and end at the divider. At least one opening is formed in the divider to enable fluid communication of the first chamber with an interior of only the first tube after activation of the gas generating system.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Morgan, Eduardo L. Quioc
-
Patent number: 8276521Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an airbag module having a gas generator housing, in which a first chamber for receiving a propellant for igniting a main gas set in a second chamber, and an ignition device for the ignition of the propellant are provided. In order to simplify the production of the gas generator, the invention provides that the first chamber for receiving the propellant is limited by a pipe, on the first end of which the ignition device is disposed, and the second end of which reaches the gas generator housing at least approximately. The first and the second chamber are separated from each other such that no parts of the propellant may reach the second chamber via the second end of the pipe before the ignition of the propellant.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Takata AGInventors: Silvio Reichelt, Jiang Zhang, Vladimir Dolzhanskiy, Gerrit Von Breitenbach, Heiko Kratz
-
Publication number: 20120235392Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator assembly including a shell member and an end cap joinable with the shell member to form a subassembly. The subassembly containing a quantity of pyrotechnic material and at least in part defining 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 within the combustion chamber. The inflator assembly further including an overwrap about at least a portion of the subassembly to form a pyrotechnic inflator assembly that withstands the pressure generated within the combustion chamber upon reaction of the pyrotechnic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Bradley W. SMITH
-
Publication number: 20120217728Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Scott Jackson, Andrew P. Jackson, Alan R. Larsen
-
Patent number: 8240709Abstract: A gas generating system includes an outer housing portion defining a chamber therein, an end closure coupled to the housing portion to close the chamber, and a resilient seal positioned between the housing portion and the end closure to seal the chamber. The system is configured to permit a flow of pressurized gas from the chamber to an exterior of the outer housing portion along at least a portion of the seal.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Eduardo L. Quioc
-
Publication number: 20120200072Abstract: A vehicle side airbag apparatus has an inflator that discharges gas when a lateral collision occurs, a side airbag that is formed by sewing a passenger-side base fabric to a vehicle body-side base fabric, that is folded when it is stored and is inflated when gas is supplied from the inflator to be deployed into a space between a passenger seated in a vehicular seat and a vehicle body side portion, and a tether that couples a middle region of the passenger-side base fabric in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle with either a rear region of the passenger-side base fabric or the vehicle body-side base fabric in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and partitions the side airbag into a main chamber, which comes into contact with a lateral portion of the passenger, and a rear chamber, which comes into contact with a rear portion of the passenger, during deployment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Yusuke Fujiwara
-
Patent number: 8235413Abstract: An airbag assembly for use within a vehicle includes an airbag, an inflator configured to provide gas to the airbag, and a housing configured to retain the inflator and the airbag in position. The housing includes first and second portions configured to be separably coupled together. The second housing portion includes a second snap mechanism for engaging with a first snap mechanism located on the first housing portion. The engaged housing portions surround and retain the inflator and the airbag in position.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Stephen Lee Chapman
-
Patent number: 8231141Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator (10) for use in a safety device for motor vehicles comprising a housing and a propellant (4) contained in a combustion chamber (25) of the housing for generating a pressurized gas, the housing comprising a first housing part (40) and a second housing part (30) at least partly surrounded by the first housing part (40) and at least one igniter (6) for igniting the propellant (4), and an annular filter (50) surrounding the combustion chamber (25) in which the propellant (4) is located. The filter (50) comprises a peripheral portion (52) and a radial portion (51), the radial portion (51) serving as filling body for the propellant (4) in the combustion chamber (25).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Hans-Peter Neumayer, Fabien Cristoforetti
-
INFLATORS AND METHODS OF MAKING INFLATORS FOR SAFE TRANSPORT AND USE WITH INFLATABLE AIRBAG CUSHIONS
Publication number: 20120187668Abstract: Inflators for safe transport and use with an inflatable airbag cushion and airbag systems include a diffuser comprising a first aperture and at least one vent aperture each disposed in a lateral sidewall of the diffuser. The first aperture and the at least one vent aperture are positioned to face in at least substantially opposite directions in the diffuser. A filter is positioned within the diffuser and includes an outer surface having a lateral extent less than a lateral extent of an inner surface of the lateral sidewall of the diffuser, resulting in a gap between the outer surface of the filter and the inner surface of the lateral sidewall of the diffuser. At least one reaction device is coupled to a longitudinal end of the diffuser. Methods of making such inflators are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Robert E. Lewis, Larry D. Rose, Matthew A. Cox, Kirk Rasmussen -
Patent number: 8225719Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining device of a vehicle, including: a housing being made of a resin, forming an outer shell container, having a plurality of gas discharge ports, an ignition device disposed inside the housing, a gas generating agent that is ignited and burned by activation of the ignition device, each of the gas discharge ports being formed in combination with each of a plurality of through holes of an annular plate member that is embedded in a circumferential wall surface of the housing and formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, ceramics, and carbon fiber, and the annular plate member being formed of an annular base plate including the plurality of through holes formed therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Katsuda, Mikio Yabuta
-
Patent number: 8215670Abstract: 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 the 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Jianlin Chen, Atsuhiro Arai, Yoji Tasaki
-
Patent number: 8196956Abstract: A pressure vessel for a gas generating system is provided. The vessel is formed from a material and has a first portion and a second portion. A property of the material along the first portion has a value within a first range, and the same property of the material along the second portion has a value within a second range different from the first range.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Krupp, Bruce A. Stevens
-
Patent number: 8191927Abstract: An inflator including a housing with a first chamber that contains a quantity of gas generant. An initiator is operatively associated with the first chamber and in reaction initiating communication with at least a portion of the quantity of gas generant. The initiator, upon actuation, acts to ignite at least a portion of the quantity of gas generant to form gas. The housing further has a second chamber adjacently disposed to the first chamber. The second chamber contains a sealed storage reservoir and a piston assembly. The sealed storage reservoir includes a liner and a lid and contains a quantity of liquid. The piston assembly includes a piston. During deployment, the piston moves to unseal the storage reservoir to release at least a portion of the quantity of liquid such that the released liquid contacts and cools gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant. A discharge opening permits gas to exit the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jordan, Scott A. Jackson, Matthew A. Cox
-
Publication number: 20120125219Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing, a quantity of gas generant material positioned within the housing, and a quantity of booster material positioned in the housing spaced apart from the gas generant. A movable first screen is positioned in the housing such that the booster material is on a first side of the screen and the gas generant material is on a second side of the screen opposite the first side of the screen. The screen is structured to enable fluid communication between the first and second sides of the screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Dale E. Tauchen, Joshua D. VanHooser
-
Patent number: 8176851Abstract: A gas generator including a cup filled with gas generant molded articles that generate gas by combustion, and an ignitor on which an ignition agent is disposed. Each gas generant molded article is formed of smokeless powders containing nitrocellulose as its major ingredient. Each gas generant molded article includes an explosive containing a fuel agent containing a guanidine derivative and/or a tetrazole derivative and an oxidizing agent containing a metal nitrate and/or perchlorate. Thus, it is possible to provide a gas generator by which the amount of CO gas generated in operation can be reduced and the combustion speed can easily be controlled, and to provide a pretensioner system provided with the gas generator.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoi Kodama, Eishi Sato, Hirokazu Yoshida
-
Publication number: 20120112442Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Brent PARKS, Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith
-
Publication number: 20120112438Abstract: Flangeless inflators include a body comprising a base member and a diffuser member coupled together, where the body is devoid of a lateral inflator-coupling flange. At least one fastener is coupled to the base member of the body. In an inflatable airbag system, the flangeless inflator is coupled to an airbag cushion, as well as to a steering wheel armature. In forming flangeless inflators, a body is formed that is devoid of the lateral inflator-coupling flange, and at least one fastener is attached to the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Quin Soderquist, Bradley W. Smith
-
Patent number: 8172262Abstract: An initiator housing assembly includes a preformed initiator receiving portion defining a first cavity and a body portion affixed to the receiving portion and defining a second cavity. An opening leading into the first cavity is positioned within the second cavity. An initiator assembly, as gas generating system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the initiator housing assembly are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Joshua D. VanHooser, Dale E. Tauchen
-
Patent number: 8167334Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Takata-Petri AGInventors: Heiko Kratz, Björn Windhausen, Michael Menzel