Oea, Inc.

Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Special Devices, Incorporated

James L Baglini

Brian K Hamilton

Brent A Parks

Ron J Butt

Robert N Renz

Dean W Grages

Toshio Shimada

Dennis E Dunkerson

Abdel K Helmy

James H Wright

Peter L Stang

Gas generating compositions having a fuel preferably comprising a mixture of 5-aminotetrazole (5-AT), azodicarbonamide (ADCA), an oxidizer, and a superfine metal powder burn rate enhancer such as nano-aluminum, for use in automotive seatbelt pretensioners and other suitable applications requiring high impetus, high rate of gas generation. Also, methods of making these compositions, and devices incorporating them such as seatbelt pretensioners.

High impetus, high burn rate gas generant propellant and seatbelt pretensioner incorporating same

A hybrid inflator that includes a solid propellant and a pressurized medium comprising oxygen and at least one inert gas is provided. The solid propellant can be fuel-rich in that without excess oxygen it generates significant amounts of CO and H,. The at least one inert gas is contained in an inflator housing and the amount thereof is greater, on a molar basis, than the oxygen. The propellant has acceptable long-term stability in that such propellant does not ignite when exposed to a temperature of 107&deg; C. for a period of 400 hours.

Hybrid inflator

A hybrid inflator comprises an inflator housing, a pressurized medium contained within the inflator housing, and a propellant contained within the inflator housing ranging from about 0.5 grams to about 20 grams. The pressurized medium is released from the inflator housing and the propellant is ignited to produce propellant gases.

Compact hybrid inflator

Hybrid inflators for an inflatable safety system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the hybrid inflator uses a dual function initiator in that the combustion products from the initiator both ignite the propellant by direct contact therewith and propel a projectile through a outlet closure disk to release the stored pressurized medium. In another embodiment, the hardware configuration of the hybrid inflator allows the propellant to be loaded into the inflator after all hardware connections proximate the propellant, which require a weld, have in fact been welded. In another embodiment, the main inflator outlet closure disk is disposed at substantially a mid portion of the inflator. In another embodiment, the propellant gases are required to flow from the combustion chamber and into the stored gas housing prior to exiting the inflator, such by using a projectile to rupture the main inflator outlet closure disk and to thereafter seal the gas generator.

A hybrid inflator for an automotive inflatable safety system and method for assembling the same. In one embodiment, a mixture of an inert gas (e.g., argon) and oxygen are contained within the inflator housing and a gun type propellant is used in the gas generator to supply the propellant gases.

Method of assembling a hybrid inflator

A hybrid inflator for an automotive inflatable safety system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mixture of an inert gas (e.g., argon) and oxygen are contained within the inflator housing and a hybrid propellant (i.e., ballistic properties similar to double-base and long-term stability similar to LOVA) is included in the gas generator.

Growing community of inventors

Englewood, CO, United States of America

James L Baglini