초록 ▼

A novel apparatus and method for attaching a rounded member, such as an inflator assembly for an automobile air bag, to another member or surface, particularly a flat surface, is disclosed. A spacer, which may take the form of a split ring, is positioned around an attachment surface of the rounded m

A novel apparatus and method for attaching a rounded member, such as an inflator assembly for an automobile air bag, to another member or surface, particularly a flat surface, is disclosed. A spacer, which may take the form of a split ring, is positioned around an attachment surface of the rounded member. Then, while the spacer is supported against further motion along the inflator, a flange having a shank with a tapered inside diameter may be passed around the inflator and spacer. As the inside diameter of the flange narrows to contact the spacer, the flange exerts inward pressure tending to frictionally engage the inflator with the spacer, and the spacer with the flange. Thus, an interference fit having a high retention strength may be comparatively easily and rapidly formed. The spacer may be hardened so as to indent the inflator and/or the flange to enhance the retention strength of the assembly. The spacer may be reconfigured in a number of ways to provide the appropriate combination of resistance against axial pressure and torsion.

대표청구항 ▼

A novel apparatus and method for attaching a rounded member, such as an inflator assembly for an automobile air bag, to another member or surface, particularly a flat surface, is disclosed. A spacer, which may take the form of a split ring, is positioned around an attachment surface of the rounded m

A novel apparatus and method for attaching a rounded member, such as an inflator assembly for an automobile air bag, to another member or surface, particularly a flat surface, is disclosed. A spacer, which may take the form of a split ring, is positioned around an attachment surface of the rounded member. Then, while the spacer is supported against further motion along the inflator, a flange having a shank with a tapered inside diameter may be passed around the inflator and spacer. As the inside diameter of the flange narrows to contact the spacer, the flange exerts inward pressure tending to frictionally engage the inflator with the spacer, and the spacer with the flange. Thus, an interference fit having a high retention strength may be comparatively easily and rapidly formed. The spacer may be hardened so as to indent the inflator and/or the flange to enhance the retention strength of the assembly. The spacer may be reconfigured in a number of ways to provide the appropriate combination of resistance against axial pressure and torsion. omprising a fluid conduit connecting multiple producing units and multiple consuming units, with measurable changes in fluid pressure in the fluid conduit forming the information channel. 3. The market based control system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid conduit connecting multiple producing units and multiple consuming units, with measurable changes in chemical concentration of selected chemical species in the fluid conduit forming the information channel. 4. The market based control system of claim 1, further comprising a thermal conduit connecting multiple producing units and multiple consuming units, with measurable changes in temperature of the thermal conduit forming the information channel. 5. The market based control system of claim 1, wherein market price information encoded as measurable changes in non-electrical partitionable physical properties are measured by digital circuitry. 6. The market based control system of claim 1, wherein market price information encoded as measurable changes in non-electrical partitionable physical properties are measured by analog circuitry. 7. An actuator control system comprising multiple actuators having determinable actuation levels, and an information channel connecting the multiple actuators wherein each of the multiple actuators impart a non-electrical physical property onto said information channel, the information channel transmitting and receiving market price information encoded as measurable changes in the non-electrical partitionable physical properties, with determinable actuation levels of the multiple actuators set in response to market price information. 8. The market based control system of claim 7, wherein the information channel further comprises a fluid conduit connecting multiple actuators, with measurable changes in fluid pressure in the fluid conduit forming the information channel. 9. The market based control system of claim 7, wherein the information channel further comprises a fluid conduit connecting multiple actuators, with measurable changes in chemical concentration of selected chemical species in the fluid conduit forming the information channel. 10. The market based control system of claim 7, wherein the information channel further comprises a thermal conduit connecting multiple actuators, with measurable changes in temperature in the thermal conduit forming the information channel. 11. The market based control system of claim 7, wherein market price information encoded as measurable changes in non-electrical partitionable physical properties are measured by digital circuitry. 12. The market based control system of claim 7, wherein market price information encoded as measurable changes in non-electrical partitionable physical properties are measured by analog circuitry. 13. A market based control system comprising: multiple producing units and multiple consuming units interconnected by a closeable fluid conduit, and an information channel connecting multiple producing units to multiple consuming units wherein each of the multiple producing units and multiple consuming units impart a pressure in the closeable fluid conduit, the information channel transmitting and receiving market price information encoded as measurable changes in fluid pressure in the closeable fluid conduit. 14. The market based control system of claim 13, wherein market price information encoded as measurable changes in fluid pressure are measured by digital circuitry. 15. The market based control system of claim 13, wherein market price information encoded as measurable changes in fluid pressure are measured by analog circuitry.