A solenoid valve assembly, comprising: a valve housing to which a fluid source and an inflatable are connected; an actuator housing coupled to the valve housing and containing an actuator, the actuator configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow from the fluid source to the inflatable; and a solenoid valve coupled to the actuator housing and comprising: a valve seat; a pilot-type armature-valve element (62") fluidly communicative with the fluid source and normally pressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative to the valve seat; and an electromagnet which generates magnetic flux that moves the pilot-type armature-valve element into an open position relative to the valve seat such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valve seat to actuate the actuator; wherein the valve housing comprises: the normally-closed valve element; and a body having an inlet connectable with the fluid source and an outlet connectable with the inflatable; and wherein the body defines a first pathway connecting the fluid source and the inflatable in which the normally-closed valve element is seated, a second pathway receptive of an actuator housing plunger and a third pathway by which the portion of the pressurized fluid is supplied for flow into the actuator housing; and wherein the pilot-type armature-valve element comprises: a body; a valve seal at a first end of the body to form a seal with the valve seat with the pilot-type armature-valve element in the closed position; an armature shaft responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnet extending from a second end of the body; and a piston head which forms a single air gap with a housing of the solenoid valve and to which a distal end of the armature shaft is coupled. a valve housing to which a fluid source and an inflatable are connected; an actuator housing coupled to the valve housing and containing an actuator, the actuator configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow from the fluid source to the inflatable; and a solenoid valve coupled to the actuator housing and comprising: a valve seat; a pilot-type armature-valve element (62") fluidly communicative with the fluid source and normally pressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative to the valve seat; and an electromagnet which generates magnetic flux that moves the pilot-type armature-valve element into an open position relative to the valve seat such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valve seat to actuate the actuator; a valve seat; a pilot-type armature-valve element (62") fluidly communicative with the fluid source and normally pressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative to the valve seat; and an electromagnet which generates magnetic flux that moves the pilot-type armature-valve element into an open position relative to the valve seat such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valve seat to actuate the actuator; wherein the valve housing comprises: the normally-closed valve element; and a body having an inlet connectable with the fluid source and an outlet connectable with the inflatable; and the normally-closed valve element; and a body having an inlet connectable with the fluid source and an outlet connectable with the inflatable; and wherein the body defines a first pathway connecting the fluid source and the inflatable in which the normally-closed valve element is seated, a second pathway receptive of an actuator housing plunger and a third pathway by which the portion of the pressurized fluid is supplied for flow into the actuator housing; and wherein the pilot-type armature-valve element comprises: a body; a valve seal at a first end of the body to form a seal with the valve seat with the pilot-type armature-valve element in the closed position; an armature shaft responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnet extending from a second end of the body; and a piston head which forms a single air gap with a housing of the solenoid valve and to which a distal end of the armature shaft is coupled. a body; a valve seal at a first end of the body to form a seal with the valve seat with the pilot-type armature-valve element in the closed position; an armature shaft responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnet extending from a second end of the body; and a piston head which forms a single air gap with a housing of the solenoid valve and to which a distal end of the armature shaft is coupled.