A system 10 and method for reducing the possibility of fires and/or
explosions when a vehicle impacts an object includes a cable connector 12
having a first portion 14 connected to an ungrounded terminal 20 of a
battery 22 in the vehicle and a second portion 16 connected to all
vehicle electrical components requiring power from battery 22, an inert
gas canister 18 having an internal pressure that facilitates the
separation of the first and second portions 14 and 16 of the cable
connector 12 when predetermined conditions are satisfied, electric squib
means 24 for initiating pressurized inert gas flow from the canister 18
to the first portion 14 of the cable connector 12, an accelerometer 28
for sensing impact between the vehicle and the object, and a
microprocessor 30 for signaling the accelerometer 28 to "fire" the squib
means 24 when the magnitude of impact requires an inert gas flow to the
first portion 14 whereby the second portion 16 is forcibly ejected from
the first portion 14 and the area adjacent to the first portion 14 is
blanketed with inert gas thereby reducing the possibility of fire and/or
explosion resulting from fuel vapors engaging electrical arcs or vehicle
"hot spots."