A fast acting valve adapted for actuation by a pyrotechnic charge, especially applicable to the purpose of discharging a container of compressed fluid into an inflatable automobile seat belt upon command, but useful to any application where an extremely fast-acting dump valve is required, the structure eliminating expulsion of component structure or pyrotechnic residue into the fluid stream.

An improved inflammable liquid safety tank comprising a double walled tank body with the tank walls being interconnected by support plates. An intermediate container is formed by the inner wall structure of the tank and is adapted to hold inflammable liquid. A pressurized gas bottle is threadably mounted to a sleeve secured to and extending into the intermediate container. The pressurized gas bottle is selectively connected to the intermediate container to pressurize liquid held in the intermediate container. The pressurized gas bottle also communicates with the tank to pressurize a foam, nonflammable fluid, or cleaning agent placed in the chamber or outer compartment defined by the outer wall structure of the intermediate container and the inner wall structure of the tank body so that the foam, fluid or agent will be expelled from the tank if the tank wall is accidentally punctured. The outer compartment is preferably pressurized at a lower pressure than the intermediate container. A conduit is connected to an inlet/discharge fitting and extends into the intermediate container adjacent the floor of the intermediate container and below the level of liquid placed in the intermediate container. A flexible hose with an adjustable nozzle is mounted to the tank body for selective communication with either the outer compartment or the intermediate container so that the material contained within either of the containers can be selectively discharged from the nozzle.

A fire hazard is automatically detected and a fire is prevented or extinguished in an automotive vehicle upon such vehicle being involved in a collision. The vehicle has an air conditioning system including a container and employing CO.sub.2 as a refrigerant. The occurrence of a collision is detected by an impact sensor. In response to detection of the collision by such a sensor, a processing/control unit opens a valve in a line connected to an outlet at or near a bottom of the container. Thereby, the CO.sub.2 refrigerant is released substantially in liquid phase from the container and passed through the line and is discharged as a fire extinguishing agent into various parts of the vehicle, for example the engine compartment.

A fire extinguishing system for vehicles includes a firing assembly for attachment to a container of fire extinguishing agent, a firing pin for penetrating the container to release the fire extinguishing agent, the firing pin being moved by an explosive squib or a solenoid, a conduit for carrying fire extinguishing agent to a discharge outlet, and a control system having a capacitor for pulse discharge of electric power to the control head to fire the squib or solenoid. The control box includes a three-position switch for firing the system, putting the system on automatic function, or deactivating the system. Other switches can include sensors for activating the firing pin in response to high temperature or vehicle impact.

An air bag module is described which has a gas generator, which upon a trigger signal instantaneously conducts gas into an air bag made of a substantially air-impermeable material. The air bag has an air outlet opening, through which gas flows out of the air bag after a dwell time in the air bag. It is proposed that the effective opening diameter of the air outlet opening (40) is opened in a time-delay manner after the activation of the time module. If necessary, the volume can be increased briefly in order to keep the internal pressure constant in the air bag for a predetermined time period.