Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Shawn Lang

Anthony M Young

Kenneth J Clark

Steven M Cannon

Ken Clark

Jason Matthew Carter

Methods, devices and/or features which in addition to circumferential thrust neutrality additionally facilitate, permit or provide for thrust vector tuning of the inflation gas discharge from an inflator device. An end diffuser includes a diffuser wall defining a diffuser chamber for initially accepting inflation gas from a gas-providing portion of the inflator device. The diffuser wall includes a cylindrical portion having a plurality of inflation gas discharge openings disposed in a circumferential thrust neutral gas discharge array for discharging inflation gas from the diffuser chamber and an end wall portion forming a closed end to the diffuser. The end wall portion includes a protrusion of selected shape and dimensions extending therefrom into the diffuser chamber to create an inflation gas flow altering annular ring within the diffuser chamber to selectively thrust vector tune the inflator device.

Thrust vector tuning of inflator devices

A high strength dual-swaged airbag inflator vessel comprising a high strength metal material, such as low carbon steel, has a swaged terminal end defining two distinct swaged portions. A reduction of diameter within one of the swaged portions is restricted to be less than or equal to about 30% and in certain variations, less than or equal to about 16% to minimize cold work strain hardening and to reduce loss of ductility. In certain aspects, a second swaged portion within the swaged terminal end has a length of less than or equal to about 10 mm. Methods for making such a dual-swaged airbag inflator vessel are likewise provided. Such dual swage designs have improved reliability and performance in high pressure inflator applications, as well as reduced manufacturing costs.

Double swage airbag inflator vessel and methods for manufacture thereof

A vehicular safety restraint inflator device, the inflator device includes a tubular housing to provide inflation gas to inflate an associated inflatable restraint device and a toroidal clamp stop positioned on the tubular inflator housing. The clamp stop serves to provide a hard stop for an inflator attachment clamp to secure the inflator device within an airbag module and thus to minimize or avoid undesired lateral movement of the inflator device within a module assembly.

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Ogden, UT, United States of America

Shawn Lang