A retention assembly for a valve assembly of a charged cylinder may comprise a first fitting coupled to the valve assembly and a second fitting coupled to the charged cylinder. A retaining member may be coupled between the first fitting and the second fitting. The retaining member may be disposed within an interior chamber of the charged cylinder.

Provided is a pressure reducing tilt nozzle that includes a body defining a cavity having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston disposed in the cavity. The piston is biased in a first piston position away from the inlet allowing flow through the inlet and is movable toward the inlet to a second piston position preventing flow through the inlet when pressure in the cavity overcomes a biasing force biasing the piston in the first piston position.

A device for controlling the release of gas from a pressurized container includes a plug comprising a passage therethrough and a diaphragm within the passage. The diaphragm is configured to initially prevent flow of gas through said passage, and is rupturable or displaceable to allow gas to flow through said passage once said diaphragm is ruptured or displaced. The device further comprises a screw located within the plug and comprising a lance configured to move towards said diaphragm upon rotation of the screw. The lance is configured to rupture or displace the diaphragm so as to allow flow of gas through the passage and out of the plug, once the screw is rotated a predetermined amount.

A high pressure cartridge inflator has a body including an air inlet port connectible to a high pressure cartridge, an air outlet port connectible to a valve of an object to be inflated, an air discharge port, and defining a first channel extending from the air let port to the air outlet port and a second channel extending from the first channel to the air discharge port. A pressure indicator is disposed within the body and is fluidly connected to the first and second channels. A safety device is disposed in the second channel and is configured to selectively prevent and allow high pressure air in the high pressure cartridge to flow out of the body through the air discharge port.

A regulator valve assembly for a compressed fluid source may comprise a valve housing defining a main fluid channel, a secondary fluid channel, a primary outlet, a primary inlet, and a secondary inlet. A poppet may be located in the main fluid channel, The poppet may define a poppet channel and a poppet outlet. The poppet channel may be fluidly connected to the secondary inlet. A rod may be configured to translate in and out the poppet outlet. A pin may be biased toward the secondary fluid channel. The pin may be configured to translate into a translation path of the rod. A solenoid valve may be configured to control a flow of fluid into the secondary fluid channel.

A method for releasing a fluid from a pressure vessel assembly, the method including the steps of providing:a pressure vessel; a piezo electric device; and an electric field generator; arranging the piezo electric device in a sealed relationship with a part of the pressure vessel, thereby providing the pressure vessel assembly, providing a fluid contained within the pressure vessel assembly under pressure, and using the electric field generator to apply an electric field to the piezo electric device, such that the piezo electric device fails, thereby releasing the fluid from the pressure vessel assembly.

This invention discloses an inflator mechanism for rafts and life vests that performs a multitude of functions required for rescue and underwater deployment of personnel and devices. The inner cylinder in this disclosure is actuated by a plethora of inputs, manual, automatic selectable pressure sensing, or dualled hydrostatic sensors which can each be safely selected by function selection. Since the inflator uses spring discs to drive a penetrator which mechanically punctures a membrane of an inflation gas source and actuated by an electronically controlled solenoid, dissolvable elements, conductivity switches and preset check valve actuators are eliminated increasing the safety and reliability of the actuator. Electronic control further permits user enabling of inflation depth actuation and the multiple water sensors prevent failure of actuation due to splashes and humidity effects on sensors. The actuator mechanism is self cocking, indicates proper installation of gas source enables use of several gas source cylinders and is multiply reusable.

A retention assembly for a valve assembly of a charged cylinder may comprise a first fitting coupled to the valve assembly and a second fitting coupled to the charged cylinder. A retaining member may be coupled between the first fitting and the second fitting. The retaining member may be disposed within an interior chamber of the charged cylinder.

An inflation control system for an inflatable device may comprise: a compressed fluid source; a solenoid valve connected to the compressed fluid source and configured to control a flow of gas to the inflatable device; and a control circuit comprising a power source, a pressure switch, and an electrical switch, the control circuit configured to energize, via the power source, the solenoid valve in response to both the pressure switch and the electrical switch being in a closed state, the pressure switch configured to open and de-energize the solenoid valve in response to being exposed to a pressure at or exceeding a pressure threshold.

Disclosed is a gas storage container for an inflator, the container being formed by cold forging a steel material having a predetermined steel composition. The steel composition by mass percent of the steel material includes, C: 0.10% to 0.31%, Si: 0.13% to 0.39%, Mn: 0.49% to 1.05%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03% or less, Ni: 0.28% or less, Cr: 0.76% to 1.38%, Mo: 0.13% to 0.33%, and a remainder of Fe and unavoidable impurities.