Other

Bendix Atlantic Inflator Co.

Alliedsignal Inc.

Robert J Bishop

Richard L Frantom

Robert M Kremer

Klaus F Ocker

Donald W Renfroe

Teresa L Bazel

James Michael Rose

Charles D Woods

Roy G Brown

Roy L Brown

Justin D Bishop

Robert P Fontecchio

Daniel G Zelenak, Jr

William E Rogerson

Michael Digiacomo

Stephen P McGarry

Stanley B Good

Stephen Gold

Richard Husband

James Ross

Donald W Renfoe

Will E Rogers

Chester Copperthite

Troy C Hendrix

William D Gaw, Jr

Wave energy extraction module

A variable output inflator (20) for use in inflating an air bag or air cushion comprising: a pressure vessel (22) comprising a thin walled toroidal pressure vessel portion (23) and a cylindrical pressure vessel portion (60) circumscribed by, in physical contact and in fluid communication with the toroidal pressure vessel portion, the cylindrical pressure vessel portion including a rupturable disk (74) and at least one exit port (78) communicable with an air bag; a pyrotechnic member (200a,b) for heating stored inflation gas within the pressure vessel to a pressure level to rupture the rupturable disk, allowing heated inflation gas to exit and fill an adjacently attached air bag.

Variable output driver side hybrid inflator

A dynamic reef is provided in accordance with the invention. The dynamic reef includes anchoring means for anchoring the reef in a substantially fixed position with respect to a shoreline, an elastic rubber tubing secured to the anchoring means, and at least one flotation collar positioned so as to be rotatable about the rubber tubing for the purpose of dissipating wave energy. A solar strobe unit may be positioned on the rubber tubing at the end opposite the anchoring means and functions as a warning device. A method for preventing shoreline erosion and a system for reducing the effects of waves on a shoreline are also provided in accordance with the invention.

Dynamic reef, method of use, and shoreline erosion control system

A dynamic shoreline erosion control system includes a plurality of large rotatable hollow spheres spaced along a line at a distance from the shoreline. The spheres are held together by a heavy duty strong flexible netting which permits movement of the spheres with the incoming and outgoing waves. Openings in the spheres permit the sea water to pass through. A plurality of smaller air-filled balls are disposed within the spheres to likewise rotate under the influence of water flow and provide buoyancy. A group of spheres within a common netting is tied to a pair of pilings at the ends of the netting to limit the extent of movement. Narrower sections of the netting between spheres provide a link and spacing for adjacent elements. Like groups of spheres in nettings can be disposed in parallel pairs with staggered spacing and an array of spaced groups in various geometric arrangements can extend along a large shore area. The combined effects of the netting, spheres and balls serve to dissipate wave energy to reduce shore erosion and can trap sand that would normally be washed away to permit restoration of shore areas.

Shoreline erosion control system

An inflator (20) comprising: a pressure vessel (22) made of a thin walled steel tubing (24), sealed at one end by an end plate or cap (30). The other end of the pressure vessel sealed by a propellant housing (50). A plurality of axial bores (56a-d) exiting through an adjacent part (58) of the housing (50) and a face of the adjacent part of the housing includes a second counter bore (70) and a plurality of radial bores (72a-d) radially extend therefrom. A rupture disk assembly (100) having a central portion (102) forms a rupture disk extending into the second counter bore (70) and a radially extending outer portion (104) fitted generally flat against the face (60) .

Hybrid inflator

An air bag module (50) comprising an inflator (40) for generating inflation gas; an air bag (12) disposed about the inflator to receive the inflation gas exiting the inflator; a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator. The inflator comprises: a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16). The exit ports are arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure. A plug (60) or plugs is provided for closing a designated set of exit ports to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure. Each plug is received in each of the designated exit ports and is preferably received though a portion of the structure such that if the inflator is removed from the structure each plug must also be removed, thereby opening all of previously closed exit ports and rendering the inflator in its thrust neutral condition once again.

Mounting of a thrust neutral inflator for air bag modules

A post activation device to indicate that pressure the existed within a pressure vessel just prior to the opening of the pressure vessel and the resulting loss of pressurization, having a diaphragm, plug or piston (62, 130, 160, 330) capable of rupturing, moving or deforming in response to a pressure differential thereacross above one or more low limit values and for providing an indication of the pressure within the pressure vessel just prior to its being opened, and a support member (70), within the pressure vessel for supporting the diaphragm, plug or piston means.

Tell tale device for a pressure vessel

An inflator comprising: a pressure vessel (10) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure vessel comprising a first burst disk (46) and a seal disk (310) both for selectively sealing same. The inflator (10) including a gas release mechanism (52, 300) for permitting the controlled, staged release of the inflation gas at determinable inflation rates. The gas release mechanism includes: a first pyrotechnic device, positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the first burst disk (46), including a piston (72) moved into a disk piercing position to rupture the first burst disk (46) in response to the buildup of pressure caused burning of a first quantity of propellant material (218). The bursting of the first burst disk permits the inflation gas to initially flow out of the pressure vessel at a determinable cold inflation rate, the piston thereafter provides a conduit to communicate the products of combustion of the burning propellent to the pressure means so as to increase the temperature of the inflation gas therein and thereby increase the rate of egress of the gas. The inflator (10) also includes a second pyrotechnic mechanism (300), positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the seal disk (310), for providing, when activated, additional products of combustion arising from burning of a second quantity of propellent material, the products of combustion opening the seal disk (310) and thereafter entering the pressure vessel to heat the inflation gas therein and thereby elevate the rate of egress of the inflation gas above the rate achievable by the first pyrotechnic device.

Hybrid inflator with staged inflation capability

A pressure switch (30) adapted to be placed within a pressurized chamber for generating a logical signal when the pressure within the chamber reduces to a determinable pressure P.sub.1. The pressure switch (30) comprises: a pressure vessel (32) sealed at one end (34) by a snap action diagram (40) and having an inner stop (42) and an outer stop (60, 62) respectively positioned on opposing sides of the diaphragm (40) for limiting diaphragm motion. The outer stop comprises: a first cylindrical portion (78), a first pair of parallel slots (80a, b) formed therein and a through bore (70, 72, 74) extending therethrough. A switch assembly is loosely mounted to the outer stop. The switch assembly (90) comprises an upper housing member (92), a lower housing member (94), first and second electrical contacts (96a, 96b) and a pin (98). The upper housing member (92) comprising a hollow cylindrical portion (100) adapted to be slid over first cylindrical portion including a second pair of opposing slots (113a, b), the first and second cylindrical portions (78, 100) are loosely secured together by a clip (150) fitted within the first and second pair of slots (80a,b; 112a,b) to eliminate compressive loading between the switch assembly and other components of the switch.

Temperature compensated low pressure switch for hybrid inflators

An inflator (110) including: a pressure means (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure means including a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas and preventing egress of the gas from the chamber and a hollow sliding piston (172) having at one end thereof cutting edges (174) for puncturing the first burst disk (46). A shear disk (180) having a stationary outer portion (187) and a central portion or second disk (186), central portion is secured to one end of the piston (172) opposite the cutting edges (174). The central portion is capable of separating from the outer portion and moving with the piston (172). A quantity of propellant material (218) is provided near the second burst disk (80) to produce gaseous combustion products when burned. The piston is propelled into the first burst disk (46) after the central portion (186) of the shear disk separates from the outer portion in response to the build up of pressure generated due to the burning of a propellant (218), thereby permitting the egress of the stored inflation gas. The central portion (186) or second burst disk is ruptured by the continued build up of pressure due to the burning propellant material whereupon after the rupturing of the second burst disk the heated products of combustion resulting from the burning propellant material flow through the sliding piston (172).

A device (20) for inflating an air bag (37) comprising: a pressure vessel (34) formed by a vessel part (22) and a generator body assembly (30). The generator body assembly is received within opposing openings (24, 26) in the vessel part (22) and secured thereto to provide a gas tight seal (28). The generator body assembly (30) includes: a first bore (38) to receive a quantity of propellant (150) and initiator assembly (120) to cause the propellant (150) to burn in response to a control signal indicative of a vehicle crash. Various passages are provided in the gas generator assembly and oriented to permit the products of combustion of the burning propellant to impinge on inner walls of the pressure vessel to reduce particulate emission.

Hybrid inflator for air bag

An inflator (10) comprising: a pressure tank (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure tank comprising a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas; a sliding piston (72) including at one end thereof a sharp edge (74) for puncturing the first rupture disk and at its other end a second rupture disk (80). The sliding piston (72) movable into engagement with the first rupture disk in response to the build up of pressure acting on the second rupture disk (80) in response to the burning of propellant material (90) thereby permitting egress of the stored inflation gas. The second burst disk being ruptured by the continued build up of pressure due to the burning propellant whereupon after the rupturing of same the heated products of combustion resulting from the burning propellant flow through the sliding piston (72) to increase the temperature of the stored inflation gas prior to its exit from the inflator.

Air bag assembly

A resilient safety extension is provided for highway barriers of the type having a broad base and upstanding central portion with opposed convergently tapered surfaces and a length which is infinitely variable, in the form of an elongated resilient member having an inverted generally U-shaped transverse configuration provided by a top portion and spaced downwardly extending portions adapted to straddle the upstanding portion of the highway barrier, the downwardly extending portions being convergently tapered to provide inner surfaces closely interfitting with the upstanding portion of the barrier and outer surfaces which are slightly divergent in the direction of the top portion, and the thickness of the downwardly extending portions being variable by amounts of the order of 2 inches to provide sinusoidally curved outer surface patterns, repeating at approximately 24' intervals longitudinally of the safety extension. The safety extension is preferably prefabricated in unit lengths of four feet to six feet by the blow-molding or rotation-molding of appropriate plastic material to form hollow bodies with resilience controlled by the wall thickness and the plastic material employed. Alternatively, the safety extensions can be fashioned as solid bodies of foamed plastic material with resilience provided by the nature of the material and extent of foaming. With either type of construction the sinusoidally curved surfaces and resilient characteristics provide effective warning to the motorist of a glancing contact with the barrier without the type damage associated with directly contacting a concrete barrier.

Resilient safety extension for highway barriers

An inflator for an air cushion including a pressure vessel comprising a hollow sleeve for storing a quantity of inert gas such as Argon. One end of the sleeve is closed by a first pyrotechnic actuator assembly while the other end of the sleeve may include a closed end or another pyrotechnic actuator assembly. The pressure vessel is secured within a diffuser which directs inflation gases into the air cushion. The pressure vessel in cooperation with the diffuser defines various regions which assist in reducing the gas turbulence and heat transfer between the gas and the diffuser.

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Washington, MI, United States of America

Robert J Bishop