Patent ID: 7147249

Claim:
A gas generator comprising an elongated outer housing ( 10 ) that has end faces and a tubular side wall, at least three gas generating stages ( 12 , 14 , 16 ; 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 ) which can be activated independently of each other, and each stage ( 12 , 14 , 16 ; 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 ) having an associated igniter unit ( 32 , 34 , 36 ; 132 , 134 , 136 , 138 ), said igniter units ( 32 , 34 , 36 ; 132 , 134 , 136 , 138 ) being mounted laterally to said tubular side wall of said outer housing ( 10 ).