Air bag module with electronically modulated vent

1. Technical Field A vehicle occupant protection apparatus () comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () and an inflation fluid source (). The apparatus () includes a structure () having a vent opening () for directing inflation fluid away from the inflatable device (). The apparatus () also includes a member () movable between a closed condition closing the vent opening () and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid () through the vent opening. The apparatus () includes an electrically energizable mechanism () to move the member () from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through the vent opening (). The mechanism () can also move the member () from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through the vent opening ().