Patent ID: 7740203

Claim:
A device for controlling the deployment of an inflatable structure comprising, in the non-deployed state, an accordion-folded flexible tube connected at one end of a plug provided with an inlet for inflation gas, an other end of the flexible tube being sealed, means for controlling passage of a folded part of the flexible tube to a deployed state, positioned inside the flexible tube, wherein the means for controlling the passage of the flexible tube from the folded state to the deployed state comprises a set of flexible blades joined together and positioned radially to a first strut, coaxial with said folded part of the flexible tube, said set of flexible blades being mounted to move along the first strut, and, means for recoiling said set of flexible blades in the direction of plug so as to press the folded part of the flexible tube, each blade being applied onto a series of superposed folds of said folded part of the tube.