Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) comprises a vessel (12) having a chamber (30). An air bag inflation gas (32) is stored in the chamber (3). A fill passage (38) is provided in the vessel (12) for directing the air bag inflation gas (32) into the chamber (30). Blocking means (60) is provided in the fill passage (38) for blocking flow of the air bag inflation gas (32) from the chamber (30) through the fill passage. A closure (70) is welded to the vessel (12) and blocks gas flow past the closure. A detectable gas (84), different than the air bag inflation gas (30), is stored in the fill passage (38) between the blocking means (60) and the closure (70). The presence of the detectable gas in the fill passage (38) is checked to determine whether the closure (70) is properly sealed.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes an inflator (20), a reaction canister (22), and first and second brackets (150,152) for mounting the inflator (20) in the reaction canister (22). The inflator has an axis (82) and first and second axially opposite end portions (96,92). The reaction canister (22) has first and second canister walls (68,70) spaced from each other along the axis (82). The first and second brackets (150,152) are contained in the reaction canister (22) between the canister walls (68,70). The first bracket (150) is fixed to the first end portion (96) of the inflator (20) and to the first canister wall (68). The second bracket (152) is fixed to the second end portion (92) of the inflator (20) and to the second canister wall (70).