Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

William E Gest

George W Goetz

Alex G Meduvsky

Steven W Maurer

Al A Saberan

Rodger M Cherry

Dennis J Fiore

David L Geyer

Heidi M Westlake

Edward Q Glac

An air bag inflator (10) includes a source (50) of inflation fluid, a tubular wall (90) with rows (132) of fluid flow openings (130), and an initiator (36) for initiating a flow of inflation fluid from the source (50) upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision. The tubular wall (90) further has a central axis (104) and a plurality of elongated corrugations (106). The corrugations (106) have radially extending side portions (110). The rows (132) of openings (130) extend along the side portions (110) of the corrugations (106).

Air bag inflator having a corrugated filter wall

An inflator (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a body (60) of ignitable gas generating material, an igniter (260) for igniting the body (60) of gas generating material, and a housing (50) having a tubular wall (52) surrounding the body (60) of gas generating material. The tubular wall (52) has a longitudinal central axis (40), a plurality of outlet openings (100) through which gas flows radially outward, and an open end portion (232) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The inflator (14) further includes a circular end cap (56) which is located coaxially within the tubular wall (52). The end cap (56) supports the igniter (260) on the axis (40), and has a peripheral surface portion (216) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The open end portion (232) of the tubular wall (52) closely overlies the peripheral surface portion (216) of the end cap (56).

Air bag inflator and method of assembly

An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (18) has a stored condition and an inflated vehicle occupant restraining position. A support member (16) at least in part defines an opening (19) through which the vehicle occupant restraint (18) is deployed when inflated. A deployment door member (12) closes the opening (19). The support member (16) supports the deployment door member (12) at a first side of the opening (19) for pivotal movement relative to the support member upon inflation of the vehicle occupant restraint (18). The deployment door member (12) has a plurality of slots (95). The support member (16) includes a plurality of shear tabs (54) located at a second side of the opening (19) opposite the first side. Each shear tab (54) extends through a respective one of the slots (95) in the deployment door member (12). Each shear tab (54) shears through the material of the deployment door member (12) as the deployment door member pivots relative to the support member (16) upon inflation of the vehicle occupant restraint (18) to release the deployment door member at the second side of the opening (19) from the support member.

Depolyment door for use in a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus

These telescopic energy absorber units have outer tubes threaded into connection with vehicle hard bar bumper or fascia support to permit fore and aft adjustment by rotation of the piston tube of the unit in clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Energy absorber with impact bumper adjustment

An engine air cleaner and duct arrangement is disclosed for a vehicle for a vehicle having an engine mounted in front therein underneath a hood wherein a vehicle body cross-member extends underneath the hood with clearance space therebetween of smaller height than width and a latch mechanism latches the hood to the cross-member intermediate the ends of the latter. Twin updraft air cleaners each with an inlet and an outlet are mounted on and in front of the cross-member and an air duct is provided having a single delivery branch connected to an air intake of the engine and a pair of feeder branches connected to the respective air cleaner outlets. The feeder branches have a smaller cross-sectional height than width so as to extend through the otherwise unused space between the cross-member and hood and on opposite sides of the latch mechanism and join with the single delivery branch at a location rearward of the cross-member and connect with the air cleaner outlets at locations forward of the cross-member.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

William E Gest