Inflation system with vessel for inflatable safety device

Abstract

Described are inflation systems having a gas generator and a vessel. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for an inflatable safety device. The vessel may be coupled with the gas generator, and the vessel may include a liquid having a temperature below a threshold temperature. The liquid may be combined with the gas to form inflation input for an inflatable safety device, and the gas generator may be configured to control a rate of production of the gas based at least in part on a pressure associated with the vessel. The inflatable safety device may be coupled with the vessel to receive the inflation input for inflating the inflatable safety device.

Description

Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application INFLATION SYSTEM WITH VESSEL 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 an inflation system with a vessel 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, slides / rafts, ramps, life rafts, 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 patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims1US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 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, an inflation system may include a gas generator and a vessel. The gas generator may be configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for an inflatable safety device. The vessel may be coupled with the gas generator, and the vessel may include a liquid having a temperature below a threshold temperature. The liquid may be combined with the gas to form inflation input for an inflatable safety device, and the gas generator may be configured to control a rate of production of the gas based at least in part on a pressure associated with the vessel. The inflatable safety device may be coupled with the vessel to receive the inflation input for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0005] In some embodiments, the temperature may be a first temperature. The threshold temperature may be a first threshold temperature, and the gas may have a second temperature that exceeds a second threshold temperature. The inflation input may have a third temperature that does not exceed the second threshold temperature.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the inflatable safety device may include a material having a melting point, and the second threshold temperature may be the melting point.

[0007] In various embodiments, the liquid may be liquid carbon dioxide, and the vessel may be a pressurized vessel containing the liquid carbon dioxide.2US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application

[0008] In some embodiments, the gas generator may be coupled with an electric power source that is configured to provide electric current to the gas generator.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the electric current provided to the gas generator may be adjustable to control (i) a rate of production of the gas by the gas generator and (ii) a temperature of the gas produced by the gas generator.

[0010] In various embodiments, the gas generator may be coupled with the vessel by a first conduit that extends from the gas generator to the vessel, and the vessel may be coupled with the inflatable safety device by a second conduit that extends from the vessel to the inflatable safety device.

[0011] In some embodiments, a first end of the first conduit may be connected to an outlet port of the gas generator, a second end of the first conduit may be connected to an inlet port of the vessel, and the first end may be opposite the second end. A third end of the second conduit may be connected to an outlet port of the vessel, a fourth end of the second conduit may be connected to an inlet port of the inflatable safety device, and the third end may be opposite the fourth end.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the first conduit may be a gas-cooling conduit that reduces a temperature of the gas as the gas is transported through the gas-cooling conduit to the vessel.

[0013] In various embodiments, the inflation system may additionally include a pressure sensor positioned within the vessel, and the pressure sensor may be configured to monitor the pressure within the vessel caused by the gas from the gas generator.

[0014] In some embodiments, the electric current provided to the gas generator may be adjustable based on one or more readings from the pressure sensor.3US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application

[0015] In certain embodiments, the inflation system may additionally include a pressure sensor positioned in the second conduit, and the pressure sensor may be configured to monitor the pressure within the second conduit for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0016] In various embodiments, the electric current provided to the gas generator may be adjustable based on one or more readings from the pressure sensor to control a rate of inflation input provided to the inflatable safety device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the inflatable safety device may be an inflatable slide, inflatable raft inflatable, an inflatable slide / raft, a ramp, a life raft, a life jacket, or a helicopter float.

[0018] In certain embodiments, an aircraft may include the inflation system, and the inflatable safety device may be an inflatable slide.

[0019] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method may involve providing an inflation system that may be configured to perform various operations. The inflation system may provide electric current to a gas generator to generate gas from an electric propellant. The inflation system may augment the gas with liquid to form inflation input, and the liquid may be positioned in a vessel coupled with the gas generator. The liquid may have a temperature below a threshold temperature. The inflation system may provide the inflation input to an inflatable safety device coupled with the vessel to inflate the inflatable safety device. The inflation system may control the electric current based at least in part on a pressure measured within the vessel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the temperature may be a first temperature, and the threshold temperature may be a first threshold temperature. The gas may have a second temperature that exceeds a second threshold temperature, and the inflation input may have a third temperature that does not exceed the second threshold temperature. The inflatable safety4US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application device may include a material having a melting point, and the second threshold temperature may be the melting point.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the operation of controlling the electric current may include using an electric power source coupled with the gas generator to increase current provided to the gas generator to increase a rate of gas production to increase the pressure.

[0022] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method may involve providing an inflation system that may be configured to perform various operations. The inflation system may provide electric current to a gas generator to generate gas from an electric propellant. The inflation system may augment the gas with liquid to form inflation input, and the liquid may be positioned in a vessel coupled with the gas generator. The liquid may have a temperature below a threshold temperature. The inflation system may provide the inflation input to an inflatable safety device coupled with the vessel to inflate the inflatable safety device. The inflation system may control the electric current based at least in part on a pressure measured within a conduit connecting the vessel with the inflatable safety device.

[0023] In various embodiments, the operation of controlling the electric current may include using an electric power source coupled with the gas generator to decrease current provided to the gas generator to decrease a rate of gas production to reduce the pressure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a set of views of an inflation system that uses an electric propellant 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 the inflation system of Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process for using the inflation system of Figure 1.5US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application

[0028] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a process for using the inflation system of Figure 1.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 inflation systems for passenger vehicles. While the inflation systems are discussed for use with inflatable safety devices, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the inflation 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.6US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application

[0032] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1-3, an inflation system 100 comprises an inflatable safety device 102, a gas generator 104, and a vessel 106. In some embodiments, the inflation system 100 may include more than one gas generator 104, more than one vessel 106, or a combination thereof. The inflatable safety device 102 may be or include an inflatable slide, inflatable raft inflatable, an inflatable slide / raft, a ramp, a life raft, a life jacket, or a helicopter float, or other suitable inflatable safety devices. The inflatable safety device 102 may be coupled with the vessel 106 to receive inflation input that includes liquid, contained in the vessel 106, combined with gas from the gas generator 104. For example, the inflation system 100, or any subset thereof, may be positioned underneath the inflatable safety device 102 when the inflatable safety device is deployed. In some embodiments, the inflation system 100, or any subset thereof (e.g., the gas generator 104 or the vessel 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 inflation system 100, etc. In some embodiments, an aircraft may include or otherwise use the inflation system 100. In some embodiments, the inflation system 100 may include an inflation device 107 such as an aspirator, a compressor, or other suitable inflation device 107 that may be used to direct material, such as gas, liquid or other fluid, into the inflatable safety device 102 to inflate the inflatable safety device 102.

[0033] In some examples, the gas generator 104 may generate gas, and the vessel 106 may receive the gas and may combine the gas with liquid contained in the vessel 106 to form inflation input for inflating the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the gas may be generated with an elevated temperature. The inflation input, or the liquid or gas thereof, may have a threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature may be approximately less than or equal to a melting point of materials, such as a substrate, a7US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application fabric, 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, an inflation system 100 includes a gas generator 104 and a vessel 106. The inflation system 100 may additionally include the inflatable safety device 102 and / or any other suitable component for providing inflation techniques to inflate the inflatable safety device 102. The gas generator 104 may generate gas from an electric propellant 202. The vessel 106 may be coupled with the gas generator 104, and the vessel 106 may contain a liquid 204. The liquid may have a temperature below a threshold temperature, such as below a boiling point of elements or compounds included in the liquid 204, and the liquid 204 may be combined with the gas, generated by the gas generator 104, to form inflation input for the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 may control a rate of production of the gas based at least in part on a pressure associated with the vessel 106. Additionally or alternatively, the inflatable safety device 102 may be coupled with the vessel 106 to receive the inflation input for inflating the inflatable safety device 102.

[0035] In some embodiments, the temperature may be a first temperature, and the threshold temperature may be a first threshold temperature. The gas generated by the gas generator 104 may have a second temperature that exceeds a second threshold temperature, and the inflation input may have a third temperature that does not exceed (e.g., that is less than) the second threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the inflatable safety device 102 may have a material having a melting point, and the second threshold temperature may be approximately the melting point. In some embodiments, the liquid 204 may be or include8US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application liquid carbon dioxide, and the vessel 106 may be or include a pressurized vessel containing the liquid carbon dioxide.

[0036] As best illustrated with respect to Figure 2, the gas generator 104 may be coupled with an electric power source 206 that may provide electric current 207 to the gas generator 104. In some embodiments, the electric current 207 provided to the gas generator 104 may be adjusted to control (i) a rate of production of the gas by the gas generator 104, (ii) a temperature of the gas produced by the gas generator 104, or a combination thereof.

[0037] In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 may be coupled with the vessel 106 by a first conduit 302 that extends from the gas generator 104 to the vessel 106, and the vessel 106 may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102 by a second conduit 304 that extends from the vessel 106 to the inflatable safety device 102. A first end of the first conduit 302 may be connected to an outlet port of the gas generator 104, and a second end of the first conduit 302 may be connected to an inlet port of the vessel 106. The first end may be opposite the second end. A third end of the second conduit 304 may be connected to an outlet port of the vessel 106, and a fourth end of the second conduit 304 may be connected to an inlet port of the inflatable safety device 102. The third end may be opposite the fourth end. In some embodiments, the first conduit 302 may be or include a gas-cooling conduit that reduces a temperature of the gas as the gas is transported through the gas-cooling conduit from the gas generator 104 to the vessel 106.

[0038] In some embodiments, the inflation system 100 may additionally include a pressure sensor 208 positioned within the vessel, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to monitor the pressure within the vessel caused by the gas from the gas generator. The electric current 207 provided to the gas generator 104 may be adjusted based on one or more readings from the pressure sensor 208.9US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application

[0039] In some embodiments, the inflation system 100 may additionally include a pressure sensor 208 positioned in the second conduit 304 connecting the vessel 106 with the inflatable safety device 102. The pressure sensor 208 may be configured to monitor the pressure within the second conduit 304 for inflating the inflatable safety device 102. The electric current 207 provided to the gas generator 104 may be adjusted based on one or more readings from the pressure sensor 208 to control a rate of inflation input provided to the inflatable safety device 102.

[0040] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a process 400 for providing one embodiment of the inflation system 100. At block 402, 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 the vessel 106 to combine the gas and the liquid 204 into inflation input 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 elevated temperature compared with the propellant. The electric current applied to the electric propellant may be controlled to control a rate at which the electric propellant converts into the gas with the elevated temperature. 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 with the elevated temperature. 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 vessel 106. In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 and the vessel 106 may be a single unit that generates the gas and provides the gas to be combined with the liquid 204 to form the inflation input.

[0041] At block 404, the gas with the elevated temperature is augmented with the liquid 204 contained in the vessel 106. The gas may travel from the gas generator 104 and10US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application into the vessel 106 to combine with the liquid 204 to form inflation input. In some embodiments, the inflation input may be or include a fluid, such as a gas, a liquid, or a combination thereof, that may include a combination of the gas and the liquid 204.

[0042] At block 406, the inflation input is provided to the inflatable safety device 102 to inflate the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the vessel 106 may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102, and the inflation input may be directed along the second conduit 304 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.

[0043] At block 408, the electric current 207 is controlled based at least in part on a pressure measured within the vessel 106. The pressure may be measured using a pressure sensor 208 that may be positioned on or in the vessel 106. The pressure measurements may be compared against a threshold pressure for inflating the inflatable safety device 102 within certain predetermined parameters such as an elapsed time, an environmental temperature, etc. For example, if the measured pressure is below the threshold pressure, then the electric current 207 may be increased to increase a flow of gas from the gas generator 104 to the vessel 106 and to increase the measured pressure in the vessel 106. Additionally or alternatively, if the measured pressure is above the threshold pressure, then the electric current 207 may be decreased to decrease a flow of gas from the gas generator 104 to the vessel 106 and to increase the measured pressure in the vessel 106.

[0044] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a process 500 for providing one embodiment of the inflation system 100. At block 502, 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 the vessel 106 to combine the gas and the liquid 204 into inflation11US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application input 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 elevated temperature compared with the propellant. The electric current applied to the electric propellant may be controlled to control a rate at which the electric propellant converts into the gas with the elevated temperature. 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 with the elevated temperature. 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 vessel 106. In some embodiments, the gas generator 104 and the vessel 106 may be a single unit that generates the gas and provides the gas to be combined with the liquid 204 to form the inflation input.

[0045] At block 504, the gas with the elevated temperature is augmented with the liquid 204 contained in the vessel 106. The gas may travel from the gas generator 104 and into the vessel 106 to combine with the liquid 204 to form inflation input. In some embodiments, the inflation input may be or include a fluid, such as a gas, a liquid, or a combination thereof, that may include a combination of the gas and the liquid 204.

[0046] At block 506, the inflation input is provided to the inflatable safety device 102 to inflate the inflatable safety device 102. In some embodiments, the vessel 106 may be coupled with the inflatable safety device 102, and the inflation input may be directed along the second conduit 304 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.12US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application

[0047] At block 508, the electric current 207 is controlled based at least in part on a pressure measured within a conduit of the vessel 106. The pressure may be measured using a pressure sensor 208 that may be positioned on or in the conduit of the vessel 106. In some embodiments, the conduit may be or include the conduit connecting the vessel 106 to the inflatable safety device 102. The pressure measurements may be compared against a threshold pressure for inflating the inflatable safety device 102 within certain predetermined parameters such as an elapsed time, an environmental temperature, etc. For example, if the measured pressure is below the threshold pressure, then the electric current 207 may be increased to increase a flow of gas from the gas generator 104 to the vessel 106 and to increase the measured pressure in the conduit. Additionally or alternatively, if the measured pressure is above the threshold pressure, then the electric current 207 may be decreased to decrease a flow of gas from the gas generator 104 to the vessel 106 and to increase the measured pressure in the conduit.

[0048] In some embodiments, a gas generator, such as the gas generator 104, may generate gas with an elevated temperature with respect to propellant used to generate the gas. The gas generator may be coupled with a liquid or cool gas source, and the gas with the elevated temperature may be combined with the cool gas or liquid, for example to cool the temperature of the gas with the elevated temperature. After being combined with the cool gas or liquid, the gas with the elevated temperature, combined with the cool gas or liquid, may be provided to an aspirator and into the inflatable safety device 102.

[0049] In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

[0050] Example 1. An inflation system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for an inflatable safety device; and a vessel coupled with the gas generator, the vessel comprising a liquid having a temperature below a threshold13US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application temperature, the liquid combinable with the gas to form inflation input for an inflatable safety device, and the gas generator configured to control a rate of production of the gas based at least in part on a pressure associated with the vessel, wherein the inflatable safety device is coupled with the vessel to receive the inflation input for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0051] Example 2. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the temperature is a first temperature, wherein the threshold temperature is a first threshold temperature, wherein the gas has a second temperature that exceeds a second threshold temperature, and wherein the inflation input has a third temperature that does not exceed the second threshold temperature.

[0052] Example 3. 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 second threshold temperature is the melting point.

[0053] Example 4. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the liquid is liquid carbon dioxide, and wherein the vessel is a pressurized vessel containing the liquid carbon dioxide.

[0054] Example 5. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the gas generator is coupled with an electric power source that is configured to provide electric current to the gas generator.

[0055] Example 6. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the electric current provided to the gas generator is adjustable to control (i) a rate of production of the gas by the gas generator and (ii) a temperature of the gas produced by the gas generator.

[0056] Example 7. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the gas generator is coupled with the vessel by a first conduit that extends14US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application from the gas generator to the vessel, and wherein the vessel is coupled with the inflatable safety device by a second conduit that extends from the vessel to the inflatable safety device.

[0057] Example 8. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein a first end of the first conduit is connected to an outlet port of the gas generator, wherein a second end of the first conduit is connected to an inlet port of the vessel, wherein the first end is opposite the second end, wherein a third end of the second conduit is connected to an outlet port of the vessel, wherein a fourth end of the second conduit is connected to an inlet port of the inflatable safety device, and wherein the third end is opposite the fourth end.

[0058] Example 9. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the first conduit is a gas-cooling conduit that reduces a temperature of the gas as the gas is transported through the gas-cooling conduit to the vessel.

[0059] Example 10. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further comprising a pressure sensor positioned within the vessel, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to monitor the pressure within the vessel caused by the gas from the gas generator.

[0060] Example 11. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the electric current provided to the gas generator is adjustable based on one or more readings from the pressure sensor.

[0061] Example 12. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further comprising a pressure sensor positioned in the second conduit, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to monitor the pressure within the second conduit for inflating the inflatable safety device.

[0062] Example 13. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the electric current provided to the gas generator is adjustable based on15US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application one or more readings from the pressure sensor to control a rate of inflation input provided to the inflatable safety device.

[0063] Example 14. The inflation system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the inflatable safety device is an inflatable slide, inflatable raft inflatable, an inflatable slide / raft, a ramp, a life raft, a life jacket, or a helicopter float.

[0064] 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.

[0065] Example 16. A method comprising providing an inflation system, wherein the inflation system is configured to perform operations comprising: providing electric current to a gas generator to generate gas from an electric propellant; augmenting the gas with liquid to form inflation input, the liquid positioned in a vessel coupled with the gas generator, the liquid having a temperature below a threshold temperature; providing the inflation input to an inflatable safety device coupled with the vessel to inflate the inflatable safety device; and controlling the electric current based at least in part on a pressure measured within the vessel.

[0066] Example 17. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the temperature is a first temperature, wherein the threshold temperature is a first threshold temperature, wherein the gas has a second temperature that exceeds a second threshold temperature, wherein the inflation input has a third temperature that does not exceed the second threshold temperature, wherein the inflatable safety device comprises a material having a melting point, and wherein the second threshold temperature is the melting point.

[0067] Example 18. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the operation of controlling the electric current comprises using an electric power16US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application source coupled with the gas generator to increase current provided to the gas generator to increase a rate of gas production to increase the pressure.

[0068] Example 19. A method comprising providing an inflation system, wherein the inflation system is configured to perform operations comprising: providing electric current to a gas generator to generate gas from an electric propellant; augmenting the gas with liquid to form inflation input, the liquid positioned in a vessel coupled with the gas generator, the liquid having a temperature below a threshold temperature; providing the inflation input to an inflatable safety device coupled with the vessel to inflate the inflatable safety device; and controlling the electric current based at least in part on a pressure measured within a conduit connecting the vessel with the inflatable safety device.

[0069] Example 20. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the operation of controlling the electric current comprises using an electric power source coupled with the gas generator to decrease current provided to the gas generator to decrease a rate of gas production to reduce the pressure.

[0070] 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.17US2008 31998445 1

Claims

Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02Patent ApplicationCLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. An inflation system comprising: a gas generator configured to generate gas from an electric propellant for an inflatable safety device; and a vessel coupled with the gas generator, the vessel comprising a liquid having a temperature below a threshold temperature, the liquid combinable with the gas to form inflation input for an inflatable safety device, and the gas generator configured to control a rate of production of the gas based at least in part on a pressure associated with the vessel, wherein the inflatable safety device is coupled with the vessel to receive the inflation input for inflating the inflatable safety device.

2. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the temperature is a first temperature, wherein the threshold temperature is a first threshold temperature, wherein the gas has a second temperature that exceeds a second threshold temperature, and wherein the inflation input has a third temperature that does not exceed the second threshold temperature.

3. The inflation system of claim 2, wherein the inflatable safety device comprises a material having a melting point, and wherein the second threshold temperature is the melting point.

4. The inflation system of claim 3, wherein the liquid is liquid carbon dioxide, and wherein the vessel is a pressurized vessel containing the liquid carbon dioxide.

5. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the gas generator is coupled with an electric power source that is configured to provide electric current to the gas generator.

6. The inflation system of claim 5, wherein the electric current provided to the gas generator is adjustable to control (i) a rate of production of the gas by the gas generator and (ii) a temperature of the gas produced by the gas generator.18US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application7. The inflation system of claim 6, wherein the gas generator is coupled with the vessel by a first conduit that extends from the gas generator to the vessel, and wherein the vessel is coupled with the inflatable safety device by a second conduit that extends from the vessel to the inflatable safety device.

8. The inflation system of claim 7, wherein a first end of the first conduit is connected to an outlet port of the gas generator, wherein a second end of the first conduit is connected to an inlet port of the vessel, wherein the first end is opposite the second end, wherein a third end of the second conduit is connected to an outlet port of the vessel, wherein a fourth end of the second conduit is connected to an inlet port of the inflatable safety device, and wherein the third end is opposite the fourth end.

9. The inflation system of claim 7, wherein the first conduit is a gas-cooling conduit that reduces a temperature of the gas as the gas is transported through the gas-cooling conduit to the vessel.

10. The inflation system of claim 7, further comprising a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to monitor the pressure within the vessel caused by the gas from the gas generator.

11. The inflation system of claim 10, wherein the electric current provided to the gas generator is adjustable based on one or more readings from the pressure sensor.

12. The inflation system of claim 7, further comprising a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to monitor the pressure within the second conduit for inflating the inflatable safety device.

13. The inflation system of claim 12, wherein the electric current provided to the gas generator is adjustable based on one or more readings from the pressure sensor to control a rate of inflation input provided to the inflatable safety device.19US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031 Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application14. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety device is an inflatable slide, inflatable raft inflatable, an inflatable slide / raft, a ramp, a life raft, a life jacket, or a helicopter float.

15. An aircraft comprising the inflation system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety device is an inflatable slide or slide / raft.

16. A method comprising providing an inflation system, wherein the inflation system is configured to perform operations comprising: providing electric current to a gas generator to generate gas from an electric propellant; augmenting the gas with liquid to form inflation input, the liquid positioned in a vessel coupled with the gas generator, the liquid having a temperature below a threshold temperature; providing the inflation input to an inflatable safety device coupled with the vessel to inflate the inflatable safety device; and controlling the electric current based at least in part on a pressure measured within the vessel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the temperature is a first temperature, wherein the threshold temperature is a first threshold temperature, wherein the gas has a second temperature that exceeds a second threshold temperature, wherein the inflation input has a third temperature that does not exceed the second threshold temperature, wherein the inflatable safety device comprises a material having a melting point, and wherein the second threshold temperature is the melting point.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein controlling the electric current comprises using an electric power source coupled with the gas generator to increase current provided to the gas generator to increase a rate of gas production to increase the pressure.

19. A method comprising providing an inflation system, wherein the inflation system is configured to perform operations comprising:20US2008 31998445 1Atorney Docket 037514-1524031Client Ref. No. B-030485PCT02 Patent Application providing electric current to a gas generator to generate gas from an electric propellant; augmenting the gas with liquid to form inflation input, the liquid positioned in a vessel coupled with the gas generator, the liquid having a temperature below a threshold temperature; providing the inflation input to an inflatable safety device coupled with the vessel to inflate the inflatable safety device; and controlling the electric current based at least in part on a pressure measured within a conduit connecting the vessel with the inflatable safety device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein controlling the electric current comprises using an electric power source coupled with the gas generator to decrease current provided to the gas generator to decrease a rate of gas production to reduce the pressure.21US2008 31998445 1

Images