Patent ID: 7591482

Claim:
An air bag system comprising: an inflator operable to release inflation fluid; an inflatable air bag inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator; a vent opener operatively connected to said air bag and selectively movable from a first position to a second position to thereby tear said inflatable air bag and create a cushion vent within said air bag for venting inflation fluid; an air bag housing substantially surrounding said air bag; a movable member operatively connected to said housing and at least partially defining a pressurizable chamber; an actuator operable to selectively release actuation fluid into said pressurizable chamber, thereby pressurizing said pressurizable chamber to move said movable member from an undeployed state to a deployed state; a connector arm selectively connecting said movable member and said vent opener; wherein movement of said movable member from said undeployed state to said deployed state causes movement of said vent opener from said first position to said second position when said movable member and said vent opener are connected; a retention member operable to connect said connector arm to one of said vent opener and said movable member; and a flexible sensing tether extending between said air bag and said retention member, said sensing tether operable to release said retention member, thereby disconnecting said connector arm from said one of said vent opener and said movable member.