Lightweight plenum system for spacecraft application

Abstract

A gas distribution system for use in an enclosed volume wherein the system includes a distribution duct and a first inflatable duct portion in fluid communication with the distribution duct. The system further includes a passageway defining an opening which extends through the passageway, wherein: the opening is in fluid communication with the first inflatable duct portion; the passageway includes a valve with a flapper positioned within the opening of the passageway; and the flapper is moveable in relationship to the opening by way of a bi-metallic temperature sensing member. The system further includes an inflatable enclosure in fluid communication with the opening of the passageway, wherein the inflatable enclosure is configured to define a volume within and separated from the enclosed volume.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.