Patent ID: 6908104

Claim:
An inflator of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis comprising: an igniter having ignition material that burns upon application of heat; one gas generant disposed adjacent to the igniter whereby the igniter directly ignites the gas generant; a generant cup, the generant cup having a cylindrical shape with an open end and a closed end bottom for storing the gas generant wherein the open end of the gas generant cup faces the igniter, a rupture lid is fixedly attached to the open end of the generant cup creating an air-tight environment for the gas generant, and the closed end bottom is rupturable upon burning of the gas generant to create a gas flow path outward the ruptured bottom end; a plurality of apertures adjacent the closed end bottom of the generant cup for directing the gas flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inflator; a tubular filter positioned adjacent to the apertures; and a filter housing that receives the entire filter, the filter housing having a closed end and a plurality of exit ports arranged around the circumference thereof whereby each of the exit ports is aligned with the filter and is in closer proximity to the apertures than to the closed end, wherein the inflation gas for filling an airbag is produced only from the burning of the ignition material and the gas generant and the majority of gas molecules reflect off the closed end then through the filter and out of the inflator via the exit ports.