Hydrogen enhanced reactive gas inflator

An inflator device for an airbag, comprising:

• a housing;
• a storage chamber disposed within the housing for storing a pressurized gas comprising at least one gaseous oxidizer;
• an initiator device disposed in the housing and configured to produce a combustion gas to inflate the airbag, the initiator device comprising at least one chemical hydride compound;
• a first temporary closure separating the initiator device from the storage chamber;
• and
• a second temporary closure restricting fluid communication between the storage chamber and the airbag,
• wherein upon actuation of the initiator device, a shock wave propagates through the first temporary closure and the chemical hydride compound generates hydrogen that reacts with the pressurized gas to form H2O.

A method for inflating an airbag comprising:

• actuating an initiator device upon receipt of a signal, the initiator device being in actuating proximity of a storage chamber configured for storing a pressurized gas comprising at least one gaseous oxidizer;
• reacting a chemical hydride compound disposed within the initiator device to form hydrogen;
• generating a shock wave that propagates through the storage chamber, thereby opening a temporary closure permitting fluid communication between the chamber and the airbag;
• reacting the gaseous oxidizer with the hydrogen to form a combustion gas;
• and
• inflating the airbag with at least one or both of the combustion gas and the pressurized gas.