Gas augmented inflator assembly with movable closure

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint comprises a container (12) for holding a stored supply of gas. The container (12) includes a side wall (40) and an end wall (58) connected with one end of the side wall. The end wall (58) has a discharge opening (28) for directing gas from the container (12). A tubular housing (22) is located in the container (12). A quantity of ignitable material (20) is disposed in the tubular housing (22). The quantity of ignitable material (20), when ignited, produces combustion products. A closure member (24) is located in a first position to block a flow of gas from the container (12) through the discharge opening (28). The closure member (24) is movable from the first position in the container (12) to a second position permitting gas to flow from the container through the discharge opening (28). The closure member (24) has surface portions (164) which slide on surface portions (94) of the tubular housing (22) as the closure member moves in the container (12) to the second position. An actuatable igniter (32) ignites the ignitable material (20) and causes the closure member (24) to move in the container (12) to the second position. Combustion products from ignition of the ignitable material (20) are directed into the supply of gas to heat the gas.