Filterless airbag module

• US 20050082804A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Khandhadia, Paresh S.
• Application Number:
  US10/966,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082804A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

A filterless airbag module (10) including a structure for cooling combustion gases. The airbag module (10) includes an inflator (12) having a housing (18) and a smokeless gas generating propellant (20) contained within the housing. One or more apertures (24) are formed in the housing (18) to enable fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing. An airbag (16) is arranged to fluidly communicate with the apertures (24). A combustion gas retainer (42) is positioned exterior of the housing (18) and in alignment with the apertures (24). The retainer (42) and a surface (72) of the housing (18) combine to define a cooling chamber (50) for cooling combustion gases received from the housing (18) via the apertures (24). The cooling chamber (50) is dimensioned to affect an average residence time of combustion gases received in the chamber (50) so that the gases reside in the cooling chamber (50) for a length of time sufficient to cool the gases to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range prior to the gases exiting the cooling chamber (50). A heat-absorbing material may be positioned in the cooling chamber (50) to aid in cooling combustion gases received therein.

Claims

1. A filterless airbag module comprising:

an inflator including a housing;

a gas generating propellant contained within the housing;

at least one aperture formed in the housing to enable fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing;

a combustion gas retainer positioned exterior of the housing and in alignment with the at least one aperture, the retainer and a surface of the housing defining a cooling chamber for cooling combustion gases received from the housing via the at least one aperture; and

an airbag arranged to fluidly communicate with the at least one aperture.

2. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises an upper section and a lower section, and wherein the at least one aperture is formed in the housing upper section.

3. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the retainer has a base portion extending from the housing, a wall extending from the base portion, and a flange extending from the wall in a direction generally toward the housing, and wherein the cooling chamber is defined by the base portion, the wall, the flange, and an exterior surface of the housing.

4. The airbag module of claim 3 wherein the wall and the flange each have a predetermined length, the housing is generally cylindrical in shape and has a central axis, the retainer base portion extends radially outwardly from the housing, and the retainer flange extends generally radially inwardly from the wall, the base portion, the wall, the flange, and the exterior surface of the housing thereby forming an annular cooling chamber centered on the central axis.

5. The airbag module of claim 4, wherein the volume of the annular cooling chamber is approximated by the relation:

JIDr₁²−

JID(r₁−

L cos θ

)²+½

(JI(D+L sin θ

)r₁²−

JI(D+L sin θ

)(r₁−

L cos θ

)²+JI(D+L sin θ

)(r₁−

L cos θ

)²−

JI(D+L sin θ

)r₂²

where

D=the length of the wall;

r₁=the distance from the central axis to the wall;

r₂=the radius of the exterior surface of the housing;

θ

=the angle between the flange and a plane extending generally perpendicular to the central axis; and

L=the length of the flange.

6. The airbag module of claim 1 further comprising a heat-absorbing material positioned in the cooling chamber for cooling combustion gases received therein.

7. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the smokeless gas generating propellant comprises a mixture of high-nitrogen nonazide fuel selected from the class consisting of 1-, 3-, and 5-substituted amine salts of triazoles, and, 1- and 5-substituted amine salts of tetrazoles;

and dry-mixed with an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.

8. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a mixture of:

a high-nitrogen nonazide fuel selected from the class consisting of 1-, 3-, 5-substituted amine salts of triazoles and 1- and 5-substituted amine salts of tetrazoles, the fuel employed in a concentration of 15 to 65% by weight of the gas generant composition; and

an oxidizer consisting of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, the oxidizer employed in a concentration of 35 to 85% by weight of the gas generant composition, wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of monoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monoaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monohydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, dihydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monoammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-H-tetrazole, diammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, mono-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, di-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Azobis-1H-tetrazole, and monoammonium salt of 5-Nitramino-1H-tetrazole.

9. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a mixture of:

a high-nitrogen nonazide fuel selected from the class consisting of 1-, 3-, and 5-substituted amine salts of triazoles, and, 1- and 5-substituted amine salts of tetrazoles;

a second fuel selected from the group consisting of hydrazodicarbonamide and azodicarbonamide; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.

10. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a mixture of:

a high-nitrogen nonazide fuel selected from the class consisting of 1-, 3-, 5-substituted amine salts of triazoles and 1- and 5-substituted amine salts of tetrazoles, the fuel employed in a concentration of 5 to 45% by weight of the gas generant composition;

a second fuel selected from the group consisting of hydrazodicarbonamide and azodicarbonamide, the second fuel employed in a concentration of 1 to 35% by weight of the gas generant composition; and

an oxidizer consisting of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, the oxidizer employed in a concentration of 55 to 85% by weight of the gas generant composition, wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of monoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monoaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monohydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, dihydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monoammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, diammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, mono-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, di-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Azobis-1H-tetrazole, and monoammonium salt of 5-Nitramino-1H-tetrazole.

11. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a mixture of:

a high-nitrogen nonazide fuel selected from the group consisting of tetrazoles, triazoles, salts of tetrazoles, and salts of triazoles;

a second fuel selected from the group consisting of hydrazodicarbonamide and azodicarbonamide; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate employed in a concentration of 55-85% by weight of the gas generant composition.

12. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a mixture of:

a fuel consisting of 5-aminotetrazole nitrate; and

at least one oxidizer selected from the group consisting of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate;

alkali metal and alkaline earth metal nitrates, nitrites, perchlorates, chlorates, and chlorites; and

, alkali, alkaline earth, and transitional metal oxides, wherein the 5-aminotetrazole nitrate is employed in a concentration of 55 to 85% by weight of the gas generant composition, and the oxidizer is employed in a concentration of 20 to 45% by weight of the gas generant.

13. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a mixture of a fuel consisting of 5-aminotetrazole nitrate;

and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, wherein 5-aminotetrazole nitrate is employed in a concentration of 30 to 95% by weight of the gas generant composition, and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate is employed in a concentration of 5 to 70% by weight of the gas generant composition.

14. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a composition wherein 5-aminotetrazole nitrate is employed in a concentration of about 73% by weight of the gas generant composition, and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate is employed in a concentration of about 27% by weight of the gas generant composition.

15. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists essentially of a mixture of:

a fuel consisting of 5-aminotetrazole nitrate; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, wherein 5-aminotetrazole nitrate is employed in a concentration of 30 to 95% by weight of the gas generant composition, and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate is employed in a concentration of 5 to 70% by weight of the gas generant composition.

16. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a mixture of:

a fuel consisting of 5-aminotetrazole nitrate; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, wherein 5-aminotetrazole nitrate is employed in a concentration of 30 to 95% by weight of the gas generant composition, and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate is employed in a concentration of 5 to 70% by weight of the gas generant composition.

17. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of guanidines, tetrazoles, triazoles, salts of tetrazoles, and salts of triazoles; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer, wherein the composition has a melting point of at least 115.degree. C., the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixture;

the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, and, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40%-85% by weight of the mixture.

18. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of monoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monoaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monohydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, dihydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monoammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, diammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, mono-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, di-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium-5,5′

-azotetrazolate, monoammonium salt of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole, monoguanidinium salt of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole, diammonium salt of dinitrobitriazole, diguanidinium salt of dinitrobitriazole, and monoammonium salt of 3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazole; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer, wherein the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixture, the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, and, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40%-85% by weight of the mixture.

19. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of nonmetal salts of triazoles substituted at the 1-, 3-, and 5-positions, and nonmetal salts of tetrazoles substituted at the 1- and 5-positions, the salts substituted at each position with a nitrogen-containing group; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer, wherein the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixtures the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, and, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40-85% by weight of the mixture.

20. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of 1-, 3-, 5-substituted nonmetal salts of triazoles, and 1-, 5-substituted nonmetal salts of tetrazoles, the salts substituted at each position with a nitrogen-containing compound; and

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer, wherein the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixture;

the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40-85% by weight of the mixture.

21. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of guanidines, tetrazoles, triazoles, salts of tetrazoles, and salts of triazoles;

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer, a burn rate modifier selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkaline earth, and transitional metal salts of tetrazole and triazole, triaminoguanidine nitrate, dicyandiamide, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of dicyandiamide;

alkali and alkaline earth borohydrides, and mixtures thereof; and

a coolant selected from the group consisting of clay, silica, glass, and alumina, and mixtures thereof;

wherein the composition has a melting point of at least 115°

C., the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixture;

the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40-85% by weight of the mixture, the burn rate modifier comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture, and the coolant comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture.

22. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of monoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1-tetrazole, monoaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, diaminoguanidinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, monohydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1H-tetrazole, dihydrazinium salt of 5,5′

-Bis-1-tetrazole, monoammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, diammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, mono-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, di-3-amino-1,2,4-triazolium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole, diguanidinium-5,5′

-azotetrazolate, monoammonium salt of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole, monoguanidinium salt of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole, diammonium salt of dinitrobitriazole, diguanidinium salt of dinitrobitriazole, and monoammonium salt of 3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazole;

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer,

a burn rate modifier selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkaline earth, and transitional metal salts of tetrazole and triazole, triaminoguanidine nitrate, dicyandiamide, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of dicyandiamide;

alkali and alkaline earth borohydrides, and mixtures thereof; and

a coolant selected from the group consisting of clay, silica, glass, and alumina, and mixtures thereof;

wherein the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixture, the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40%-85% by weight of the mixture, the burn rate modifier comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture, and the coolant comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture.

23. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of nonmetal salts of triazoles substituted at the 1-, 3-, and 5-positions, and nonmetal salts of tetrazoles substituted at the 1- and 5-positions, the salts substituted at each position with a nitrogen-containing group;

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer,

a burn rate modifier selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkaline earth, and transitional metal salts of tetrazole and triazole, triaminoguanidine nitrate, dicyandiamide, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of dicyandiamide;

alkali and alkaline earth borohydrides, and mixtures thereof; and

a coolant selected from the group consisting of clay, silica, glass, and alumina, and mixtures thereof;

wherein the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixture, the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40-85% by weight of the mixture, the burn rate modifier comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture, and the coolant comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture.

24. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine and at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel selected from the group consisting of 1-, 3-, 5-substituted nonmetal salts of triazoles, and 1-, 5-substituted nonmetal salts of tetrazoles, the salts substituted at each position with a nitrogen-containing compound;

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer,

a burn rate modifier selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkaline earth, and transitional metal salts of tetrazole and triazole, triaminoguanidine nitrate, dicyandiamide, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of dicyandiamide;

alkali and alkaline earth borohydrides, and mixtures thereof; and

a coolant selected from the group consisting of clay, silica, glass, and alumina, and mixtures thereof;

wherein the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixture;

the at least one nonazide high-nitrogen fuel comprises 4%-40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the at least one nonazide high nitrogen fuel comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40-85% by weight of the mixture, the burn rate modifier comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture, and the coolant comprises 0-10% by weight of the mixture.

25. The airbag module of claim 1 wherein the gas generating propellant consists of a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of:

nitroguanidine,

diammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole,

phase stabilized ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer,

wherein the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized by coprecipitating with potassium nitrate, the nitroguanidine comprises 1%-26% by weight of the mixtures the diammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole comprises 4%40% by weight of the mixture, the nitroguanidine in combination with the diammonium salt of 5,5′

-bis-1H-tetrazole comprises 15%-60% by weight of the mixture, and, the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises 40-85% by weight of the mixture.

26. A method for cooling combustion gases comprising the steps of:

providing a housing defining a combustion chamber and having at least one aperture formed in the housing to enable fluid communication between the combustion chamber and an exterior of the housing;

providing a combustion gas retainer positioned exterior of the housing and in alignment with the at least one aperture, the retainer and a surface of the housing defining a cooling chamber for cooling combustion gases received from the combustion chamber via the at least one aperture, the cooling chamber being dimensioned to affect an average residence time of combustion gases received therein so that the gases reside in the cooling chamber for a length of time sufficient to cool the gases to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range prior to the gases exiting the cooling chamber;

conveying combustion gases from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber via the at least one aperture; and

retaining the gases within the cooling chamber for the length of time sufficient to cool the gases to a temperature within the predetermined temperature range.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of providing a retainer comprises the steps of providing a base portion extending from the housing, providing a wall extending from the base portion, and providing a flange extending from the wall in a direction generally toward the housing to define, in combination with an exterior surface of the housing, a cooling chamber.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the steps of providing a base portion, a wall, and a flange further comprise the step of dimensioning the base portion, the wall, and the flange to provide a cooling chamber having a predetermined volume configured to retain the combustion gases therein for a time sufficient to cool the gases to a temperature within the predetermined temperature range prior to the gases exiting the cooling chamber.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein a combination of the base portion, the wall, and the flange define a flow path for combustion gases through the cooling chamber, and wherein the step of providing a base portion, a wall, and a flange further comprises the step of dimensioning the base portion, the wall, and the flange so that an average time required for the gases to travel along the flow path is sufficient to cool the gas to a temperature within the predetermined temperature range prior to the gases exiting the cooling chamber.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein an end portion of the flange and an exterior surface of the housing are spaced apart to define an exit port for combustion gases from the cooling chamber, and wherein the flange is dimensioned to control the size of the exit port to affect a flow rate of the gases from the combustion chamber so that the average residence time of the combustion gas within the cooling chamber is sufficient to cool the gases to a temperature within the predetermined temperature range prior to the gases exiting the cooling chamber.

33. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of positioning heat-absorbing material in the cooling chamber for cooling combustion gases received therein.

30. The method of claim 30 wherein the flow path of the combustion gases extends between the combustion chamber and an inflatable device of a vehicle occupant protection system, and wherein the gases are cooled to a temperature within the predetermined temperature range prior to dispersal of the gases from the cooling chamber into the inflatable device.

31. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of positioning a heat-absorbing material along the flow path whereby combustion gases received in the cooling chamber flow along the flow path defined by the retainer and impinge upon the heat-absorbing material to aid in cooling of the gases prior to direction of the gases into the inflatable device.

34. A filterless airbag inflator comprising:

a housing including an upper section and a lower section;

a smokeless gas generating propellant contained within the housing;

at least one aperture formed in the housing upper section to enable fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing; and

a combustion gas retainer positioned exterior of the housing and in alignment with the at least one aperture, the retainer having a base portion extending from the housing, a wall extending from the base portion, and a flange extending from the wall in a direction generally toward the housing, the base portion, the wall, the flange, and an exterior surface of the housing defining a cooling chamber for retaining combustion gases received from the housing for a length of time sufficiently to cool the gases to a temperature within the predetermined temperature range.

35. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:

a filterless airbag module including an inflator having an inflator a housing, a gas generating propellant contained within the housing, at least one aperture formed in the housing to enable fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing, a combustion gas retainer positioned exterior of the housing and in alignment with the at least one aperture, the retainer and a surface of the housing defining a cooling chamber for cooling combustion gases received from the housing via the at least one aperture, and an airbag arranged to fluidly communicate with the at least one aperture; and

a safety belt assembly including a housing and a safety belt extending from the housing, the safety belt having 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.

36. The vehicle occupant restraint system of claim 35 wherein the safety belt assembly further comprises:

a belt retractor mechanism coupled to an end portion of the safety-belt; and

a safety belt pretensioner coupled to the belt retractor mechanism to actuate the retractor in the event of a collision.

37. The vehicle occupant restraint system of claim 36 wherein the vehicle occupant restraint system is in communication with a crash event sensor including a crash sensor algorithm that signals actuation of the belt pretensioner in the event of a collision.

38. The vehicle occupant restraint system of claim 36 wherein the airbag module is in communication with a crash event sensor including a crash sensor algorithm that signals actuation of the airbag system in the event of a collision.

39. The airbag module of claim 35 wherein the gas retainer has a base portion extending from the housing, a wall extending from the base portion, and a flange extending from the wall in a direction generally toward the housing, and wherein the cooling chamber is defined by the base portion, the wall, the flange, and an exterior surface of the housing.