Logical display for a breathing apparatus mask

• US 20030234018A1
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Safety Products USA, Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Surviair Respirators, Inc.
• Inventors: Luzie, Nicolo J. Jr., Haston, David V., Toft, Carl, Wippler, John, Schaefer, Carl E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,899,101 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/201.27
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/14 with forced air supply
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/2227 Second-stage regulators B63C11/2245 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/32 Decompression arrangements; Exercise equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2011/121 comprising integrated optical signalling means or displays for data or images

Abstract

A mask and regulator for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) having a lens and a nozzle, the regulator being adapted for connection to the nozzle. A bifurcated display is mounted on the regulator for displaying amounts of pressure through a port communicating with the lens on either side of the nozzle. A high pressure connection to the source of breathing gas is connected to a transducer assembly for indicating the pressure to the bifurcated display on the regulator on either side. The display provides pressure values through the exterior of the lens in a bifurcated manner analogous to an arcuate gauge display.

Claims

1. A mask and regulator for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising:

a mask having a lens area, seal, and straps for connecting the mask to a user'"'"'s facial area;

a nozzle for connecting a source of breathing gas to said mask;

a second stage regulator adapted for connection to said nozzle;

a display mounted on said second stage regulator for displaying amounts of pressure in the source of breathing gas; and

,

at least one port on said mask communicating externally with said lens for viewing said display on said regulator through said port.

2. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

said display is bifurcated into at least two portions.

3. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

said display is bifurcated so that the display indicates higher pressure on one side and lower pressure on the other side of the bifurcation.

4. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 3 further comprising:

said display is formed with at least four light emitting diodes (LEDS) to indicate various pressures.

5. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

said regulator has an external warning light to indicate a given pressure of the breathing gas.

6. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a light sensor to sense ambient lighting; and

,

controls to dim or increase said display with respect to the ambient lighting.

7. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

a low battery indicator forming part of said display.

8. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:

said display is oriented to indicate higher pressure of the breathing gas on the right and lower pressure on the left.

9. The mask and regulator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a port on either side of said nozzle terminating in a lens surface for viewing said display on either side through said lens.

10. A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising:

a mask having a viewing lens, straps, and a seal for retaining said mask on a user'"'"'s face with a nozzle for receipt of breathing gas;

an oral nasal cover communicating with the interior of said mask through which a user can receive breathing gas;

a second stage regulator for connection to said nozzle by a connection fitting;

a source of breathing gas;

a first stage regulator connected to said source of breathing gas and adapted for connection to said second stage regulator through an intermediate pressure conduit;

a high pressure connection to said source of breathing gas connected to a transducer assembly having a transducer for indicating the pressure of said source of breathing gas;

an electrical connection for connection between said regulator and said transducer assembly; and

,

a display on said regulator connected to said electrical connection, said display having a lighted output for viewing through said lens on either side of said nozzle.

11. The SCBA as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:

a viewing port on either side of said nozzle for viewing the display through said lens.

12. The SCBA as claimed in claim 11 further comprising:

said transducer is placed in an assembly having a source of power and a processor for sending pressure data to said display and for powering said display.

13. The SCBA as claimed in claim 12 wherein:

said display is bifurcated between a high and low reading of pressure of said source of breathing gas.

14. The SCBA as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:

said connection fitting has a pair of protuberances and a pair of receipt openings for said protuberances, each of said pair being offset by more or less than 180°

for placement in a preestablished orientation.

15. The SCBA as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

said connection fitting has at least one spring biased latch for latching said second stage regulator to said nozzle.

16. The SCBA as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

said display has a power status indicator.

17. The SCBA as claimed in claim 16 further comprising:

an ambient light sensor connected to a processor for causing said processor to change the lighting on said display.

18. The SCBA as claimed in claim 16 further comprising:

an external warning light mounted on the external portion of said SCBA for providing a warning of a given pressure of said breathing gas.

19. A display system for indicating breathing gas pressure of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising:

a high pressure connection to a source of breathing gas for said SCBA;

a transducer assembly for connection to said high pressure connection;

a source of battery power connected to said transducer assembly;

a processor connected to said transducer assembly;

an electrical connector connected to said transducer assembly including said processor and said source of battery power;

a mask having a lens and a nozzle passing through said lens;

a second stage regulator adapted for connection to said nozzle, said second stage regulator having a bifurcated display for connection to said electrical connector; and

,

a passage on either side of said nozzle for viewing said bifurcated display on either side of said nozzle.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:

said bifurcated display shows substantially ½

of the pressure on the right side and substantially the remaining ½

on left side.

21. The system as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:

a low battery indicator on said display.

22. The system as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:

at least one of said display indicators has a flashing signal of a given duration with respect to a given pressure.

23. The system as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:

a pressure warning light outside of said regulator for viewing exteriorly thereof.

24. The system as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:

a light sensor for changing the display intensity.

25. A method for displaying breathing gas pressure in a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising:

providing a SCBA having a source of breathing gas;

providing a transducer assembly fluidically connected to said source of breathing gas;

providing a mask with a lens and a breathing gas nozzle;

connecting a second stage regulator to said nozzle; and

,

displaying pressure values of said source of breathing gas on said second stage regulator and through the lens of said mask in a bifurcated manner.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising:

displaying said pressure values of said breathing gas on either side of said nozzle in a bifurcated graduated manner.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 further comprising:

providing a battery, processor, and transducer assembly; and

,

displaying a given battery condition.

28. The method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising:

sensing ambient lighting; and

,

controlling the intensity of the display of pressure values based upon ambient lighting.

29. The method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising:

displaying said pressure values from right to left by a plurality of light emitting diodes.

30. The method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising:

displaying said breathing gas pressure values at least as to a given pressure externally of said mask.

31. The method as claimed in claim 27 further comprising:

conducting pressure values from said transducer assembly based upon pressure sensed by said transducer; and

,

driving said display as to pressure by the battery in said transducer assembly.