Patent ID: 7007973

Claim:
An inflator comprising: a housing having a bulkhead dividing the housing into a first combustion chamber and a second combustion chamber, wherein the housing has a first plurality of exit ports arranged around a circumference of the housing for providing a first pathway for inflation gas to exit the inflator from the first combustion chamber and a second plurality of exit ports arranged around the circumference of the housing for providing a second pathway for inflation gas to exit the inflator from the second combustion chamber; a first endcap having an opening for receiving a first igniter assembly, wherein the first endcap is fastened to a first end of the housing, and a second endcap having a center opening for receiving a second igniter assembly, wherein the second endcap is fastened to a second end of the housing; a first filter having essentially a circular shape disposed in the first combustion chamber adjacent to the bulkhead such that the first filter is interposed between said first plurality of exit ports and a gas generant disposed in the first combustion chamber, the first filter having a width that is less than half of a length of the housing for the first combustion chamber; a second filter having essentially a circular shape disposed in the first combustion chamber adjacent to the bulkhead such that the second filter is interposed between said second plurality of exit ports and a gas generant disposed in the first combustion chamber, the second filter having a width that is less than half of a lenath of the housing for the second combustion chamber; and wherein each igniter assembly comprises an igniter core having electrodes for carrying an electrical signal to a bridge wire, wherein the passage of current along the bridge wire creates sufficient heat to ignite an ignition material, a plastic overmold partially surrounding the igniter core having threads for attachment to the inflator in a manner to prevent moisture incursion, wherein the plastic overmold has a retainer portion defining a cavity for receiving an enhancer tablet, and the enhancer tablet adiacent to the ignition material and to the gas generant, wherein ignition of the ignition material lights the enhancer tablet, which in turn lights the gas generant.