Chemical/biological hose test adapter
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsNicole L. Gruenfelder, Chika N. Nzelibe, Joshua D. Israel, Lowry J. Brooks, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to devices and methods for adapting a standard protective mask test apparatus to perform leak testing of a mask air hose assembly as an independent equipment component, i.e., independent of the mask-hose system.
Claims15
A device for adapting a chemical-biological mask test apparatus to testing of a mask air hose assembly as an independent equipment component, comprising:
- a body having a first end with an opening which provides a threaded receptacle to accept a standard mask air hose coupling;
- and
- a second end with an opening in fluid communication with the opening at the first end that provides a stem extending outwardly from the receptacle and is dimensioned for push-fit insertion and substantially airtight coupling into a head test port of the chemical biological mask test apparatus.
A method for leak testing an air hose for a chemical-biological mask as an independent equipment component, comprising:
- providing a chemical-biological mask leak test apparatus comprising a pedestal for mounting of a mask test headform and a plurality of pneumatic test ports;
- pneumatically coupling a headform comprising a head test port to a first pneumatic test port on the pedestal of the chemical biological mask leak test apparatus;
- providing an air hose to be tested for a chemical-biological mask, the air hose including a first end having a standard male NATO threaded fitting and a second end having a standard female NATO threaded fitting;
- providing a hose test adapter having an o-ring sealed stem dimensioned for insertion into the head test port on one end and having a NATO threaded receptacle on the other end;
- inserting the stem of the hose test adapter into the head test port of the headform;
- threading the male NATO threaded fitting into the NATO threaded receptacle of the hose test adapter;
- connecting the canister end of the hose to a second pneumatic test port on the chemical biological mask leak test apparatus;
- providing a negative air pressure to the air hose assembly through the mask test apparatus;
- and
- monitoring for leaks in the air hose assembly with the mask test apparatus.
A device for adapting a chemical-biological mask test apparatus to testing of a mask air hose assembly as an independent equipment component, comprising:
- a body having a first end with an opening which provides a threaded receptacle to accept a standard male NATO threaded mask air hose coupling;
- a second end with an opening in fluid communication with the opening at the first end that provides a stem extending outwardly from the receptacle which is disposed at an angle from the axis of rotation of the receptacle and is dimensioned for push-fit insertion and substantially airtight coupling into a head test port of the chemical biological mask test apparatus;
- an annular seal interposed between the threaded receptacle and the hose coupling;
- a pair of o-ring seals disposed in annular grooves on the stem;
- and
- an annular flange positioned between the o-ring seals and the threaded receptacle to provide a seat to prevent over-insertion of the stem into the head test port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.