Inflation Fluid Source Patents (Class 280/741)
  • Patent number: 7802813
    Abstract: A tubular part for fixing and holding a fixing object part inserted therein, the fixing object part being fixed by inwardly crimping a circumferential wall on a side of one end opening of the tubular part, including: the tubular part having a chamfered corner on an inner peripheral side of the circumferential wall on the side of one end opening, a degree of chamfering being such that chamfering is performed between a point at a thickness T1 measured from an outer circumferential surface of the one end opening and a point at a length L1 measured from an end surface of the opening, and when a thickness of the circumferential wall of the opening is represented as T, (T?T1)/T being 0.05 to 0.9 and (T?T1)/L1 being 0.8 to 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Yamashita, Teruhiko Oshio
  • Patent number: 7802812
    Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a housing (12), a first end closure (22) secured to the housing (12) for hermetically sealing a first end portion of the housing, and a first bore seal (26) formed separately from the first end closure (22) and secured to the first end closure (22) for mounting a first gas generant combustion initiation mechanism (24) therein. The gas generator (10) may include single-stage and/or dual-stage capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Christopher T. Sledz
  • Publication number: 20100230944
    Abstract: In a hood airbag device for use in a vehicle, left and right bag-expansion openings are formed at the rear end portion of the outer hood panel in a hood width direction, and the deployment positions of corresponding left and right airbags are controlled or restrained by the bag-expansion openings, respectively. Further, the hood-center side ends (60L?) of the left air bag (60L) and the hood-center side ends (60R?) of the right air bag (60R) are adapted to press against each other when they are deployed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the airbags from being raised up by a wind pressure or the like and to quickly deploy the airbags over a broad extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Sotaro Narita, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Takayuki Takimoto
  • Publication number: 20100230941
    Abstract: A restraining system includes a restraining volume that is bounded by a cladding, and is deployable by expansion of the restraining volume, to restrain or protect an object or person. Deployment of the restraining volume by expanding it into a restraining position is performed by a mechanical enlarging unit, rather than by a pyrotechnic gas generator, so that the restraining system may be restored to a storage position following a deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter, Clark Ruedebusch
  • Publication number: 20100230945
    Abstract: A gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) is a monolithic compressed solid that has a linear burn rate of greater than or equal to about 1.6 inches per second at a pressure of about 3,000 pounds per square inch. The gas generant can be in the form of an annular disk having a plurality of apertures. The gas generant may be substantially free of binder and may have a low initial surface area which progressively increases during burning. The gas generant provides a gas generation profile that improves restraint of vehicle occupants, including those occupants that are out-of-position. Additionally, the shaped gas generant decreases occupant exposure to toxic effluent combustion products and solid respirable particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Hussey, Ivan Mendenhall, Roger Bradford
  • Publication number: 20100230942
    Abstract: A gas generator comprising a housing having a mixing chamber and a pyrotechnic charge in the housing. A container having a liquid therein is disposed in the housing and has an open end and a closed end, with an end cap closing the open end and having a piston portion removably connected thereto and being movable within the liquid container to pressurize the liquid therein when the piston portion is separated from the end cap. The piston portion is positioned to be exposed to combustion gas from the pyrotechnic charge when it is ignited and is separable from the end cap when the combustion gas exceeds a predetermined pressure. In another embodiment, the liquid container may be a collapsible tube. The closed end of the liquid container has a weakened portion constructed to be opened when the pressure of the liquid in the container exceeds a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ARC Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Rose, Lawrence Edward Herriford, Stephen Craig Gold, Brian Orgyle Thomas, Judah Lee Wilkins, Robb Calvin Isbell
  • Patent number: 7793974
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator for a restraining apparatus of a vehicle including: a housing having a gas discharge port; a gas source; and an ignition device accommodated inside the housing, the ignition device being connected to an outer power source through an opening of the housing, the ignition device including a igniter body which has a conductive pin and is fixed by crimping an igniter collar, the igniter collar having a plug-accommodating chamber for inserting a plug to be connected with the conductive pin, at least part of a wall surface of the plug-accommodating chamber being formed by a holder which is an independent member formed of a non-electroconductive material and is disposed inside the igniter collar, the holder being fixed in a state of contact with the igniter collar and a housing wall surface including a circumferential edge of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20100225099
    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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: RYUTARO SHIRAISHI, Jianlin Chen, Yoji Tasaki
  • Publication number: 20100219622
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen Kimmich, Björn Windhausen
  • Patent number: 7784829
    Abstract: A gas generator, relating to a gas generator for a side air bag or the like, is provided. The gas generator has an inner cylindrical member is stored in a housing, wherein the inner cylindrical member has a second outside diameter portion abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the housing, and a first outside diameter portion smaller in outside diameter than the second outside diameter portion, the tip end of the first outside diameter portion side abuts against the closed end portion (one end portion) of the housing, the filter is provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical member in the radial direction of the first outside diameter portion, and the ignition means is provided on the opposite end portion (the other end) from the closed end portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masoto Hirooka, Naoki Matsuda, Kenji Numoto
  • Patent number: 7784827
    Abstract: An airbag inflator that contains a first quantity of inflation gas. This gas may be housed in a chamber. A quantity of liquid fuel may also be added. This fuel may be housed within a liquid fuel chamber. The quantity of inflation gas may operate to pressurize the liquid fuel chamber. A piezo-valve is also added. The piezo-valve seals the liquid fuel chamber. The piezo-valve is capable of variably releasing liquid fuel from the chamber such that when this secondary liquid is ignited, the airbag inflation gas can be augmented as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Brent A. Parks
  • Publication number: 20100213694
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Ingo Kalliske, Christian Schreiber, Michael Hänsel, Kazuhiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7780193
    Abstract: A gas generator (1A) comprising: an ignition chamber (13) in which an igniter (12) and an enhancer agent (14) stored therein; a first combustion chamber (23) and a second combustion chamber (33) in which gas generating agent (24, 34) stored therein respectively; a first transfer path (15) communicating the ignition chamber (13) with the first combustion chamber (23); and a second transfer path (16) communicating the ignition chamber (13) with the second combustion chamber (33). The first transfer path (15) and second transfer path (16) are disposed to be displaced in parallel such that a center line (15a) of the first transfer path (15) and a center line (16a) of the second transfer path (16) do not overlap on the same straight line. Because of such a configuration, in a gas generator having two or more gas output portions driven by one igniter, it becomes possible that an effect of combustion of a gas generating agent in each combustion chamber is substantially or completely independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Hayakawa, Shougo Matono
  • Publication number: 20100207369
    Abstract: A vehicle air bag system, which can facilitate confirmation of a state of an introduction part of an air bag housed in a cover, includes an air bag having an introduction part into which an inflator is inserted, and a general part that inflates and expands vertically downward in a vehicle interior. A cover houses the introduction part and the general part in parallel. An observation window is formed in the cover at a position corresponding to the introduction part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Okimoto, Masatoshi Yokota
  • Publication number: 20100201110
    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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Juan Fernàndez, Kliment Vidolov, Dieter Markfort, Thomas Lube, Michael Hänsel
  • Publication number: 20100201111
    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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Masayuki YAMAZAKI, Teppei Hanano
  • Patent number: 7770924
    Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid and a piston are also housed within another chamber. This chamber is sealed by a burst disk. The piston includes an opening. During deployment of the inflator, the burst disk is ruptured and the piston moves towards the distal end of the inflator. The movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through the opening in the piston such that the liquid cools and contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith, David W. Parkinson, Brent A. Parks
  • Patent number: 7770923
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure of an inflater inside cylinder for an air bag for a vehicle, which lengthens the discharge course for gas generated from the inflater inside cylinder, thus preventing injury or damage due to high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and which is convenient to manufacture, is light, and has a low manufacturing cost thereof. According to the present invention, the air bag includes an outside cylinder and an inside cylinder, each having in a circumferential surface thereof a plurality of holes. In this case, the inside cylinder includes at least two cylindrical embossed steel plates, the plurality of holes being formed in embossed parts of the cylindrical embossed steel plates, which protrude outward or inwards from circumferential surfaces of the embossed steel plates so as to extend a gas discharge course. A mesh net is provided between the at least two cylindrical embossed steel plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dae Ah Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee Sok Woo
  • Publication number: 20100194085
    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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Dale E. Tauchen, Joshua D. VanHooser
  • Publication number: 20100187796
    Abstract: First and second panels of air bag material are secured to one another with at least one seam defining a portion of a perimeter of a cavity bounded by the first and second panels, which is open along at least one unseamed portion extending along the first and second panels between endpoints of at least one seam. An opening in the second panel receives an end portion of an air bag inflator. Inflation gas generated by the air bag inflator is discharged into the air bag through the at least one unseamed portion, at least one of which is oriented downwards when installed in a vehicle. An air bag module cover incorporates first and second laterally opening door portions and a lower downward opening door portion that provide for a downward and outward initial deployment of the air bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Vivekananda S. Maripudi
  • Patent number: 7762585
    Abstract: A baffle system (30) for use in a gas generating system (10). The baffle system (30) includes a plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86), each plate of the plurality of adjacent plates having at least one through orifice formed therein. Each orifice in any given plate of the plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86) is in fluid communication with at least one orifice in each plate adjacent the given plate so as to provide at least one gas flow path extending through the plurality of adjacent plates. A gas generating system (10) incorporating the baffle system (30), and a vehicle occupant protection system (180) incorporating the gas generating system (10), are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald B. Patterson, Scott A. Mason
  • Publication number: 20100181748
    Abstract: A squib comprising a cup body, a cup body cover, and a header for holding a plurality of electrode pins insulated from one another and closing the opening portion of the cup body, wherein the internal of the cup body has an ignition powder, and a heating element connected to the electrode pins for igniting the ignition powder by externally applying electric current arranged in contact with the ignition powder, wherein a metal cylindrical or ring restraining member is provided in the outer periphery of the cup body and covered around with the cup body cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Nakamura, Takatoshi Tsukamoto, Shigeru Maeda, Hirotaka Mukunoki, Hideyuki Koike
  • Patent number: 7758070
    Abstract: An inflator for a restraining system for a vehicle includes: an inflator housing storing a gas generation source, a diffuser having a plurality of gas discharge holes for discharging gas provided within the inflator housing, a gas discharge channel member including a gas outlet port and being attached to cover an outer surface of the diffuser, the gas discharge channel member having a gas-introducing port communicating with at least one of the gas discharge holes and a pin-introducing port communicating with at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes, and the diffuser and the gas discharge channel member, fixed by a fixing pin inserted into both of the at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes and the pin-introducing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Katsuda, Mikio Yabuta
  • Publication number: 20100176580
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Dale E. Tauchen
  • Patent number: 7748730
    Abstract: Deployment performance of an airbag may be improved by improving an air tightness of an leg airbag system that includes a knee airbag for restraining occupant's legs and a gas generator that generates a jet of gas to inflate the knee airbag. An end of the gas generator is connected to a gas generator ignition control cable and passes through an insertion opening. The insertion opening has an area smaller than a cross section area of the end of the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Kashiwagi
  • Publication number: 20100164210
    Abstract: An airbag 11 is provided with a first bag 35 as a bag formed by joining base fabrics 35A, 35B, which includes a gas inlet 35a for supplying pressure fluid fed from an inflator 13 inward and a discharge passage 35t for discharging the pressure fluid supplied inward to an outside, a second bag 36 as a bag formed by joining base fabrics 36A, 36B, which includes an intake passage 36i for introducing the pressure fluid discharged from the discharge passage 35t of the first bag 35 inward, and a passage joint member 60 for joining the discharge passage 35t of the first bag 35 and the intake passage 36i of the second bag 36 while maintaining each cross section shape of the passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Sugimoto, Takeshi Sone
  • Patent number: 7744124
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus provided with an igniter assembly including: an igniter main body having an ignition portion, provided with an ignition agent, and an electroconductive 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 being disposed in an opening formed in a bottom portion of a housing, the igniter collar of the igniter assembly being fixed to the housing, the igniter collar fixing to the resin portion y deforming the igniter collar so as to engage the igniter collar with a concave portion in the resin portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7740273
    Abstract: Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, a housing and a gas generating system arranged in the housing for generating gas. The gas generating system provides variable amounts of gas to the airbag as a function of temperature. A nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, the nozzle being varied as a function of temperature. The housing may be movably arranged relative to a fixed base and mounted to vary its relation to the base. To this end, elastic or temperature-deformable supports may be used to support the housing on the base. When the housing defines a chamber containing generated gas, the properties of a conduit between the chamber and the interior of the airbag can be varied as function of the pressure in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 7735861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device. The generator includes at least a combustion chamber and a gas tank. The combustion chamber contains a pyrotechnic initiator and pyrotechnic charge for generating gas and including at least one oxidizing material. Combustion of the charge is triggered by the initiator. The gas tank is closed towards the combustion chamber by a capsule. The capsule is suitable for giving way during combustion of the charge in order to release the gas from the tank and exhaust it towards the outside. The combustion chamber contains a metal charge of at least one metal. The metal charge is distinct from the pyrotechnic charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Cyrille Poindron, Laurent Costecalde, Catherine Luquet, Ludovic Lageat
  • Patent number: 7726686
    Abstract: A containment device for an inflator, the containment device comprising: an outlet plate having an outlet opening; a burst disk disposed over the outlet opening; an initiator having a support member; a movable support disposed between the support member and the burst disk, the support providing support to the burst disk; wherein activation of the initiator causes the movable support to move which allows the burst disk to rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Warren, David A. Pray
  • Patent number: 7726687
    Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator that may be used in an airbag system is disclosed. The inflator will generally include a housing and two initiators. Accordingly, the inflator is a “dual-stage” inflator. The two stages are disposed within the housing. The second initiator is disposed within a second stage generant cup. A cap is also used to engage the second stage cup. The cap maintains seated engagement with the second stage cup, even during deployment of the second stage. The second stage will also include one or more perforations, which constitute openings through which gas may flow. When the second initiator is in the unactuated state, these perforations will be isolated from the generant by the cap. Actuation of the second initiator unseals the one or more perforations but does not unseat the cap from the cup, due to constraints put in place to prevent such unseating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac L. Hoffman, Kirk Rasmussen, Bradley W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7721915
    Abstract: A dual stage hybrid inflation device includes a first stage gas source including a liquefied gas stored in a first stage pressure vessel and a second stage gas source including a gas generator having a gas output directed into the first stage pressure vessel. The gas generator is isolated from the first stage pressure vessel by a frangible diaphragm that ruptures when the pressure in the gas generator exceeds the pressure in the first stage pressure vessel by a predetermined amount. The gas generator is also isolated from the first stage pressure vessel by an eroding nozzle that temporarily restricts the flow of gas from the gas generator to the first stage pressure vessel after the frangible diaphragm ruptures. The eroding nozzle initially restricts the flow of gas from the gas generator to the first stage pressure vessel to prevent a sudden pressure drop in the gas generator that would cause the pyrotechnic gas generating material to self extinguish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bock, Gregory L. Wiebers
  • Publication number: 20100117345
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Joshua D. VanHooser, Dale E. Tauchen
  • Publication number: 20100117344
    Abstract: A gas generator for a vehicle passenger protection device. The gas generator includes a combustion chamber in which a gas-generating charge is arranged. A conical deposition chamber is provided that has a first wall, within which a plurality of gas through-holes are formed, and at least one second wall which extends at an angle from the first wall and within which at least one blow-off hole is formed. Gas generated inside the combustion chamber enters the deposition chamber through the gas through-holes and leaves the deposition chamber through the at least one blow-off hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Björn Windhausen, Heiko Kratz
  • Patent number: 7712780
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile, or more generally, a gas generator. The inflator includes an inflator body having a plurality of inflation apertures and defining a first combustion chamber wherein a first propellant charge is positioned. At least one annular spring containing a cushion is provided for maintaining the integrity of the shape of the propellant charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley D. Pack, David T. Schumann
  • Publication number: 20100109304
    Abstract: A firing agent which is used in a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device together with a non-azide gas generating agent, for firing the non-azide gas generating agent, wherein the firing agent contains a fuel and an oxidizing agent and is configured to burn at a combustion speed higher than that of the non-azide gas generating agent; a method for using the firing agent; and a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device using the firing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: NOF CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya SERIZAWA, Tomonori TASAKI, Katsuhiko TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20100109295
    Abstract: A gas generating system for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided wherein an end closure is coupled to an outer housing at a first end, in a metal-to-metal seal. The gas generating system may also include a baffle system having a plurality of flow orifices defining a flow path for generated gases through an interior of the gas generating system, and a plurality of particulate aggregation surfaces positioned along the flow path of the gases for changing a flow direction of gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces. Each aggregation surface of the plurality of aggregation surfaces is oriented such that a difference between a flow direction of the gases prior to impinging on the aggregation surface and a flow direction of the gases after impinging on the aggregation surface is at least approximately 90°, wherein particulates in gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces aggregate on the surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: David M. McCormick, Robert M. Hardenburg, Bernardo V. Vergara
  • Publication number: 20100096843
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter for a gas generator, by which a filter having a good shape retaining property can be obtained, is provided. A method of manufacturing a filter for a gas generator in which a tubular material is formed by knitting copper-plated iron wires, molten plated copper is adhered to an intersecting portion of the iron wire to fix the intersecting portion, wherein the method comprises a molding step for producing a tubular material by knitting the copper-plated iron wires, and a heat processing step in which the above tubular material is kept at a temperature not less than a melting point of copper but less than the temperature of sintering of the iron, and is then cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Kazumitsu Shiomi, Chiharu Shiomi, Yuka Shiomi, Chika Shiomi, Kazuya Koyama, Naoki Matsuda, Eiichi Ryobo, Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20100096844
    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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Clint STAHELI, Bradley W. SMITH, David PARKINSON, Brett HUSSEY
  • Patent number: 7695009
    Abstract: An inflator for an air-bag comprises a single gas bottle (1) containing the pressurised gas. The pressurised gas is a mixture including at least one oxidisable gas and at least one oxidising gas. The inflator incorporates a mechanism (20) to open the gas bottle to enable gas to flow from the gas bottle to the interior of an air-bag (13). There is an initiating device (30) within the air-bag in the form of a spark generator which generates a spark across electrodes (31) to ignite the mixture of gas from the gas bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Mats Johanson, Bjön Svärd, Peter Qvint
  • Patent number: 7690680
    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: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Juan Fernàndez, Kliment Vidolov, Dieter Markfort, Thomas Lube, Michael Hänsel
  • Publication number: 20100078922
    Abstract: An inflator bottle adapted for controlled release of product gas to deploy an inflatable cushion and a method thereof is provided. The inflator bottle comprises a compartment filled with a combustible gas mixture having a partition that divides the compartment into a first region and a second region. Upon a crash event, an igniter on the inflator bottle ignites initiating combustion in the first region. Combustion propagates in the first region toward a nozzle building pressure in the first region sufficient to rupture a burst disk over the passage of the nozzle releasing product gas through the nozzle. The release of product gas through the nozzle draws combustible gas mixture from the second region flowing through the gas portal on the partition into the first region for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: John Paul Sparkman, Charles M. Woods, William H. Phipps
  • Patent number: 7686330
    Abstract: A gas generator has a tubular housing in which a combustion chamber containing a propellant charge, an outflow chamber and a clearance volume are disposed, positioned behind one another axially. A partition disk is provided between the clearance volume and the outflow chamber and has a central opening and an integrally formed tube section which surrounds the opening and extends to its free end away from the clearance volume towards the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Meixner, Helmut Pritz
  • Patent number: 7686329
    Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes an airbag that may be inflated for restraining a person, at least one outlet opening for releasing gas out of the module and originating at least partially from the inflated airbag, and a reservoir containing coolant for cooling the gas released from the module through the outlet opening. The reservoir includes a wall that sealingly encloses the coolant and is opened to bring the coolant into direct contact with the released gas to cool the released gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Meissner, Axel Heym, Andreas Pradel, Thomas Lube, Gudrun Schliecker
  • Publication number: 20100072736
    Abstract: An ignition element mounting capacitor having an ignition element mounted on a capacitor, includes therein a first capacitor section and a second capacitor section, and first external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the first capacitor section and second external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the second capacitor section. The first capacitor section has a capacity for igniting ignition powder, and the second capacitor section has a function for removing noise which affects external circuits. Further, provided on the surface of the capacitor are third external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the ignition element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicants: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA, MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., RYODEN TRADING COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Atsushi Ishida, Katsuki Nakanishi, Yoshihiro Koshido, Hajime Yamada, Naoko Aizawa, Yasuaki Matsumura, Toshiaki Furuya
  • Patent number: 7681915
    Abstract: A tube partitioning method that can manufacture an airtight tube with a reduced number of processes and thus a reduced manufacturing cost, and a gas generator using the tube. The tube partitioning method includes first and second processes partitioning or closing a hollow portion of a tube made of metal at a predetermined location using a partitioning plate, and a gas generator uses the tube. In the first process, the partitioning plate is inserted in the tube, with its surfaces oriented substantially vertically with respect to a longitudinal direction of the tube. In the second process, the partitioning plate is disposed at a predetermined location in the tube and the tube is crimped from its peripheral face at locations adjacent to the predetermined location, whereby the partitioning plate is bitten 0.1 mm or more into a wall of the tube from a peripheral edge face thereof to bring the tube and the partitioning plate into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha, Sunrise Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshida, Takeo Sukeyasu
  • Publication number: 20100066067
    Abstract: A header assembly includes a header holding a plurality of electrode pins to be insulated from one another, an ignition element mounting capacitor having at the center of its outer circumferential surfaces external terminal electrodes for electrically connecting to an ignition element mounted on the capacitor, an IC having first, second, and third electrode pads to be electrically connected to end electrodes of the ignition element mounting capacitor and the external terminal electrodes and further having connection electrodes to be electrically connected to the electrode pins of the header for communication with the external. The IC is located on the header, and the ignition element mounting capacitor is located on the IC and electrically connected to the electrode pins through the connection electrodes provided on the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicants: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA, RYODEN TRADING COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Dairi Kubo, Yasuaki Matsumura, Toshiaki Furuya
  • Publication number: 20100059975
    Abstract: A method for producing a gas generator for installation in a motor vehicle airbag device includes providing a housing of the gas generator in a pressure chamber. The housing has an opening formed by an absence of a base of the housing and is filled with gas through the opening. The method includes providing a closure formed by the housing base in the pressure chamber. The closure is configured to provide gas-tight closure of the opening. The method includes fixing the housing in the pressure chamber transverse to a first direction, forming an annular gap between the closure and an edge of the housing by spacing the closure from the housing in the first direction using a first electrode, introducing gas into the pressure chamber and housing via the opening, and connecting the closure to the housing such that the closure covers the opening in a gas-tight closed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Sattler, Joachim Hock
  • Patent number: 7673900
    Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, first and second inflators, a gas-supply mechanism and a release member for connecting between a holding structure and the airbag. Gas generated by the second inflator is supplied into the airbag when the release member is pulled by the airbag while gas generated by the first inflator inflates the airbag. According to the airbag device, a gas amount supplied into an airbag can be switched according to an occupant's seating position without equipping a sensor for measuring a distance between an occupant and the airbag or a control device for computing the gas amount supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Tomoko Ninomiya
  • Publication number: 20100052299
    Abstract: An inflator for an airbag is provided. The inflator can include a housing that has a first end and a second end. The inflator can also include a gas generant disposed in the housing that defines a bore. The inflator can include an igniter coupled to the first end of the housing that can detonate the gas generant upon receipt of a signal. The inflator can further include a temporary closure coupled to the second end of the housing that can be opened to provide an exit out of the housing. The ignition of the igniter can generate a shockwave that passes through the bore to open the temporary closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Bryce ROBINETTE, Ken CLARK
  • Patent number: 5211273
    Abstract: A unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type is provided having an inner race member defining an inner race surface, an outer race member defining an outer race surface and a plurality of thrust transmitting cylindrical rollers therebetween. Each of the rollers makes line contact with the inner race surface and line contact with the outer race surface along generators of these surfaces. A biasing member is provided for biasing the inner and outer race surfaces axially toward one another to maintain the rollers in line contact with both inner and outer race surfaces. The inner race member is connected to a driven member and the outer race member is connected to a driving member. Torque is transmitted between the driven and driving members causing the biasing member to impose a net axial force on the inner race member tending to urge the inner and outer race surfaces toward one another axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Hybo Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf R. Castens