Patent ID: 6997477
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A gas generator comprising: a housing having a plurality of apertures spaced therein; a first propellant chamber located within said housing in fluid communication with said plurality of apertures upon actuation of said gas generator; a second propellant chamber located within said housing in vertical juxtaposition to and in fluid communication with said first propellant chamber upon actuation of said second propellant chamber; a perforated divider defining an annulus, said divider vertically disposed between said first and second propellant chambers and circumferentially fixed to said housing, thereby providing fluid communication from said second chamber to said first chamber upon actuation of said gas generator; a first gas generant composition within said first chamber, said first gas generant ignitable to provide a gas upon combustion thereof; an ignition assembly comprising a single booster tube fixed within said housing and said annulus for igniting said gas generants; a first igniter fixed within said booster tube and ignitably communicating with said first chamber for ignition of said first gas generant composition; a second gas generant composition within said second chamber, said second gas generant ignitable to provide a gas upon combustion thereof; and a second igniter fixed within said booster tube and ignitably communicating with said second chamber for ignition of said second gas generant composition, wherein upon gas generator operation the first chamber is first activated operatively independent of the second chamber, and if desired, the second chamber is activated simultaneously with or after the first chamber thereby producing combustion products that exit said plurality of apertures.