Gas generator, particularly for an inflatable impact cushion for

Abstract

Gas generator for an inflatable impact cushion for protecting an occupant of a motor-vehicle from injury, has a housing, in which is formed a storage chamber for liquid gas. The storage chamber is separated by a partition wall from a combustion chamber also formed in the housing. An ignition device is positioned in a precombustion chamber, and has an ignition charge to generate combustion gases during ignition. In the precombustion chamber there is guided, in a displaceable manner, a piston which, because of the combustion gases of the ignition charge, moves into and through the combustion chamber in a direction of the partition wall, in order to penetrate the partition wall. When the partition wall is penetrated there is a connection between the storage chamber and the combustion chamber by way of a liquid gas channel system so that liquid gas can flow into the combustion chamber. At the same time a connection is created between the precombustion chamber and the (main) combustion chamber by way of ignition channels formed in the piston. The hot combustion gases of the ignition charge ignite the liquid gas flowing in. The rising internal pressure in the combustion chamber causes a displacement of the longitudinally displaceably guided partition wall, which moves together with the piston and thereby continuously injects liquid gas from the storage chamber into the combustion chamber. The combustion gases emerge by way of annular chambers, connected in series, through outlet openings in the housing.