Jeffery S Blackburn

US Patent:

6789485, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Nov 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/996170

Inventors:

Larry A. Moquin - Rochester Hills MI
Bruce A. Stevens - Oakland MI
Steven M. Dunham - Mt. Clemens MI
Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI
Sean P. Burns - Almont MI
Graylon K. Williams - Warren MI

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

C06D 506

US Classification:

102530, 280741, 264 31, 86 11, 86 2012

Abstract:

Assembly of a gas generator includes the step of adding uncured silicone to a propellant cup. Granulated oxidizer is then added over the top of the silicone and allowed to disperse therein. Afterwards, the silicone is cured to provide flush communication with an inner wall of the propellant cup. Other granulated gas generant constituents may be added as well. A gas generator assembled in this manner provides more predictable burn rates of a gas generant composition and therefore more predictable performance of the gas generator.

US Patent:

6964430, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Mar 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/401309

Inventors:

Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI, US
Simon A. M. Frith - Warren MI, US

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R021/26

US Classification:

280741

Abstract:

An inflator () is provided for supplying gas to a vehicle airbag from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials. The inflator () has a two-piece inflator body () held together by crimping the body components, rather than welding. An igniter assembly () is positioned in a bore () in an upper piece () of the inflator body and is held in place with a press-fit interface and an adhesive seal. The upper piece () of the inflator body is rounded, increasing its strength, and fits partially into the lower piece (). A booster tube is unnecessary, making the inflator lighter in weight and increasing available volume for propellant.

US Patent:

6981718, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Nov 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/716243

Inventors:

Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI, US

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280737

Abstract:

A gas generator for an inflatable occupant restraint system is provided. The gas generator includes a projectile firing barrel having a touch hole on a side thereof for ignition of a propellant within the barrel. Ignition of the propellant drives a projectile through the barrel and into a rupturable seal on a stored gas canister. After rupturing the seal , the projectile is positively retained between a base end of the barrel and the gas canister.

US Patent:

7137646, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Nov 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/713291

Inventors:

Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI, US
Tsuneo Chikaraishi - Shiga, JP
Kanji Yano - Shiga, JP

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280737

Abstract:

An inflator of a vehicle occupant protection system, for example, contains an elongated housing having a first end and a second. The gas generator includes a sealed pressurized gas supply or gas tank in fluid communication with the first end upon inflator operation. A first seal seals the first end prior to gas generator operation. A notched support member is wedged within the housing and fixes the first seal against a sealed opening of the gas tank , thereby preventing fluid flow during gas generator inactivity. Upon gas generator activation, the support member is fractured by a force produced by an initiator thereby releasing pressurized gas into the first end and through the housing.

US Patent:

7178828, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Jul 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/631306

Inventors:

Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI, US

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280736, 280741

Abstract:

The present invention provides a gas generator () that includes a housing () formed from coupling a cap () and a base () in nested relationship. At least one attachment member () is preferably formed symmetrically about and integral to a peripheral flange () of the cap (). The contour of a peripheral edge () formed from recessed and protruding portions provides interlocking communication between the cap () and the base (). A plurality of hook members () is symmetrically formed about the peripheral edge () of the base (). Each hook member () corresponds to a respective protruding portion () of the cap (). An arcuate groove () is formed by an inner wall () of each respective hook member (). The groove () is preferably tapered whereby the arcuate length of the groove or the inner wall () is greater at the first end () than at the second end (). As a result, the base () when rotatably fixed to the cap () provides an interference fit at the hook/cap periphery interface.

US Patent:

7178829, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Jan 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/043726

Inventors:

Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI, US

Assignee:

Autommotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Armada MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280736, 280741, 280742

Abstract:

An inflator () for use in inflatable restraint systems. The inflator includes an inner body portion () defining a combustion chamber () and including one or more apertures () formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the combustion chamber () and an exterior of the combustion chamber. A filter material () is positioned along an exterior of the inner body portion (), for filtering and cooling combustion products emanating from the apertures () of the inner body portion (). An outer body wrap () is provided having a pair of opposed longitudinal edges (). The outer body wrap () is formed from a foldable sheet material and has a dimension between the opposed edges () sufficient to enable the wrap () to substantially enclose the predetermined thickness of filter material () when the wrap () is folded about the filter material (). One or more apertures () are provided along the outer body wrap () to enable fluid communication between the filter () and an exterior of the inflator (). In one embodiment, the apertures () are formed along a seam extending between the opposed edges () of the folded outer body wrap ().

US Patent:

7178830, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Oct 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/251255

Inventors:

Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI, US

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Armada MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280736, 280741, 280742

Abstract:

The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile. The inflator includes an elongate inflator body containing a baffle tube that cools gases as they are shunted therethrough upon gas generator activation.

US Patent:

7264276, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Sep 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/949086

Inventors:

Jeffery S. Blackburn - Lake Orion MI, US

Assignee:

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. - Armada MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/12
B60R 22/28

US Classification:

280805, 2808011, 280808

Abstract:

A safety belt construction () for use in a vehicle occupant protection system. The safety belt construction () includes a first panel (), a second panel () affixed to the first panel () to form a pocket () therebetween, and an amount of an energy-absorbing material () secured in the pocket () to provide an energy-absorption capability to the safety-belt structure. A safety-belt system including a safety-belt incorporating an energy-absorbing material and a method for manufacturing the safety-belt are also disclosed.