Gas cooling system for inflatable safety device

Abstract

Described are gas cooling systems having a gas generator, a cooling device, and an inflatable safety device. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas for the inflatable safety device based on propellant. The cooling device may be coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas and to remove heat from, and / or expel at least a portion of, the gas to provide gas having a threshold temperature. The inflatable safety device may be coupled with the cooling device to receive the gas having the threshold temperature.

Description

Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application GAS COOLING SYSTEM FOR INFLATABLE SAFETY DEVICEFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention relates generally to passenger vehicles, and, more specifically, though not necessarily exclusively, to a gas cooling system that may be used to provide cooled gas to an inflatable safety device at least for inflating the inflatable safety device.BACKGROUND

[0002] Passenger vehicles often include equipment that may be used in case of emergency. For example, the passenger vehicles may include evacuation slides, evacuation slide / rafts, ramps, slide / ramps, life rafts, life vests, 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 patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims1US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application 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, a gas cooling system may include a gas generator, a cooling device, and an inflatable safety device. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas for an inflatable safety device, and the gas may be generated from a propellant and may have an elevated temperature compared with the propellant. The cooling device may be coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas and to remove heat from the gas to provide gas having a threshold temperature. The inflatable safety device may be coupled with the cooling device to receive the gas having the threshold temperature.

[0005] In some embodiments, the cooling device may be a heat exchanger conduit that extends from the gas generator to the inflatable safety device, and the heat exchanger conduit may be configured to remove heat from the gas while the gas is conveyed along the heat exchanger conduit.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the gas may have a first mass, and the gas having the threshold temperature may have a second mass. The first mass may be the same as or greater than the second mass.

[0007] In various embodiments, the threshold temperature may be approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.2US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02Patent Application

[0008] In some embodiments, the cooling device may include at least one vortex cooler, and the at least one vortex cooler may be configured to receive the gas and to expel at least a portion of the gas to supply the gas having the threshold temperature.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the at least one vortex cooler may include a first vortex cooler and a second vortex cooler.

[0010] In various embodiments, the first vortex cooler may be coupled with the gas generator and the second vortex cooler, and the second vortex cooler may be coupled with the first vortex cooler and the inflatable safety device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first vortex cooler may be configured to receive the gas and to generate a first gas having a first threshold temperature that is higher than the threshold temperature.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the second vortex cooler may be configured to receive the first gas having the first threshold temperature and to supply a second gas having a second threshold temperature that is approximately less than or equal to the threshold temperature.

[0013] In various embodiments, the at least one vortex cooler may be configured to only remove gas from the gas, and the gas having the threshold temperature may be received by the inflatable safety device and may have a mass that is approximately less than or equal to a second mass of the gas.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second threshold temperature may be approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the inflatable safety device may be an inflatable slide, slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, or inflatable raft positionable on an aircraft, and the cooling device may be coupled with an aspirator that is configured to combine the gas having the3US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application threshold temperature with ambient air prior to providing a combination of the gas having the threshold temperature and the ambient air to the inflatable safety device.

[0016] In various embodiments, the gas generator may be or include an electric gas generator that includes an electricity-activated propellant.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cooling device may be integrated with the gas generator without a conduit

[0018] In certain embodiments, the cooling device may be integrated into an aspirator that is configured to use the gas having the threshold temperature to entrain ambient air into the inflatable safety device.

[0019] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method may be used to provide gas to an inflatable safety device. The method may include generating gas using a gas generator, the gas for an inflatable safety device and having a temperature that is higher than propellant used to generate the gas. The method may include cooling, using a cooling device that is coupled with the gas generator, the gas by removing heat from the gas to generate gas having a threshold temperature. The method may include providing the gas having the threshold temperature to the inflatable safety device that is coupled with the cooling device.

[0020] In some embodiments, cooling the gas may include cooling the gas using a set of vortex coolers to incrementally lower a temperature of the gas to generate the gas having the threshold temperature.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the gas may have a first mass, and the gas having the threshold temperature may have a second mass. The first mass may be the same as or greater than the second mass, and the threshold temperature may be approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.4US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application

[0022] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a gas cooling system may include a gas generator, a vortex cooler, and an inflatable slide, slide / raft, ramp, or slide / ramp. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas for the inflatable slide, slide / raft, ramp, or slide / ramp for an aircraft, and the gas may be generated from a propellant and having an elevated temperature compared with the propellant. The vortex cooler may be coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas and to remove heat from the gas to provide gas having a threshold temperature. The inflatable slide, slide / raft, ramp, or slide / ramp may be coupled with the vortex cooler to receive the gas having the threshold temperature.

[0023] In various embodiments, the vortex cooler may be a first vortex cooler, and the system may additionally include a second vortex cooler coupled with the first vortex cooler and the inflatable slide.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gas cooling system according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example of an embodiment of the gas cooling system of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 3 is a diagram of a vortex cooler of the gas cooling system of Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 4 is a block diagram of another example of an embodiment of the gas cooling system of Figure 1.

[0028] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a process for using the gas cooling system of Figure1.5US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] 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.

[0030] The described embodiments of the invention provide gas cooling systems for passenger vehicles. While the gas cooling systems are discussed for use with inflatable safety devices, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the gas cooling systems may be used in passenger vehicles of any type or otherwise as desired.

[0031] 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.

[0032] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1-4, a gas cooling system 100 comprises an inflatable safety device 102, a gas generator 104, and a cooling device 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. The6US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application inflatable safety device 102 may be coupled with the cooling device 106 to receive gas from the gas generator 104. For example, the gas cooling system 100, or any subset thereof, may be positioned underneath the inflatable slide or inflatable raft when the inflatable slide or inflatable raft is deployed. In some embodiments, the gas cooling system 100, or any subset thereof (e.g., the gas generator 104 or the cooling device 106, etc.), may be positioned on a door of an aircraft, may be integrated into the inflatable safety device 102, may be positioned on the aircraft, may be adjacent to the inflatable safety device 102, may be positioned on another component of the gas cooling system 100, etc. In some embodiments, an aircraft may include or otherwise use the gas cooling system 100.

[0033] In some examples, the gas generator 104 may generate gas for the inflatable safety device 102, and the cooling device 106 may receive the gas and may remove heat, such as by exhausting separated hot gas, from the gas to generate gas having a threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the gas may be generated with an elevated temperature. The cooling device 106 may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102 to provide the gas having the threshold temperature to the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature may be approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials, such as a substrate, a fabric, a fabric coating, a gas barrier film, a flexible composite, a textile, an inflation hose, an aspirator, a relief valve, or the entirety of the inflatable safety device 102, included in, or otherwise associated with, the inflatable safety device 102. As used herein, 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.

[0034] As best illustrated with respect to Figures 2-3, the cooling device 106 may include at least one vortex cooler 202. The at least one vortex cooler 202 may receive the gas, which may have an elevated temperature, from the gas generator 104, and the at least one vortex cooler 202 may expel at least a portion of the gas to supply the gas having the7US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application threshold temperature. In some embodiments, a temperature of the gas can approximately be an average kinetic energy of particles forming the gas. The at least one vortex cooler 202 may spin the gas at a high rpm, which may force higher energy particles, or hoter particles, of the gas to an outside of the at least one vortex cooler 202. The higher energy particles may be expelled, such as via a control valve or other suitable means, and the lower energy particles, or cooler particles, may be retained for an intended application.

[0035] The vortex cooler 202 may have an inlet 302, a first outlet 304, and a second outlet 306. In some embodiments, the inlet 302 may receive gas, such as the gas from the gas generator 104, other gas from another cooling device (e.g., a separate vortex cooler), etc., and the first outlet 304 and the second outlet 306 may output gas or other material from the vortex cooler 202. For example, the first outlet 304 may output cooled gas, such as the gas having the threshold temperature, partially cooled gas, etc., and the second outlet 306 may output hot gas (e.g., gas having a higher temperature than gas output via the first outlet 304) such as by exhausting the hot gas to the environment, etc.

[0036] While illustrated in Figures 2-3 as including one vortex cooler, the cooling device 106 may include more than one, such as two, three, four, or more than four, vortex coolers. In such embodiments, the first vortex cooler may be coupled with the gas generator 104 and the second vortex cooler, and the second vortex cooler may be coupled with the first vortex cooler and the inflatable safety device 102. For example, the first vortex cooler may receive the gas, which may have an elevated temperature, from the gas generator 104 and may supply a first gas having a first threshold temperature that is higher than the threshold temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the second vortex cooler may receive the first gas having the first threshold temperature and may supply a second gas having a second threshold temperature that is approximately less than or equal to the threshold temperature. The second threshold temperature may be approximately less than or equal to the melting point of8US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application materials included in the inflatable safety device 102. In a particular example, cooled gas from a first vortex cooler may be supplied to the inflatable safety device 102, and hot gas from the first vortex cooler may be supplied to the second vortex cooler. Cooled gas from the second vortex cooler may be supplied to the inflatable safety device 102, and hot gas from the second vortex cooler may be exhausted to the environment.

[0037] In some embodiments, the vortex cooler 202 may only remove a portion the gas, and the gas having the threshold temperature that may be received by the inflatable safety device may have a mass that is approximately less than or equal to a second mass of the gas. For example, the gas generator 104 may use a propellant 204, such as an electric propellant or an electricity-activated propellant, to generate the gas having the second mass, and the vortex cooler 202 may, such as instead of combine the gas with other gas or materials, only remove a portion of the gas and / or a portion of the heat from the gas. In some embodiments, the gas may have a first mass and the gas having the threshold temperature may have a second mass. The first mass may be approximately the same as the second mass. That is, the gas generated by the gas generator 104, or any portion thereof, may be the only gas used to inflate the inflatable safety device 102 and may not be combined with other material to inflate the inflatable safety device 102.

[0038] In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 may be an electric gas generator that includes an electricity-activated propellant. The electricity-activated propellant may include solid propellant and / or liquid propellant, and the electricity-activated propellant may be controlled by an electric current. For example, applying an electric current to the electricity-activated propellant may cause the electricity-activated propellant to convert to the gas generated by the gas generator 104. Additionally or alternatively, the electric current may be varied, such as by increasing or decreasing a magnitude of the electric current or a time of9US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application applying the electric current, to control a temperature, a pressure, and the like of the gas generated by the gas generator 104.

[0039] As best illustrated with respect to Figure 4, the cooling device 106 may be or include a heat exchanger conduit 402 that extends from the gas generator 104 to the cooling device 106 and / or to the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger conduit 402 may remove heat from the gas, or may remove a portion of the gas itself, while the gas is conveyed along the heat exchanger conduit 402.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cooling device 106 may be coupled with an aspirator that may be used to combine the gas having the threshold temperature with ambient air prior to providing a combination of the gas having the threshold temperature and the ambient air to the inflatable safety device 102.

[0041] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a process 500 for using the gas cooling system 100. At block 502, gas having an elevated temperature is generated by a gas generator such as the gas generator 104. The gas generator may use an electricity-activated propellant, which may be solid, liquid, or a combination thereof. An electric current may be applied to the electricity-activated propellant to cause the electricity-activated propellant to convert to gas with the elevated temperature. In some embodiments, the gas may have a temperature that exceeds a melting point of an inflatable safety device, such as the inflatable safety device 102, or any component or material thereof. The gas may be provided, such as directed, to a cooling device such as the cooling device 106.

[0042] At block 504, the cooling device is used to remove heat from the gas to generate a gas having a threshold temperature. The cooling device may be or include one or more vortex coolers, such as the vortex cooler 202, one or more heat exchanger conduits, such as the heat exchanger conduit 402, and the like. The cooling device may receive the gas and may remove heat, for example by removing and / or exhausting at least a portion of the10US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application gas, removing and / or exhausting heat from the gas, and the like. In some embodiments, the cooling device may only remove heat and / or mass from the gas. For example, the cooling device may not add mass or other materials, such as cooled gas, to the gas to supply the gas having the threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature may be approximately less than or equal to a melting point of the inflatable safety device or any component or material thereof.

[0043] At block 506, the gas having the threshold temperature is provided to the inflatable safety device. The cooling device may be coupled with the inflatable safety device, and the cooling device may convey the gas having the threshold temperature to the inflatable safety device. For example, the cooling device may transmit the gas having the threshold temperature to the inflatable safety device to inflate the inflatable safety device. In some embodiments, the cooling device may inflate the inflatable safety device with the gas having the threshold temperature within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., within approximately six seconds) and within a predetermined environmental temperature range such as from approximately -40 °F to approximately 160 °F.

[0044] In some embodiments, the gas cooling system 100 may additionally include an aspirator that may entrain ambient air into the inflatable safety device 102. Additionally or alternatively, the gas cooling system 100 may be coupled with or otherwise include a compressor that may be used to inflate the inflatable safety device 102.

[0045] In some embodiments, the at least one vortex cooler 202 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 device 102. Additionally or alternatively, the cooled gas from the at least one heat exchanger may be directed to an aspirator that is configured to mix the cooled gas with ambient air to inflate the inflatable safety device 102.11US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application

[0046] In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

[0047] Example 1. A gas cooling system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas for an inflatable safety device, the gas generatable from a propellant and having an elevated temperature compared with the propellant; a cooling device coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas and to remove heat from the gas to provide gas having a threshold temperature; and the inflatable safety device coupled with the cooling device to receive the gas having the threshold temperature.

[0048] Example 2. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the cooling device is a heat exchanger conduit that extends from the gas generator to the inflatable safety device, and wherein the heat exchanger conduit is configured to remove heat from the gas while the gas is conveyed along the heat exchanger conduit.

[0049] Example 3. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the gas has a first mass, wherein the gas having the threshold temperature has a second mass, and wherein the first mass is the same as or greater than the second mass.

[0050] Example 4. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the threshold temperature is approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.

[0051] Example 5. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the cooling device comprises at least one vortex cooler, and wherein the at least one vortex cooler is configured to receive the gas and to expel at least a portion of the gas to supply the gas having the threshold temperature.12US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02Patent Application

[0052] Example 6. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the at least one vortex cooler comprises a first vortex cooler and a second vortex cooler.

[0053] Example 7. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the first vortex cooler is coupled with the gas generator and the second vortex cooler, and wherein the second vortex cooler is coupled with the first vortex cooler and the inflatable safety device.

[0054] Example 8. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the first vortex cooler is configured to receive the gas and to generate a first gas having a first threshold temperature that is higher than the threshold temperature.

[0055] Example 9. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the second vortex cooler is configured to receive the first gas having the first threshold temperature and to supply a second gas having a second threshold temperature that is approximately less than or equal to the threshold temperature.

[0056] Example 10. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the at least one vortex cooler is configured to only remove gas from the gas, and wherein the gas having the threshold temperature receivable by the inflatable safety device has a mass that is approximately less than or equal to a second mass of the gas.

[0057] Example 11. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the second threshold temperature is approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.

[0058] Example 12. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the inflatable safety device is an evacuation slide, evacuation slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, life raft, life vest or helicopter float positionable on an aircraft, and wherein the cooling device is coupled with an aspirator that is configured to combine the gas having13US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application the threshold temperature with ambient air prior to providing a combination of the gas having the threshold temperature and the ambient air to the inflatable safety device.

[0059] Example 13. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the gas generator is an electric gas generator that includes an electricity- activated propellant.

[0060] Example 14. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the cooling device is integrated with the gas generator without a conduit.

[0061] Example 15. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the cooling device is integrated into an aspirator that is configured to use the gas having the threshold temperature to entrain ambient air into the inflatable safety device.

[0062] Example 16. A method comprising: generating gas using a gas generator, the gas for an inflatable safety device and having a temperature that is higher than propellant used to generate the gas; cooling, using a cooling device that is coupled with the gas generator, the gas by removing heat from the gas to generate gas having a threshold temperature; and providing the gas having the threshold temperature to the inflatable safety device that is coupled with the cooling device.

[0063] Example 17. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein cooling the gas comprises cooling the gas using a set of vortex coolers to incrementally lower a temperature of the gas to generate the gas having the threshold temperature.

[0064] Example 18. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the gas has a first mass, wherein the gas having the threshold temperature has a second mass, wherein the first mass is the same as or greater than the second mass, and14US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application wherein the threshold temperature is approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.

[0065] Example 19. A gas cooling system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas for an evacuation slide, evacuation slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, life raft, life vest or helicopter float for an aircraft, the gas generatable from a propellant and having an elevated temperature compared with the propellant; a vortex cooler coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas and to remove heat from the gas to provide gas having a threshold temperature; and the evacuation slide, evacuation slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, life raft, life vest or helicopter float coupled with the vortex cooler to receive the gas having the threshold temperature.

[0066] Example 20. The gas cooling system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the vortex cooler is a first vortex cooler, and wherein the system further comprises a second vortex cooler coupled with the first vortex cooler and the inflatable slide.

[0067] 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 been 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.15US2008 31995541 1

Claims

Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02Patent ApplicationCLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. A gas cooling system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas for an inflatable safety device, the gas generatable from a propellant and having an elevated temperature compared with the propellant; a cooling device coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas and to remove heat from the gas to provide gas having a threshold temperature; and the inflatable safety device coupled with the cooling device to receive the gas having the threshold temperature.

2. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is a heat exchanger conduit that extends from the gas generator to the inflatable safety device, and wherein the heat exchanger conduit is configured to remove heat from the gas while the gas is conveyed along the heat exchanger conduit.

3. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the gas has a first mass, wherein the gas having the threshold temperature has a second mass, and wherein the first mass is the same as or greater than the second mass.

4. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the threshold temperature is approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.

5. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises at least one vortex cooler, and wherein the at least one vortex cooler is configured to receive the gas and to expel at least a portion of the gas to supply the gas having the threshold temperature.

6. The gas cooling system of claim 5, wherein the at least one vortex cooler comprises a first vortex cooler and a second vortex cooler.16US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application7. The gas cooling system of claim 6, wherein the first vortex cooler is coupled with the gas generator and the second vortex cooler, and wherein the second vortex cooler is coupled with the first vortex cooler and the inflatable safety device.

8. The gas cooling system of claim 7, wherein the first vortex cooler is configured to receive the gas and to generate a first gas having a first threshold temperature that is higher than the threshold temperature.

9. The gas cooling system of claim 8, wherein the second vortex cooler is configured to receive the first gas having the first threshold temperature and to supply a second gas having a second threshold temperature that is approximately less than or equal to the threshold temperature.

10. The gas cooling system of claim 9, wherein the at least one vortex cooler is configured to only remove gas from the gas, and wherein the gas having the threshold temperature receivable by the inflatable safety device has a mass that is approximately less than or equal to a second mass of the gas.

11. The gas cooling system of claim 9, wherein the second threshold temperature is approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.

12. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety device is an evacuation slide, evacuation slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, life raft, life vest or helicopter float positionable on an aircraft, and wherein the cooling device is coupled with an aspirator that is configured to combine the gas having the threshold temperature with ambient air prior to providing a combination of the gas having the threshold temperature and the ambient air to the inflatable safety device.

13. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the gas generator is an electric gas generator that includes an electricity-activated propellant.17US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027 Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application14. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is integrated with the gas generator without a conduit.

15. The gas cooling system of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is integrated into an aspirator that is configured to use the gas having the threshold temperature to entrain ambient air into the inflatable safety device.

16. A method comprising: generating gas using a gas generator, the gas for an inflatable safety device and having a temperature that is higher than propellant used to generate the gas; cooling, using a cooling device that is coupled with the gas generator, the gas by removing heat from the gas to generate gas having a threshold temperature; and providing the gas having the threshold temperature to the inflatable safety device that is coupled with the cooling device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein cooling the gas comprises cooling the gas using a set of vortex coolers to incrementally lower a temperature of the gas to generate the gas having the threshold temperature.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the gas has a first mass, wherein the gas having the threshold temperature has a second mass, wherein the first mass is the same as or greater than the second mass, and wherein the threshold temperature is approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials included in the inflatable safety device.

19. A gas cooling system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas for an inflatable evacuation slide, evacuation slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, life raft, life vest or helicopter float for an aircraft, the gas generatable from a propellant and having an elevated temperature compared with the propellant; a vortex cooler coupled with the gas generator to receive the gas and to remove heat from the gas to provide gas having a threshold temperature; and18US2008 31995541 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524027Client Ref. No. B-030314PCT02 Patent Application the inflatable evacuation slide, evacuation slide / raft, ramp, slide / ramp, life raft, life vest or helicopter float coupled with the vortex cooler to receive the gas having the threshold temperature.

20. The gas cooling system of claim 19, wherein the vortex cooler is a first vortex cooler, and wherein the system further comprises a second vortex cooler coupled with the first vortex cooler and the inflatable slide.19US2008 31995541 1

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