Hybrid inflator with a valve

A method for operating an inflatable safety system comprising an air/safety bag and an inflator comprising an inflator housing, a pressurized medium contained within said inflator housing, a main closure disk disposed between said pressurized medium and the air/safety bag, and a gas generator fluidly interconnected with said inflator housing and comprising first and second fluidly interconnected chambers, said first chamber containing a propellant, wherein said second chamber is positioned between said first chamber and said main closure disk, interfaces with said main closure disk, and is fluidly interconnectable with said inflator housing by a plurality of ports, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating propellant gases from said propellant;
• providing at least a portion of said propellant gases from said first chamber to said second chamber;
• substantially inhibiting a flow of said propellant gases from said second chamber into said inflator housing during a first portion of said generating step, said substantially inhibiting step comprising at least one of performing first and second steps, said performing a first step comprising biasing a valve assembly, disposed within said second chamber of said gas generator, toward sealing engagement with said gas generator to substantially seal said ports, said performing a second step comprising pressurizing said second chamber, wherein said ports are substantially sealed by said pressurizing step;
• opening said main closure disk using said substantially inhibiting step;
• allowing a flow from said inflator housing into said second chamber during a second portion of said generating step and after said substantially inhibiting step;
• and
• directing a flow to the air/safety bag after said opening step.