Distributed charge inflator system

Abstract

An inflatable system includes an inflatable component and an distributed charge inflator disposed in the inflatable component. The distributed charge inflator includes a first charge for generating inflating gas and a housing body connected to the first charge. The housing body includes an initiator and a second charge that has relatively long burn time. Upon receiving a signal from a sensor, the initiator ignites the first charge and the second charge simultaneously. The first charge inflates the inflatable component and the second charge sustains the inflation of the inflatable component.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . An inflatable system comprising: 
 an inflatable component including a plurality of chambers, wherein the plurality of chambers include a first chamber and a second chamber;    a plurality of charges for generating inflating gas, wherein the plurality of charges include a first charge and a second charge, the first charge is disposed in the first chamber and the second charge is disposed in the second chamber; and    a housing body including an initiator and connected to the plurality of charges, wherein the initiator ignites the plurality of charges and generates inflating gas which inflates the inflatable component such that the first chamber and the second chamber of the inflatable component are inflated with different deployment characteristics.    
     
     
         16 . The inflatable system of  claim 15 , wherein the first charge and the second charge have different deployment characteristics.  
     
     
         17 . The inflatable system of  claim 16 , wherein the deployment characteristics are determined by a shape, a length or a composition of each of the first charge and the second charge.  
     
     
         18 . The inflatable system of  claim 15 , wherein the different deployment characteristics include different timing, different pressures or different burn rates.  
     
     
         19 . The inflatable system of  claim 15 , wherein the first chamber of the inflatable component provides protection for a rapid crash event and the second chamber of the inflatable component provides protection for slower developing crash events.  
     
     
         20 . The inflatable system of  claim 15 , wherein the first charge and the second charge have a linear configuration that can assume any shape.  
     
     
         21 . The inflatable system of  claim 15 , wherein the housing body further includes a third charge for maintaining the inflation of the inflatable component.  
     
     
         22 . The inflatable system of  claim 21 , wherein the initiator ignites the first charge, the second charge and the third charge simultaneously.  
     
     
         23 . The inflatable system of  claim 15 , wherein the housing body further includes a fourth charge to boost the ignition of the plurality of charges.  
     
     
         24 . The inflatable system of  claim 23 , wherein the fourth charge is compressed in a container and the container is placed around the initiator.  
     
     
         25 - 28 . (canceled)