Hypoxia training device
Inventors
Reeh, Jonathan • Waje, Mahesh • Kesmez, Mehmet • Salinas, Carlos • Varughese, Jibi • Zbranek, John • Cocking, Seth • Balasubramanian, Ashwin • Teurman, Cory • Netherland, James • Hitchens, Geoffrey Duncan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12239791-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training including a breathable gas source; a mask in fluid communication with the breathable gas source; a mask-state detector that uses one or more criteria to determine if the mask is being worn by a subject, wherein the mask-state detector is capable of communicating an indication of a mask-off state or a mask-on state; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the mask and coupled to the mask-state detector; and a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the mask and with the breathable gas source, and coupled to the mask-state detector, wherein the pressure regulator sets a first pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-off state or a second pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-on state.
Core Innovation
The invention is a training device configured to be operably coupled to a flight simulator for simulating one or more oxygen malfunctions in aircraft flight. The training device disrupts a supply of breathable gas to a mask by providing reduced oxygen breathable gas to the mask or by modifying a breathable gas flow rate to the mask. A switching valve and an oxygen-depleted breathable gas source supply reduced oxygen breathable gas to the mask via pressure-controlled delivery components.
The device includes an oxygen pump, a low-pressure accumulator, a normal-oxygen-content breathable gas source, and an oxygen source in fluid communication with the low-pressure accumulator. A high-pressure accumulator in fluid communication with the switching valve and a forward pressure regulator deliver oxygenated breathable gas or normal-oxygen-content breathable gas to the mask. The disclosed arrangement supports controlled delivery using a forward pressure regulator and pressure-on-demand behavior.
The training device is configured to monitor one or more physiological or cognitive responses of a subject wearing the mask, or to allow such monitoring. The device is also configured to permit the subject wearing the mask or an attendant or an operator of the training device to correct an oxygen malfunction in simulated aircraft flight.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a flight-simulator training device for simulating oxygen malfunctions by controlling oxygen-depleted breathable gas delivery to a mask while supporting physiological/cognitive monitoring and allowing correction of the simulated malfunction. The claim contains inventive features associated with the gas-delivery architecture, the disruption of breathable gas supply/flow to the mask, and the monitoring and correction functions.
Flight simulator-coupled oxygen malfunction training device
A training device configured to be operably coupled to a flight simulator, comprising an oxygen-depleted breathable gas source, a switching valve, an oxygen pump, a low-pressure accumulator, a normal-oxygen-content breathable gas source, an oxygen source, a high-pressure accumulator, a forward pressure regulator, and a mask, wherein the training device disrupts a supply of breathable gas to the mask by providing reduced oxygen breathable gas to the mask and/or by modifying a breathable gas flow rate to the mask.
Physiological or cognitive response monitoring
The training device is configured to monitor one or more physiological or cognitive responses of a subject wearing the mask, or to allow one or more physiological or cognitive responses of a subject wearing the mask to be monitored.
Correction of oxygen malfunction in simulated aircraft flight
The training device is configured to permit the subject wearing the mask or an attendant or an operator of the training device to correct an oxygen malfunction in simulated aircraft flight.
Overall, the independent claim requires a flight-simulator training device that uses an oxygen-depleted breathable gas delivery system with switching, pumping, accumulators, and a forward pressure regulator to disrupt oxygen delivery/flow to a mask for simulating oxygen malfunctions, while enabling physiological/cognitive monitoring and permitting correction of the simulated malfunction.
Stated Advantages
Simulates one or more oxygen malfunctions in aircraft flight by disrupting a supply of breathable gas to the mask via reduced oxygen breathable gas and/or modifying a breathable gas flow rate.
Permits monitoring of one or more physiological or cognitive responses of a subject wearing the mask.
Permits the subject wearing the mask or an attendant or an operator to correct an oxygen malfunction in simulated aircraft flight.
Documented Applications
Used in a training device operably coupled to a flight simulator to simulate one or more oxygen malfunctions in aircraft flight.
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