Inflation Fluid Source Patents (Class 280/741)
  • Patent number: 8141901
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage and a forcing member positioned in the passage. A flowable material is positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The housing is configured to enable a flow of flowable material out of the housing responsive only to a motion of the forcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20120068445
    Abstract: A restraint system for a motor vehicle unfolds from a storage position to a restraint position. The unfolding is carried out by at least one supporting structure that can be inflated by a gas pressure source; and in the restraining position, the occupant is provided with a carrier volume for restraining the occupant in the displacement position, whereby the carrier volume is enclosed by at least one carrier structure. The dimension of the restraint system is adapted to the respective load condition, and the flexible carrier structure is fixed for enclosing the carrier volume by inflating the supporting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter, Clark Ruedebusch
  • Patent number: 8136836
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for a motor vehicle, comprising a gas sack, that can be inflated in order to protect a person by feeding gas into the gas sack, an openable reservoir for storing a coolant, wherein the reservoir comprises a first and a second portion, the second portion connected to the first portion, at least one outflow opening of the reservoir formed in the second portion, through which the coolant, for cooling the gas fed into the gas sack, can leave the reservoir, and a closure element for closing the outflow opening. According to the invention it is provided that the closure element divides the reservoir into the two portions, and that the coolant is arranged in the first portion, wherein the closure element seals the first portion of the reservoir with respect to the second portion of the reservoir. Further, the invention relates to a method for producing an airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Christian Schreiber, Patrick Isermann, Paarthiban Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 8128123
    Abstract: An inflator for an airbag comprises a bottle (2) containing a pressurized oxidizable gas and a bottle (4) containing a pressurized oxidizing gas, the bottles being connected with a structure (12, 16) providing a chamber (14) that has an outlet, for example provided by a conduit (16), for connection with a vehicle airbag. The bottles have respective first discharge openings (18) and further discharge openings (18a) sealed by respective sealing foils. The inflator includes a first pyrotechnic squib (22) which when fired causes the sealing foils over the first openings (18) to rupture to allow the gases from bottles (2, 4) to pass into chamber (14) and then into the airbag, and also includes a further pyrotechnic squib (22a) which is fired some time after the squib (22) and causes the sealing foils over the further openings (18a) to boost the discharge of gases from the gas bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Mats Bo Ivar Johanson, Björn Svärd
  • Patent number: 8123249
    Abstract: A gas generator has an elongated outer housing, the wall of the outer housing surrounding at least one gas carrying inner chamber. An axially extending end section of the wall of the outer housing, which is separated from the inner chamber of the gas generator with regard to flow, is constructed as a fastening section and has at least one fastening structure for connecting the gas generator with a carrier part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Zischka
  • Publication number: 20120043744
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Jordan, Scott A. Jackson, Matthew A. Cox
  • Publication number: 20120038139
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SME
    Inventors: Evrard Borg, Eric Laspesa, Jean-Paul Nadeau
  • Patent number: 8109533
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for a motor vehicle, comprising a gas sack package comprising a gas sack, an additional moveable element configured and provided to influence a state variable of the airbag, and a gas-tight protective covering that defines an inner space of the gas sack package, wherein the gas sack and the moveable element are arranged in said inner space, and a separate movement generating device configured and provided to move the moveable element. According to the invention, the movement generating device is arranged outside the inner space of the airbag package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventor: Frank Sauer
  • Publication number: 20120025504
    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 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jianlin CHEN, Atsuhiro ARAI, Yoji TASAKI
  • Patent number: 8104791
    Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18) is provided. The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the container (18), thereby exposing the membrane (22) to the fluid. The membrane (22) is configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is also rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) is provided for externally supporting the membrane (22) against pressure exerted by the fluid. The support member (28) is configured to be fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66) at least partially encased within the support member (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery S. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 8096580
    Abstract: An airbag device may include a gas generator comprising: an initiator that is activated by an impact on a vehicle; an ignition agent that is ignited by the initiator; an ignition agent housing chamber that houses the ignition agent; a gas generating agent that is ignited and burned by the ignition agent; and a combustion chamber housing the gas generating agent. An airbag may be inflated by a gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent. Further, the ignition agent housing chamber is only partially filled with the ignition agent, thereby forming a space in the ignition agent housing chamber that is not filled with the ignition agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc.
    Inventors: Ryutaro Shiraishi, Jianlin Chen, Yoji Tasaki
  • Publication number: 20120001409
    Abstract: An inflator that supplies gas in the event of a vehicle emergency and a curtain airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas introduction from the inflator are included. The curtain airbag includes an airbag body obtained by sewing a pair of base cloths together. The airbag body has, in the portion in which the gas is introduced from the inflator, a sewn part obtained by sewing a pair of edges of the base cloths. The airbag body further includes a protective cloth sewn to each of the pair of edges along the sewn part such that the sewn part is covered from the inside of the airbag body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Azuma, Shuhei Konishi
  • Patent number: 8087693
    Abstract: A cylindrical housing is mounted with an igniter and a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port. A cylindrical member is disposed and fixed in the housing so as to form a cylindrical gap reaching the gas discharge port. An obstacle is provided in the gap, and a first gas passage hole, a second gas passage hole and a third gas passage hole are formed. A gas generating agent is ignited and burnt by activation of the igniter to generate gas, part of the generated gas flows into the gap through the first gas passage hole (f1), part of the gas that has passed therethrough flows again into the cylindrical member through the second gas passage hole (f2) to aid the combustion of the gas generating agent, and then the gas flows into the gap through the third gas passage hole (f3) and finally is discharged from the gas discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamazaki, Teppei Hanano
  • Publication number: 20110316263
    Abstract: Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can be a piece of thin metal that is coupled to the airbag cushion or the inflator. The heat shield can be held in place by being attached or coupled to the airbag and/or the inflator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Larry F. Lunt, Louis A. Mueller, Mark I. Enders, Mark S. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 8083259
    Abstract: A pyrotechnical actuator unit (10) for a vehicle safety system includes an outer housing (14) made of a plastic material accommodating a pyrotechnical igniter (12) that when activated breaks the outer housing. The outer housing (14) includes first and second plastic parts (18, 20) permanently connected with each other. A gas bag module may have such an actuator unit (10). A method of manufacturing a pyrotechnical actuator unit (10) including an outer housing (14) accommodating a pyrotechnical igniter (12) and made up of first and second housing parts (48, 50) includes: producing the first housing part (48) having a recess for the pyrotechnical igniter (12), inserting the pyrotechnical igniter (12) into the recess, and injection molding the second housing part (50) onto the pyrotechnical igniter (12) and onto a first end (34) of the first housing part (48) to essentially close a receiving space (24) for the pyrotechnical igniter (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Schönhuber, Ernst Enzmann, Hannes Nuiding
  • Patent number: 8083258
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Gerrit Von Breitenbach, Björn Windhausen
  • Patent number: 8083257
    Abstract: A closure assembly for an inflator comprises a housing and an outlet plate disposed within the housing. The outlet plate has an outlet opening configured to receive a burst disk. The outlet plate is joined to the housing by a deformation resistance weld. The deformation resistance weld is formed by contacting the outlet plate with a first electrode, contacting an exterior portion of the housing with a second electrode, and applying a voltage through the first and second electrodes to adhere a portion of the housing to a portion of the outlet plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Finnigan, Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, James M. Payne, Donald E. Warren
  • Patent number: 8083256
    Abstract: An apparatus provided with an igniter assembly includes, an igniter main body having an ignition portion, provided with an ignition agent, and an electoroconductive pin, a resin portion surrounding at least part of the igniter main body and a substantially cylindrical igniter collar fixed to an outer surface of the resin portion. The igniter assembly is disposed in an opening formed in a bottom portion of a housing, the igniter collar of the igniter assembly is fixed fixed to the housing, and the igniter collar is fixed to the resin portion by deforming the igniter collar so as to engage the igniter collar with a concave portion in the resin portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110309605
    Abstract: Provided are an airbag and an airbag device, which can reduce a pressure loss while the airbag is being inflated and expanded and which can exhibit the shock absorbing force of the airbag device efficiently according to the physical features of a passenger. The airbag device comprises a gas generator for generating a gas under a predetermined condition, an airbag connected to the gas generator so that it is inflated and expanded, and a retainer for housing the airbag. This airbag includes bulges for forming externally protruded portions at the portions of the airbag, vent holes formed in the bulges, straps connected at their one-ends to the bulges and at their other ends to the inside of the airbag, and through holes for guiding the other ends of the straps into the inside of the airbag. The vent holes are arranged at such regions in the bulges that the bulges and the airbag do not overlap when the bulges are pulled by the straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Talata Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20110285115
    Abstract: A side airbag has a top edge mounted on the roof rail and is normally furled along the roof rail and stored within a housing. An inflator inflates the airbag so that the airbag unfurls downwardly from the roof rail and across the window opening. A tether is attached to at least one of the front edge and rear edges of the airbag. A tether tensioner mounted on one of the front pillar and rear pillar closest to the edge of the airbag having the tether. The tensioner has a piston slidable therein with a cylinder piston rod attached to the tether. An actuator slides the piston to tension and retract the tether, and a one-way ratchet mechanism locks the piston. Thus the tether will retain the airbag in its inflated position across the window opening and against the occupant force applied thereagainst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Putala, Kristine E. Lott
  • Patent number: 8047567
    Abstract: A gas generator, particularly for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has at least one igniter (12), a pyrotechnic solid propellant bed (22), a combustion chamber (20) containing the propellant bed (22) and at least one wall part (24), the wall part (24) being arranged in the combustion chamber (20), which is moved by a gas stream generated on activation of the gas generator into the region of the propellant bed (22) which is not yet ignited, and in its interior (25) defines a gas-directing channel reaching into the propellant bed (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Zengerle, Simon Schreiber, Karsten Schwuchow, Josef Leitl, Juergen Klimas
  • Patent number: 8047568
    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: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Juan Fernàndez, Kliment Vidolov, Dieter Markfort, Thomas Lube, Michael Hänsel
  • Publication number: 20110260437
    Abstract: An occupant protection airbag device for a vehicle includes a housing having an opening and a closed end, a strut secured to the housing adjacent the closed end and extending from the closed end toward the opening, and an inflator supported by the strut adjacent the opening and spaced from the closed end to form a storage chamber between the inflator and the closed end of the housing. The inflator is spaced from an inner wall of the housing to form a gap therebetween. An airbag is stored in a deflated condition between the inflator and the closed end of the housing, and a forward-most layer of the airbag passes through the gap and around a surface of the inflator immediately adjacent the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raf Haidar, Timothy Scott, Johannes A. Varcus
  • Publication number: 20110254255
    Abstract: To ensure that a wire wound filter can be incorporated into a base of a pressure vessel easily, the present invention provides an airbag inflator in which a pressure vessel 2 constituted by a base 2b and a diffuser 2a accommodates an igniter 3, a gas generating agent 4, a filter 21, and an inner cover 24 that covers the gas generating agent 4 and includes a bent portion 24a that contacts an inner wall of the filter 21. The filter 21 has a layered structure constituted by an inner filter 22 wound into a cylindrical shape, in which upper and lower end surfaces are formed in a tapered shape that decreases in height toward an outer peripheral side, and a wire mesh outer filter 23 that is fitted over an outer peripheral surface of the inner filter 22, excluding at least respective end portions formed in the tapered shape, and has a slightly larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the base 2b. The filter 21 is press-fitted into the base 2b. Thus, the filter can be incorporated into the base easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Jianlin Chen, Yoji Tasaki, Akinori Sakamoto, Casey Jenkins, Krista Nash
  • Publication number: 20110254254
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including, a tubular housing including, on a circumferential surface thereof, at least two gas discharge port groups having a first gas discharge port group and a second gas discharge port group, the second being separated axially from the first gas discharge port group, both being closed by a seal member, a first closing member having an ignition device and a second closing member, closing one end and the other end of the tubular housing, respectively, opening pressures P1 and P2 for opening the first and second gas discharge port groups, satisfying a relationship P1<P2, the first gas discharge port group being positioned at a center portion in the axial direction of the tubular housing or in the vicinity thereof, and the second gas discharge port group being positioned at a center portion between the first gas discharge port group and the second closing member or in the vicinity thereof, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Kenji NUMOTO
  • Patent number: 8037905
    Abstract: A method is provided for filling an enclosure with an ignitable mixture of gases. The enclosure has an outer wall comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a fill aperture extending therethrough. The method comprises delivering a predetermined amount of pressurized combustible gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture, delivering a first predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture at a first pressurization rate, delivering a second predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture at a second pressurization rate, welding a sealing member to the outer wall of the enclosure by a welding process to form a weld operable to seal the fill aperture and to permit the enclosure to store pressurized gas therein. The first pressurization rate allows the first predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas to mix with the predetermined amount of pressurized combustible gas to form an ignitable mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: John P. Sparkman, Charles M. Woods, William H. Phipps
  • Publication number: 20110248486
    Abstract: The present application provides a gas generator including: a cylindrical housing with a gas discharge port, one end of the tubular housing being closed by a closing member including a disk-shaped main body portion, an annular projection portion and the peripheral surface of the annular projection portion, a transfer charge chamber housing defining a transfer charge chamber charged with a transfer charge and being attached to the closing member, the transfer charge chamber housing having a cup-like shape including a flame-transferring hole at a bottom surface, a flange portion and a annular wall surface extending in the axial direction of the housing from the flange portion, being mounted such that the annular wall surface thereof is fitted into an annular groove, and being fixed by the flange portion pressed in the axial direction by a supporting member and a sealing member disposed in a remaining space of the annular groove and sealing between the tubular housing and the closing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Kenji NUMOTO
  • Patent number: 8029018
    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: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Juan Fernàndez, Kliment Vidolov, Dieter Markfort, Thomas Lube, Michael Hänsel
  • Patent number: 8028627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an occupant protection system, particularly for an airbag module in a motor vehicle, having an outer housing, an interior space formed in the outer housing for receiving a gas generating substance, an outflow opening for discharging gas generated in the interior space out of the gas generator, and a flow connection between the interior space and the outflow opening. According to the invention, the cross section of the flow connection between the interior space and the outflow opening is designed to be temperature-dependently variable. Further, a method for influencing a gas flow in a gas generator is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventor: Jiang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110233908
    Abstract: A gas generating device includes a housing and a squib. The housing includes a housing body which accommodates a gas generating agent, a holder which holds a squib, and a connector which connects the housing and the holder to each other. A housing body is connected to the holder so that an annular contact portion is pressed toward the holder. The holder includes a holder body and a resinous molding portion which is interposed between the holder body and the squib. The resinous molding portion includes a flange portion with which the annular contact portion comes into contact. The holder body includes a support portion capable of supporting the flange portion when the housing body and the holder are connected to each other by the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianlin Chen, Yoshitaka Kashitani, Takashi Uemura
  • Patent number: 8025012
    Abstract: An inflator according to this invention has a structure that an interior part of a housing is charged with a pressurized gas and a gas generating agent capable of generating a gas when combusted, wherein the pressurized gas formed only of an inert gas; a quantity of heat to be generated when the gas generating agent is combusted is set within a range of 6000 to 10000 J/g; and a molar ratio between the pressurized gas and the combustion gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent is set within a range of 20 to 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akimitsu Tanaka, Junichi Asanuma, Yuji Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 8025310
    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: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Juan Fernàndez, Kliment Vidolov, Dieter Markfort, Thomas Lube, Michael Hänsel
  • Publication number: 20110221175
    Abstract: A gas generator including: a housing having a circumferential wall portion with a gas discharge port, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end and the second end are both closed, a cup-shaped inner tube member disposed in the housing, an inside thereof being an ignition chamber accommodating an ignition device, an outside thereof being a combustion chamber charged with a gas generating agent, a bottom surface of the cup-shaped 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 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, a passage for the combustion product formed between an inner wall surface of the cup-shaped inner tube member and the igniter attaching portion, and reaching the ventilating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: DAICEL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Naoki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20110221174
    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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. COX, Bradley W. Smith, Robert D. Taylor, Gary K. Lund, Michael P. Jordan, Ivan V. Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20110221176
    Abstract: A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at least two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Fabien Cristoforetti, Dleter Spitzenberger
  • Publication number: 20110215559
    Abstract: An airbag configuration is provided for a motor vehicle, having an airbag and a filling device for filling the airbag, the airbag configuration being provided for an installed location in the motor vehicle, in which an airbag reserve is situated in an unfilled storage position above a lower edge of the filling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Ulrich RICK
  • Patent number: 8011302
    Abstract: The present invention related to a pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety, comprising a sealed housing (1), which contains: —at least one combustion chamber (C) containing a pyrotechnic charge (3), the combustion of which is initiated by an initiator (2) associated with the chamber; —at least one plenum chamber (T) for receiving the gases generated by the combustion of the charge (3) for removing them to the exterior, via at least one discharge aperture (10) formed in said housing (1). It is characterized in that said housing (1) also contains means (R) for temporarily storing at least some of the combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Xavier Abaziou
  • Publication number: 20110210535
    Abstract: There is provided an ignition system which is capable of surely operating by electric energy stored in a capacitor for ignition while separating an igniter from electric circuits for communication and ignition without producing improper operation through static electricity and noise and is compact and excellent in the productivity. An ignition system comprises an igniter, which includes a cup body having an opening at one end, a closure plug for sealing the opening of the cup body, an ignition powder filled in the inside of the cup body and an SCB chip mounted on the closure plug and electrically connected to the electrode pins for causing the ignition powder to ignite upon energization, and a connector for connecting the igniter to an ECU, wherein a circuit for ASIC is arranged in the connector to cause ignition by discharge from a capacitor for ignition incorporated in the circuit for ASIC, and a capacitor for electrostatic protection is electrically connected in parallel to the SCB chip within the igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Koike, Shigeru Maeda, Hirotaka Mukunoki
  • Publication number: 20110193330
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including, a housing having a circumferential wall including a gas discharge port, a first end, and a second end, a inner tube member disposed in the housing, an outer space thereof defines a combustion chamber charged with a gas generating agent, an outer circumference cylindrical member provided within the housing 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 (A1) of the gas discharge port being smaller than a
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: DAICEL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Naoki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7992896
    Abstract: A gas generator for a safety system includes an explosible charge formed at least by a primary pyrotechnic compound, in a first chamber initiated by at least one initiator provided with a reinforcing charge and a secondary compound, in a second chamber, the decomposition of which is entailed by products of combustion of the primary compound, an interaction of the products of combustion of the primary compound and those of the secondary compound through an oxidation-reduction reaction occurring in a slightly confined volume, the first chamber communicating with said second chamber through a central nozzle and said second chamber being provided, at a first zone close to said first chamber, with orifices that discharge the gases and contain, in a second zone, said secondary compound; and means forming an obstacle to the passage of the gases installed in said second chamber between said first and second zones, said obstacle-forming means allowing the gases to pass into a central part and forming an obstacle to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Seva Technologies
    Inventors: Paul-Philippe Cord, Fabien Béteille, Sylvie Martinel, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7988192
    Abstract: A gas generator includes, a cylindrical housing having a port and closed at both ends, an ignition device attached to one end of the housing, a first chamber provided in the housing at a position close to the ignition device and filled with a first agent, a cylindrical filter provided in a space adjacent to the first chamber, a second chamber provided inside the filter and filled with a second agent, and a retainer disposed between the first and second chambers, the retainer having an annular flat surface and an annular circumferential wall surface that protrudes from an inner circumferential edge of the annular flat surface, the annular flat surface abutting one end of the filter and the annular circumferential wall surface abutting a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the filter, an inner diameter of the second chamber being smaller than that of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Numoto, Yasunori Iwai
  • Publication number: 20110181030
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a first flexible housing, a first flexible, porous covering an exterior surface of the first housing, and a second flexible, porous covering wound over the first covering so as to form a plurality of layers covering the first covering. At least one plenum is formed between adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Sean P. Burns
  • Publication number: 20110169253
    Abstract: An airbag module for use in a vehicle to provide restraint to an occupant of the vehicle. The module includes a cushion pack having an inflatable airbag cushion configured to inflate to restrain the occupant of the vehicle. An inflator is provided to supply inflation gas for inflating the airbag cushion. The module also includes an annular retaining member engaged with the cushion pack to thereby retain a portion of the cushion pack in the airbag module during deployment of the airbag cushion. An annular locking member is connected to the retaining member and to the inflator and is configured to prohibit substantial displacement of the inflator relative to the locking member during deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Jerome BOSCH
  • Publication number: 20110169254
    Abstract: Airbag inflators employ gas generating compositions formed from a mixture of fuels and a mixture of oxidizers and preferably mica at levels of 1 to 5% by weight. The gas generant composition contains a primary and secondary fuel. The primary fuel is a guanidine compound, preferably guanidine nitrate. The secondary fuel is selected from tetrazoles, triazoles and mixtures thereof at levels of 5% by weight or less of the total gas generant composition. The oxidizer system is a mixture of at least two components selected from the group consisting of transition metal oxides, alkali metal nitrates and alkaline earth metal nitrates. The novel gas generants yield inflating gases having a reduced content of undesirable gases such as nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luca Bert
  • Patent number: 7976061
    Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle is provided. The combustion chamber assembly comprising a combustion chamber housing, which encloses a combustion chamber, and a housing receptacle, in which the combustion chamber housing is to be disposed such that the combustion chamber housing with the outer surface thereof is running along an inner surface of the housing receptacle. Discharge regions being respectively provided in the combustion chamber housing and in the housing receptacle, said regions being spatially associated with one another such that gas generated in the combustion chamber may discharge through the discharge regions of the combustion chamber housing and the housing receptacle into the surroundings. At least one indentation is formed on the combustion chamber housing and/or on the housing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Stephen Kimmich, Björn Windhausen
  • Patent number: 7976062
    Abstract: An airbag module comprising an airbag and a tubular gas generator that can be fastened to a module housing is provided. Said gas generator having gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof. The tubular gas generator can be fastened to the module housing using two clamp rings which can move along the tubular gas generator and along sections of the module housing. The module housing comprises an opening at the base thereof for introducing the tubular gas generator. A support for the tubular gas generator is disposed at the module housing below said opening, wherein the support has a smaller length than the tubular gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Tobias Fechner, Sebastian Meisenzahl
  • Patent number: 7966920
    Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag deployment device that includes a containment vessel and a retention rack disposed within the containment vessel, wherein the retention rack comprises at least one container, and wherein at least one airbag pyrotechnic actuator may be placed within the at least one container and secured through utilization of at least one pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Lee Martin
  • Patent number: 7967333
    Abstract: An inflator includes a housing and a gas generant disposed in the housing for creating a source of inflation gas. An initiator is disposed in the housing for producing a source of energy to ignite the gas generant. A distributor is disposed between the initiator and the gas generant. The distributor defines at least two distinct flow paths for distributing the source of energy to the gas generant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Clint Staheli, Bradley W Smith, David Parkinson, Brett Hussey
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110140400
    Abstract: An airbag, wherein gas is appropriately discharged from a vent hole by preventing a vent hole cover from being positionally displaced relative to the vent hole. An airbag (30) is provided with a cover guide member (70) which allows a vent hole cover (60) to move at a predetermined bag inner pressure to open a vent hole (34). The cover guide member has an opening (77) formed at a position corresponding to the vent hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Chida, Makoto Nagai, Hiroyuki Nozaki