Patent ID: 8011302

Claim:
A pyrotechnic gas generator comprising: a generally tubular housing defining at least one combustion chamber, at least one plenum chamber, and a transit chamber; the at least one combustion chamber containing a pyrotechnic charge the combustion of which is initiated by an initiator associated with the combustion chamber; and the at least one plenum chamber in communication with the at least one combustion chamber for receiving a first portion of the gases generated by the combustion of the charge and for removing the first portion of the gases from the housing via at least one discharge aperture formed in said housing, the at least one plenum chamber sealed from the at least one combustion chamber by a first rupturable shutter; wherein the transit chamber is in communication with the at least one combustion chamber for receiving a second portion of the gases, the transit chamber operative for temporarily storing the second portion of the gases prior to delivery of the second portion to the at least one plenum; the at least one combustion chamber sealed from the transit chamber by a second rupturable shutter; wherein the second rupturable shutter is configured to rupture at a value of gas pressure greater than for the first rupturable shutter.