Dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles

A dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles includes a control valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the air bag. The control valve includes a valve member actuatable between a flow preventing position and a position spaced away from the flow preventing position. The control valve supplies the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from its flow preventing position. The control valve includes a valve spool which cooperates with a valve casing to define a plurality of flow paths. Consequently, the actuation of the valve member between closed and open positions is substantially independent of forces produced by flow of the high pressure fluid through the valve. In one embodiment, the valve member, when unactuated, is maintained in its first position without mechanical bias. In another embodiment, the control valve includes a bias structure for biasing the valve member toward its closed position. In one embodiment, the valve member is moved between the first and second positions based upon at least one vehicle parameter or occupant parameter. Such parameters may be selected from, for example, vehicle deceleration, vehicle acceleration, and/or the presence, weight and/or position of an occupant of the vehicle.