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US 4,454,893 AGranted
Low-noise diaphragm for use in exhalation valve
AssigneePuritan-Bennett Corporation
InventorRolf O. Orchard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diaphragm (40) for use in an exhalation valve (20) in a respirator. The diaphragm is tapered in thickness to provide substantially reduced vibration and noise. The diaphragm flexes and peels up from its valve seat (32) to provide the improved operation at low flow rates through the valve.
Claims5
An exhalation valve assembly for controlling exhalation in a respirator, said valve assembly comprising:
- a valve housing defining a closed chamber;
- a diaphragm supported in and extending across said housing and forming a control pressure chamber on one side of said diaphragm and an outlet pressure chamber on the other side of said diaphragm;
- a control pressure passage in fluid communication with said control pressure chamber;
- an outlet passage in fluid communication with said outlet pressure chamber;
- an inlet passage terminating in a valve seat within said outlet pressure chamber and in an operative relationship with said diaphragm, whereby the pressure in said control pressure chamber can be used to control the inlet pressure needed to unseat said diaphragm and place said inlet and outlet passages in fluid communication;
- wherein said diaphragm is tapered in thickness from one edge to another and becomes only partially unseated in low flow conditions, by flexing of said diaphragm at a region of thin cross section.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.