Gas inflator apparatus

An apparatus for inflating an inflatable container, comprising:

• first enclosure means containing compressed gas under a first pressure;
• first connecting means for connecting said first enclosure means to an inflatable container;
• first barrier means for providing a barrier between said first enclosure means and said first connecting means;
• means for breaking said first barrier means, wherein said compressed gas in said first enclosure means begins to flow from said first enclosure means through said connecting means into the inflatable container;
• second enclosure means containing a combustible material;
• second connecting means for connecting said first enclosure means to said second enclosure means;
• second barrier means for providing a barrier between said second enclosure means and said first enclosure means;
• pressure sensing means for monitoring a differential pressure between a second pressure and a reference pressure, wherein said second pressure is related to said first pressure;
• and
• mechanical ignition means for igniting said combustible material to break said second barrier means and thereby permit exhaust gases from said combustible material to mix with said compressed gas to increase the flow rate thereof into the inflatable container, wherein said pressure sensing means activates said ignition means when said pressure sensing means detects a first differential pressure between said second pressure and said reference pressure, said reference pressure exceeding said second pressure in the dynamic state.

A method for inflating a container using an apparatus having a first enclosure means containing a compressed gas under a first pressure, a barrier separating said first enclosure means and the container, and a combustible material, comprising:

• sensing a condition requiring inflation of the container;
• generating an electric signal for breaking said barrier;
• permitting compressed gas within said first enclosure means to flow into the container;
• sensing whether a pressure differential exists between a second pressure related to said first pressure and a reference pressure, wherein said reference pressure is defined using a gas located in a volume different from a volume used to contain gas defining said second pressure, wherein the gas defining said reference pressure does not substantially contribute to the inflation of the container, and wherein said reference pressure exceeds said second pressure in the dynamic state;
• igniting said combustible material by moving an impacting means away from said reference pressure when a first pressure differential is detected;
• and
• mixing exhaust gases from burning said combustible material with said compressed gas in said first enclosure means, wherein the flow rate into the container increases.

An apparatus for inflating an inflatable container in which an initial flow rate is provided to the inflatable container and a second, increased flow rate is provided after a time delay, said delay depending upon a pressure differential and the ambient temperature, comprising:

• first enclosure means container gas under a first pressure;
• first connecting means for attaching said first enclosure means to an inflatable container;
• first barrier means between said first enclosure means and said first connecting means;
• means for removing said first barrier means, wherein gas from said first enclosure means flows to the inflatable container;
• combustible material in said first enclosure means;
• pressure sensing means for controlling ignition of said combustible material after a delay;
• and
• temperature compensating means for influencing said delay based upon the ambient temperature.