Gas generator with buoyant catalyst carrier

A gas generation apparatus comprising:

• a housing containing a liquid reactant that reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is contained in a carrier disposed within the housing and wherein the carrier has an overall density lower than that of the liquid reactant,
• at least one carrier movement restraining member adapted to selectively control the location of the carrier, and
• at least one compressible body containing a volume of gas,
• wherein, in a first configuration, an internal pressure of the gas generator is lower than an internal pressure of the compressible body and the compressible body increases in volume and, in a second configuration, the internal pressure of the gas generator is higher than the internal pressure of the compressible body and the compressible body decreases in volume,
• wherein the at least one carrier restraining member restricts the carrier's movement in the first configuration,
• wherein the at least one carrier movement restraining member comprises at least one porous containment member that allows the liquid reactant to flow therethrough and that at least partially encloses the carrier,
• wherein, in the first configuration, the at least one porous containment member prevents the carrier from floating on top of the liquid reactant,
• wherein the at least one porous containment member is movable relative to the housing of the gas generator, and
• wherein the at least one porous containment member is connected to the compressible body.

A gas generation apparatus comprising:

• a housing containing a liquid reactant that reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is contained in a carrier disposed within the housing and wherein the carrier has an overall density lower than that of the liquid reactant,
• at least one carrier movement restraining member adapted to selectively control the location of the carrier, and
• at least one compressible body containing a volume of gas,
• wherein, in a first configuration, an internal pressure of the gas generator is lower than an internal pressure of the compressible body and the compressible body increases in volume and, in a second configuration, the internal pressure of the gas generator is higher than the internal pressure of the compressible body and the compressible body decreases in volume, and
• wherein the at least one carrier restraining member restricts the carrier's movement in the first configuration, wherein the at least one carrier movement restraining member comprises at least one substantially nonflexible rod or link connected to the carrier at one end and pivotally connected to an anchoring point located on the housing at the other end.