An air bag inflator (10) includes a housing (12) open at one end. Inflator parts including gas generating material (70) are disposed in the housing (12). A retainer assembly (138) in the housing has a first part (170) expanded outwardly into interlocking engagement with a part (30) of the housing wall (14) adjacent the opening (24). This blocks movement of the retainer assembly (138) relative to the housing (12) toward the open end (24) of the housing (12). An end cap (90) is screwed into the open end (24) of the housing (12) after the retainer (140) is positioned in and interlocked with the housing (12). The retainer (140) is disposed intermediate the end cap (90) and the gas generating material (70). Because retainer (140) is disposed between the gas generating material (70) and a body of auto ignition material (122) in the end cap (90), a nozzle ( 150) is formed in the retainer (140) to direct auto ignition combustion products toward the gas generating material (70).

Air bag inflator

An air bag inflator (20, 200) comprises first and second tubes (24, 26, 204, 206) defining respective first and second chambers (44, 46, 244, 246) for storing inflation fluid under pressure. A manifold (22, 202) has a manifold passage (42, 222). Each of the first and second tubes (24, 26, 204, 206) is secured to the manifold (22, 202) with the first and second chambers (24, 26, 204, 206) in fluid communication with the manifold passage (42, 222). A diffuser housing (28, 208) is fixed to the manifold (22, 202) and defines a third chamber (104, 242) for fluid communication with the manifold passage (42, 222). Passages (106, 244) in the diffuser housing (28, 208) provide fluid communication between the third chamber (104, 242) and an air bag. A rupturable wall (142, 248) is fixed to the diffuser housing (28, 208) to block fluid communication of the third chamber (104, 242) with the manifold passage (42, 222). An actuatable initiator (122, 246) is in the third chamber (104, 242) for, upon actuation, rupturing the wall (142, 248) to enable fluid communication of the third chamber with the manifold passage (42, 222).

Dual chamber inflator for side impact air bag

An igniter (30) for a vehicle gas bag inflator includes a housing (32) with a base (46) and a skirt extending therefrom. An apertured end plate (44) is attached to the skirt by roll-forming of the skirt or by being integral therewith and encloses a chamber (56) accommodating a pyrotechnic ignition compound (40). An initiator (34) mounted in the base (46) is surrounded by an annular chamber (54) which contains an auto-ignition compound (36) and is closed by a closure element (38). The apertured end plate is backed by a seal disc (42) which ruptures upon ignition of the igniter allowing a low pressure, large diameter flame front to pass into gas generant material in an associated inflator. The end plate (44) may be multiply apertured or include a single aperture aligned with a passage defined by holes in wafers of the gas generant material.

Igniter for gas bag inflator

An air bag inflator (20, 220, 420) comprises first and second coaxial tubes (22, 24, 222, 224, 422, 424) which define respective first and second chambers (62, 64, 262, 264, 462, 464). The tubes (22, 24, 222, 224, 422, 424) have terminal ends (42, 44, 242, 244). A weld securement (46, 246, 446) fixes the terminal ends (42, 44, 242, 244) of the tubes (22, 24, 222, 224, 422, 424) together so the chambers (62, 64, 262, 264, 462, 464) extend in opposite directions from the securement (46, 246, 446). The first chamber (62, 262, 462) contains inflation fluid under pressure. The second tube (64, 264, 464) has passages (82, 282, 482) for directing inflation fluid from the first chamber (62, 262, 462) into an air bag. A rupturable wall (66, 266, 466) blocks fluid communication between the first and second chambers (62, 64, 262, 264, 462, 464). A canister (102, 302, 502) in the second chamber (64, 264, 464) has a section which moves to rupture the wall (66, 266, 466) to enable the inflation fluid to flow from the first chamber (62, 262, 462) into the second chamber (64, 264, 464). An energizable initiator (142, 342, 542) is located in the second chamber (64, 264, 464) to, when energized, move the movable section of the canister to rupture the wall (66, 266, 466).

Inflator for side impact air bag

An airbag inflators employ gas generating compositions formed from a fuel, one or more oxidizers and mica. The gas generant composition employed in the airbag inflators yields solid combustion products and inflating gases having a reduced content of undesirable gases such as NO x and CO.

Airbag inflator employing gas generating compositions containing mica

An air bag inflator (10) is actuatable to supply inflation fluid under pressure, through discharge openings (40), into a diffuser chamber (90) and thence through gas outlets (92) into an air bag. An isolation membrane (100) extends across the diffuser chamber (90) between the discharge openings (40) and the gas outlets (92). The isolation membrane (100) is welded to the housing at axially and radially spaced locations (106, 128). When the inflator (10) is not actuated, the isolation membrane (100) blocks fluid flow including the conduction of moisture from the environment around the inflator through the discharge openings (40) and into the interior of the inflator. The isolation membrane (100) has a weakened portion defined by a stress riser (130). When the inflator (10) is actuated, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the discharge openings (40) breaks the isolation membrane (100) at the stress riser (130). The isolation membrane (100) moves to a second location in the diffuser chamber (90) clear of the gas outlets (92) to enable fluid flow out of the diffuser chamber and into the air bag.

Isolation member for air bag inflator

An apparatus (10) for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint comprises a container (12) for holding a stored supply of gas. The container (12) includes a side wall (40) and an end wall (58) connected with one end of the side wall. The end wall (58) has a discharge opening (28) for directing gas from the container (12). A tubular housing (22) is located in the container (12). A quantity of ignitable material (20) is disposed in the tubular housing (22). The quantity of ignitable material (20), when ignited, produces combustion products. A closure member (24) is located in a first position to block a flow of gas from the container (12) through the discharge opening (28). The closure member (24) is movable from the first position in the container (12) to a second position permitting gas to flow from the container through the discharge opening (28). The closure member (24) has surface portions (164) which slide on surface portions (94) of the tubular housing (22) as the closure member moves in the container (12) to the second position. An actuatable igniter (32) ignites the ignitable material (20) and causes the closure member (24) to move in the container (12) to the second position. Combustion products from ignition of the ignitable material (20) are directed into the supply of gas to heat the gas.

Gas augmented inflator assembly with movable closure

The application of Nondestructive Evaluation, particularly ultrasonic evaluation, in the automotive components industry has been accelerated in the last several years. The quality and integrity of materials and structures employed for automotive components are routinely examined by radiographic, eddy current and ultrasonic methods. Some discontinuities can be detected with one or all of these methods. Certain defects, in the form of delamination, can only be detected by the ultrasonic method. Both manual testing and highly automated system have been used for ultrasonic testing of automotive components. The automated system is particularly attractive when high reliability is required for automotive components used in critical safety systems applications. This paper gives a practical overview of the application of ultrasonic evaluation in automotive component development and manufacturing. Areas covered include ultrasonic evaluation of materials, automated inspection of cold rolled components, and methodology for setting up acceptance and reject standards. This manuscript is focused on the ultrasonic application to safety related automotive components.

Craig M. Fischer

Papers

Isolation member for air bag inflator

Gas augmented inflator assembly with movable closure

Ultrasonic materials evaluation of automotive inflator components