connected to a control circuit that sends a trigger signal to the igniter when a collision involving the related vehicle is determined to be imminent prior to initiation of the inflator each of the openings 110 is sealed according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention the openings 110 are closed by a seal 115 the seal 115 is configured to rupture or break when the pressure of the inert gas reaches a predetermined level the seal 115 may include tape or other similar membranes alternatively as shown in fig3 the opening 10 may be formed as a partial puncture 113 of the wall of the pipe 100 for example the pipe 100 may be formed of stainless material and a punch may be used to partially penetrate the wall of the pipe 100 to create a weakened portion that ruptures when the pressure of the inert gas located in the pipe reaches a predetermined level as mentioned above the pipe 100 may be formed of stainless steel or other material of sufficient strength to contain the pressurized gas according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pipe 100 may be bent to conform to the shape of the airbag containing the inflator however if for example the airbag contains a substantially straight upper portion the pipe 100 may extend along an essentially straight line as shown in fig4 as shown in fig2 the inflator may be positioned inside an airbag 300 for protecting an occupant of a vehicle in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the airbag 300 is configured to inflate along the side.