Adjustable performance hybrid inflator

A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:

• A) means providing first and second control signals in response to a vehicle crash;
• B) a hybrid inflator having
• 1) a pressure bottle storing compressed gas and combustible means for augmenting the pressure of the compressed gas,
• 2) a primary outlet from the pressure bottle for delivering inflation gas,
• 3) means responsive to the first control signal for opening the primary outlet and initiating combustion of the combustible means for augmenting the pressure of the compressed gas,
• 4) a vent opening defined by the pressure bottle and covered by a rupturable diaphragm, and
• 5) means for rupturing the diaphragm in response to the second control signal to release gas through the vent opening;
• C) a primary airbag cushion and means for delivering inflation gas from the primary outlet of the pressure bottle to inflate the primary airbag cushion.

A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:

• A) controller means for providing first and second control signals in response to parameters of a vehicle crash, and sensors for sensing parameters of the vehicle crash connected as inputs to the controller means;
• B) an inflator, the inflator having
• 1) an elongated pressure bottle storing compressed gas containing combustible means for augmenting the pressure of the compressed gas,
• 2) a primary outlet defined by the pressure bottle for delivering inflation gas,
• 3) means responsive to the first control signal for opening the primary outlet and igniting the combustible means to augment the pressure of the compressed gas,
• 4) an opening defined in the pressure bottle and sealingly covered by a diaphragm,
• 5) a vent plate mounted extending across the opening in the pressure bottle adjacent the diaphragm, the vent plate defining a vent opening for controlling release of gas from the pressure bottle, and
• 6) squib means positioned adjacent the diaphragm for rupturing the diaphragm in response to a second control signal to release gas through the vent opening,
• C) a reaction canister mounting the inflator therein;
• and
• D) a primary airbag cushion mounted to the reaction canister for receiving inflation gas from the primary outlet of the pressure bottle for inflating the primary airbag cushion.