Electromechanically-assisted regulator control assembly

• US 7,100,628 B1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Creare Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Creare Incorporated
• Inventors: Izenson, Michael G., Magari, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Krishnamurthy, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US10/718,273
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 137/14, 137/118.06, 137/487.5, 137/908, 251/26, 251/129.03, 128/201.27, 128/201.28, 128/204.26, 128/205.24, 128/207.12
• US Class Current: 137/14
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/10 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/2095 using membranes within the main valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 137/908 Respirator control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

An electromechanically-assisted control system for use in a second-stage regulator. Regulator control assembly (20), also referred to as EMA assembly (20), includes a mechanical actuator sub-assembly (21) and an electromechanical actuator (EMA) sub-assembly (22) for controlling airflow through single air supply line (23). EMA sub-assembly (22) includes electronically controllable actuator (ECA) (34), which removably seals EMA orifice (36) in wall (30) of pilot chamber (32). ECA (34) is electrically connected with and controlled by control electronics (38). The control electronics include programmable microprocessor (40), which is electrically connected with charge and discharge electronics (42), both of which are electrically connected with power supply (44). Alternatively, regulator control assembly (20′), also referred to as all-electronic (AE) assembly (20′), has only an EMA sub-assembly and no mechanical actuator sub-assembly. AE assembly (20′) does not include a low-pressure diaphragm, a lever arm, a first valve, or a pilot jet orifice.

Claims

1. A regulator control assembly for use in a second-stage regulator having a pressure-sensitive valve for coupling and decoupling a single air supply line with a SCBA facepiece, comprising:

a mechanical actuator sub-assembly; and

an electromechanical actuator sub-assembly;

wherein said mechanical actuator sub-assembly and said electromechanical actuator sub-assembly are each adapted to actuate the pressure-sensitive valve.

2. A regulator control assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electromechanical actuator sub-assembly includes a programmable microprocessor.

3. A regulator control assembly according to claim 2, wherein said electromechanical actuator sub-assembly includes means for sensing pressure in the facepiece and providing a signal to said microprocessor that varies as a function of changes in said pressure.

4. A regulator control assembly according to claim 3, wherein said means for sensing a pressure includes a pressure transducer.

5. A regulator control assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electromechanical actuator sub-assembly includes a piezoelectric actuator.

6. A regulator control assembly for use in a second-stage regulator, comprising:

a pilot chamber;

a single air supply line used to supply air to a SCBA facepiece;

a mechanical actuator sub-assembly for depressurizing the pilot chamber; and

an electromechanical actuator sub-assembly for depressurizing the pilot chamber.

7. A regulator control assembly according to claim 6, wherein said electromechanical actuator sub-assembly includes a programmable microprocessor.

8. A regulator control assembly according to claim 7, wherein said electromechanical actuator sub-assembly includes means for sensing pressure in the facepiece and providing a signal to said microprocessor that varies as a function of changes in said pressure.

9. A regulator control assembly according to claim 8, wherein said means for sensing pressure includes a pressure transducer.

10. A regulator control assembly according to claim 6, wherein said electromechanical actuator sub-assembly includes a piezoelectric actuator.

11. A regulator control assembly for use in a second-stage regulator having a pressure-sensitive valve controlling a single air supply line, comprising:

first means for actuating the pressure-sensitive valve, said first means including a mechanically actuated element; and

second means for actuating the pressure-sensitive valve, said second means including an electromechanically actuated element.

12. A regulator control assembly according to claim 11, wherein said second means includes a programmable microprocessor.

13. A regulator control assembly according to claim 11, wherein said second means includes a piezoelectric actuator.

14. A method of controlling a second-stage regulator single air supply line used to supply air to a SCBA facepiece using both mechanical and electromechanical actuators, comprising the steps of:

providing a mechanical actuator for controlling the single air supply line;

determining the pressure in the facepiece;

determining the rate of pressure change in the facepiece;

comparing the pressure in the facepiece to a predetermined pressure;

comparing the rate of pressure change in the facepiece to a predetermined rate of pressure change;

activating or deactivating the electromechanical actuator if the pressure in the facepiece is lower than the predetermined pressure; and

activating or deactivating the electromechanical actuator if the rate of pressure change in the facepiece is higher than the predetermined rate of pressure change.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said comparing steps are performed using a programmable microprocessor.

16. A method of modifying a second-stage regulator having a pilot chamber and a mechanically controlled single air supply line for supplying air to a SCBA facepiece to allow for electromechanical control of the single air supply line, comprising the steps of:

adding an orifice to the pilot chamber;

providing an electronically controlled actuator for sealing and unsealing said orifice;

adding means for sensing the pressure inside the facepiece; and

adding control means for activating and deactivating said electronically controlled actuator based at least partially on the pressure inside the facepiece.