Abstract: An inflation system that is also used as a safety device to inflate a life-saving device such as a life raft. The inflation system may be manually activated or may be automatically activated as a result of contact with water. The system may include a gas-operated pilot valve having a self-contained small gas supply. The pilot valve is in fluid communication with a gas operated inflation valve. The gas-operated inflation valve includes a gas-actuated activator, an inlet in communication with a gas supply, an outlet and a fluid connection between the gas-operated pilot valve and the gas-actuated activator. The gas-actuated activator is movable from a first position that blocks fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet so as to prevent fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, to a second position in which there is fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An inflation valve includes a main valve body having an outlet port, a rupture port, and a pull cord retainer. A puncture retainer body secures a puncture disc within the main valve body to seal the outlet port to gas flow. A slot in the puncture retaining body permits gas flow to the outlet port. A puncture pin received within the puncture retaining body includes a center bore permitting gas flow to the outlet port. A rupture disc breaks under high pressure conditions to permit pressurized gas to exit the rupture port. The rupture disc and puncture disc are interchangeable. A release assembly associated with the pull cord retainer permits manual release of the puncture pin. A vacuum washer is sealed between a vacuum retainer and the pull cord retainer to prevent gas from exiting the pull cord retainer when the inflation valve is activated under vacuum.