Patent ID: 7350810

Claim:
A gas generator for an airbag module, comprising: a filter housing having a first peripheral configuration; a first generator stage disposed within the filter housing, the first generator stage having a first pressure housing and an igniter disposed therein, the first pressure housing having a peripheral wall and a top portion connecting the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion; a second generator stage disposed within the filter housing, the second generator stage having a second pressure housing and an igniter disposed therein, the second pressure housing having a peripheral wall and a top portion connecting the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion, the first pressure housing and the second pressure housing being arranged within the filter housing such that the inner wall portion of the first pressure housing and the inner wall portion of the second pressure housing define a central outflow passage while the outer wall portion of the first pressure housing and outer wall portion of the second pressure housing define an outer periphery that contacts an inner surface of a wall of the filter housing defining the first peripheral configuration; a plurality of openings disposed in the wall of the filter housing defining the first peripheral configuration; a flow path provided between the plurality of openings and the central outflow passage; and a filter disposed in the filter housing such that gas flow from the central outflow passage passes through the filter prior to exiting the gas generator via the plurality of openings disposed in the wall of the filter housing.