Richard C Townsend

US Patent:

43487203, Sep 7, 1982

Filed:

Aug 31, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/071750

Inventors:

Donald E. Blahut - Holmdel NJ
Victor K. Huang - Scotch Plains NJ
Richard L. Townsend - Berkeley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G06F 100

US Classification:

364200

Abstract:

A microcomputer system arranged for performing direct memory access operations has direct memory access circuitry included on a single chip with the main processor of the microcomputer. Addressing for direct memory access operations is accomplished by circuitry also used for generating addresses when processing routine instructions in the main processor.

US Patent:

20070075534, Apr 5, 2007

Filed:

Aug 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/467628

Inventors:

Michael Kelley - Valrico FL, US
Richard Townsend - St. Petersburg FL, US
Michael Mulville - Bartow FL, US
Anthony Curtis - Palm Harbor FL, US
Samir Heric - Wiesbaden, DE
Marko Morhard - Mainaschaff, DE
Axel Wehrwein - Roßdor, DE
Guido Klettenheimer - Kelsterbach, DE

Assignee:

KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280736000, 280737000

Abstract:

An airbag module assembly () has a module housing (). An airbag () and an airbag inflator () are positioned inside the module housing. The airbag inflator () has an exhaust port end () extending external of the module housing () for venting inflation gasses directly from the airbag inflator () externally of the module housing ().

US Patent:

20070075536, Apr 5, 2007

Filed:

Aug 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/467618

Inventors:

Michael Kelley - Valrico FL, US
Richard Townsend - St. Petersburg FL, US
Michael Mulville - Bartow FL, US
Anthony Curtis - Palm Harbor FL, US
Samir Heric - Wiesbaden, DE
Marko Morhard - Mainaschaff, DE
Axel Wehrwein - Roßdor, DE
Guido Klettenheimer - Kelsterbach, DE

Assignee:

KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280737000, 280736000, 280741000

Abstract:

An airbag inflator () for inflating an airbag has a tubular inflator housing () having a first end (A) and a second end (B). A gas release mechanism () has an exhaust port end or housing () at the first end (A) for releasing gas directly from the tubular inflator housing () to ambient air, bypassing the airbag. A heater assembly () containing a gas generant is located and attached at the second end (B). An igniter () ignites the heater assembly (). A primary gas vent port () vents gas from the tubular inflator housing () into an airbag during normal deployment of the airbag. The gas release mechanism () has a passageway or opening () for exhausting gas from the tubular inflator housing () to an exhaust port (). A seal () seals the passageway or opening () of the gas release mechanism (). An igniter for opens the seal () thereby terminating or slowing deployment and normal inflation of the airbag through the primary vent port ().

US Patent:

20090020990, Jan 22, 2009

Filed:

Jul 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/781254

Inventors:

RICHARD TOWNSEND - St. Petersburg FL, US
ALEXANDER DEYCH - Plant City FL, US

Assignee:

KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26
F16K 17/40

US Classification:

280737, 248694

Abstract:

A device for supporting a rupturable closure member of a pressure vessel, such as an airbag inflator has a hollow support with a tapered portion and an adjoining cylindrical portion. An exterior surface of the tapered portion has longitudinally extending grooves therein. An igniter is located adjacent the cylindrical portion of the support and a pyrotechnic substance is located in the cylindrical portion of the support between the igniter and the tapered portion of the support. A rupturable closure member being forced against an open first end of the tapered portion of the support by the gas in the pressure vessel such that a chamber is formed within the support. The igniter when activated ignites the pyrotechnic substance and the burning pyrotechnic substance generates gas under pressure that causes the tapered portion of the support to break along the longitudinally extending grooves and no longer support the rupturable closure member allowing the gas in the pressure vessel to rupture the unsupported rupturable closure member.