Method and apparatus for the automatic release of a gas from a pressurized cartridge

An apparatus for automatically releasing a gas from a pressurized cartridge of the gas, which comprises:

• a support structure having a top plate and a bottom plate;
• the bottom plate sealably connected to the top plate,
• the bottom plate having a cartridge mount and a pin port,
• the pin port connected to the cartridge mount;
• an expansion chamber enclosed between the top plate and the bottom plate;
• a pressurized cartridge, containing a gas stored under pressure,
• the pressurized cartridge received securely into the cartridge mount of the support structure,
• the pressurized cartridge abutted to the pin port;
• a piston housing mounted upon the support structure,
• the piston housing having a tail end and a head end, an elongated cavity and a plunger port,
• at least a single anchor attached to the head end of the piston housing;
• a piston receivable into the elongated cavity of the piston housing,
• the piston having a length, a center line, and a wedge shaped portion,
• the wedge shaped portion having a wide end and a narrow end,
• the narrow end of the piston located near the head end of the piston housing,
• the wide end located near the tail end of the piston housing, and
• the plunger port located approximately along a line perpendicular to the center line of the piston;
• a plunger having a piston contact surface and a puncture pin,
• the piston contact surface receivable into the piston housing through the plunger port, and
• the puncture pin receivable into the pin port in the bottom plate of the support structure;
• a firing spring having a first end and a second end,
• the second end attached to the anchor on the head of the piston housing,
• the first end attached to the piston;
• a firing means for moving the piston within the elongated cavity of the piston housing to engage the plunger contact surface;
• a puncturing means for activating the plunger, forcing the puncture pin to penetrate the pressurized cartridge of gas, releasing the gas,
• the puncturing means activatable by the firing means;
• and a release means for releasing the firing spring from an extended position to activate the puncturing means.

A method for automatically releasing a gas from a multiple of pressurized cartridges of a gas, comprising the steps of:

• releasing a firing spring from an extended position;
• moving a piston with the attached firing spring;
• forcing the moving piston to engage and depress a plunger;
• forcing a plurality of puncture pins each attached to the plunger, to each penetrate one of a multiple of gas cartridges;
• and
• simultaneously releasing the gas from each one of the multiple of gas cartridges through a minimum of a single vent.