Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Morton International, Inc.

Other

Autolive Asp, Inc.

Antolin Asp, Inc.

David J Green

Karl K Rink

Donald R Lauritzen

Anthony M Young

Larry D Rose

Brent A Parks

Walter A Moore

Bradley W Smith

Michael J Ravenberg

Michael R Schramm

Donald James Paxton

J Kirk Storey

Guy R Letendre

L John Pierotti

S Mark Bunker

Robert D Taylor

Ivan V Mendenhall

Gregory J Lang

Davin G Saderholm

Brent K Olson

Terry R Davis

Paul Dinsdale

Mark A Thompson

David W Schneider

Mark Ludwig Enders

Michael Perry Jordan

Marcus T Clark

Bradley D Harris

Timothy A DePottey

Donald J Cunningham

Robert E Lewis

David W Lindsey

Harry W Miller, Ii

William B Richardson

Michael J Ward

Scott C Mitson

Charles Sherwin

Daniel G Minert

Melissa Ziolo

C Paul Dinsdale

Darrin L Johnson

Kurt Lawrence Gammill

Scott A Jackson

G Dean Mossi

Joseph L Ralston

Mark B Woodbury

David B Monk

Scott Jackson

Russell S Gans

John C Newkirk

George C Marjanski

Steven R Pripps

Brian A Laubacher

Matthew Scott Johnson

Jeffery L Scharret

George R Neff

Wesley L Hatt

Brent R Beesley

Glen S Beus

Mark L Garcia

David P Kosoff

Kerry A Cooke

Kevin E Hauppa

Jimmie K Neff

Glade G Sutherland

Brent T Mitton

Michael Perez

Michael Hepworth

Greg Lanham

Lori S Westgate

Roman Zlotnikov

Elaine C Brewster, Legal Representative

Mike J Ravenberg

David L Blakemore

Bryan D Matzl

Mark W Stull

The improved steering apparatus is an invention that increases vehicular operational safety by providing means for a vehicle operator to control various vehicle functions and accessories while keeping both hands on the steering apparatus. The apparatus also automatically provides for the display of a variety of driver relevant information including automatic live video () feed of blind spots, rear vehicle cabin area, and road sign information (), by displaying the information on the steering apparatus mounted video screen. The apparatus includes a built-in speaker () and is controlled by either voice commands or by a touching of the touch activatable video display screen ().

Steering apparatus

A relief valve and related systems and methods have particular use in fluid distribution lines. The relief valve comprises a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity. A connector piece is connected to the body at the first opening to connect the valve to a fluid distribution line. A rupture disc is disposed within and obstructs the first opening. When it is desired that fluid from the fluid distribution line be vented from the system, the rupture disc is punctured via activation of an active material initiator and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening of the valve.

Active material actuated vent valve

A stored gas inflator having a chamber. The chamber houses a quantity of stored gas. The chamber is sealed by a burst disk. A frangible support is also added. The frangible support is designed to support the burst disk. The frangible support breaks during deployment of the inflator. The inflator is further constructed such that when the temperature of the inflator exceeds a threshold level, the gas is vented out of the chamber through the frangible member.

Inflator with frangible support

A tether release mechanism for a restraining element of a restraint protection system includes a base, a retention device and an actuator. The retention device is coupled to the base for movement between a locked position and a release position. The restraining element is secured relative to the base in the locked position and is movable relative to the base in the release position. The retention device includes a portion for releasably engaging the restraining element. The actuator is operatively associated with the retention device and is operative for at least initiating movement of the retention device from the locked position to the release position.

Occupant restraint system

Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for automatically closing a vent opening in response to inflation of an airbag cushion. In some embodiments, primary and secondary tethers are provided, both of which are coupled to an airbag cushion. The primary tether may be used to restrain the inflation size of the airbag cushion during a partial deployment. A tether cutter may also be provided to cut the primary tether upon detecting a condition that would warrant full deployment of the airbag cushion. The secondary tether may be configured to at least partially close one or more vent openings in response to the airbag cushion being inflated to a fully-inflated configuration after the primary tether has been cut.

Airbag with automatic vent closer

Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatus for inflating airbags. In one embodiment, an initiator is deployed to open an exit gas port, through which the airbag is inflated. The airbag is primarily inflated via gas from a first gas chamber and is substantially maintained in an inflated state for a predetermined period of time primarily via gas from a second gas chamber. In one embodiment, an airbag inflator is provided which comprises a first gas chamber, a second gas chamber, and an intermediate chamber assembly. The intermediate chamber assembly comprises a first gas port positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first gas chamber and a second gas port positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second gas chamber. The inflator is configured to allow a greater flow rate of gas through the first gas port upon deployment than through the second gas port.

Extended fill inflation apparatus

A 'hybrid' inflator having an extended filling capacity is disclosed. This inflator is designed to deploy an inflatable curtain airbag. The inflator will have an inner chamber that is connected to an outer chamber by a bleed hole. The inner chamber has a first supply of gas and a pyrotechnic material. This first supply of gas is sufficient to inflate an inflatable curtain after ignition of the pyrotechnic material. The outer chamber has a second supply of gas. The second supply of gas bleeds out of the outer chamber through the inner chamber and into the inflatable curtain. The inflatable curtain may be initially filled by the first supply of gas in the inner chamber while the second supply of gas slowly bleeds out of the inflator into the curtain to maintain the curtain at a desired pressure sufficient to provide impact protection to the vehicle occupant.

Hybrid inflator with extended filling capability

Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for cutting one or more tethers connected with an airbag cushion and simultaneously, or sequentially, closing one or more vent openings. In one embodiment, an airbag module is provided that includes a tether opening and at least one vent opening. The tether may extend through the tether opening adjacent to a cutter. The cutter may be configured to cut the tether upon deployment of an actuator. A vent door configured to block the vent opening(s) upon deployment of the actuator may also be provided. This embodiment may therefore provided for simultaneous, or sequential, cutting of the tether and closing of the vent opening(s) with a single actuator.

Airbag tether cutter and vent closer

Disclosed are embodiments of an airbag tether release mechanism for use with airbag inflation systems. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes an initiator positioned within a housing. The initiator is configured such that it provides an inherent seal to prevent the external release of pyrotechnic residues upon deployment. The device may also include a cutter operatively connected with the initiator such that deployment of the initiator actuates the cutter and a tether restraint structure configured to secure a tether until the tether is released by actuation of the cutter.

Airbag tether release mechanism

Automotive pedestrian protection hood lifting systems are adaptive, resettable, and redeployable. The hood may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. A spring may be biased to selectively vary a load placed upon the hood based on predetermined event signals.

Pedestrian protection hood lifting systems

A safety device for use in an automobile that comprises a bolster and a telescoping mechanism. The telescoping mechanism extends when pressurized by the rapid introduction of a fluid. Following extension, the telescoping mechanism vents the fluid to allow the device to be retracted.

Pyrotechnic safety device with retractable telescoping mechanism

Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.

Active venting apparatus and method for airbag systems

A novel active hood system is disclosed. The active hood system is designed such that in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle accident, the active hood system will soften the impact between the pedestrian and the vehicle by moving the vehicle hood into an elevated position. In some embodiments, the active hood system is constructed such that during a pedestrian/vehicle collision, the active hood system will raise the vehicle hood into an elevated position by having the hood move through a first travel distance and a second travel distance. The active hood system includes an actuator and a hinge. The actuator may be attached to the hinge. The actuator is designed such that if it is deployed, the actuator will raise the hood into the elevated position. Additional embodiments may also be made in which the actuator is vented during deployment. A dampener is also added to the active hood system. The dampener is designed to dampen the movement of the hood as the hood is moved through the second travel distance.

Active vehicle hood system and method

Systems, methods, and apparatus for use in an airbag inflation system are disclosed. An explosively formable projectile piece is positioned adjacent to an opening and, upon deployment of an initiator, is forced through the opening, thereby changing the shape of the projectile piece. The projectile piece is projected towards a rupturable wall. Once the projectile piece has ruptured the wall, the airbag inflation gas can pass through the opening in the wall and inflate the airbag.

Inflator projectile

The present invention relates to an inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag module. The inflator induces expansion of a gas by application of an electric voltage to the gas or to a plurality of filaments disposed within the gas. The voltage may be applied between a nozzle and a conductor in such a manner that an arc forms within the nozzle. Gas passing through the nozzle then forms an arc-jet that further heats adjacent gas. Multiple gases may be used, including gases designed to combust and/or dissociate to produce additional moles of inflation gas. The voltage may alternatively be applied within the housing in such a manner that a corona is formed in the gas, thereby at least partially ionizing the gas to heat the gas. As yet another alternative, the voltage may be applied to some of the filaments to provide gas expansion via filament combustion.

Electrically controlled airbag inflator apparatus and method

Growing community of inventors

Brigham City, UT, United States of America

David J Green