PATENTS

Variable Output Inflator

U.S. Patent No. 7,464,961 B2
Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
European Patent Application No. 06 119 416.3 (pending)

Abstract:
The variable output inflator includes an injection piston assembly containing a sealed container of liquid propellant. The movement of the injection piston of the assembly is controlled by an electromagnetic valve that controls the flow of a fluid from a reservoir and against which an annular skirt of the injection piston moves during actuation.

Airbag Inflator

U.S. Patent No. 6889614
Application No. 10/243,926
Issue date: May 10, 2005
European Patent No. 1522468

Abstract:
The air bag inflator employs an injection piston assembly in which liquid propellant is delivered through nozzles in the injection piston to the combustion chamber. Metering of the liquid propellant is accomplished in a manner that is not sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures. A plug is slidably mounted between the propellant chamber and the nozzles to prevent flashback at startup. The plug is pushed forwardly to expose the nozzles to the propellant chamber in response to a predetermined pressure in the propellant chamber. A plug may also be fitted into each nozzle to be expelled into the combustion chamber upon opening of the nozzle. A tape may also be provided over the outlet of the nozzle to prevent flashback into the propellant chamber.

Variable Output Inflator, Passenger Side

U.S. Patent No. 6,889,613
Issued on May 10, 2005
Application No. 10/243,206
European Patent No. 1522467 (U.K)

Abstract:
The variable output inflator includes an injection piston assembly containing a liquid propellant chamber from which liquid propellant is injected through one or more nozzles in the injection piston into a combustion chamber. The movement of the injection piston is controlled by a magnetic control unit employing an annular gap through which the MR fluid flows in a controlled manner. The inflator is of cylindrical type and may be made of small compact dimensions.

Variable Output Inflator, Driver Side

U.S. Patent No. 6,871,871
Issued on March 29, 2005
Application No. 10/243,154
European Patent Application No. 03 256 335.5

Abstract:
The air bag inflator is particularly useful for mounting in a steering wheel of a vehicle for inflating an air bag. A magnetic control unit is disposed concentrically of an injection piston through which liquid propellant is injected from a liquid propellant chamber into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, the injection piston and pump piston are contoured to define a contoured liquid propellant chamber. In a second embodiment, an annular injection piston is slidably mounted on an annular pump piston to define an annular liquid propellant chamber.

Airbag Assembly and Modulated Airbag Inflation Process

European Patent Application No. 06 110 758.7 (pending)

Abstract:
The airbag assembly is provided with a housing between an inflator and an airbag in order to radially diffuse hot gasses pouring into the airbag to reduce the temperature of the hot gas. An ECU receives signals from sensors in the vehicle to provide information with respect to the severity of a crash and the weight of an occupant. The ECU processes the signals from the sensors and chooses a current profile from the matrix of speeds and weights that represents a specific inflation mass flow rate. The chosen signal is delivered to an ICU which, in turn, controls the inflator to deliver a specific gas mass flow rate to the airbag.

Seat Belt Module

Patent No.: 6655743
Filing date: Apr 11, 2002
Issue date: Dec 2, 2003
Application number: 10/120,466
European Patent Application No. 03 252 242.7 (pending)

Abstract:
The seat belt module is electronically controlled using magneto-rheological fluid. A CPU delivers a signal to an electromagnetic coil within the module at the beginning of a crash to cause the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid to increase sufficient to lock the spool on which the seat belt is wound against rotation. Thereafter, a subsequent signal is delivered by the CPU to the coil to reduce the magnetic field and the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid allowing the spool to be unwound in a programmed manner so as to reduce the forces imposed on an occupant by the seat belt. The CPU may be pre-programmed in response to signals from sensors throughout the vehicle that deliver signals corresponding to the characteristics of the occupant and may be programmed in response to signals from these sensors and from an air bag to respond in real time.

Electronic Technology to Control Variable Output Inflators

Inflator Control Unit

U.S. Patent No. 6564717
Filing date: Dec 14, 2001
Issue date: May 20, 2003
Application No.: 10/017,496

Abstract:
The disclosure describes a circuit arrangement for driving an occupant protection system gas generator whose ignition process can be influenced by a magnetic field; this is based on a switching control principle, with the load coil generating the magnetic field being itself used as a component part of the switching control. For a fast reduction of the magnetic field and thus for accelerating the ignition process, a resistor may by connected into the free-wheeling branch, which is bridged in normal operation. Alternatively, it is possible to effect a return feed of the energy stored in the coil into the self-sufficiency capacitor.

Circuit arrangement for driving an occupant protection system gas generator whose ignition process can be influenced by a magnetic field

German Patent No. DE 100 62 756 A 1
Issue date: June 20, 2002
In conjunction with Conti Temic Microelectronics, GmbH

Abstract:
The disclosure describes a circuit arrangement for driving an occupant protection system gas generator whose ignition process can be influenced by a magnetic field; this is based on a switching control principle, with the load coil generating the magnetic field being itself used as a component part of the switching control. For a fast reduction of the magnetic field and thus for accelerating the ignition process, a resistor may by connected into the free-wheeling branch, which is bridged in normal operation. Alternatively, it is possible to effect a return feed of the energy stored in the coil into the self-sufficiency capacitor.

Circuit (arrangement) for controlling a passenger protection device

European Patent No. EP 1 215 090 B1
Application date: December 4, 2001
Issue date: March 1, 2006 (Patent bulletin 2006/09)
Application number: 01128796,8
In conjunction with Conti Temic Microelectronics, GmbH

Abstract:
The circuit arrangement is designed so that a load resistance is arranged in series with the free running current path, which has a connectable bridging switch. In addition for the constant regulation of the magnetic field in the coil, the load resistance is bridged, for the quick reduction of the magnetic field in the coil. Especially for accelerating the ignition of the occupant protection unit, the bridging is opened and the coil is discharged across the load resistance.