Self contained breathing apparatus control system for atmospheric use
First Claim
1. A control system for a closed circuit rebreather possessing a breathing loop including a CO2 scrubber and a solenoid operated valve operably connected to a power supply for addition of oxygen from a gas supply, said control system comprising:
- an electronic controller possessing at least one microprocessor operably connected to the power supply, an indicator operably connected to said electronic controller for receiving signals therefrom, and at least one oxygen sensor operably disposed within the breathing loop of the closed circuit rebreather operably connected to said electronic controller for providing signals thereto;
said electronic controller being operably connected to said solenoid operated valve of said closed circuit rebreather for automatic control thereof in addition of oxygen from an oxygen supply to said breathing loop in proportions maintaining, in an operation mode, a programmed oxygen set point in the range of 0.13-0.50 in accordance with signals received from said at least one oxygen sensor;
said indicator providing intuitively understood indications in response to signals from said electronic controller in said operation mode relating to expected duration of rebreather use available based upon at least one factor inclusive of;
oxygen level, CO2 scrubber usage, power supply condition, and sensed component failure;
whereby operation of the closed circuit rebreather without need for monitoring and interpretation of sensed signal values by the operator is provided; and
wherein said electronic controller is programmed to provide at least one signal to said indicator during a maintenance mode resulting in indication of a specific physical action required involving the rebreather.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic controller having at least one microprocessor controls the solenoid operated valve adding oxygen to the breathing loop of a closed circuit mixed gas rebreather with carbon dioxide scrubbing in maintenance of an oxygen set point in the rage of 0.13-0.50 without any need for monitoring or interpretation of signal data by the operator. The controller receives signals from at least one oxygen sensor located in the breathing loop and sends signals to an indicator: visual, aural, or tactile; during operation providing only intuitively understood normal functioning, limited time remaining, and bail out indications. Automatic diagnosis including oxygen sensor calibration, indication of actions required such as scrubber replacement, and confirmation of an action taken with signals from an action sensor are provided.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A control system for a closed circuit rebreather possessing a breathing loop including a CO2 scrubber and a solenoid operated valve operably connected to a power supply for addition of oxygen from a gas supply, said control system comprising:
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an electronic controller possessing at least one microprocessor operably connected to the power supply, an indicator operably connected to said electronic controller for receiving signals therefrom, and at least one oxygen sensor operably disposed within the breathing loop of the closed circuit rebreather operably connected to said electronic controller for providing signals thereto; said electronic controller being operably connected to said solenoid operated valve of said closed circuit rebreather for automatic control thereof in addition of oxygen from an oxygen supply to said breathing loop in proportions maintaining, in an operation mode, a programmed oxygen set point in the range of 0.13-0.50 in accordance with signals received from said at least one oxygen sensor; said indicator providing intuitively understood indications in response to signals from said electronic controller in said operation mode relating to expected duration of rebreather use available based upon at least one factor inclusive of;
oxygen level, CO2 scrubber usage, power supply condition, and sensed component failure;whereby operation of the closed circuit rebreather without need for monitoring and interpretation of sensed signal values by the operator is provided; and wherein said electronic controller is programmed to provide at least one signal to said indicator during a maintenance mode resulting in indication of a specific physical action required involving the rebreather. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A control system for a closed circuit rebreather possessing a breathing loop including a CO2 scrubber and a solenoid operated valve operably connected to a power supply for addition of oxygen from a gas supply, said control system comprising:
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an electronic controller possessing at least one microprocessor operably connected to the power supply, an indicator operably connected to said electronic controller for receiving signals therefrom, and at least one oxygen sensor operably disposed within the breathing loop of the closed circuit rebreather operably connected to said electronic controller for providing signals thereto; said electronic controller being operably connected to said solenoid operated valve of said closed circuit rebreather for automatic control thereof in addition of oxygen from an oxygen supply to said breathing loop in proportions maintaining, in an operation mode, a programmed oxygen set point in the range of 0.13-0.50 in accordance with signals received from said at least one oxygen sensor; said indicator providing intuitively understood indications in response to signals from said electronic controller in said operation mode relating to expected duration of rebreather use available based upon at least one factor inclusive of;
oxygen level, CO2 scrubber usage, power supply condition, and sensed component failure;whereby operation of the closed circuit rebreather without need for monitoring and interpretation of sensed signal values by the operator is provided; and wherein the indications given by said indicator in response to signals from said electronic processor are comprised of only two states, on and off, both variable in duration and frequency. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A control system for a closed circuit rebreather possessing a breathing loop including a CO2 scrubber and a solenoid operated valve operably connected to a power supply for addition of oxygen from a gas supply, said control system comprising:
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an electronic controller possessing at least one microprocessor operably connected to the power supply, an indicator operably connected to said electronic controller for receiving signals therefrom, and at least one oxygen sensor operably disposed within the breathing loop of the closed circuit rebreather operably connected to said electronic controller for providing signals thereto; said electronic controller being operably connected to said solenoid operated valve of said closed circuit rebreather for automatic control thereof in addition of oxygen from an oxygen supply to said breathing loop in proportions maintaining, in an operation mode, a programmed oxygen set point in the range of 0.13-0.50 in accordance with signals received from said at least one oxygen sensor; said indicator providing intuitively understood indications in response to signals from said electronic controller in said operation mode relating to expected duration of rebreather use available based upon at least one factor inclusive of;
oxygen level, CO2 scrubber usage, power supply condition, and sensed component failure;whereby operation of the closed circuit rebreather without need for monitoring and interpretation of sensed signal values by the operator is provided; and wherein said electronic controller is programmed to interpret a signal from an at least one action sensor changing from one distinctive value to another distinctive value during a maintenance mode as signifying performance of a physical action involving displacement of a component of said rebreather. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification