Abstract: A gas generator is provided with a housing which is open at two opposing end faces and a housing wall in which several gas orifices are arranged. The housing is formed as an extruded hollow profile of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A combustion chamber is accommodated in the housing, in which combustion chamber gas-generating material which is ignitable by means of an ignition unit is accommodated. The combustion gases arising with the ignition of the gas-generating material are cleaned within the housing by filter elements and discharged by means of the gas orifices. The filter elements are supported by holding sections integral with the extruded hollow profile and are inserted by means of one of the open end faces of the extruded hollow profile. In the installed state the filter elements extend in a straight line between the holding sections associated therewith.

Abstract: Ring pellets for gas generators exhibit optimum reaction rates by having configurations which optimize such rates. The pellet has a central ignition duct; from the latter, outlet channels extend radially toward a rim of the pellet. Specific embodiments contain, on the topside and underside of the pellets, either conical recesses or annular channels or both. The pellets preferably exhibit a proportion of surface area/unit weight of from 4 to 7 cm.sup.2 /g, which can be set by variation of the channels and, respectively, of the recesses to obtain a desired value. The higher this value, the greater the reaction rate. The ring pellets are especially well suited for airbag generators which must display differently high reaction rates on the driver's side and on the front-seat passenger's side, and which are to exhibit at the same time a high breaking and abrasion stability.

Abstract: In a gas generator for an airbag of a vehicle, a chamber is provided around a cylindrical pressure reservoir filled with gas-releasing materials. The chamber contains a filter and is traversed over its entire length by a gas stream produced from the gas-releasing materials along a cylindrical outer surface. Such a gas generator is especially suitable for an airbag intended to prevent primarily only the impacting of the driver's head against the steering column while the other protective functions, which are otherwise also to be carried out by an airbag in a vehcle as the sole protective device, are taken over by a safety belt.

Abstract: Two cylinder chambers are provided in a housing, each of these chambers containing a piston. Pins project, as piston rods, from the pistons in differing directions. A duct is located in a zone between the pistons. This duct is in communication with a compressed gas cartridge. Upon triggering of the compressed gas cartridge, the released gas moves the pistons apart so that the pins are moved simultaneously or in accordance with a predetermined sequence of operations.