Abstract: An inflatable system which uses a fast-burning propellant material distributed within the inflatable component of the system to generate the gas inflating the system. The invention preferably includes a distributed fast-burning igniter material, which may be enhanced with additional gas-generating materials to increase the quantities of gas generated, an optional layer, coating, or sheath of supplemental gas-generating material, an environmentally-sealed sheath to protect the enclosed materials from contamination and to improve the burn rates and efficiencies of the propellant and ignition materials, and an electronic squib used to actuate the igniter material upon a signal from the electronic sensor.

Abstract: An environmentally-sealed parachute deployment system for bail-out parachutes comprising a spring-loaded pilot parachute, an environmentally sealed vacuum bag, a deployment bag having one or two elastic closure loops, and a man-rated parachute. The drag force exerted by the pilot parachute tears open the environmentally sealed bag, initiating deployment of the parachute.