Abstract: The air bag safety system is a self-contained, modular apparatus including: an inflatable bag, an inflating unit connected to the bag, and a sensor. The inflating unit provides gas for inflating the bag. The sensor is disposed adjacent to the apparatus and is responsive to a predetermined level of deceleration of a vehicle for activating the inflating unit. The system also includes a fail-safe interlock to prevent the sensor from activating the inflating unit when the system is not properly mounted or internal parts fail in service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus compact enough for use in locations, such as in the steering wheel column of a vehicle for inflating a safety device, such as a bag. A stored compressed gas from a stored gas chamber is mixed in a mixing chamber with a combustion gas from a gas generating chamber. A combustion gas barrier between the gas generating chamber and the mixing chamber is designed to rupture when the heat and pressure in the gas generating chamber exceeds a maximum temperature and pressure, allowing combustion gas from a combustible material in the gas generating chamber to flow into the mixing chamber. A hybrid gas barrier between the mixing chamber and an outlet means is designed to rupture when the heat and pressure in the mixing chamber exceeds the maximum temperature and pressure, allowing the gas mixture to flow from the mixing chamber through an outlet means to inflate the safety bag.