Patent ID: 6764096
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A dual chamber inflator for a vehicle occupant protection system comprising:a housing comprising a base and a cap, said base further comprising a first plurality of gas exit apertures peripherally spaced therein; a radial divider intermediate of said base and said cap for forming a first propellant chamber and a second propellant chamber within said cap and said base, respectively, said chambers operatively separated from each other, and, said divider comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one aperture providing fluid communication from the second chamber to the first propellant chamber; a first gas generating propellant contained within said first chamber, said first propellant combusted upon activation of said inflator; a second gas generating propellant contained within said second chamber, said second propellant optionally combusted simultaneously with said first propellant; and a seal fixed over said at least one aperture on said bottom surface thereby preventing simultaneous operation of said first chamber and said second chamber when only said first chamber is activated upon a crash event.