Breathing apparatus
OwnerWilliam C. Stoneinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mixed gas breathing apparatus reversibly switchable between open circuit and closed circuit systems. Three embodiments show three different levels of redundancy: nonredundant, bi-linear redundant and fully redundant. The counterlung minimizes the static lung loading and thus decreases breathing resistance. Manual control system is readily accessible and allows control of addition of the breathing gases.
Claims42
A breathing apparatus comprising:
- a first circuit comprising:
- a mouthpiece;
- a counterlung;
- a carbon dioxide removal device;
- said first circuit being operatively connected to enable gas to flow from said mouthpiece to said counterlung and said carbon dioxide removal device and back to said mouthpiece;
- and further comprising:
- a second circuit comprising:
- a supply of breathable gas normally automatically supplied to said first circuit over a first path;
- a manual override system for manually interrupting said automatically supplied breathing gas;
- and
- a second path for selectively manually connecting said supply of breathable gas to said first circuit through said manual override system for selectively manually admitting breathable gas into said first circuit.
A redundant closed circuit breathing apparatus having two independent closed circuit systems each of said systems comprising:
- a first circuit comprising:
- a mouthpiece;
- a counterlung;
- a carbon dioxide removal device;
- a path for flowing gas from said mouthpiece to said counterlung and said carbon dioxide removal device and back to said mouthpiece;
- and
- a second circuit comprising:
- a supply of breathable gas;
- a manual override valve;
- a second path for selectively connecting said supply of breathable gas to said first circuit through said manual override valve for selectively admitting breathable gas into said closed circuit;
- an exhaust gas routing manifold for selectively routing exhaled gas from the mouthpiece of either one of said two independent closed circuit systems to the carbon dioxide removal device of either one of said two independent closed circuit systems;
- and
- an inhalation gas routing manifold for selectively connecting the carbon dioxide removal device of either one of said two independent closed circuit systems to the mouthpiece of either one of said two independent closed circuit systems.
A counterlung for a closed circuit breathing apparatus, said counterlung having a first portion adapted to extend behind a user's shoulderline;
- a second portion contiguous with said first portion and adapted to extend from approximately the user's shoulder at least part way along the user's chest;
- and a third portion, contiguous with said second portion and adapted to extend along the user's chest below said second portion;
- said counterlung when inflated, having a center of gravity having a positive pressure from about 0 to 10 cm of H.sub.2 O, measured relative to the user's suprasternal notch.
A closed circuit breathing apparatus comprising:
- a first circuit comprising:
- a mouthpiece;
- a counterlung;
- a carbon dioxide removal device;
- a path for flowing gas from said mouthpiece to said counterlung and said carbon dioxide removal device and back to said mouthpiece;
- and
- a second circuit comprising:
- a supply of breathable gas;
- a manual override valve;
- and
- a second path for selectively connecting said supply of breathable gas to said first circuit through said manual override valve for selectively admitting breathable gas into said closed circuit;
- further comprising venting means for removing water from said counterlung;
- wherein said counterlung is formed from a flexible, gas impermeable material;
- further comprising a rigid injection molded plastic outer shell for protecting said flexible gas impermeable material.
A closed circuit breathing apparatus comprising:
- a first circuit comprising:
- a mouthpiece;
- a counterlung;
- a carbon dioxide removal device;
- a path for flowing gas from said mouthpiece to said counterlung and said carbon dioxide removal device and back to said mouthpiece;
- and
- a second circuit comprising:
- a supply of breathable gas;
- a manual override valve;
- and
- a second path for selectively connecting said supply of breathable gas to said first circuit through said manual override valve for selectively admitting breathable gas into said closed circuit;
- further comprising a venting means for removing water from said counterlung;
- wherein said counterlung is formed from a flexible gas impermeable material;
- further comprising a tear resistant, flexible cloth outer shell for protecting said flexible, gas impermeable material.
A manual override control system for a breathing apparatus having a breathable gas supply, and a closed circuit including a mouthpiece, counterlung, and carbon dioxide removal device, said manual override control system comprising:
- a housing;
- an input to said housing for admitting breathable gas from said breathable gas supply thereto;
- an output from said housing for directing said breathable gas to said closed circuit;
- a flow path connecting said input to said output;
- and
- a manually operable valve disposed in said gas flow path for selectively opening and closing said flow path;
- wherein said breathable gas supply comprises a diluent gas source and an oxygen source and said input comprises a first input from said diluent gas source and a second input from said oxygen source;
- further wherein said manually operable valve comprises a first spring loaded spring valve for selectively opening said flow path for said oxygen source and a second spring loaded valve for selectively opening said flow path for said diluent gas source.
In a closed circuit breathing apparatus comprising a first source of gas, a second source of gas and a third source of gas, a mouthpiece having an inhalation side and exhalation side operatively connected to normally automatically receive gas from said third gas source, a first counterlung, a second counterlung, and a carbon dioxide removal device, a manual override control system for manually overriding said third source of gas, said system comprising:
- first manually operable means for selectively manually allowing a flow of gas from said first gas source to said second counterlungs;
- second manually operable means for selectively manually allowing a flow of gas from said second gas source to said second counterlung;
- third manually operable means for selectively manually interrupting a flow of gas from said third gas source to said second counterlung;
- housing means for housing said first, second and third manually operable means.
A control system for use with a breathing circuit comprising a mouthpiece having an inhalation side and an exhalation side, the inhalation side being connected to a first counterlung, the exhalation side being connected to a first valve having at least one input connected to said exhalation side and two outputs, one output being connected to a second counterlung and the other output being connected to an input of a carbon dioxide removal device, an output of said removal device being connected to said first counterlung, said control system comprising:
- a first source of gas;
- first shut-off valve means having an input connected to said first source, and an output, for manually permitting or preventing a flow of gas from said first source;
- second valve means connected to said output of said first valve means;
- sensor means associated with said removal device for sensing an amount of gas;
- control means, responsive to said sensor means, for controlling said second valve means to permit or prevent a flow of gas from said first valve means;
- and
- manual interrupt means operatively positioned between said second valve means and said mouthpiece for selectively manually interrupting a flow of gas from second valve means to said mouthpiece.
An integral counterlung/buoyancy compensator vest for use in a breathing system, said vest comprising:
- a front portion;
- a back portion;
- said front portion comprising counterlung means operatively connected to said breathing system;
- and
- said back portion comprising at least a portion of a buoyancy compensator device.
An integral buoyancy compensator/counterlung vest adapted to be worn by a user, said device comprising:
- counterlung means comprising a flexible, gas impermeable bag, said counterlung means forming substantially a front portion of said vest;
- and
- buoyancy compensator means, attached to a portion of said counterlung means, comprising a flexible gas impermeable bag, said buoyancy compensator means comprising substantially a back portion of said vest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.