Kevin L Gassaway

US Patent:

20080083490, Apr 10, 2008

Filed:

Oct 4, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/538710

Inventors:

Patrick C. Howard - Austin TX, US
Kevin L. Gassaway - Cedar Park TX, US
Charles Mitchell - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

1562728, 156285, 1563796

Abstract:

A method of forming a bladder for use in an occupant sensor includes positioning first and second sheets of polymeric film onto a bed. The method further includes positioning a laser beam generator above the bed. The laser beam generator is provided information to describe a path of movement over the bed and is then caused to move over the bed along the path and apply a laser beam to melt the first and second sheets to form a bond between the sheets. A system for manufacturing an occupant sensor bladder from polymeric material is also provided. The system includes a bed capable of accepting two layers of polymeric material and a laser beam generator directed at the bed. The laser beam generator can move along a path above the bed and simultaneously apply a laser beam to the polymeric material.