Patent ID: 6860205

Claim:
Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device comprising: a first stage gas source comprising; a first stage pressure vessel having a gas exit opening, a pressurized cold gas stored within said first stage pressure vessel, and a remotely actuated valve, in fluid communication with said gas exit opening and responsive to an external signal for opening to provide a gas flow path between said first stage pressure vessel and said inflatable device; a second stage gas source having a gas output directed into said first stage pressure vessel; an initiator for initiating said second stage gas source, a sensor having an output signal indicative of one of the physical properties of the pressurized cold gas consisting of temperature and pressure; and an electronic circuit having an input for receiving a signal from said sensor and an output for initiating said second stage gas source, said electronic circuit operating to delay initiation of said second stage gas source for a period of time after said remotely actuated valve opens, the length of said period of time being determined, based upon said output signal from said sensor, to be sufficient to ensure the pressure of said pressurized cold gas is below a predetermined level.