Patent ID: 6199906
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for inflating an airbag of a vehicle occupant safety restraint system comprising:a primary combustion chamber containing a first body of gas generating means, said primary chamber having a plurality of primary gas ports communicating said primary chamber with said airbag;a secondary combustion chamber located within the primary combustion chamber containing a second body of gas generating means;a divider plate separating the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber, the divider plate having a plurality of secondary gas ports with a secondary closure, wherein the secondary gas ports connect the first and secondary combustion chambers;a primary igniter means for igniting the first body of gas generating means; a secondary igniter means for igniting the second body of gas generating means; and sensor diagnostic means connected to the primary and secondary igniter means, wherein the sensing means sends a signal to the primary and secondary igniter means to activate the primary and secondary igniter means as requireda primary combustion chamber enhancer tube containing a primary enhancer, the primary enhancer tube having a plurality of primary enhancer ports positioned in the primary chamber, wherein the primary igniter means ignites the primary enhancer, which produces hot gas that is expelled through the primary enhancer ports igniting the first body of gas generating means; anda secondary combustion chamber enhancer tube containing a secondary enhancer, the secondary enhancer tube having a plurality of secondary enhancer ports positioned in the secondary chamber, wherein the secondary igniter means ignites the secondary enhancer, which produces hot gas that is expelled through the secondary enhancer ports igniting the second body of gas generating means.