Apparatus Having Cross Conditioned Breathing Air

• US 20100037893A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Grilliot, Mary I., Grilliot, William L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,032,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.190
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 17/005 Active or passive body temperature control

Abstract

A self-contained breathing apparatus includes a tank of compressed air and an associated connector. A coaxial conduit extends from the connector to a face plate which might be used by a first responder. Air from the tank is coupled to the face plate via an internal conduit. Exhaled air from the face mask is carried away via an external conduit that surrounds the internal conduit, at least in part, and insulates the air being coupled to the face plate from ambient temperatures. The breathable air, flowing in the internal conduit also cools the exhaled air in the external conduit prior to that air flushing spaces between protective layers of the first responder'"'"'s coat.

Claims

1. A self-contained breathing apparatus comprising:

a tank of a compressed gas;

a face mask; and

a coaxial conduit that extends between the tank and the mask with a first portion of the conduit defining a flow path from the tank to the mask and where a second portion of the conduit defines a second flow path from the mask, the first flow path being at least in part surrounded by the second path.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 which includes a first valve carried adjacent to the tank, coupled to the conduit.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 which includes a second valve carried on the face mask, coupled to the conduit.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the second flow path is couplable to a protective garment.

5. An apparatus as in claim 3 where the second flow path terminates at a connector and is couplable to a protective garment.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 where the garment has multiple layers with space therebetween and where the second flow path and the space together provide an extended flow path from the face mask through the garment.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the face mask carries an exhalation valve coupled to the second flow path.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 where the second flow path terminates at a connector and is couplable to a protective garment.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 where the first and second flow paths are coupled to a valve assembly carried by the tank.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9 where the valve assembly defines an exhalation output port coupled to the second flow path.

11. A method comprising:

providing a first flow of breathable air;

coupling the first flow to a breathing location;

directing a second flow of air from the breathing location, while separating the flows and simultaneously cooling the second flow with the first flow; and

delivering the second flow to a flushing region.

12. A method as in claim 11 where cooling includes surrounding the first flow with the second flow along a common flow segment.

13. A method as in claim 11 which includes, using the second flow to insulate the first flow from adjacent heat.

14. A method as in claim 12 where delivering includes cooling a selected garment with the second flow.

15. A method as in claim 14 which includes providing a flushing region within the garment to be cooled by the second flow.

16. A flush system for a protective garment comprising:

a garment having a plurality of layers, a space being located between two of the layers;

a first conduit that delivers gas from a source of compressed gas to a face mask; and

a second conduit which surrounds the first conduit, for at least a predetermined interval, and that delivers gas from the mask to the space.

17. A flush system as in claim 16 where the garment comprises at least one of a multi-layer jacket, or multi-layer pants.

18. A flush system as in claim 16 which includes a source of compressed gas coupled to at least one of the conduits.

19. A flush system as in claim 18 where the source carries a multi-port valve with at least two input ports.

20. A flush system as in claim 18 where the garment defines an inflow port for coupling gas from the second conduit into the space, and where the garment defines an outflow port from the space.

21. A flush system for a fire resistant protective garment comprising:

a fire resistant protective garment having an exterior fire resistant surface and an interior surface;

a first conduit that delivers gas from a source of compressed gas to a face mask; and

a second conduit which surrounds the first conduit, for at least a predetermined interval, and that delivers gas from the mask to a region adjacent to the interior surface.