Air cushion helmet support and ventilation system with air pressure regulator
AssigneeKaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corporation
InventorJames L. Sayre
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air cushioned safety and/or display helmet. A thin cushion of air between the wearer's head and the inside of the helmet supports the helmet and distributes the helmet's weight evenly thus preventing development of pressure points and corresponding wearer fatigue. When used in a high performance environment which exposes the user to g forces, such as fighter aircraft, an air regulator controls the air pressure of the air cushion in response to these forces to maintain helmet position and comfort. Air contained in the air cushion can also be used to demist the helmet visor and display optics, can be directed past the head to provide heating or cooling of the head, or can do both at one time.
Claims24
A bladderless fluid cushion helmet comprising:
- attaching means for positioning and holding said helmet relative to a wearer's head;
- a sealing means, mounted proximate to and extending along a periphery of said helmet, for defining a volume between a wearer's head and an inner surface of said helmet;
- an inlet port, coupled to a fluid supply, wherein a compressible fluid is supplied through said inlet port to said volume, and wherein said helmet is supported by the compressible fluid contained in said volume;
- and
- a fluid pressure regulator disposed between said inlet port and said fluid supply to control a pressure of the fluid contained in said volume.
A bladderless fluid cushion helmet comprising:
- attaching means for positioning and holding said helmet relative to a wearer's head;
- a sealing means, mounted proximate to and extending along a periphery of said helmet, for defining a volume between a wearer's head and an inner surface of said helmet;
- an inlet port, coupled to a fluid supply, wherein a compressible fluid is supplied through said inlet port to said volume, and wherein said helmet is supported by the compressible fluid contained in said volume;
- a fluid pressure regulator disposed between said inlet port and said fluid supply which controls a pressure of the fluid contained in said volume;
- and
- a valve, having at least two positions, coupled to an outlet port, wherein the fluid contained in said volume is directed through the outlet port when said valve is in an open position and substantially no fluid from said volume is directed through the outlet port when said valve is in a closed position.
A fluid pressure regulator for regulating the fluid pressure of fluid contained in an apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a fluid inlet in said housing, wherein fluid is supplied to a first chamber of said fluid pressure regulator;
- a valve disposed between said first chamber and a second chamber of said fluid pressure regulator to control a flow of fluid between said first and second chambers;
- an outlet located in said housing and in fluid communication with said second chamber;
- a diaphragm disposed between said second chamber and a third chamber and coupled to said valve;
- an outlet pressure spring disposed within said third chamber and adjacent said diaphragm;
- a threaded shaft, having a first end coupled to said outlet pressure spring and a second end exterior said housing, wherein said threaded shaft passes through said third chamber of said fluid pressure regulator;
- a weight coupled to said threaded shaft;
- and
- means, coupled to said threaded shaft, for adjusting said outlet pressure spring to control a nominal pressure of said second chamber by rotating said threaded shaft.
A fluid pressure regulator for regulating the fluid pressure of fluid contained in an apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a fluid inlet in said housing, wherein fluid is supplied to a first chamber of said fluid pressure regulator;
- a valve disposed between said first chamber and a second chamber of said fluid pressure regulator to control a flow of fluid between said first and second chambers;
- an outlet located in said housing and in fluid communication with said second chamber;
- a diaphragm disposed between said second chamber and a third chamber and coupled to said valve to control a position of said valve;
- an outlet pressure spring disposed within said third chamber and adjacent said diaphragm;
- a threaded shaft, having a first end coupled to said outlet pressure spring and a second end exterior said housing, wherein said threaded shaft passes through said third chamber of said fluid pressure regulator;
- a weight coupled to said threaded shaft, wherein said weight, in response to an acceleration, causes a motion of said threaded shaft whereby said diaphragm operates to position said valve;
- and
- means for controlling said motion of said threaded shaft to adjust a responsiveness of said fluid pressure regulator to said acceleration, having:
- (i) a first outlet pressure adjuster spring, disposed on said threaded shaft;
- (ii) a second outlet pressure adjuster spring, disposed on said threaded shaft;
- and
- (iii) an equalizer disposed between said first and second outlet pressure adjuster springs to compress and loosen said first and second outlet pressure adjuster springs in response to rotation of said threaded shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.