Patent ID: 6851259
Filing Date: 2005-02-08
Classification: F17C

Abstract:
1. A system for inflating an inflatable structure, the system comprising, inflatable cells for being pressurized by gas to inflate the inflatable cells into the inflatable structure from a stowed position to a deployed position, laser gas generators disposed in respective ones of the inflatable cells for generating the gas contained within the respective inflatable cells, a power source external to the inflatable cells for providing power, an external control processor for controlling sequential inflation of the inflatable cells of the inflatable structure from the stowed position to the deployed position, a power bus extending from the power source and passing through to respective interiors of the inflatable cells for providing power to the gas generators, and a data bus extending from the external control process and through to the respective interiors of the inflatable cells for providing control signals to the gas generators, the control processor communicating the control signals for controlling sequential inflation of the inflatable cells of the inflatable structure from the stowed position to the deployed position, wherein the laser gas generators comprises, a solid gas material, and a laser for illuminating the solid gas material for releasing gas for inflating, and a generator controller for controlling the amount of gas generated.