Abstract:
An inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a supply of gas generant material disposed within a sealed chamber, and an initiator device in reaction initiation combination with the supply of gas generant material. A venting orifice connects the chamber to the surrounding ambient environment, and a rupturable seal seals the venting orifice. Upon reaction initiation of the gas generant material to produce inflation gas, the rupturable seal ruptures to vent the chamber to the ambient environment. A valve assembly can be disposed adjacent the venting orifice. A moveable valve piston, in combination with an actuator device, can block the venting orifice as needed to close the venting orifice and stop inflation gas venting. An optional tether release mechanism can be used in combination with the valve assembly to release a cushion tether upon closing of the venting orifice.
Abstract:
A deployable inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant. The generant is designed to produce a supply of inflation gas during deployment of the inflator. The inflator includes a first burst disk and a second burst disk. The first and second burst disks are separated by a cavity. The inflator also includes an opening (or multiple openings). During deployment, the inflation gas flows into the cavity via the opening(s) and ruptures the first burst disk to allow inflation gas to escape the inflator. The second burst disk ruptures after the pressure in the cavity drops sufficiently below the pressure on the other side of the second burst disk. This inflator reduces the initial onset rate of deployment.
Abstract:
An airbag module (10) may have an inflator (42), a cushion (40), and a housing (46) that contains the inflator (42) and the cushion (40). The housing has an outer wall formed of a flexible material and a bracket designed to be attached to a vehicle. During deployment, the cushion is expelled out of the housing through the bracket. The inflator remains in the housing and inflation gas is conveyed to the cushion through the housing. The inflator may be retained by flaps wrapped around the inflator and secured to a perpendicularly oriented diffuser of the inflator. Alternatively, the diffuser may extend through an orifice formed in a fabric wall within the housing, and retention portions of the outer wall may be wrapped around the opposite side of the inflator. The airbag module may be mounted in an instrument panel to provide front seat, passenger's side impact protection without requiring a rigid module housing.
Abstract:
A method for forming a complex hole (60) through a wall of a structure (40). The complex hole has a smaller cross-sectional area at a first location (68) within the wall and an outer portion (70) with a larger cross-sectional area adjacent a first surface (50) of the wall. The complex hole further has an inner portion (62) extending between the first location and an inlet opening (64) on a second surface of (66) the wall. The method uses an EDM process to automatically first, form an entry hole (65) in the wall extending from the first surface to the first location inside the wall, and second, form the outer portion of the complex hole in a direction moving from the first location inside the wall toward the first surface, and third, form the inner portion of the complex hole.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing electronic commerce transactions via a Web site (102) and a marketing company (100), including facilities for signing up new customers and recruiting, training, and supporting new Independent Business Owners through an interactive online process. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the combination of a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity using both electronic commerce and face-to-face transactions, so that Independent Business Owners participating in the marketing plan can introduce customers to a membership buying opportunity and earn bonuses or commissions based on the purchases by those members, while Members in the buying opportunity can consume their products or, at their option, qualify to become Independent Business Owners.
Abstract:
A method of joining tubular structures using friction welding is disclosed. The invention provides a method of joining a first tubular structure having a conical contact surface to a second tubular member with an elliptical contact orifice by placing the conical surface within the contact orifice, rotating one of the structures, and pressing them together to form a weld. The invention further discloses airbag inflators constructed using the method of the invention.
Abstract:
An inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a supply of gas generant material disposed within a sealed chamber, and an initiator device in reaction initiation combination with the supply of gas generant material. A venting orifice connects the chamber to the surrounding ambient environment, and a rupturable seal seals the venting orifice. Upon reaction initiation of the gas generant material to produce inflation gas, the rupturable seal ruptures to vent the chamber to the ambient environment. A valve assembly can be disposed adjacent the venting orifice. A moveable valve piston, in combination with an actuator device, can block the venting orifice as needed to close the venting orifice and stop inflation gas venting. An optional tether release mechanism can be used in combination with the valve assembly to release a cushion tether upon closing of the venting orifice.
Abstract:
A method for forming a complex hole (60) through a wall of a structure (40). The complex hole has a smaller cross-sectional area at a first location (68) within the wall and an outer portion (70) with a larger cross-sectional area adjacent a first surface (50) of the wall. The complex hole further has an inner portion (62) extending between the first location and an inlet opening (64) on a second surface of (66) the wall. The method uses an EDM process to automatically first, form an entry hole (65) in the wall extending from the first surface to the first location inside the wall, and second, form the outer portion of the complex hole in a direction moving from the first location inside the wall toward the first surface, and third, form the inner portion of the complex hole.
Abstract:
An airbag inflator that includes a pyrotechnic material capable of producing a quantity of gas during deployment. The inflator also includes a filter. The filter may be an expanded metal filter that is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material. When this filter is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material, the filter forms a plurality of layers having holes that are a different size. This filter also includes a first set of barriers and a second set of barriers that are positioned exterior of the first set of barriers, the second set of barriers being offset from the first set of barriers. Gas passing through the filter will encounter the first set of barriers, be re-directed, encounter the second set of barriers, be re-directed, and then flow out of the filter.
Abstract:
A method of joining tubular structures using friction welding is disclosed. The invention provides a method of joining a first tubular structure (11) having a conical contact surface (62) to a second tubular member (50) with an elliptical contact orifice by placing the conical surface within the contact orifice, rotating one of the structures, and pressing them together to form a weld. The invention further discloses airbag inflators constructed using the method of the invention.