Inflation system with gas-powered turbine for inflatable safety device

Abstract

Described are inflation systems having a gas generator, a turbine, and an inflatable safety device. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for the inflatable safety device. The turbine may be coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas to power the turbine by rotating one or more fan blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device. The inflatable safety device may be coupled with the turbine to receive the ambient air for inflating the inflatable safety device.

Description

Atorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application INFLATION SYSTEM WITH GAS-POWERED TURBINE FOR INFLATABLESAFETY DEVICEFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention relates generally to passenger vehicles, and, more specifically, though not necessarily exclusively, to an inflation system with a gas-powered turbine that may be used to provide gas to an inflatable safety device using gas generated from an electric propellant.BACKGROUND

[0002] Passenger vehicles often include equipment that may be used in case of emergency. For example, the passenger vehicles may include inflatable slides, slide / rafts, ramps, slide / ramps, inflatable rafts, inflatable life jackets, helicopter floats, and the like. Passenger vehicles may also be limited with respect to weight, for example due to regulations, due to fuel efficiency, due to operational limitations, and the like. Minimizing the weight or payload of the passenger vehicles may be difficult, and providing functional safety equipment with the foregoing limitations may be difficult. Additionally or alternatively, transporting a charged gas cylinder may be difficult and subject to additional compliance with respect to regulations and licensing requirements.SUMMARY

[0003] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject mater of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject mater described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patentAtorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject mater, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject mater. The subject mater should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

[0004] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an inflation system may include a gas generator, a turbine, a fan or compressor, and an inflatable safety device. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas from an electric propellant and for the inflatable safety device. The turbine may be coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas to power the turbine by rotating one or more fan or compressor blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device. The inflatable safety device may be coupled with the turbine to receive the ambient air for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0005] In some embodiments, the turbine may include an exhaust port, and the gas may be exhausted via the exhaust port after being used to power the turbine.

[0006] In certain embodiments, a first end of the exhaust port may be coupled with the turbine, and a second end of the exhaust port may be vented to atmosphere to discard the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine. The second end may be opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

[0007] In various embodiments, the inflatable safety device may include a material having a melting point. The ambient air may have a first temperature that is approximately less than the melting point, and the gas may have a second temperature that is approximately greater than the melting point.Atorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application

[0008] In some embodiments, a first end of the exhaust port may be coupled with the turbine, and a second end of the exhaust port may be coupled with the inflatable safety device to provide the gas to the inflatable safety device after the gas is used to power the turbine. The second end may be opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

[0009] In certain embodiments, a first end of the exhaust port may be coupled with the turbine, and a second end of the exhaust port may include a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit may be coupled with the inflatable safety device to provide at least a first portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device after the gas is used to power the turbine. The second conduit may be vented to atmosphere to discard at least a second portion of the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine, and the second end may be opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

[0010] In various embodiments, the at least the first portion of the gas may be combined with the ambient air to generate an inflation input, and the at least the first portion of the gas and the ambient air may combined prior to, or substantially contemporaneously with respect to, providing the inflation input to the inflatable safety device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inflatable safety device may include a material having a melting point, and the inflation input may have a temperature that is approximately less than the melting point.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the turbine may be separate from the one or more fan blades, and the gas may be provided to a central compartment of the turbine to cause the one or more fan blades to rotate.

[0013] In various embodiments, the turbine may include (i) the one or more fan blades and (ii) an exterior housing defining a central compartment and an annular region. Each fan blade of the one or more fan blades may extend through the central compartment and the annular region.Atorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application

[0014] In some embodiments, the turbine may include a first conduit that may be arranged to direct the gas into the annular region to power the turbine and to rotate the one or more fan blades.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the ambient air may be provided to the inflatable safety device by passing through the central compartment and through an outlet channel coupled with the turbine and with the inflatable safety device.

[0016] In various embodiments, the gas generator and the turbine may form a single unit.

[0017] In some embodiments, the inflatable safety device may be an inflatable slide, slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, or inflatable raft positionable on an aircraft, and the gas generator of the inflation system may be positioned underneath the inflatable slide or inflatable raft when the inflatable slide or inflatable raft is deployed.

[0018] In certain embodiments, an aircraft may include the inflation system. The inflatable safety device may be an inflatable slide or slide / raft, and the gas generator of the inflation system may be positioned on an underside of the inflatable slide when the inflatable slide is deployed.

[0019] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method may be used for an inflation system. The method may include generating, by a gas generator, gas using an electric propellant. The gas may be for an inflatable safety device. The method may include powering, by causing one or more fan blades to rotate, a turbine using the gas. The turbine may be coupled with the gas generator and with the inflatable safety device. The method may include providing, by the turbine, ambient air to the inflatable safety device to inflate the inflatable safety device.

[0020] In some embodiments, powering the turbine may include exhausting at least a first portion of the gas subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine.Atorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application

[0021] In certain embodiments, powering the turbine may include providing at least a second portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine.

[0022] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an inflation system may include a gas generator, a turbine, and an inflatable safety device. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for the inflatable safety device. The turbine may be coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas to power the turbine by rotating one or more fan blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device. The turbine may include an exhaust channel. The inflatable safety device may be coupled with the turbine to receive the ambient air and a subset of the gas for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0023] In various embodiments, the ambient air and the subset of the gas may form an inflation input, and a temperature of the inflation input may be approximately less than a melting point of material included in the inflatable safety device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inflation system that uses an electric propellant and a turbine according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the inflation system of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of a turbine of the inflation system ofFigure 1.

[0027] Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a turbine of the inflation system of Figure 1 .

[0028] Figure 5 is a set of views of another embodiment of a turbine of the inflation system of Figure 1 .Atorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a process for using the inflation system of Figure 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The subject mater of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject mater may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0031] The described embodiments of the invention provide gas inflation systems for passenger vehicles. While the gas inflation systems are discussed for use with inflatable safety devices, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the gas inflation systems may be used in passenger vehicles of any type or otherwise as desired.

[0032] In some embodiments, an electric propellant may differ from traditional solid or liquid pyrotechnic propellants like those used in airbag inflators or propulsion thrusters. For example, the electric propellant may only capable of being activated through contact with a significant electric current and may be resistant to flame and shock. Once the current is taken away the reaction stops. Additionally or alternatively, the reaction that produces gas in electric propellant activation may not be an oxidation reaction, which is common in airbag inflators and proposition thrusters. The electric propellant reaction may be an pyroelectric reaction that generates gas and heat. In some embodiments, a “propellant”, as used herein, may refer to any material that may be used to generate a gas.

[0033] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1-5, an inflation system 100 comprises an inflatable safety device 102, a gasAtorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application generator 104, and a turbine 106. The inflatable safety device 102 may be or include an inflatable slide, an inflatable raft, one or more inflatable life vests, and the like. The inflatable safety device 102 may be coupled with the turbine 106 to receive gas such as ambient air and / or gas from the gas generator 104. For example, the inflation system 100, or any subset thereof, such as the gas generator 104, may be positioned underneath the inflatable slide or inflatable raft when the inflatable slide or inflatable raft is deployed. In some embodiments, an aircraft may include or otherwise use the inflation system 100. In some embodiments, the inflation system 100, or one or more portions thereof, such as the portion having the turbine and / or fan blades, may be coupled directly to the inflatable tubes of the inflatable safety device 102.

[0034] In some examples, the gas generator 104 may generate gas with an elevated temperature (e.g., with respect to propellant used to generate the gas) for powering the turbine 106, and the turbine 106 may receive the gas and may cause ambient air to be provided to the inflatable safety device 102. The turbine 106 may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102 to provide the ambient air, and in some examples at least a subset of the gas generated by the gas generator 104, to the inflatable safety device 102. In some examples, the gas provided to the turbine 106 to power the turbine 106 may be used to cause one or more fan blades of the turbine 106 to rotate for moving the ambient air. The gas may be exhausted or provided to the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 and the turbine 106 may form a single unit.

[0035] In some embodiments, a subset of the gas may be provided to the inflatable safety device 102 to inflate the inflatable safety device 102 and to limit a temperature of inflation input, such as a combination of the gas and the ambient air, to not exceed a threshold temperature that may be approximately similar or identical to a melting point of the inflatable safety device 102 or any component or material thereof. As used herein,Atorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application approximately indicates that a recited value may vary, such as above or below, by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, from 5% to 10%, from 10% to 20%, and the like. In some embodiments, the inflatable safety device 102 may include a material having a melting point, the ambient air may have a first temperature that is approximately less than the melting point, and the gas may have a second temperature that is approximately greater than or equal to the melting point.

[0036] In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 may generate gas from an electric propellant 202. The turbine 106 may be coupled with the gas generator 104 to receive the gas from the gas generator 104 to power the turbine 106. Powering the turbine 106 may involve rotating, or causing to rotate, one or more fan blades 204 to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device 102. Providing the ambient air to the inflatable safety device 102 may include using the ambient air to inflate the inflatable safety device 102. The inflatable safety device 102 may be coupled with the turbine 106 to receive the ambient air for inflating the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the turbine 106 may be separate from the one or more fan blades 204.

[0037] As best illustrated with respect to Figure 3, the turbine 106 may include an exhaust port 302, and the gas may be exhausted via the exhaust port 302 after being used to power the turbine 106. In some embodiments, a first end 304 of the exhaust port 302 may be coupled with the turbine 106, and a second end 306 of the exhaust port 302 may be vented to atmosphere to discard the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine. The second end 306 may be opposite the first end 304 with respect to the exhaust port 302.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first end 304 of the exhaust port 302 may be coupled with the turbine 106, and a different second end of the exhaust port 302 may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102 to provide at least a subset of the gas to the inflatable safety device 102 after the gas is used to power the turbine 106. The second endAtorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01Patent Application may be opposite the first end 304 with respect to the exhaust port 302. In some embodiments, the first end 304 of the exhaust port 302 may be coupled with the turbine 106, and a different second end of the exhaust port 302 may include a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102 to provide at least a first portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device 102 after the gas is used to power the turbine 106, and the second conduit may be vented to atmosphere to discard at least a second portion of the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine 106. The second end may be opposite the first end 304 with respect to the exhaust port 302. The at least the first portion of the gas may be combined with the ambient air to generate an inflation input to provide to the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the at least the first portion of the gas and the ambient air may be combined prior to, or substantially contemporaneously with respect to, providing the inflation input to the inflatable safety device 102.

[0039] In some embodiments, the gas may be provided to a central compartment 310 of the turbine 106 to cause the one or more fan blades 204 to rotate. For example, the gas may flow in direction 311 to power the turbine 106 to cause the one or more fan blades 204 to rotate and to draw in ambient air in direction 312 to flow into or otherwise towards the inflatable safety device 102. The turbine 106 may be mounted, such as via mounts 314, to the inflatable safety device 102 to allow the ambient air to directly flow into the inflatable safety device 102.

[0040] As best illustrated with respect to FIGS. 4-5, the turbine 106 may include one or more fan blades 204 and an external housing 502. The external housing 502 may define a central compartment 402 and an annular region 404. Additionally or alternatively, each fan blade of the one or more fan blades 204 may extend through the central compartment 402 and the annular region 404. Additionally or alternatively, the turbine 106 may include a first conduit 406 arranged to direct the gas into the annular region 404 to power the turbine 106Atorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01Patent Application and to rotate the one or more fan blades 204 to provide the ambient air to the inflatable safety device 102. Additionally or alternatively, propellant or material used to generate gas may be stored in the annular region to power the turbine and rotate the one or more fan blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety equipment. The ambient air may be provided to the inflatable safety device 102 by passing through the central compartment 402 and through an outlet channel coupled with the turbine 106 and with the inflatable safety device 102.

[0041] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a process 600 for using the inflation system 100. At block 602, gas is generated by the gas generator 104 and by using an electric propellant. The gas may be generated for the inflatable safety device 102 for example by providing the gas to power the turbine 106 to provide ambient air for inflating the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, an electric propellant may be or include a solid material and / or a liquid material that, when exposed to an electric current, transforms into a gas with an elevated temperature. The electric current applied to the electric propellant may be controlled to control a rate at which the electric propellant converts into the gas. For example, more electric current may be applied to speed up the conversion and vice versa. Additionally, the electric current applied to the electric propellant may be controlled to control a temperature of the gas. For example, more electric current may be applied to increase a temperature of the gas and vice versa. The gas may be provided to the turbine 106. In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 and the turbine 106 may be a single unit that generates the gas with the elevated temperature and uses the gas to rotate the one or more fan blades 204.

[0042] At block 604, the turbine 106 is powered using the gas. The turbine 106 may receive the gas, and the gas may be directed within the turbine 106 to cause the one or more fan blades 204 to rotate. For example, the gas may be directed to the annular region 404 defined by the external housing 502 of the turbine 106 to cause the one or more fan blades 204 to rotate. In some embodiments, the gas may be exhausted, such as to atmosphere, afterAttorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application being used to power the turbine 106. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the gas may be provided, such as with the ambient air, to the inflatable safety device 102. An inflation input to the inflatable safety device 102 may include the ambient air and at least the portion of the gas. In some embodiments, powering the turbine 106 may include exhausting at least a first portion of the gas subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine 106, and powering the turbine 106 may include providing at least a second portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device 102 subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine 106.

[0043] At block 606, the ambient air is provided to the inflatable safety device 102 to inflate the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the turbine 106 may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102, and the ambient air may be drawn in and through the turbine 106 and into the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the ambient air may be combined with the gas to form the inflation input that may be provided to the inflatable safety device 102 to inflate the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the inflatable safety device 102 may be inflated using the inflation system 100 within approximately six seconds and in environmental temperatures from approximately -40 °F to approximately 160 °F.

[0044] In some embodiments, the inflation system 100 may additionally include an aspirator that may entrain ambient air into the inflatable safety device 102. Additionally or alternatively, the inflation system 100 may be coupled with or otherwise include a compressor that may be used to inflate the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the turbine 106 may be coupled with at least one heat exchanger that is configured to cool gas having an elevated temperature from the gas generator 104. Cooled gas from the at least one heat exchanger may be used to inflate the inflatable safety device102. Additionally or alternatively, the cooled gas from the at least one heat exchanger may beAttorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01Patent Application directed to an aspirator that is configured to mix the cooled gas with ambient air to inflate the inflatable safety device 102.

[0045] In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

[0046] Example 1. An inflation system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas from an electric propellant and for an inflatable safety device; and a turbine coupled with the gas generator and configured to receive the gas to power the turbine by rotating one or more fan blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device, wherein the inflatable safety device is configured to be coupled with the turbine to receive the ambient air for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0047] Example 2. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the turbine comprises an exhaust port, and wherein the gas is exhaustible via the exhaust port after being used to power the turbine.

[0048] Example 3. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein a first end of the exhaust port is coupled with the turbine, wherein a second end of the exhaust port is vented to atmosphere to discard the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine, and wherein the second end is opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

[0049] Example 4. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the inflatable safety device comprises a material having a melting point, wherein the ambient air has a first temperature that is approximately less than the melting point, and wherein the gas has a second temperature that is approximately greater than the melting point.

[0050] Example 5. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein a first end of the exhaust port is coupled with the turbine, wherein aAttorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application second end of the exhaust port is coupled with the inflatable safety device to provide the gas to the inflatable safety device after the gas is used to power the turbine, and wherein the second end is opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

[0051] Example 6. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein a first end of the exhaust port is coupled with the turbine, wherein a second end of the exhaust port comprises a first conduit and a second conduit, wherein the first conduit is coupled with the inflatable safety device to provide at least a first portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device after the gas is used to power the turbine, wherein the second conduit is vented to atmosphere to discard at least a second portion of the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine, and wherein the second end is opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

[0052] Example 7. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the at least the first portion of the gas is combinable with the ambient air to generate an inflation input, and wherein the at least the first portion of the gas and the ambient air are combinable prior to, or substantially contemporaneously with respect to, providing the inflation input to the inflatable safety device.

[0053] Example 8. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the inflatable safety device comprises a material having a melting point, and wherein the inflation input has a temperature that is approximately less than the melting point.

[0054] Example 9. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the turbine is separate from the one or more fan blades, and wherein the gas is providable to a central compartment of the turbine to cause the one or more fan blades to rotate.Attorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application

[0055] Example 10. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the turbine comprises: the one or more fan blades; and an exterior housing defining a central compartment and an annular region, wherein each fan blade of the one or more fan blades extends through the central compartment and the annular region.

[0056] Example 11. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the turbine comprises a first conduit that is arranged to direct the gas into the annular region to power the turbine and to rotate the one or more fan blades.

[0057] Example 12. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the ambient air is providable to the inflatable safety device by passing through the central compartment and through an outlet channel coupled with the turbine and with the inflatable safety device.

[0058] Example 13. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the gas generator and the turbine form a single unit.

[0059] Example 14. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the inflatable safety device is an inflatable slide, a slide / raft, a ramp, a slide / ramp, or an inflatable raft positionable on an aircraft, and wherein the gas generator is positioned underneath the inflatable safety device when the inflatable safety device is deployed.

[0060] Example 15. An aircraft comprising the inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the inflatable safety device is an inflatable slide, and wherein the gas generator of the inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent example is positioned on an underside of the inflatable slide when the inflatable slide is deployed.

[0061] Example 16. A method comprising: providing an inflation system for an aircraft, the inflation system configured to perform operations comprising: generating, by aAttorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application gas generator, gas using an electric propellant, the gas for an inflatable safety device; powering, by causing one or more fan blades to rotate, a turbine using the gas, the turbine coupled with the gas generator and with the inflatable safety device; and providing, by the turbine, ambient air to the inflatable safety device to inflate the inflatable safety device.

[0062] Example 17. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein powering the turbine comprises exhausting at least a first portion of the gas subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine.

[0063] Example 18. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein powering the turbine comprises providing at least a second portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine.

[0064] Example 19. An inflation system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for an inflatable safety device; and a turbine coupled with the gas generator and configured to receive the gas to power the turbine by rotating one or more fan blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device, the turbine comprising an exhaust channel, wherein the inflatable safety device is configured to be coupled with the turbine to receive the ambient air and a subset of the gas for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0065] Example 20. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the ambient air and the subset of the gas form an inflation input, and wherein a temperature of the inflation input is approximately less than a melting point of material included in the inflatable safety device.

[0066] Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have beenAttorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01Patent Application described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Attorney Docket 037514-1447760 Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01Patent ApplicationCLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. An inflation system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas from an electric propellant and for an inflatable safety device; and a turbine coupled with the gas generator and configured to receive the gas to power the turbine by rotating one or more fan blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device, wherein the inflatable safety device is configured to be coupled with the turbine to receive the ambient air for inflating the inflatable safety device.

2. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the turbine comprises an exhaust port, and wherein the gas is exhaustible via the exhaust port after being used to power the turbine.

3. The inflation system of claim 2, wherein a first end of the exhaust port is coupled with the turbine, wherein a second end of the exhaust port is vented to atmosphere to discard the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine, and wherein the second end is opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

4. The inflation system of claim 3, wherein the inflatable safety device comprises a material having a melting point, wherein the ambient air has a first temperature that is approximately less than the melting point, and wherein the gas has a second temperature that is approximately greater than the melting point.

5. The inflation system of claim 2, wherein a first end of the exhaust port is coupled with the turbine, wherein a second end of the exhaust port is coupled with the inflatable safety device to provide the gas to the inflatable safety device after the gas is used to power the turbine, and wherein the second end is opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

6. The inflation system of claim 2, wherein a first end of the exhaust port is coupled with the turbine, wherein a second end of the exhaust port comprises a first conduit and a second conduit, wherein the first conduit is coupled with the inflatable safety device to provide atAtorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application least a first portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device after the gas is used to power the turbine, wherein the second conduit is vented to atmosphere to discard at least a second portion of the gas after the gas is used to power the turbine, and wherein the second end is opposite the first end with respect to the exhaust port.

7. The inflation system of claim 6, wherein the at least the first portion of the gas is combinable with the ambient air to generate an inflation input, and wherein the at least the first portion of the gas and the ambient air are combinable prior to, or substantially contemporaneously with respect to, providing the inflation input to the inflatable safety device.

8. The inflation system of claim 7, wherein the inflatable safety device comprises a material having a melting point, and wherein the inflation input has a temperature that is approximately less than the melting point.

9. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the turbine is separate from the one or more fan blades, and wherein the gas is providable to a central compartment of the turbine to cause the one or more fan blades to rotate.

10. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the turbine comprises: the one or more fan blades; and an exterior housing defining a central compartment and an annular region, wherein each fan blade of the one or more fan blades extends through the central compartment and the annular region.

11. The inflation system of claim 10, wherein the turbine comprises a first conduit that is arranged to direct the gas into the annular region to power the turbine and to rotate the one or more fan blades.

12. The inflation system of claim 11, wherein the ambient air is providable to the inflatable safety device by passing through the central compartment and through an outlet channel coupled with the turbine and with the inflatable safety device.Atorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application13. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the gas generator and the turbine form a single unit.

14. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety device is an inflatable slide, a slide / raft, a ramp, a slide / ramp, or an inflatable raft positionable on an aircraft, and wherein the gas generator is positioned underneath the inflatable safety device when the inflatable safety device is deployed.

15. An aircraft comprising the inflation system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety device is an inflatable slide, and wherein the gas generator of the inflation system of claim 1 is positioned on an underside of the inflatable slide when the inflatable slide is deployed.

16. A method comprising providing an inflation system for an aircraft, the inflation system configured to perform operations comprising: generating, by a gas generator, gas using an electric propellant, the gas for an inflatable safety device; powering, by causing one or more fan blades to rotate, a turbine using the gas, the turbine coupled with the gas generator and with the inflatable safety device; and providing, by the turbine, ambient air to the inflatable safety device to inflate the inflatable safety device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein powering the turbine comprises exhausting at least a first portion of the gas subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein powering the turbine comprises providing at least a second portion of the gas to the inflatable safety device subsequent to using the gas to power the turbine.

19. An inflation system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for an inflatable safety device; andAtorney Docket 037514-1447760Client Ref. No. B-030124PCT01 Patent Application a turbine coupled with the gas generator and configured to receive the gas to power the turbine by rotating one or more fan blades to provide ambient air to the inflatable safety device, the turbine comprising an exhaust channel, wherein the inflatable safety device is configured to be coupled with the turbine to receive the ambient air and a subset of the gas for inflating the inflatable safety device.

20. The inflation system of claim 19, wherein the ambient air and the subset of the gas form an inflation input, and wherein a temperature of the inflation input is approximately less than a melting point of material included in the inflatable safety device.

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