Electric autoinflator

A water-activated, squib-powered inflator for fracturing a frangible seal of a gas cartridge allowing the gas therein to flow into an inflatable device, comprising in combination:

• a body including a longitudinal hole having a rearward end for receiving the gas cartridge allowing the gas therein to flow into the inflatable device via a manifold connected in fluid communication with said longitudinal hole;
• a pierce pin reciprocatably mounted within said longitudinal hole for fracturing the frangible seal of the gas cartridge when urged rearwardly;
• a squib assembly positioned within said longitudinal hole forwardly of said pierce pin, said squib assembly including a piston pin and an electrically actuable explosive charge, said piston pin and said charge being positioned within a housing dimensioned to slidably fit within said longitudinal hole in alignment with said pierce pin, said housing comprising a frangible rearward end, said squib assembly further including terminal means for transmitting electrical energy supplied thereto to said explosive charge to actuate same;
• cap for sealingly positioning at said forward end of said body;
• and
• water sensing means in said cap for sensing the presence of water and transmitting electrical energy from battery to said terminal means of said squib assembly to actuate said explosive charge, whereby said piston pin of said squib assembly is forcibly urged rearwardly to fracture said frangible rearward end and impact said pierce pin and forcibly urge said pierce pin rearwardly to pierce the frangible seal of the gas cartridge allowing the gas contained therein to flow through said longitudinal hole and said manifold into the device to be inflated.