Blower assembly for a powered air-purifying respirator

A blower assembly for a powered air-purifying respirator, comprising:

• a lower housing, which defines an outlet port for directing breathable air out of the blower assembly;
• an upper housing connected to the lower housing, such that the upper housing and the lower housing collectively define a first interior cavity;
• a filter configured to filter ambient air drawn into the blower assembly and removably secured to the upper housing;
• a fan;
• and
• a ring constructed of a porous material and positioned in the first interior cavity, the ring circumscribing and at a spaced distance from the fan;
• wherein the upper housing and the filter define a pathway for a flow of air into the first interior cavity, and the fan is positioned in the first interior cavity, such that, when the fan is activated, the fan draws ambient air along the pathway into the first interior cavity for subsequent delivery through the outlet port;
• and
• wherein the ring bifurcates the first interior cavity into a first zone located inside of the ring and a second zone located outside of the ring, with air passing from the first zone through the ring to the second zone for subsequent delivery through the outlet port.

A blower assembly for a powered air-purifying respirator, comprising:

• a lower housing including a tubular extension, which defines an outlet port for directing breathable air out of the blower assembly;
• an upper housing connected to the lower housing, such that the upper housing and the lower housing collectively define a first interior cavity;
• a filter configured to filer ambient air drawn into the blower assembly and removably secured to the upper housing;
• a fan;
• and
• a clip mounted to the tubular extension and configured to connect a breathing tube to the tubular extension;
• wherein the upper housing and the filter define a pathway for a flow of air into the first interior cavity, and the fan is positioned in the first interior cavity, such that, when the fan is activated, the fan draws ambient air along the pathway into the first interior cavity for subsequent delivery through the outlet port;
• wherein the clip can be selectively engaged to disconnect the breathing tube from the tubular extension and includes one or more spring fingers;
• wherein the tubular extension defines one or more openings configured to receive the one or more spring fingers of the clip;
• and
• wherein the tubular extension defines a first opening for receiving a tab of a first spring finger of the clip and a second opening for receiving a button of a second spring finger of the clip, and wherein the tab of the first spring finger is configured to engage a circumferential groove defined by the breathing tube.