Breathing Apparatus with Sensor

• US 20100078025A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Fritts, Allen, Bauer, Richard A., Grilliot, William L., Grilliot, Mary I.
• Granted Patent: US 8,316,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.210
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 7/02 with compressed oxygen or air
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/006 Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination

Abstract

A self-contained breathing apparatus or a respirator can be equipped with a sensor of ambient airborne conditions. A display unit can be carried by a face mask for the apparatus or respirator. Responsive to output signals from the sensor, the display unit can present an air quality indicator, or a breathability indicator to a user of the apparatus or respirator.

Claims

1. A breathing unit comprising:

a tank for a breathable gas;

a user'"'"'s face mask, the face mask has a transparent portion which carries a visual display;

a hose connecting the tank to the face mask;

a detector which provides an output indicative of a sensed airborne condition, the output is coupled to the display so as to provide a visual image indicative of the sensed concentration.

2. A unit as in claim 1 where the detector includes a gas sensor coupled to control circuits.

3. A unit as in claim 2 with the control circuits coupled to the display.

4. A unit as in claim 3 where the control circuits evaluate at least one characteristic of ambient air outside of the face mask.

5. A unit as in claim 4 which includes an audible output device coupled to the control circuits.

6. A unit as in claim 4 where the visual display comprises a heads-up display.

7. A unit as in claim 6 where the display presents visual indicia of breathability of exterior air.

8. A unit as in claim 6 where display provides a visual indicator of a dangerous concentration of a sensed gas.

9. A unit as in claim 2 where the sensor can be selected from a plurality of sensors of different airborne gases or particulate matter.

10. A method comprising:

providing a port for breathable air;

sensing an airborne condition;

establishing a breathability index responsive to the sensed condition; and

displaying a representation of the index adjacent to the port.

11. A method as in claim 10 which includes positioning a gas sensor adjacent to the port.

12. A method as in claim 11 which includes using the gas sensor in sensing the breathability of the atmosphere adjacent to the port.

13. A method as in claim 12 which includes generating electrical signals indicative of the sensed atmosphere.

14. A method as in claim 12 which includes providing at least one of a heads-up display adjacent to the port, or an audio output device adjacent to the port.

15. A method as in claim 14 which includes coupling breathability indicia from the sensor to at least one of the heads up display, or the audio output device.

16. A method as in claim 15 which includes displaying indicia as a breathability index on the display.

17. A method as in claim 15 which includes providing indicia as electrical signals and coupling such signals between the sensor and the display, or the audible output device.

18. A breathing unit comprising:

a face mask having a breathable air inflow port;

a transparent face plate carried by the mask and at least one of a visual display carried at least in part on the face plate, or an audible output device carried by the face mask; and

a sensor responsive to an ambient gas with the sensor coupled to at least one of the display or the audible output device so as to provide at least one of a visual indicator, or an audible indicator of gas concentration.

19. A unit as in claim 18 which includes gas concentration evaluation circuits coupled between the sensor and the display, or the audible output device.

20. A unit as in claim 19 where the concentration evaluation circuits control the display, or the audible output device to present at least one of a gas concentration, an air quality indicator, or a local temperature.

21. A unit as in claim 20 with at least one of a source of pressurized breathable air, or, an air filter coupled to the face mask.