Crew Mask Regulator Mechanical Curve Matching Dilution Valve

• US 20110011403A1
• Filed: 09/26/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gary Ray Hannah, Richard William Heim
• Original Assignee: Gary Ray Hannah, Richard William Heim
• Inventors: Hannah, Gary Ray, Heim, Richard William
• Application Number:
  US12/890,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20110011403A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.29
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 7/14 for high-altitude aircraft

Abstract

A demand regulator with air dilution regulates the pressure and flow of a respiratory gas with an outlet leading to a respiratory mask. A dilution valve controlled by a Bourdon tube varies the ratio of atmospheric air to oxygen in a crew mask based on ambient pressure. The Bourdon tube in the dilution valve assembly flexes in response to changes in atmospheric pressure causing the dilution valve to gradually open or close. As altitude increases the dilution valve gradually closes causing more oxygen to be provided to the facemask. The amount of added oxygen for a given atmospheric pressure can be accurately controlled at all altitudes due to the greater adjustment available in the device for calibration and operation compared to the current art. This greater operational capability eliminates the excess use of oxygen at low to intermediate altitudes as is common problem with the current art.

Claims

1. An apparatus using a Bourdon tube to vary the dilution of oxygen in a regulator in response to ambient pressure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 where said apparatus is for use on aircraft crew masks.

3. An apparatus using a Bourdon tube to vary the dilution of oxygen in a regulator in response to ambient pressure wherein said apparatus comprises:

(a) a housing,

(b) a dilution valve,

(c) a Bourdon tube,

(d) a mechanical mechanism to transfer motion of said Bourdon tube to operate said dilution valve, and

(e) said Bourdon tube being positioned in said housing with one end of said Bourdon being fixed and other end of said Bourdon tube being attached to said valve via said mechanical mechanism,

whereby said dilution valve is operated when said Bourdon tube flexes due to changes in ambient pressure.

4. The apparatus in claim 3 where flexing of said Bourdon tube is restricted from movement by means at one or more positions along the length of said Bourdon tube thereby restricting the proportion to which said dilution valve is operated for a given ambient pressure,

whereby changes in ambient pressure causes said Bourdon tube to flex thereby operating said dilution valve and varying the flow of a gas through said dilution valve a predetermined amount for a given ambient pressure via said restriction by means of Bourdon tube movement.

5. The apparatus in claim 4 where said apparatus is for use with aircraft crew masks and said means to restrict flexing of said Bourdon tube are set screws, shims, or the shape of said housing, whereby the correct amount of added oxygen is supplied to aircrews over a wide range of ambient pressures.

6. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein said mechanical mechanism to transfer motion of said Bourdon tube to operate said dilution valve comprises:

(a) a valve arm that operates said dilution valve,

(b) a linkage attaching said Bourdon tube to said valve arm, and

(c) said Bourdon tube being positioned in said housing with one end of said Bourdon tube being fixed and other end of said Bourdon tube being attached to said valve arm with said linkage, whereby said dilution valve is operated when said Bourdon tube flexes due to changes in ambient pressure.

7. The apparatus in claim 6 where flexing of said Bourdon tube is restricted from movement by means at one or more positions along the length of said Bourdon tube thereby restricting the proportion to which said dilution valve is operated for a given ambient pressure,

whereby changes in ambient pressure causes said Bourdon tube to flex thereby operating said dilution valve and varying the flow of a gas through said dilution valve a predetermined amount for a given ambient pressure via said restriction by means of Bourdon tube movement.

8. The apparatus in claim 7 where said apparatus is for use with aircraft crew masks and said means to restrict flexing of said Bourdon tube are set screws, shims, or the shape of said housing, whereby the correct amount of added oxygen is supplied to aircrews over a wide range of ambient pressures.

9. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein said mechanical mechanism to transfer motion of said Bourdon tube to operate said dilution valve comprises:

(a) a valve arm that operates said dilution valve,

(b) a spring which presses said valve arm against one end of said Bourdon tube, and

(c) said Bourdon tube being positioned in said housing with one end of said Bourdon being fixed and other end of said Bourdon tube being in contact with said valve arm,

whereby said dilution valve is operated when said Bourdon tube flexes due to changes in ambient pressure.

10. The apparatus in claim 9 where flexing of said Bourdon tube is restricted from movement by means at one or more positions along the length of said Bourdon tube thereby restricting the proportion to which said dilution valve is operated for a given ambient pressure,

whereby changes in ambient pressure causes said Bourdon tube to flex thereby operating said dilution valve and varying the flow of a gas through said dilution valve a predetermined amount for a given ambient pressure via said restriction by means of Bourdon tube movement.

11. The apparatus in claim 10 where said apparatus is for use with aircraft crew masks and said means to restrict flexing of said Bourdon tube are set screws, shims, or the shape of said housing, whereby the correct amount of added oxygen is supplied to aircrews over a wide range of ambient pressures.

12. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein said mechanical mechanism to transfer motion of said Bourdon tube to operate said dilution valve comprises:

(a) a gear train that operates said dilution valve,

(b) a linkage attaching said Bourdon tube to said gear train, and

(c) said Bourdon tube being positioned in said housing with one end of said Bourdon being secured to said housing and other end of said Bourdon tube being attached to said gear train via said linkage,

whereby said dilution valve is operated when said Bourdon tube flexes due to changes in ambient pressure.

13. The apparatus in claim 12 where flexing of said Bourdon tube is restricted from movement by means at one or more positions along the length of said Bourdon tube thereby restricting the proportion to which said dilution valve is operated for a given ambient pressure,

whereby changes in ambient pressure causes said Bourdon tube to flex thereby operating said dilution valve and varying the flow of a gas through said dilution valve a predetermined amount for a given ambient pressure via said restriction by means of Bourdon tube movement.

14. The apparatus in claim 13 where said apparatus is for use with aircraft crew masks and said means to restrict flexing of said Bourdon tube are set screws, shims, or the shape of said housing, whereby the correct amount of added oxygen is supplied to aircrews over a wide range of ambient pressures.

15. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein said mechanical mechanism to transfer motion of said Bourdon tube to operate said dilution valve comprises:

(a) a valve arm that operates said dilution valve,

(b) a belt,

(c) a spring,

(d) one end of said spring being fixed and the other end of said spring being attached to said valve arm,

(e) one end of said belt being attached to said valve arm, and

(f) said Bourdon tube being positioned in said housing with one end of said Bourdon being fixed and the other end of said Bourdon tube being attached to end of said belt opposite to said valve arm,

whereby said dilution valve is operated when said Bourdon tube flexes due to changes in ambient pressure.

16. The apparatus in claim 15 where flexing of said Bourdon tube is restricted from movement by means at one or more positions along the length of said Bourdon tube thereby restricting the proportion to which said dilution valve is operated for a given ambient pressure,

whereby changes in ambient pressure causes said Bourdon tube to flex thereby operating said dilution valve and varying the flow of a gas through said dilution valve a predetermined amount for a given ambient pressure via said restriction by means of Bourdon tube movement.

17. The apparatus in claim 16 where said apparatus is for use with aircraft crew masks and said means to restrict flexing of said Bourdon tube are set screws, shims, or the shape of said housing, whereby the correct amount of added oxygen is supplied to aircrews over a wide range of ambient pressures.

18. A method to dilute oxygen in a regulator in response to ambient pressure comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a Bourdon tube which flexes with changes in ambient pressure,

(b) providing a dilution valve which allows or restricts the flow of gas,

(c) operating said dilution valve with flexing motion of said Bourdon tube,

whereby changes in ambient pressure cause said Bourdon tube to flex which in turn operates said dilution valve thereby varying the flow rate of gas through said dilution valve based on ambient pressure.

19. The method of claim 18 where the flexing of said Bourdon tube is restricted from movement by means at one or more positions along curve of said Bourdon tube thereby restricting the proportion to which said dilution valve is operated for a given ambient pressure,

whereby changes in ambient pressure causes said Bourdon tube to flex thereby operating said dilution valve and varying the flow of a gas through said dilution valve a predetermined amount for a given ambient pressure via said restriction by means of Bourdon tube movement.

20. The method of claim 19 where said method is used on aircraft crew masks, whereby the correct amount of added oxygen is supplied to aircrews over a wide range of ambient pressures.