Abstract: Disclosed is a device for generating a volume of gas from solid and liquid generates. In one particular embodiment, a volume of nitrogen gas is generated by combining the output of Sodium Azide and liquid nitrogen. A vacuum is initially maintained about the liquid nitrogen container by way of a dewar jacket. The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing the disclosed gas generating device.

Abstract: The present invention provides assembly for use with a cartridge for the generation of hydrogen and a method for bonding metals with the cartridge. The cartridge includes a case, an igniter, and a structural component. The case defines an interior cavity and the igniter is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is also positioned within the cavity and is formed of a particulate embedded in a matrix and the particulate includes a metallic material. An oxidizing agent is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is configured such that the metallic material and the oxidizing agent react together to generate hydrogen after the igniter generates sufficient heat to remove the matrix from the structural component and to initiate the reaction between the metallic material and the oxidizing agent. The cartridge is positioned within the assembly relative to a metal flyer such that when the cartridge is discharged, the flyer is bonded to a metal anvil.

Abstract: A gas generating system usable in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided. The system includes an outer housing having an outer diameter varying within a range of approximately 16 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters. A vehicle occupant protection system and an airbag module including the gas generating system are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials (10), comprising a closed enclosure (8) and a system (12, 16) for securing said closed enclosure, said system comprising catalytic means (12) for recombining hydrogen and oxygen into water, placed in said closed enclosure. According to the invention, the system for securing said closed enclosure further comprises a device (16) for the controlled release of oxygen in said closed enclosure (8).

Abstract: A reducing gas generator generates reducing gas including ammonia. The generator includes a solid reductant and a heat-generating portion. The solid reductant is formed in a columnar shape. A cross-sectional surface of the solid reductant has a constant shape and is perpendicular to a central axis of the solid reductant. The heat-generating portion includes a heat-generating surface opposed to a lower surface of the solid reductant in a vertical direction thereof and in contact with an entire region of the lower surface, and a heating element that heats the heat-generating surface when energized, so that the solid reductant is heated and decomposed to generate the reducing gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for the generation of hydrogen. The cartridge includes a case, an igniter, and a structural component. The case defines an interior cavity and the igniter is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is also positioned within the cavity and is formed of a particulate embedded in a matrix and the particulate includes a metallic material. An oxidizing agent is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is configured such that the metallic material and the oxidizing agent react together to generate hydrogen after the igniter generates sufficient heat to remove the matrix from the structural component and to initiate the reaction between the metallic material and the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A gas generator 10 contains a baffle assembly for cooling of gases. An imperforate housing 46 is contained within the gas generator 10. A perforate housing 30 is contained within the imperforate housing 46. At least one orifice 70/72 is formed within the baffle assembly, where the orifice 70/72 is formed at the juncture 57 of the baffle assembly 12 and the perforate housing 30, at a second end of the perforate housing 30. Upon activation of the gas generator 10, gases produced are shunted through the orifice 70/72 and into the baffle assembly 12 for cooling and filtration thereof.

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.

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator incorporating staged gas cooling and filtration so as to generate cool, clean gases having a composition suitable for use as automobile airbag inflator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-wire pyrotechnic initiator unit intended for motor-vehicle safety. The initiator unit comprises a socket molded over electrodes which are connected, on the one hand, to a pyrotechnic ignition device and, on the other hand, to unstripped electrical wires via deformable conducting pincers capable of cutting the insulating sheath of the wires. The wires are supported by an elastic ring which can be snap-fastened in the socket and which presses the conducting pincers. The initiator unit is useful for manufacturing two wire pyrotechnic gas generators for inflatable cushions or seat belt tensioners in which the unstripped wires are only incorporated at the end of the assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas microgenerator intended more particularly for automobile safety. The microgenerator (1) comprises an igniter support (2) provided with a central bore (3) extended by a cylindrical neck (4) in which an igniter body (5) is fixed by crimping, two electrodes (8, 9) passing through this igniter body. A resistor (10) embedded in an ignition composition (11) links the two electrodes together. A shatterable case (13) containing an ignition powder (14) surrounds the resistor and the ignition composition. The electrodes in their lower part include cutting slots into which are inserted two electrically conducting sheathed wires (20, 21) coming from a supply cable (19). A closure piece (24), which is snap-fitted into the central bore locks the microgenerator. The microgenerator can be used to operate a belt retractor or to ignite a generator intended to inflate an airbag.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved igniter for airbags wherein the igniter is combined with an airbag assembly fixedly making metal-to-metal communication.

Abstract: Igniters for use in airbag inflators are disclosed. The igniters are fabricated of consumable materials which produce essentially no solid by-products. The igniters, or parts thereof, can be formed by molding or extrusion processes. The invention also provides a consumable auto-ignition cap as part of one of the embodiments of the igniter assembly.

Abstract: A gas generator for generating gas under pressure. The gas generator comprises a device for providing a first gas including a pressure vessel containing the first gas, the first gas being an oxidizing gas; a device for providing a second gas adapted to be oxidized by the first gas and including a pyrotechnic charge for generating the second gas when ignited. An oxidation zone of the gas generator includes an outlet, the first gas and the second gas being adapted to undergo an oxidation reaction in the oxidation zone for generating the gas under pressure. The first gas and the second gas are directed to the oxidation zone such that the oxidation zone contains a mixture of the first gas and the second gas for the oxidation reaction thereof, the second gas being of a sufficiently elevated temperature to initiate the oxidation reaction in the oxidation zone. A back-up catalytic device ensures initiation of the oxidation reaction of the mixture.

Abstract: A continuous flow method and system is provided for converting environmentally pollutant by-product waste gases emitted during the manufacture of a product in a first manufacturing plant to a useful product in a second manufacturing plant such that release of the gases into the atmosphere may be prevented.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag inflator is provided which comprises a contained volume, a gas producing source for producing a main gas in the contained volume, an initiating system for causing the conversion of the gas producing source to the main gas, wherein the main gas comprises a working gas, and at least one exhaust orifice for providing an exhaust path for the working gas from the contained volume and for controlling the flow of the working gas as it is exhausted from the contained volume. The at least one exhaust orifice includes a contained volume closure for selectively creating a fluid-tight seal in the contained volume. The working gas creates a pressure-volume quantity in the contained volume (PV.sub.CV (t)). The working gas has associated with it a pressure-volume quantity for the cumulative amount of the working gas (PV.sub.cum (t)), and it also has associated with it a total pressure-volume quantity (PV.sub.total) when the gas producing source is fully converted to the main gas.

Abstract: An inflator (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a body (60) of ignitable gas generating material, an igniter (260) for igniting the body (60) of gas generating material, and a housing (50) having a tubular wall (52) surrounding the body (60) of gas generating material. The tubular wall (52) has a longitudinal central axis (40), a plurality of outlet openings (100) through which gas flows radially outward, and an open end portion (232) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The inflator (14) further includes a circular end cap (56) which is located coaxially within the tubular wall (52). The end cap (56) supports the igniter (260) on the axis (40), and has a peripheral surface portion (216) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The open end portion (232) of the tubular wall (52) closely overlies the peripheral surface portion (216) of the end cap (56).

Abstract: A new and improved airbag inflator including a varying permeability filter. The inflator includes a housing for holding gas generating materials and has an outer diffuser wall with a plurality of discharge or diffuser ports arranged to direct the gas into an airbag for rapid inflation. The housing includes a ring of diffuser ports spaced apart around the periphery of the outer diffuser side wall and these ports are generally closer to one of the top or bottom end walls of the container than they are to the opposite end wall. A new and improved gas filter of varying permeability is mounted in the housing inside the periphery of the outer diffuser wall adjacent to the ring of ports. The annular filter has a gas permeability characteristic that varies between a maximum permeability rating in a first region farthest away from the ring of ports to a minimum permeability rating adjacent a second region closer to the ports.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) comprises a grain (110) of ignitable gas generating material which, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The grain (110) of gas generating material has a surface portion defining a cavity (124) in the grain (110). The apparatus further includes a plug (160) of pyrotechnic material which is more readily ignitable than the gas generating material. The plug (160) of pyrotechnic material, when ignited, produces and emits combustion products which ignite the grain (110) of gas generating material. The plug (160) of pyrotechnic material is located in the cavity (124) in the grain (110) of gas generating material.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic inflator for an air bag includes a housing for containing gas generating material for inflating an air bag. The housing has a wall formed of rigid, porous material and serves both as a filter for entrapping contaminants from the gas that is generated within as the gas passes outward through the wall into the air bag and cools the gas by absorbing heat therefrom. Gas generating material and an ignition train is hermetically sealed in a bag or packet inside the porous housing which serves triple duty as a solid pyrotechnic container, a gas filter and a gas cooler.

Abstract: An air bag inflator including a housing formed of sheet metal includes an annular base having a central opening and a cover for containing gas generating pyrotechnic material including an annular top wall spaced from the base having a central opening in coaxial alignment with the central opening of the base and a cylindrical, ported, outer side wall integrally formed around a periphery of the top wall extending downwardly thereof and having a lower edge secured to a portion of the base outwardly of the central opening. The housing includes a hollow, igniter-containing, rivet having an upper end wall closing over the central opening of the top wall and having a tubular, ported, side wall integrally formed with the upper end wall thereof extending downwardly through the central openings of the base and the top wall.

Abstract: A gas generator apparatus for generating gas for inflating a motor vehicle airbag comprises an ignition device including a first housing and a first pyrotechnic charge disposed in the first housing; a gas generator including a second housing having an opening, a sealing membrane covering the opening for hermetically sealing the second housing and being located adjacent to the first pyrotechnic charge in the first housing, a second pyrotechnic charge located in the second housing adjacent to the membrane, and a gas generating pyrotechnic material arranged in the second housing to be responsive to a combustion of the second pyrotechnic charge, wherein a combustion of the first pyrotechnic charge initiates a combustion of the second pyrotechnic charge through the membrane which in turn initiates combustion of the gas generating pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: In a gas generating agent pack for an air bag inflation gas generator of this invention, a plurality of gas generating agents with a through hole formed at the center is accommodated in the axial direction in the stacked state within a longitudinal cylindrical pack whose both ends are tightly closed, and an energizing means for energizing the gas generating agents toward the end of the cylindrical pack is disposed within the cylindrical pack, so that the plurality of gas generating agents accommodated into the cylindrical pack can be tightly contacted securely to one another.

Abstract: The reaction canister for a passenger side airbag restraint system comprises a trough-like main body and a substantially cylindrical inflator housing which are extruded in one piece. The generant charge and igniter strips within the inflator housing are also extruded. The generant charge may be divided into active and inert segments to control the volume of gas produced upon ignition.

Abstract: A system and method for inflating and deflating an air bag within a vehicle without substantially exposing the occupants of the vehicle to toxic compounds, particulates, and other contaminants in the gas mixture used to inflate the air bag. The system includes a flow guide having an exterior port in fluid communication with the ambient air outside the vehicle, an air bag port connectable in fluid communication with the air bag, and an internal bore permitting fluid flow between the exterior port and the air bag. A nozzle disposed within the flow guide bore is secured to an inflator containing a pressurized gas source. The nozzle and flow guide preferably have certain geometric characteristics disclosed herein. In operation, gas is expelled from the gas bag inflator through the nozzle at a velocity sufficient to entrain ambient air from outside the vehicle. The entrained ambient air mixes with the gas expelled through the nozzle, and the mixture inflates the air bag.

Abstract: An electrical ignition device (1) has a metal container (2) for a firing resistor or bridge, a first (3) and a second (4) terminal pin and at least one ignition charge (5, 6).So that firing of the ignition charge does not occur in the event of electrical discharges between terminal pins and a housing, it is proposed that the container (2) be capable of being embedded in a plastic material by injection moulding and inserted in the housing, that a first outward extension (8) be provided on the container (2) which is electrically conductively connected to the first terminal pin (3), and that a second outward extension (9) be provided on the container (2) which can be formed so as to extend to the housing leaving a small clearance and of which an outer end is not embedded in the plastic material.

Abstract: A gas generator for air bags is provided which includes a first outer shell and a second outer shell, each having a circular part and an outer wall formed along the outer periphery of the circular part. A gas generating device is installed in the hollow portion formed within the outer shells. Openings for communicating the hollow portion with an air bag are provided. A plurality of concentric wall members axially extending from the circular part of the first outer shell and a plurality of concentric wall members axially extending from the circular part of the second outer shell, located at positions corresponding to the outer wall members of the first outer shell define circumferential chambers within the gas generator. Gaps are formed between terminal end surfaces of opposing outer wall members whereby gases produced by the gas generating device on receiving impacts flow through the generator and are introduced into the air bag to protect a passenger from impacts.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator for a gas bag safety restraint system for use in a motorized vehicle comprises a compressed supply of stored gas heated by means of a gasless pyrotechnic material in sheet form. The sheeted pyrotechnic material may advantageously be located within the compressed gas storage vessel in a thin container or in direct contact with the gas. The invention also includes a heating element for a hybrid inflator. The preferred pyrotechnic material comprises a substrate of an oxidizing polymeric material for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), coated with an oxidizable material, for example magnesium, which is capable of reacting exothermally with the oxidizing polymeric material. The pyrotechnic sheet produces solid products in very fine particle form which gives improved energy transfer to the stored gas. The invention facilities simple, cheaper constructions of hybrid inflators.

Abstract: A gas generator for vehicle occupant restraint systems comprises an elongated housing having gas outlet openings, a sealed, rupturable gas generant cartridge positioned within the housing, and pyrotechnic gas generant contained in the cartridge. An igniter capsule mounted at one end of the housing has an exit opening juxtaposed the sealed gas generant cartridge. The igniter capsule contains ignitor material, and an initiator and initiator charge. The initiator ignites the ignitor material which expels a fireball of hot combustion products from the opening, capsules exit rupturing the sealed cartridge and igniting the gas generant charge to produce gas for inflating an air bag. A rupturable seal is provided over the exit opening of the ignitor capsule and a nozzle directs hot combustion products to the gas generant cartridge. The initiator charge is auto ignitor material for operating the gas generator if it is exposed to fire.

Abstract: A heated hydrogen storage device for a plasma switch includes a ring-shaped holder element having an inwardly directed, ring-shaped shoulder that forms an opening. The device also includes a first and a second metal disk, with the first metal disk having a cut-out portion. A heating element is arranged between the first and second metal disks and is insulated therefrom. The heating element forms a turned heating track and has one end contacting the second metal disk and a second end extending outside through the cut-out portion of the first metal disk. The first metal disk and the heating element are stacked one above the another and rests on the ring-shaped shoulder of the ring-shaped holder element. The second metal disk is connected to the holder element and it covers the opening of the holder element. The second metal disk also fixes the first metal disk and the heating element in position.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an improved inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint (12) such as an air bag. The inflator has an igniter (40). The igniter (40) comprises a container (130) which contains an ignitable particulate output charge (152). The particulate output charge (152) is retained within the container and occupies only a portion of the container. The container (130) thus has a free volume (154) equal to about 25% to about 75% of the volume of the container. The output charge (152) has a burn time in the range of 5-100 milliseconds. The container has at least one orifice means (136) closed by a rupturable disk (138). The orifice means (136) has an orifice area which is sized to contain the output charge (152) within the container (130) until at least a substantial portion of the output charge ignites. This provides a low brisance ignition.

Abstract: A device is provided for increasing the surface area of the gas generant used in an automotive safety air bag module. Depending on crash conditions, the surface area of the gas generant is increased by shattering the gas generant wafers. One embodiment utilizes a squib having a high brisance zone which upon activation shatters the gas generant wafers. Alternatively, a dual function squib is used which can produce mechanical forces which force a breaking object to impact on the gas generating wafers thereby shattering them and increasing the surface area of the gas generant.

Abstract: An air bag inflation gas generator to feed combustion gas for inflation of air bags such as air gas for absorbing collision shocks, life jackets, rafts and escape chutes, that aim to easily and surely control the flow rate of combustion gas into the air bag at the initial inflation of the air bag and to effectively utilize the entire purifying filter.

Abstract: The gas generator according to the present invention is characterized by a combustion chamber formed with a combustor cup (14) having an annular top wall fixed at an inner edge portion thereof to a circumferential edge of a top wall of a central cylindrical holder (4) by riveting (28). A combustor plate (16) is welded at an outer edge thereof to an inner edge portion of a longitudinal extension of the combustor cup (14), and at an inner edge thereof to a bottom edge portion of the holder, so as to close the combustion chamber. A diffuser (12) is provided to cover the top wall of the central cylindrical holder (4) and the top wall of the combustor cup to form a double wall of the combustion chamber. A flange extends from the longitudinal extension of the combustion cup, the flange being welded to the inner wall of the extended portion of the diffuser to form a filter/cooling chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to an air bag inflation gas generator comprising an inner cylindrical member with gas flow openings formed in the outer periphery being inserted into a longitudinal bottom-closed outer cylindrical member with gas outlets formed in the outer periphery with a filter disposed therebetween and gas generating agents being accommodated in the inner cylindrical member, wherein mating sections are disposed at the open end of the inner cylindrical member so as to engage with other mating sections formed at the bottom of the outer cylindrical member, so that the position of the gas flow openings formed in the inner cylindrical member and the position of the gas outlets formed in the outer cylindrical member can be easily and surely set in a predetermined positional relation.

Abstract: An enclosure, adapted to hold an auto ignition material in a gas generator that employs solid fuel gas generant material to effect inflation of a protective bag to cushion a passenger from impact with the structure of a vehicle in the event of a crash, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for air bags that includes a first shell having a circular part and an outer wall. The outer wall formed is of a porous material which allows gas to pass freely therethrough. A second shell is attached to the first shell to form a housing into which is installed a gas generating device. The gas generating device includes a canister filled with a gas generant. A plurality of first and second blade members fasten the first and second shells together. The blade members are at least equal in height to the total height of the housing, the first blade members being shaped to fit the outer circumferential surface of the canister and placed in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the canister and arranged along the circumference of the canister at periodic intervals to form a ring.

Abstract: A device is provided for increasing the surface area of the gas generant used in an automotive safety air bag module. Depending on crash conditions, the surface area of the gas generant is increased by shattering the gas generant wafers. One embodiment utilizes a squib having a high brisant zone which upon activation shatters the gas generant wafers. Alternatively, a dual function squib is used which can produce mechanical forces which force a breaking object to impact on the gas generating wafers thereby shattering them and increasing the surface area of the gas generant.

Abstract: In an igniter of this invention, an insulated cup and a harness supporter for forming an igniter body are made of an insulating member and a lead electrode which is connected to the ground is electrically conducted to a header case, so that ignition of an igniting agent due to discharge of static electricity can be surely prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in inflating an air bag (12) includes an ignitable body (110) of gas generating material and an igniter (206). The body (110) of gas generating material, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the air bag (12). The body (110) of gas generating material has an outer surface area (132). The igniter (206) contains a first output charge (230) and a second output charge (232). When the first and second output charges (230) and (232) are ignited sequentially, the body (110) of gas generating material is ignited at a first ignitable surface area including the outer surface area (132). When the first and second output charges (230 and 232) are ignited simultaneously, the body (110) of gas generating material is ignited at a second ignitable surface area in addition to the first ignitable surface area.

Abstract: An occupant passive restraint system for an automotive vehicle comprises an air bag and a pulsed pressure source in fluid flow relation with the air bag. The pulsed pressure source includes plural pulsed pressure sources sequentially energized in response to the deceleration sensor sensing a single crash impact. Each source includes plural chambers holding progressively larger masses of gas generant. The chambers are arranged so that each has an outlet coupled with the chamber having the next largest gas generant mass. The gas generant mass in each chamber is predominantly a non-explosive solid particulate material. The smallest chamber includes a fuse in contact with the generant. When a crash is sensed the fuse is supplied with a pulse having sufficient energy and duration to rupture the fuse and form a plasma discharge in the generant in the smallest chamber. The plasma discharge has sufficient energy to ignite the generant in the smallest chamber to a vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, such as an air bag, includes a housing. A hermetically sealed canister in the housing includes a lower section and a cover. Gas generating material is located in the canister. The gas generating material, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the air bag. The canister is sealed with a single hermetic seal between the lower section and the cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator for an air bag, particularly to the improvement of a housing for a gas generator.The gas generator according to the present invention is characterized having a combustion chamber formed with a housing having an annular top wall fixed at an inner edge portion thereof to a circumferential edge of a top wall of a central cylindrical holder, and an annular bottom wall fixed at an inner edge portion thereof to an edge portion of an opposite end of the holder. A diffuser is provided to cover the top wall of the central cylindrical holder and the annular top wall of the combustion chamber, whereby a double wall covering the combustion chamber is formed. An annular closure is provided so as to cover a bottom wall of the housing of the combustion chamber and is welded at an inner edge portion thereof to the edge portion of the lower end of the central cylindrical holder.

Abstract: The gas generator has two tubes, coaxial to each other, with different diameters, between which there is formed an annular intermediate chamber. The inner tube is filled with gas-producing material in the form of pellets, which develops pressure gas when ignited, the gas emerges via openings in both tubes. Projecting into the inner tube there is an ignition device, which extends through the cylindrical walls of both tubes. The ignition device is held by a ring or tubular holding body, which is substantially shorter than both tubes and fills out the intermediate chamber between both tubes. Both tubes are provided with peripheral openings aligning with each other, and the holding body has an installation through-hole, into which the ignition device is positioned. The holding body has furthermore a slot. The ignition device is held in a reliable manner by means of the holding body.

Abstract: An air bag inflator having a plurality of gas exit orifices of three different sizes arranged so as to provide thrust neutral operation maintains air bag performance at the same level over the temperature range of ambient to +85.degree. C., directing all of the generated gases into the air bag at ambient temperature, but allowing a portion of the gases to be directed away from the air bag at +85.degree. C.

Abstract: A silicon carbide whisker production apparatus manufactured by placing a plurality of lidded reaction vessels in the longitudinal direction of an Acheson furnace at intervals, packing graphite grains in the gaps between the adjacent reaction vessels and around the reaction vessels along the longitudinal direction of the furnace starting with the furnace-side ends of terminal electrodes to form a surrounding heating zone, and packing a heat insulating packing around the surrounding heating zone.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag is provided which includes a housing having first and second outer shells each having a flange, a gas generation device disposed inside the housing and a gas jet portion for introducing a gas in the gas generation device into the air bag. The flanges of the first and second outer shells are fastened together by locally fastening the flange of the first outer shell and the flange of the second outer shell together with predetermined gaps therebetween. The flange portion has joint portions at which the flanges are attached to each other and contact portions formed between the joint portions at which the flanges are in mere contact with each other. The gas jet portion is formed of the contact portions. The contact portions are opened by buildup of gas pressure inside the housing after impact and the corresponding activation of gas generation device.

Abstract: First and a second sealing layers are provided inside an inner periphery of a casing layer having a plurality of gas ejecting bores in its outer peripheral wall, and a gas-generating agent is mounted between the sealing layers, while a compressed gas is filled inside the second sealing layer. When the gas-generating agent is fired due to a collision of a vehicle, the first sealing layer is cleaved in a region of the gas ejecting bores by the pressure of a generated combustion gas and, then, the second sealing layer is cleaved likewise in a region of the gas ejecting bores by the pressure of the compressed gas, thereby permitting the compressed gas to be ejected uniformly from the plurality of gas ejecting bores into an air bag. In this case, a reduction in temperature of the compressed gas due to an adiabatic expansion thereof is compensated for by mixing of the compressed gas with the combustion gas, thereby enabling an efficient expansion of the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag inflator responds to signals from a diagnostic unit to terminate filling of the bag prior to full inflation. This is accomplished by a piston propelled by a secondary charge which is ignited by a second signal from the diagnostic unit. The piston blocks the air bag inflation passages and simultaneously opens vents to discharge the remaining inflation gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to an air bag inflation gas generator to feed gas for inflation of air bags such as air bags for absorbing collision shocks, life jackets, rubber, rafts, and escape chutes. The present invention comprises combustion chambers accommodating gas generating agents formed with separating members in the both ends of an elongate cylinder having gas outlets in the middle thereof, a cylindrical final filter installed inside the middle of the cylinder, intermediary filters installed between the final filter and the separating members in the cylinder, and orifices, facing toward the intermediary filters, opened at the separating members. The present invention may generate much larger volume of combustion gas generated from gas generating agents than the prior generators, purify a large volume of combustion gas completely, and control the burning of gas generating agents.