Patent ID: 7137339

Claim:
A gas generator comprising an elongated, tubular outer housing ( 10 ), at least one combustion chamber ( 26 , 28 ) provided therein and filled with a solid propellant ( 30 ; 30 ′), and at least one igniter unit ( 16 , 18 ) generating ignition gas for igniting said solid propellant ( 30 ; 30 ′) and having an igniter ( 54 ) integrated within said igniter unit ( 16 , 18 ), said igniter unit ( 16 , 18 ) being arranged radially and externally on said outer housing ( 10 ) and said igniter ( 54 ) being positioned completely outside of said outer housing ( 10 ) and a, with respect to said outer housing ( 10 ), first radial ignition transfer opening ( 50 ) being provided in said outer housing ( 10 ), said ignition gas generated in said igniter unit ( 16 , 18 ), before reaching said solid propellant ( 30 ; 30 ′), flowing via said first ignition transfer opening ( 50 ) into one of a distribution space ( 40 ) and an intermediate space ( 80 ) arranged outside of said igniter unit ( 16 , 18 ) and into an interior of said outer housing ( 10 ), said one of a distribution space ( 40 ) and an intermediate space ( 80 ) being free of propellant and defined by an inner face of said outer housing ( 10 ) and a wall ( 32 , 72 ).