Abstract: A fluid supply is provided for inflating an expandable confinement of a vehicle occupant restraint system of the type activated in response to a vehicle collision signal. The fluid supply includes a housing defining a fluid discharge port for directing fluid flow from the housing and a gas generating material disposed within the housing. The gas generating material includes a sustaining charge comprising a plurality of layers of granulated material, the layers being approximately equal by weight. Screens are disposed between each pair of adjacent layers of the sustaining charge. Each of the screens has a mesh substantially finer than the granules of material in the layer adjacent the screen and oppositely disposed from the fluid discharge port. The sustaining charge is activated in response to a collision signal.

Abstract: A fluid supply is provided for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system of the type activated in response to a vehicle collision signal. The fluid supply includes a housing defining a fluid discharge port, combustible gas generating means disposed within the housing and means operable to activate the gas generating means to produce gaseous combustion products. A filter pack is disposed between the gas generating means and a discharge port means and includes a plurality of layers of filter material, such as fiberglass or steel wool, with each of the layers being at least as porous as the next adjacent downstream layer to cause filtration of progressively finer particles as the gaseous combustion products move downstream. This progressive filtering minimizes clogging of the filter pack.

Abstract: An inflator is provided for inflating the expandable confinement of a vehicle occupant restraint system, to restrain an occupant in response to a collision signal. The inflator contains a source of inflation fluid, such as a propellant which is ignited upon the receipt of the collision signal. The inflator has fluid-directing means including passage means for the flow of the inflating fluid therethrough. A deformable diffuser is provided having a first position in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the inflator to seal the passage means, and a second position, subsequent to the ignition of the propellant, in which a portion of the diffuser is deformed out of sealing engagement with the inflator to permit passage of the inflating fluid. The fluid is directed by the diffuser radially away from the housing to inflate the confinement.