Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

James M Kumkoski

Scott David Thomas

George W Goetz

Thomas H Vos

Leo S Knowlden

Joseph J Mihm

Ponget P Wipasuramonton

An air bag system includes an inflator, an inflatable air bag, and a vent opener operatively connected to the air bag and selectively movable from a first position to a second position to create a cushion vent within the air bag for venting inflation fluid. A movable member operatively connects to an air bag housing, with a retention member extending through a connector arm to selectively connect the movable member and the vent opener. A sensing tether is operable to selectively release the retention member. The air bag system may further include a switch, with a sensing tether operable to change the state of the switch if any portion of the air bag passes a predetermined plane during inflation thereof.

Air bag system

An air bag system includes an inflator operable to release inflation fluid, and an inflatable cushion having an lower region and inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from the inflator, with the cushion defining a channel within the lower region thereof. At least one tether may support the channel during inflation of the cushion. A fabric member may at least partially cover the channel to define an end channel wall. The fabric member may detach from the cushion if the cushion inflates beyond a predetermined depth, or the fabric member may be movable between a first position and a second position to increase the area of the end channel wall. A retention member may retain the fabric member in the first position. The retention member may be frangible, such that inflation of the cushion beyond the predetermined depth breaks the retention member.

Air bag with a supported channel

An air bag system housed within a cavity includes an inflator, an inflatable air bag, and an air bag housing defining a vent. A deployment door movable between a closed position and an open position at least partially covers the cavity. A vent restrictor is movable between a first position and a second position. In one of the first and second positions, the vent restrictor at least partially blocks the vent to restrict venting of inflation fluid therethrough. In the other of the positions, the vent restrictor leaves the vent substantially open. The vent restrictor is operatively connected to the deployment door or the air bag. When connected to the deployment door, movement of the deployment door from the closed position to the open position moves the vent restrictor. When connected to the air bag, inflation of the air bag moves the vent restrictor.

An air bag inflator is provided with a new and useful auto-ignition device. The auto-ignition device comprises a thermoelectric battery, preferably located outside of the inflator housing. The thermoelectric battery is adapted to become electrochemically active in a predetermined temperature range (e.g. 300.degree.-400.degree. F.), and to provide an electrical signal which actuates the inflator.

Auto-ignition device for an air bag inflator

A process for making a body of gas generating material comprising the steps of preparing a slurry of the ingredients of said gas generating material; extruding said slurry into a plurality of extrudate; forming the extrudate into spherical granules; and pressing a plurality of granules to form a unitary body.

Spheronizing process

A wet mixture of a metal azide having a predetermined average particle size and a metal oxide is prepared. The wet mixture is ground to reduce at least the average particle size of the metal azide. Thereafter, the wet mixture is directed through a chamber containing grinding media. The grinding media is agitated as the mixture flows through the chamber to further reduce the average particle size of the metal azide to a desired particle size.

Process for manufacturing a gas generating material

A process for manufacturing a gas generating material includes preparing a wet mixture of a metal azide and a metal oxide without prior mixing of the metal azide and metal oxide in dry form. The metal azide content of the gas generating material is controlled and the possibility of forming hazardous hydrazoic acid fumes is minimized by maintaining the temperature of the wet mixture of gas generating material between 20.degree. C. and 30.degree. C. The possibility of forming hydrazoic acid fumes is further reduced by maintaining the pH of the wet mixture of gas generating materials at or above 10.5. Excess liquid is removed from the wet mixture of gas generating materials so that the wet mixture has a moisture content of approximately 9%. The excess liquid from the wet mixture is recycled and used the formation of additional gas generating material. The wet mixture of gas generating materials, having a moisture content of approximately 9%, is formed through small openings to form extrudate of gas generating material.

Growing community of inventors

Utica, MI, United States of America

James M Kumkoski