US 8,025,053 B1 · Pressure regulator assembly

Abstract

A pressure demand regulator assembly for use with a breathing apparatus having a valve assembly that includes an inlet for connection to a source of breathing gas, an outlet for connection to a facepiece to provide breathing gas to the user and an actuator for controlling the flow of breathing gas between the inlet and the outlet in response to the user's respiration. The regulator assembly further includes a flexible elastomeric diaphragm in operative connection with the actuator. The diaphragm is exposed to ambient pressure on a first side thereof and exposed to a positive pressure within the facepiece on a second side thereof. The regulator assembly also includes an impermeable and flexible shield that seals the first side of the diaphragm from certain toxic substances in the ambient atmosphere while allowing the first side of the diaphragm to experience ambient pressure, such that the flexible shield moves along with the diaphragm during respiration without dampening the movement of the diaphragm during respiration of the user.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A regulator assembly for use in a breathing apparatus, comprising:

a valve assembly including an inlet for connection to a source of breathing gas, an outlet for connection to a facepiece to provide breathing gas to a user and an actuator for controlling flow of breathing gas between the inlet and the outlet;
a flexible elastomeric diaphragm in operative connection with the actuator, the diaphragm being exposed to force from ambient pressure on a first side thereof and being exposed to a positive pressure within the facepiece on a second side thereof, and
a flexible shield that is non-elastomeric and impermeable and that is formed separate from and positioned adjacent to the diaphragm, the flexible shield being movable with the diaphragm during respiration of the user, the flexible shield being in fluid connection with the ambient atmosphere on a first side of the flexible shield and in operative connection with the first side of the diaphragm on a second side of the flexible shield which is opposite the first side of the flexible shield, the flexible shield sealing the first side of the diaphragm from fluid contact with the ambient atmosphere and thereby from toxic substances in the ambient atmosphere while transmitting force from ambient pressure to the first side of the diaphragm, the diaphragm being more porous or more permeable to toxic substances than the flexible shield.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pressure regulator assembly

Life of this patent

Pressure regulator assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20