CN1946458A - Breathing gas dispenser with selectable output flow rates - Google Patents

Abstract

A breathing gas dispenser with selectable output flow rates. The dispenser includes a vessel containing a supply of breathable gas at storage pressure. The vessel is in fluid communication with a regulator assembly capable of reducing the pressure of the gas to a delivery pressure in a chamber. A plate is disposed in the chamber. The plate has a plurality of openings defined therein. The openings are disposed in pairs including a first opening and a second opening. The first or second opening or both may contain an orifice housing with a precision metering orifice defined therein. A flow selector is capable of causing the plate to rotate such that each of the pairs of openings are sequentially brought into registry with the outlet such that a user can select an output flow rate.

Description

Breathing gas distributor with selectable output flow rates

related application

This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Applications 60/550,247, filed March 4, 2004, and 60/564,511, filed April 22, 2004.

technical field

The present application relates to a breathing gas system or "go around the bottle" system for use in aircraft.

Background technique

The use of breathing gas systems in aircraft is well known. It is known to provide a fixed output flow rate for respirator systems. Many systems have multiple outlets, each preset to deliver a different flow rate.

There is a need for a breathing gas distributor with selectable output flow rates that relies on flow control through a fixed-bore orifice.

Contents of the invention

The present invention meets the above needs by providing a breathing gas dispenser with selectable output flow rates. The dispenser includes a container containing a supply of breathable gas at a stored pressure. The container is in fluid communication with a regulator assembly capable of reducing the gas pressure to a delivery pressure within a cavity. The cavity has an outlet. A plate is placed in the cavity. The plate has a plurality of openings defined therein. The openings arranged in pairs include a first opening and a second opening. The first or second opening or both may comprise an orifice housing with a precision metered orifice defined therein. A flow selector is capable of causing the disk to rotate so that each pair of openings corresponds in succession to the outlet so that the user can select the output flow rate.

Description of drawings

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of an optional flow regulator assembly of the present invention with the cover removed for clarity;

Figure 3 is a side view of an alternative flow regulator assembly of the present invention with the cover removed for clarity;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is the front view of indexer of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a top view of an indexer with an orifice plate installed therein;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a top perspective view showing the low pressure chamber;

Figure 10 is a top plan view of an optional flow regulator assembly;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention;

13 is a cross-sectional view of the flow selector of the breathing gas distributor of FIG. 12; and

14 is an exploded view of the flow selector of the breathing gas distributor of FIG. 12 .

Detailed ways

Referring to Figure 1, a breathing gas supply system provides supplemental breathing gas to persons who may require breathing gas for medical or therapeutic use or at altitude. The breathing gas supply system can be made lightweight and small enough to be carried on the user and thus easily transported by an adult in congested environments.

The pressure vessel 10 may be made of a composite material such as an aluminum liner with a carbon fiber cladding and resin coating, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Container 10 may have a nominal volume of 140 cubic inches and may store breathing gas at a pressure of 1850 psi (hereinafter "storage pressure").

The pressure vessel 10 is generally provided with a high pressure relief valve 13 , a high pressure charging valve 16 , an indicating gauge 19 and a filter 22 as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. The high pressure relief valve 13 may be of the frangible disc type. The high pressure inflation valve 16 is a normally closed check valve. Applying a pressure higher than that of the stored gas will open the check valve and allow the stored gas to be replenished. The indicator gauge 19 may be of the direct drive type. Filter 22 captures particles that may be generated by mechanical interaction of upstream components before reaching the regulator inlet.

When the on-off valve 25 is open, air flow is allowed through the inlet passage 26 of the balanced regulator assembly 28 (FIG. 4). Other types of fluid control regulators are also suitable. The regulator assembly 28 can withstand a storage pressure between 150 and 1850 psig and reduce it at the flow selector 33 to about 70 psig. A reset low pressure relief valve 31 is connected to the regulator. The low pressure relief valve 31 opens between 90 and 135 psig to relieve pressure in the event of a regulator failure to allow gas to leak through the regulator seat of the regulator assembly 28 in the event of no flow or other conditions that cause excess pressure. Valve 31 protects low pressure components from high pressure. The low-pressure safety valve 31 will reset automatically when the regulated pressure returns to the normal pressure.

Flow selector 33 provides switching between precise metering rates and is associated with control knob 50 of on-off valve 25 as indicated by dashed line 36 .

Turning to FIG. 2 , the indicating gauge 19 is placed in front of the optional flow regulator assembly 39 . The inflation valve 16 is shown on the left side of the figure. A drain 34 is provided to prevent condensation from inside the cylinder from entering the valve. A visual indicator 37 of the status of the optional flow assembly 39 is also provided.

Control knob 50 (FIG. 4) allows the user to manually open on-off valve 25 and select the desired flow setting. Knob 50 synchronizes the position of switching valve 25 with indexer 43 which will be described in detail below. The on-off valve 25 can be made of VESPEL(R) material, which is commercially available (VESPEL(R) is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont Nemours and Company), and the high pressure seal can be made by pressing the VESPEL(R) valve against the brass seat 44 (FIG. 4) . Other materials are also suitable.

In FIG. 3 the cover plate and knob 50 (best seen in FIGS. 4 , 10 and 11 ) have been removed to show the panel gear 53 at the bottom of the switch knob 50 which mates with the pinion 56 at the bottom of the indexer 43 . Indexer 43 is a cylindrical housing that holds orifice plate 70 (FIG. 4). Although the knob is engaged by a panel gear and pinion arrangement, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other arrangements for coupling the knob 50 to the indexer 43 are suitable.

Turning to FIGS. 4-5 , the central channel 63 communicates with the storage pressure and high pressure safety valve 13 , the charging valve 16 , the storage pressure gauge 19 and the switch valve 25 . A passage 63 is formed in the high pressure valve body 14 . The safety valve 13 includes a safety membrane 15 . Turning the knob 50 the first 3/4 opens the on-off valve 25 through the shaft 60 which turns the screw to drive the VESPEL(R) valve off the brass seat 44 . Once the on-off valve 25 is opened by turning the knob 50, the storage pressure is applied to the balanced pressure regulator 28, which reduces the storage pressure to low pressure. The adjuster 28 has a rod 29 . The adjuster 28 may include a diaphragm 30, an adjuster opening spring 32, and an adjustment screw 35, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The regulated pressure enters the low pressure chamber 110 through the inlet passage 26 . As will be described in more detail below, a low regulated pressure is applied at the interface between the low pressure body 69 and the indexer 43 .

The rotary knob 50 opens the switching valve 25 by the rotation of the shaft 60 . Knob 50 is also coupled to indexer 43 through the engagement of face gear 53 attached to knob 50 with pinion gear 56 attached or integrally formed on indexer 43, as described above. Correspondingly, rotation of the knob 50 also causes the aperture plate 70 held by the indexer 43 to rotate. Rotation of the orifice plate 70 causes switching of the flow setting. As the indexer 43 rotates, it reconfigures the orifice plate 70 to allow for multi-stage flow rates. A visual indicator 37 is located on the exterior surface of the indexer 43 indicating the flow setting (ie, in the example shown, there are three positions: off, "2" or "4" liters per minute). Visual indicator 37 is aligned with a window (not shown) in protective cover 75 .

In Figures 6-8, the indexer 43 and orifice plate 70 are shown in greater detail. The assembly includes indexer 43, orifice plate 70, and a plurality of seals. Orifice plate 70 may be constructed of a suitable material and may be approximately 0.1" thick. Orifice housing 80 containing precision drilled holes may be pressed into openings in orifice plate 70. Orifice 83 may be constructed of ruby or other suitable material. The orifice housing Finely calibrated holes 83 within 80 meter the flow rate to the desired value based on its diameter and upstream pressure. In addition to the calibrated metering holes, the orifice plate 70 also has holes drilled completely through the orifice plate. These through holes 86 have the same The bores are of different diameters and are arranged in pairs with openings for receiving the bore housing 80. The indexer 43 has a bottom wall 89. A cavity 92 is defined within the orifice plate 70. In the example shown, there are three such cavities. cavities, but other numbers are suitable. A cavity 92 is formed on the orifice plate 72 corresponding to the through hole 86 and the calibration hole 83. The indexer 43 and the orifice plate 70 are sealed around the cavity by a seal 95 (FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 8 , the interface between the channel 100 through the low pressure body 69 and the orifice plate 70 may be sealed by a square sealing ring 106 .

When the channel 100 is subjected to a fixed regulated pressure, the flow goes down the channel 100 along the flow path indicated by the arrow 87 and enters the through hole 86 in the orifice plate 70 . Flow then enters the cavity 92 in the plate 70 back through the finely calibrated hole 83 through the second passage 111 where it communicates with the user's outlet 120 .

The passages 100 through the low pressure body 69 are secured so that the rotation of the indexer 43 continuously brings each pair of openings in the orifice plate 70 corresponding to the passages. The square seal ring 106 provides the necessary sealing at the interface between the passage 100 and the through hole 86 in the orifice plate and between the calibration hole 83 and the second passage 111 .

Turning to FIG. 9 , the low pressure chamber 110 is shown above the low pressure body 69 . A first opening 113 in the bottom of chamber 110 provides an entry point for the regulated pressure which has been reduced by the balance type pressure regulator 28 from the storage pressure. Passage 116 to low pressure relief valve 31 is shown on the side wall. Alternatively, the low pressure relief valve 31 may be located elsewhere along the flow path, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The passageway 100 to the orifice plate 70 is also shown in FIG. 9 . The position of the passage 100 is fixed and each pair of openings in which the indexer 43 moves continuously corresponds to the passages 100 and 111 .

In Figures 10 and 11 the flow path through the low pressure body 69, the orifice plate 70 and the indexer 43 are shown in more detail. The regulated pressure enters through hole 86 in orifice plate 70 through passage 100 as described. The low pressure body 69 and the orifice plate 70 are sealed by a square sealing ring 106 . Flow enters cavity 92 of plate 70 where it is sealed by kidney seal 95 . The flow then passes through the fine calibrated orifice 83 , returns through the second passage 111 in the low pressure body and enters the outlet 120 which communicates with the user.

Referring to Fig. 12, a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The pressure vessel 210 may be made of a composite material, such as an aluminum liner with a carbon fiber cladding and epoxy paint, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Container 210 may have a nominal volume of 140 cubic inches and may store breathing gas at a pressure of 1850 psig (hereinafter "storage pressure").

The pressure vessel 210 is typically provided with a high pressure relief valve 213 , a high pressure charging valve 216 , an indicating gauge 219 and a filter 222 as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. High pressure relief valve 213 may be of the frangible disc type. High pressure inflation valve 216 is a normally closed check valve. Applying a pressure higher than that of the stored gas will open the check valve and allow the stored gas to be replenished. Indicator gauge 219 may be of the direct drive type. Filter 222 captures particles that may be generated by mechanical interaction of upstream components before reaching the regulator inlet.

When on-off valve 225 is open, air flow is allowed through the inlet passage of regulator 228 . Regulator 228 can take a storage pressure between 150 and 1850 psi and reduce it to about 55 psi. A reset low pressure relief valve 231 is connected to the regulator. The low pressure relief valve 231 opens between 90 and 135 psig to relieve pressure in the event of a regulator failure so that no flow or other conditions causing excess pressure will pass through the regulator seat of the regulator 228 (not Shown) leaking gas. Valve 231 protects low pressure components from high pressure. When the regulated pressure returns to the normal pressure, the low-pressure safety valve 231 will reset automatically.

As shown, regulator 228 is provided with an outlet location ("Outlet 1") that can accommodate flow selector 234 of the present invention. Correspondingly, the outlet 1 point is mounted on a regulator 228, which accommodates a flow selector 234 of the present invention. As will be described in more detail below, flow selector 234 receives regulated pressure from pressure regulator 228, meters it to a user-selected flow rate, and allows it to pass to one or more devices for user connection such as Outlet for breathing mask (not shown).

Turning to FIG. 13 , the path of respiratory airflow is indicated by bold line 237 . Pressure from the output of regulator 228 is applied to passage 240 through the center of flow selector 234 . Flow selector 234 includes three main components: selector body 243, cylinder 246, and packing nut 249, which will be described in more detail herein. A flow selector 234 is housed within the first outlet 1 of the regulator 228 , which is designed to engage the flow selector 234 . O-ring 252 seals the opening where passageway 240 interfaces with regulator 228 . O-ring 252 is retained by gasket 255 and spring 258 and O-ring 252 seals against regulated pressure escaping into cavity 261 within outlet 1 .

The regulated pressure passes through the flow selector 234 through the passage 240 until it is applied to the cavity 264 of the selector body 243 which houses the cylinder 246 . The cylinder 246 has a plurality of cavities 267 disposed around its perimeter. As the cavities 267 rotate about the axis of rotation 270 , each cavity 267 sequentially rotates into alignment with a channel 273 defined in the selector body 243 at a position offset from the longitudinal axis 274 of the selector body 243 . Cavity 267 is capable of accommodating a calibrated orifice 276 for a specific flow rate. Metering orifices 276 are pre-calibrated and machined components so that they will provide a specific flow rate at a predetermined pressure differential. Accordingly, the system of the present invention does not require calibration flow after calibration orifice 276 is installed or replaced.

By way of example only, the illustrated embodiment has six chambers 267, two of which accommodate metering orifices 276 (best shown in Figure 14). In Figure 13, the metering orifice 276 is within the cavity 267 presented on the right hand side of the figure and the cavity 267 on the left hand side of the figure is empty.

A packing nut 249 connects the cylinder 246 to the selector body 243 . O-rings 268 between the cylinder and packing nut 249 and O-rings 269 between the packing nut and selector body 243 prevent the regulated pressure from escaping to the surrounding environment.

Square seal ring 270 seals the interface between metering orifice 276 and passage 273 inside selector body 243 to prevent regulated pressure from leaking into passage 280 formed by cross-sectional bores 283 and 286 in selector body 243 .

The pressure upstream or above the metering orifice 276 is the regulated pressure, the pressure below or downstream of the orifice 276 communicates with the cavity 261 in the outlet 1 . When the outlet 1 of the regulator 228 is provided with the flow selector 234 of the present invention, the output of the flow selector is directed towards the outlet 2 shown in FIG. 13 . Other outlets can be provided and connected to outlet 2.

Outlet 3 may be connected to a breathing mask (not shown) or other means. Outlet 3 may be provided with a check valve 288 . When the outlet check valve 288 in outlet 3 is open, all outlets are exposed to ambient pressure. Therefore, the pressure below metering orifice 276 is ambient pressure. The pressure differential above and below the metering orifice 276 will cause gas to flow through the orifice 276 . The metering orifice 276 is sized such that the pressure differential provides a particular user desired flow rate. Airflow flows through path 237 represented by bold line 237 into cavity 261 within outlet 1, to outlet 2, and out through outlet 3 to the user.

Turning to FIG. 14 , cylinder 246 has a plurality of cavities 267 formed therein. Each cavity 267 can accommodate a calibrated orifice 276 for a particular flow rate. Since the flow path allowing gas to the user is offset from the center of the selector, only one orifice 276 can be aligned to allow gas to flow to the user. The cylinder 246 and the knob 290 are fixedly connected so that when the knob 290 is turned, the cylinder 246 rotates with it. Knob 290 may be rotated in either direction or it may be ratcheted against back-up to rotate in a single direction, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The user rotates the knob 290 to align the various orifices 276 in the cylinder 246 with the flow path to the user. Accordingly, the user can select from a number of different flow rates (up to six different flow rates in this example). A location within the cylinder 246 can be configured to provide a no-flow location by closing the cavity 267 (as shown on the left in FIG. 13 ) or by plugging one of the orifices 276 .

The specific flow rate associated with the orifice 276 housed within the cylinder 246 may be printed on the cylindrical surface 299 of the knob 290 . The flow rate of the orifice 276 aligned with the flowing gas to the user is visible on the face of the knob 290 through a window 291 in the packing nut 249 . The indicator informs the user and allows him to select the desired flow rate. Knob 290 and cylinder 246 can be positioned in different ways, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, to provide an indication when a particular hole is aligned for a particular flow rate. For example, a spring (ie, a ball and spring arrangement) may be used to provide a torque limit that must be exceeded to rotate the cylinder 246 to the other hole 276 . Alternatively, a positive locking mechanism with a release button is also available.

The flow selector 234 of the present invention may be placed in fluid communication with a single outlet to the respiratory mask as described above. The flow selector 234 of the present invention may also be placed in fluid communication with more than one outlet connected in parallel. The flow selector 234 of the present invention can then be used to flow into multiple outlets simultaneously. If the outlets are connected to a mask or other device of similar resistance, the airflow will be divided substantially equally between the outlets.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover alterations, modifications, and modifications included within the spirit and scope of the invention. equivalent. In addition, the shape of some components may be changed in consideration of weight reduction. For example, protractors and orifice plates may be oval, or clover-shaped, etc., depending on the number of different calibrated wells required.

Claims (31)

1. one kind has the breathing gas dispenser that can select output flow rate, and described distributor comprises:

One holds the container of a collection of breathable gas under pressure store, this container is communicated with the governor assembly fluid, and governor assembly can be reduced to gas pressure the transmission pressure in a chamber, and described chamber has an outlet;

One places the plate in the chamber, and described plate has a plurality of openings that are limited to wherein, and described opening arranged in pairs comprises first opening and second opening, and at least one in first and second openings comprises the hole housing that has the accurate measurement hole that is limited to wherein; And

Flow selector can cause described plate rotation, to drive each opening is aimed at described outlet in succession, thereby the user can select output flow rate.

2. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described flow selector comprises having the protractor that is installed in described plate wherein.

3. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described protractor and the knob coupling with positive lock mechanism.

4. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described protractor and the knob coupling with detent mechanism.

5. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that described detent mechanism comprises ball and spring.

6. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, also comprises the knob that is incorporated in a switch valve coupling with described protractor idol, so that described knob can be used for controlling described switch valve and described output flow rate.

7. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, one in described protractor and the knob comprises that one in a gear and described protractor and the knob comprises a pinion, causes described plate rotation thus so that the motion of flow selector causes described protractor rotation.

8. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the central opening in the described plate is arranged to pass in the gas access.

9. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described hole housing presses fit into described plate.

10. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described hole housing comprises ruby.

11. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise a valve body, described valve body have be communicated with the governor assembly fluid and with described plate in first path of described first open fluid communication, described valve body has the alternate path that is communicated with described accurate measurement hole and described outlet fluid.

12. respirator body distributor as claimed in claim 11, it is characterized in that, also comprise the chamber that places between described plate and the described protractor diapire, thus gas from described first path flow through described first opening in the described plate enter described chamber and by described accurate measurement hole leave described chamber with by described alternate path to described outlet.

13. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described gas distributor can be carried by the user.

14. one kind has the breathing gas dispenser that can select output flow rate, described distributor comprises:

One holds the container of a collection of breathable gas under pressure store, this container is communicated with the governor assembly fluid, and governor assembly is reduced to transmission pressure in a chamber with gas pressure, and described chamber has an outlet;

Be arranged to the valve member that is communicated with described chamber fluid, described valve member has first passage and second channel;

The one division device has and is used to hold the opening of described valve member and has diapire, and described protractor can be with respect to described valve member rotation;

Be contained in the plate in the described protractor, described plate has a plurality of openings that are limited to wherein, and described opening arranged in pairs comprises first opening and second opening, and at least one in first and second openings comprises the hole housing that has the accurate measurement hole that is arranged on wherein;

Place the chamber between the described diapire of described plate and described protractor; And,

One knob can cause the rotation of described protractor, with drive in the described plate each to opening in succession with described valve member in described first and second channel alignments.

15. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 14, it is characterized in that, one in described protractor and the knob comprises that one in a gear and described protractor and the knob comprises a pinion, so that the motion of flow selector causes described protractor rotation, causes described plate rotation thus.

16. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, also comprises the gas access of being arranged to pass the central opening in the described plate.

17. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described hole housing presses fit into described plate.

18. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described hole housing comprises ruby.

19. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described gas distributor can be carried by the user.

20. one kind has the breathing gas dispenser that can select output flow rate, described distributor comprises:

One holds the container of a collection of breathable gas under pressure store, this container is communicated with the governor assembly fluid, and governor assembly can be reduced to gas pressure the transmission pressure in a chamber, and described chamber has an outlet;

Have the valve member that is limited to path wherein, described valve member has a core and a plurality of a plurality of separate spaces that are provided with around described core;

At least one has the removable insert in accurate measurement hole, and described insert can be contained in in described the separate space in the described valve member one; And,

One knob, with described valve member coupling, so that the rotation of described knob causes described valve member rotation, thereby the described accurate measurement hole at least one insert is arranged to aim at described outlet.

21. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, the described core of described valve member is columniform.

22. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, described knob is connected with described valve member.

23. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20, it is characterized in that, comprise also described valve member is connected to sealing nut on the selector body that described selector body has is arranged to the first passage that is communicated with described passage fluid in described container and the described valve member.

24. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20, it is characterized in that, described valve member comprises the cylindrical part that extends to diapire, described diapire vertically extends with respect to described cylindrical part basically, described diapire extends to the upstanding wall of being arranged to separate with respect to described cylindrical portion, so that form a separate space.

25. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, described removable insert is the U-shaped cross section.

26. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that, described selector body has the second channel that is communicated with described outlet fluid.

27. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, the described passage in the described valve member and the rotation of described valve member are on same straight line.

28. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, described valve member has separate space between a sealing, so that separate space and described outlet do not have flow position to punctual generation when between the described sealing.

29. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, described knob has positive lock mechanism.

30. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, described knob has detent mechanism.

31. breathing gas dispenser as claimed in claim 30 is characterized in that, described detent mechanism comprises ball and spring.

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