Adaptive output inflator

An adaptive pyrotechnic airbag inflator comprising:

• a housing defining a first chamber which in an at rest state contains a quantity of a first pyrotechnic material ignitable to produce first combustion products including a first inflation gas, said first chamber having a plurality of spaced apart gas exit ports adapted to open to permit passage of the first inflation gas from said airbag inflator, said first chamber also containing a second chamber which in an at rest state contains a quantity of a second pyrotechnic material ignitable to produce second combustion products including a second inflation gas, with the second chamber including an exit orifice adapted to open whereby combustion products produced by combustion of pyrotechnic material contained in the second chamber are placed in fluid communication with contents of the first chamber, wherein said exit orifice is normally closed to prevent passage of material into the second chamber;
• said housing also containing a filter assembly adjacent the plurality of spaced apart gas exit ports, the filter assembly permitting filtration of inflation products of both the first and second chambers;
• an insulator about the second chamber effective to avoid autoignition of the pyrotechnic material contained within the second chamber upon thermal contact therewith by the combustion products formed upon combustion of the pyrotechnic material contained within the first chamber;
• a first igniter device operatively associated with the first chamber;
• and
• a second igniter device operatively associated with the second chamber.

A method of generating inflation gas via an airbag inflator which includes:

• a housing defining a first chamber which in an at rest state contains a quantity of a first gas generant material ignitable to produce first combustion products including a first inflation gas, said first chamber having a plurality of spaced apart gas exit ports adapted to open to permit passage of the first inflation gas from said airbag inflator, said first chamber also containing a second chamber which in an at rest state contains a quantity of a second gas generant material ignitable to produce second combustion products including a second inflation gas, said second chamber including an exit orifice adapted to open to place the second combustion products in fluid communication with the contents of the first chamber;
• a first igniter device operatively associated with the first chamber;
• and
• a second igniter device operatively associated with the second chamber;
• said method comprising the step of actuating at least one of the first and second igniter devices.