Method and apparatus for monitoring oxygen partial pressure in air masks

• US 7,040,319 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2002
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Government As Represented By The Director National Security Agency
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Pettit, Donald R., Kelly, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDOZA, MICHAEL G
• Application Number:
  US10/087,866
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.19, 128/204.22, 128/205.23, 128/202.11, 128/202.22, 128/205.22, 128/206.28, 128/204.23, 128/205.25
• US Class Current: 128/204.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/006 Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 10/00 Flight suits helmets in general A42B3/00; breathing helmets A62B18/00

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring an oxygen partial pressure in an air mask and providing a tactile warning to the user. The oxygen partial pressure in the air mask is detected using an electrochemical sensor, the output signal from which is provided to a comparator. The comparator compares the output signal with a preset reference value or range of values representing acceptable oxygen partial pressures. If the output signal is different than the reference value or outside the range of values, the air mask is vibrated by a vibrating motor to alert the user to a potentially hypoxic condition.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring an oxygen partial pressure in an air mask adapted to deliver oxygen from an oxygen system to an operator, the air mask having an interior surface, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor positioned within the air mask, mounted on the interior surface of the air mask, and capable of providing an output signal corresponding to the oxygen partial pressure within the air mask;

a comparator connected to the sensor and configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal corresponding to a desired oxygen partial pressure;

a power source connected to the sensor and the comparator; and

a vibrating motor having a rotatable, eccentric mass, mounted within the air mask, connected to the comparator, and attached to the interior surface of the air mask, the vibrating motor comprising means for vibrating the air mask if the output signal is determined to be lower than the reference signal, for generating a tactile warning on the face of the operator to alert the operator of a potentially hypoxic condition,

wherein the apparatus is independent of the oxygen system and the apparatus does not regulate the oxygen from the oxygen system, and

wherein the apparatus operates in a cockpit of an aircraft.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air mask is associated with a radio audio system of the aircraft having a VOX capability and a microphone positioned within the air mask, wherein:

the vibrating motor comprises means having sufficient mechanical vibration to break the VOX capability through the microphone and produce a warning tone through the radio audio system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the comparator and power source are mounted within the air mask.

4. An apparatus for monitoring an oxygen partial pressure in an air mask adapted to deliver oxygen from an oxygen system to an operator, the air mask having an interior surface, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor positioned within the air mask and capable of providing an output signal corresponding to the oxygen partial pressure within the air mask;

a comparator connected to the sensor and configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal corresponding to a desired oxygen partial pressure;

a power source connected to the sensor and the comparator; and

tactile warning means, connected to the comparator, mounted within the air mask and connected to the interior surface of the air mask, for vibrating the air mask, if the output signal is determined to be lower than the reference signal, with sufficient force to generate a tactile warning on the face of the operator to alert the operator of a potentially hypoxic condition,

wherein the apparatus is independent of the oxygen system and the apparatus does not regulate the oxygen from the oxygen system, and

wherein the apparatus operates in a cockpit of an aircraft.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the comparator and power source are mounted within the air mask.

6. A method of monitoring an oxygen partial pressure in an air mask adapted to be worn by an operator in an airplane cockpit, wherein oxygen is supplied to the air mask from an oxygen system, comprising:

generating a signal corresponding to the oxygen partial pressure in the air mask, the signal generated independently of the oxygen system, and wherein the signal is not used to regulate the oxygen system;

comparing the generated signal with a reference signal corresponding to a desired oxygen partial pressure;

providing a vibrator having a rotatable eccentric element, the vibrator being connected within the air mask; and

vibrating the air mask by activating the vibrator in contact with the mask to alert the operator of a potentially hypoxic condition if the generated signal is determined to be lower than the reference signal.

7. An apparatus for monitoring an oxygen partial pressure in an oxygen mask of an aircraft, comprising:

a sensor positioned within the air mask and capable of providing an output signal corresponding to the oxygen partial pressure in the air mask;

a comparator connected to the sensor and configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal corresponding to a desired oxygen partial pressure;

an amplifier connected to the sensor and the comparator and configured to amplify the output signal;

a power source connected to the sensor and the comparator; and

a vibrating motor connected to the comparator and attached to the interior surface of the air mask, the vibrating motor configured to vibrate if the generated signal is determined to be lower than the reference signal, the vibrating motor comprising means for vibrating the air mask to generate a tactile warning on the face or an operator sufficient to alert the operator when in a hypoxic condition,

wherein the apparatus is independent of the oxygen system and the apparatus does not regulate the oxygen from the oxygen system, and

wherein the apparatus operates in a cockpit of the aircraft.

8. An apparatus for monitoring oxygen partial pressure in an air mask adapted to supply oxygen to a user aboard an aircraft, comprising:

a sensor positioned within the air mask and capable of providing an output signal corresponding to the oxygen partial pressure directly within the air mask;

a comparator connected to the sensor and configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal corresponding to a desired oxygen partial pressure;

a power source connected to the sensor and the comparator; and

a vibrator, connected to the comparator and positioned within the air mask, configured to vibrate if the generated signal is determined to be lower than the reference signal, the vibrator comprising means for providing a tactile warning on the face of an operator sufficient to alert the operator when in a hypoxic condition,

wherein the apparatus is independent or the oxygen system,

wherein the apparatus does not regulate the oxygen from the oxygen system, and wherein the apparatus operates in a cockpit of the aircraft.