Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) comprises a pair of electrodes (40) and (42). A heating element (44) is electrically connected between said electrodes (40) and (42). An ignition material (48) is in contact with the heating element (44). The ignition material (48) comprises a metal powder and an oxidizer that exothermically reacts with the metal powder. The metal powder includes macro-agglomerates of metal particles. The metal particles have an average diameter less than about 0.1 ?m and have an oxide layer that prevents contact of the particles with the oxidizer. The ignition material (48) deflagrates when the heating element is heated to a temperature of at least about 250° C.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises vehicle seat belt webbing (18), a cylinder (50), and a piston (60) movable in the cylinder to effect pretensioning of the seat belt webbing. The apparatus also comprises a fluid source (10) for providing fluid under pressure to move the piston (60) in the cylinder (50). The fluid source (10) comprises a propellant container (122) defining a propellant chamber (123) and a propellant (82) in the propellant chamber. The propellant (82) is ignitable to produce fluid under pressure. The propellant container (122) comprises a first portion (124) made from plastic and a second portion (126) made from metal. The metal portion (126) is secured to the plastic portion (124) to effect a hermetic seal of the propellant container (122).

Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid () to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).