Distributed charge inflator system

An inflatable system comprising:

• (a) an inflatable component;
• (b) a charge distributed within the inflatable component for generating inflating gas;
• (c) a layer of additional gas-generating material disposed around the inflatable component;
• (d) a sheath enclosing the layer of additional gas-generating material and the charge within the inflatable component;
• (e) an initiator, in contact with the charge, for igniting the charge;
• and
• (f) an initiating device electrically connected to the initiator for initiating deployment of the inflatable component,
• wherein the initiator ignites in response to a signal from the initiating device, igniting the charge and generating inflating gas which inflates the inflatable component.

An inflatable system comprising:

• (a) an inflatable component comprising a first plurality of sections;
• (b) a charge distributed as laminated section charges within a second plurality of sections of the inflatable component, for generating inflating gas to inflate the inflatable component, wherein the second plurality is equal to or less than the first plurality;
• (c) at least one initiator, in contact with the section charges, for igniting the section charges, wherein each section charge is in contact with at least one of the at least one initiators;
• and
• (d) an activator electrically connected to each of the at least one initiators for initiating deployment of the inflatable component,
• wherein each of the at least one initiators ignites in response to at least one signal from the activator, igniting the charge and generating inflating gas which inflates the inflatable component.