Dual-flow inflator

A stored gas inflator comprising:

• a pressure vessel for storing a pressurized medium in an interior thereof,
• a combustion chamber extending through the interior of the pressure vessel, the combustion chamber being adapted to enable fluid communication between the combustion chamber and an exterior of the inflator upon activation of the inflator;
• at least one rupturable barrier formed along a portion of the combustion chamber extending through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the combustion chamber from the interior of the pressure vessel prior to activation of the inflator;
• a pressurized medium stored in the interior of the pressure vessel so as to enable fluid communication between the pressurized medium and the combustion chamber upon rupture of the at least one rupturable barrier;
• and
• a quantity of a pyrotechnic material positioned in the combustion chamber such that, upon activation of the inflator, combustion of the pyrotechnic material produces rupturing of the at least one rupturable barrier, thereby permitting the pressurized medium to flow through the ruptured barrier into the combustion chamber and out of the combustion chamber to the exterior of the inflator.

A vehicle occupant protection system comprising:

• an airbag system including a stored gas inflator including:
• a pressure vessel for storing a pressurized medium therein, the pressure vessel having a wall defining an interior of the vessel;
• a gas flow conduit extending through the interior of the pressure vessel, the conduit having a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a first portion of the wall to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall to the exterior of the vessel, and
• at least one rupturable barrier formed along a portion of the conduit that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the combustion chamber and the interior of the pressure vessel prior to activation of the inflator, the rupturable barrier being rupturable upon activation of the inflator to enable fluid communication between an interior of the conduit and the interior of the pressure vessel;
• and
• an airbag coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the conduit so as to enable fluid communication between an interior of the airbag and the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the conduit upon activation of the inflator.