Secular changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation and its influence on 20th century warming

An inflatable occupant restraint cushion is inflated at predetermined levels in accordance with predetermined levels of intensity of impact forces applied to the vehicle. When the impact forces are at a low level, above a predetermined minimum and below a predetermined maximum, a low level system initiates low level inflation of the cushion at a predetermined rate greater than normal. When the impact forces exceed the predetermined maximum, a high level system initiates high level inflation of the cushion at the predetermined normal rate. The low level system includes an anticipatory sensor, such as a transducer actuated by the relative rate of movement of telescopic members of an energy absorbing bumper system, and a low level inertial sensor, mounted on the telescopic members or on the vehicle body, and connecting low level detonators across a source of power when the impact forces exceed the capability of the energy absorbing bumper system and there is the likelihood of the onset of vehicle deformation. The high level system includes the low level inertial sensor, and a high level inertial sensor, actuated by vehicle deformation resulting from impact forces exceeding the predetermined maximum, and connecting high level detonators across a source of power. The low level and high level detonators control selective actuation of flow control orifices to obtain the predetermined rates of inflation.