Self-contained breathing system
Inventors
Teetzel, James W. • Lemire, Gary M. • Desrosiers, Daniel A. • Hansen, Mark A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7647927-B2
Publication Date
2010-01-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A breathing apparatus is operable in self-contained and filtered modes of operation. In the self-contained mode of operation, a breathable gas is delivered to a user from a self-contained source of breathing gas. In a second, filtered mode of operation, a suction source draws ambient air through a filter removing contaminants and delivers filtered ambient air to the user. A method of delivering air to a subject is also provided.
Core Innovation
A breathing apparatus defines a passageway for a breathable gas through a chassis that includes a first inlet for receiving breathable gas from a self-contained source, a second inlet for receiving ambient air, and a first outlet for delivering breathable gas to a user. A suction source mounted within the chassis draws ambient air into the passageway, and a main filter assembly positioned between the second inlet and the passageway removes contaminants from the ambient air.
One or more self-contained sources of breathing gas are removably attached to the chassis and selectively fluidically coupled to the first inlet, enabling selective supply of breathable gas from the self-contained source and supply of filtered ambient air. The apparatus further provides safety features including a burst disk assembly for relieving pressure when pressure exceeds a preselected value.
The apparatus integrates sensing and alerting, including an alarm system for providing a user-perceptible alert when pressure of the self-contained breathing system falls below a preselected value, with the alarm selected from visual, audible and/or a somatic alarm system. Switching between modes and sources can be controlled using a port valve and an actuator that activates the suction source when the port valve is in a selected position and deactivates it in another position, and a pressure sensor and display provide the remaining quantity of gas in human viewable form.
In additional configurations, the apparatus provides multi-stage pressure regulation with a first stage regulator reducing pressure from the self-contained breathing gas to a second pressure lower than the first pressure, and a second stage regulator reducing the gas again to a third pressure lower than the second pressure. The second stage regulator can include a diaphragm with a protective layer, and the apparatus can be configured to be suitable for underwater use when the main filter is not operating.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims cover a breathing apparatus architecture and related method claims centered on selectable delivery of breathable gas from a pressurized self-contained source and filtered ambient air. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include dual-source airflow routing, suction-driven ambient-air filtration, pressure safety relief, pressure-sensing with user-perceptible alerts, configurable pressure regulation, and optional filtering refinements.
Dual-source breathing apparatus with suction and main filter
A chassis defining a passageway for a breathable gas, with a first inlet for receiving breathable gas from a self-contained source, a second inlet for receiving ambient air, and a first outlet for delivering breathable gas to a user, wherein a suction source mounted within the chassis and in fluid communication with the second inlet draws ambient air into the passageway and a main filter assembly positioned between the second inlet and the passageway removes contaminants from the ambient air; one or more self-contained sources of breathing gas removably attached to the chassis and selectively fluidically coupled to the first inlet.
Interchangeable modules attachable to the chassis
One or more modules interchangeably attachable to the chassis in place of one of the one or more self-contained sources of breathing gas, wherein said one or more modules are selected from a cutting torch, a hydration module, a circulating source of heating and/or cooling fluid, and combinations thereof.
Burst disk assembly pressure relief for self-contained sources
A burst disk assembly for relieving pressure when pressure in said one or more self-contained sources of breathing gas exceeds a preselected value.
Alarm system for user-perceptible alert on low self-contained pressure
An alarm system for providing a user-perceptible alert when a pressure of the self-contained breathing system falls below a preselected value, wherein said alarm system is selected from a visual, audible and/or a somatic alarm system operatively integrated with said breathing apparatus.
Retractable stand movable between extended and retracted positions
A retractable stand movable between a first, extended position for standing the breathing apparatus in a stable, upright position and a second, retracted position.
Port valve switching between self-contained inlet and ambient inlet with suction activation
A port valve for selectively fluidically coupling the passageway with the first inlet and the second inlet, said port valve movable between a first position wherein the passageway is in fluid communication with the first inlet and a second position wherein the passageway is in flow communication with the second inlet; an actuator for activating the suction source when the port valve is in the second position and deactivating the suction source when the port valve is in the first position.
Pressure sensor and display for quantity of gas remaining
A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure indicative of a quantity of gas remaining in the self-contained source of breathing gas; and a display for displaying a quantity of gas remaining in the self-contained source of breathing gas in human viewable form.
Automatic programmed switching based on detected minimum pressure threshold
One or both of: said port valve being automatically movable between the first position and the second position under programmed control when the detected pressure reaches a preselected minimum threshold value; and a display for displaying a quantity of gas remaining in the self-contained source of breathing gas in human viewable form.
Two-stage pressure regulation from self-contained source to breathable pressure
A first stage regulator for receiving gas from said source of self-contained breathing gas at a first pressure and outputting the gas at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; and a second stage regulator for receiving gas from the first stage regulator and outputting the gas at a third pressure lower than the second pressure.
Second stage regulator diaphragm with protective layer
A second stage regulator with a diaphragm having a first surface exposed to breathing gas, a second opposite surface, and a protective layer covering the second surface.
Method of providing breathable gas with selectable pressurized and filtered-air sources
Providing a breathing apparatus for selectively delivering a breathable gas from a pressurized source of breathing gas and a source of filtered ambient air, wherein the breathing apparatus has a chassis defining a passageway for the breathable gas with a first inlet for receiving breathable gas from the pressurized source, a second inlet for receiving ambient air, and an outlet for delivering breathable gas to a user; the apparatus further having a suction source mounted within the chassis and in fluid communication with the second inlet for drawing ambient air through a filtration medium into the airflow reservoir and delivering the filtered ambient air to the subject; delivering a flow of breathable gas to the subject from the pressurized source when the pressurized source is selected; and delivering a flow of filtered ambient air when the source of filtered ambient air is selected; sensing a pressure of the breathable gas from the pressurized source; and if the pressure of the breathable gas from the pressurized source falls below a preselected threshold value, one or both of alerting the subject and delivering a flow of air from the source of filtered air.
Method with intermediate pressure reduction using two regulators
Reducing the pressure of the breathable gas emitted from the pressurized source to an intermediate pressure using a first gas pressure regulator; and reducing the pressure of the breathable gas output from the first gas pressure regulator to a breathable pressure using a second gas pressure regulator.
Overall, the independent claims emphasize a breathing apparatus with dual inlets for self-contained breathing gas and ambient air, suction-driven ambient-air filtration, selectable coupling via removable self-contained sources and/or a port valve, safety relief via a burst disk, and a user perceptible low-pressure alarm. Additional independent claims further cover retractable stand support, programmable switching and remaining-gas display, two-stage pressure regulation with a diaphragm protective layer, and methods for providing breathable gas with sensing and fallback to filtered air.
Stated Advantages
Provides a user-perceptible alert when pressure of the self-contained breathing system falls below a preselected value.
Relieves pressure when pressure in the self-contained sources exceeds a preselected value.
Delivers breathable gas from a pressurized source when selected and delivers filtered ambient air when the filtered ambient air source is selected.
Detects pressure indicative of a quantity of gas remaining in the self-contained source and displays the quantity in human viewable form.
Supports providing breathable gas with fallback behavior when pressure falls below a preselected threshold value.
Documented Applications
Supplying breathable gas to a user or subject by selectively delivering breathable gas from a pressurized source of breathing gas and a source of filtered ambient air.
Operation that can include suitability for underwater use when the main filter is not operating.
Use of interchangeable modules selected from a cutting torch, a hydration module, and a circulating source of heating and/or cooling fluid in place of a self-contained breathing gas source.
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