RU230239U1 - AVALANCHE SELF-RESCUER - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of respiratory protection and ensuring breathing of victims buried under an avalanche, and in particular to avalanche self-rescuers. The avalanche self-rescuer comprises a housing with openings of an autonomous breathing circuit, on which air ducts are installed, which are connected to containers with chemicals that ensure oxygen regeneration and carbon dioxide absorption, wherein the housing is made with a ventilation opening, on which a locking mechanism and a trigger frame are installed, made with the possibility of closing the ventilation opening in the event of an emergency, wherein the locking mechanism is made with the possibility of hermetically closing the area of the ventilation opening with a mechanical effect on the trigger frame. The technical result consists in increasing the autonomous operation time of the technical means, the possibility of breathing atmospheric air, heating the victim, increasing the reliability of respiratory protection. 7 clauses, 7 figs.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] The utility model relates to the field of respiratory protection and providing breathing for victims under an avalanche, and in particular to avalanche self-rescuers.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

[002] People caught in an avalanche can die from severe injuries during the movement of the avalanche flow and from impacts with trees, rocks and uneven terrain. However, in most cases, death occurs from suffocation. The snow mass blocks the airways and compresses the victim's chest. When the avalanche flow stops, the snow mass is deposited so densely that the person becomes helpless and cannot move either his arms or legs. The only way to save the life of a person caught in an avalanche is through rapid and properly organized rescue operations. The chances of a person buried by an avalanche remaining alive decrease rapidly as the time until he is pulled out of the snow increases. According to research, there are cases where people buried by an avalanche and dug out after 3 days or more survived, but these are exceptional cases. The main causes of suffocation are: 1 - carbon dioxide poisoning, which is a product of human life activity, the removal of which is prevented by the snow mass surrounding the victim - the critical concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, causing rapid loss of performance and deterioration of a person's condition, is considered to be 6%, but hypercapnia can develop at a lower concentration. 2 - oxygen starvation, a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the air from the normal 21% to 8% is a critical level for the implementation of human life. In this regard, various devices known from the level of technology are called self-rescuers.

[003] Currently, the state of the art includes a device with a compressed gas supply, a carbon dioxide purifier, and spring-loaded valves on the vest. The design has a number of significant drawbacks: the presence of a gas cylinder with oxygen and the presence of a breathing bag. Also, the activation is not automatic; in all versions of the device, an operator action is required. Instead of a mask, a mouthpiece performs its role; it can be torn out by streams of snow.

[004] In general, various designs of devices for providing breathing in the event of being caught in an avalanche are known.

[005] Thus, from American patent No. 4,365,628 “Avalanche survival vest” a breathing apparatus with a carbon dioxide absorber, a high-pressure oxygen cylinder, a mouthpiece and a breathing bag is known.

[006] In document 5,490,501, the breathing device provides breathing of air contained in an air pocket without absorption of carbon dioxide. The intake of inhaled air is carried out in a zone remote from the exhalation zone, thereby reducing the rate of accumulation of carbon dioxide in the breathing circuit.

[007] Publication WO 2017/077 074 A1 discloses an avalanche protection device having a breathing system with a valve device for supplying breathing air from an inhalation region and a valve device for releasing breathing air into an exhalation region.

[008] CN206107521 discloses a semi-closed breathing apparatus where the oxygen generator is connected to an upper carbon dioxide absorber.

[009] Document US5036841 discloses a closed-circuit breathing apparatus comprising, among other things, a breathing reservoir, a carbon dioxide absorber, and a source of compressed breathing gas comprising oxygen at approximately 20% by volume.

[0010] Document US 11,583,710 presents a device that provides active circulation of air in an air pocket by means of an electric motor, with air intake at a location away from the respiratory tract.

[0011] However, they all have the following disadvantages:

there is no automatic system activation function;

the function of protecting the respiratory tract from snow mass is excluded;

if there is an oxygen cylinder, such a device is dangerous due to the possibility of some materials igniting upon contact with oxygen under pressure;

have a short operating time to provide protective action;

If there is a breathing bag, there is a high probability of compression of this breathing bag, which leads to the impossibility of providing a protective effect.

ESSENCE OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0012] This technical solution is aimed at eliminating the shortcomings inherent in existing solutions.

[0013] Thus, the technical task or technical problem that is solved in the present solution is the creation of an individual breathing apparatus for providing breathing when caught in an avalanche and buried by a snow mass, which is safe, lightweight, has the function of automatic activation, protection of the respiratory tract from blockage by snow mass, absorption of carbon dioxide and enrichment of the air mixture used for breathing with oxygen, as well as the implementation of heating of the victim. The technical result achieved by solving the above problem is an increase in the autonomous operation time of the technical means, the possibility of implementing breathing with atmospheric air, heating of the victim, and an increase in the reliability of protection of the respiratory tract.

[0014] The specified technical result is achieved by implementing an avalanche self-rescuer, which has a housing with a ventilation opening and openings of an autonomous breathing circuit, on which air ducts are installed, which are connected to containers with chemical substances that ensure the regeneration of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide, a trigger frame, made with the ability to close the ventilation opening in the event of an emergency, and a locking mechanism made with the ability, in the event of a mechanical impact on the trigger frame, to close the area of the ventilation opening for hermeticity.

[0015] In some embodiments, an absorbent material is installed in the air duct, which, upon contact with exhaled air, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases heat.

[0016] In some embodiments, a regenerative substance is installed in the air duct.

[0017] In some embodiments, the absorbent material is lithium hydroxide.

[0018] In some embodiments, the regenerative agent is potassium superoxide.

[0019] In some embodiments, the trigger frame is made of mesh or a breathable material.

[0020] In some embodiments, the air ducts are secured to the person.

[0021] In some embodiments, hydrophobic membranes are installed on the breathing valves of the air ducts, preventing melt water from entering the interior of the cartridges.

[0022] The essential features of a utility model are in a causal relationship with the achieved result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] The features and advantages of the present technical solution will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Fig. 1 shows the main components of the device (version with two cartridges).

[0025] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment with one cartridge - a pendulum gas exchange scheme.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a ring diagram of gas exchange.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows a pendulum diagram of gas exchange.

[0028] Fig. 5 shows the locking mechanism on the ventilation opening in the open position, breathing is carried out with atmospheric air.

[0029] Fig. 6 shows the locking mechanism on the ventilation opening in the closed position, breathing is carried out through the air ducts through the cartridges.

[0030] Fig. 7 shows a cartridge: 6 - cartridge body, 8 - one-way breathing valve, 10 - regenerative or absorbent substance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0031] Below, the terms and their definitions used in the description of the technical solution, as well as the design of the device, will be considered in detail.

[0032] The device is made in the form of a permanently worn mask, tightly attached to the person's face. The mask can be fixed on the head by means of an elastic element having hooks at the edges. To adjust the tension of the elastic element, there are openings on the supporting frame. In some embodiments, at the level of the side openings on the outside of the body, one belt loop with buckles is fixed, into which the ends of the outer headband tape are inserted. The buckles allow the length of the tape to be adjusted manually.

[0033] The mask design is a housing (1), shown in Fig. 1, with a ventilation hole and openings of the autonomous breathing circuit, as well as a locking mechanism (2) and a trigger frame (3). The housing is a supporting element on which other parts of the self-rescuer are fixed. In some embodiments, the housing of the device can be made of metal and/or composite material, a polymer material. It is advisable that the device be provided with a heat-insulating layer and/or heat-insulating elements. Air ducts (4) and (5) are installed on the openings of the autonomous breathing circuit, which are connected to containers with chemicals (6, 7) (hereinafter referred to as cartridges), providing oxygen regeneration and absorption of carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide). The cartridge can be made in the form of, for example, a cylinder made of a polymer material.

[0034] A locking mechanism (2) is installed on the ventilation opening, which, in the event of a mechanical impact on the trigger frame (3), closes the area of the ventilation opening, making it airtight. The ventilation opening can be made of a solid material (e.g. plastic), having inlet and outlet openings through which incoming air passes, and used air is discharged.

[0035] Without any action on the trigger frame, the ventilation hole remains in the open position, which ensures free breathing of atmospheric air and does not interfere with the person’s negotiations with others.

[0036] In the event of an emergency, when the mask is hit (e.g., when it hits a snow mass), the trigger frame (3) is pressed, which causes the trigger mechanism to operate, and the ventilation opening is closed. Emergency situations may include being caught in an avalanche, being buried in a snow mass, a person falling into a snow mass due to loss of balance, etc., without limitation.

[0037] In some embodiments, if a person loses consciousness, an oxygen-generating cartridge can be automatically activated, which can be made with a solid oxygen source, at least one filter, which can be chemical. The solid oxygen source can be made of substances from the group of chlorates or perchlorates of alkali metals. Preferably, the solid oxygen source is made on the basis of sodium chlorate, cobalt oxide and barium peroxide. The activation of this cartridge can be carried out automatically based on an oxygen level sensor located inside the housing.

[0038] When the mask is sealed, a person breathes through an autonomous circuit (in a circular or pendulum pattern as shown in Fig. 5, 6).

[0039] In some embodiments, the device may include a communication sensor and a microphone for transmitting a signal, automatically or via audio communication, in the event of an emergency.

[0040]Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail: a ring circuit with regeneration and absorption (Fig. 3).

[0041] When exhaling through the tubular branch pipe (4), the gas (e.g. air) from the under-mask space enters the cartridge (6) in which a regenerative substance is installed, in which reactions of carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen release occur. The under-mask space is a sealed volume of space between the person's face and the mask body, limited by the obturator (edge of the mask) tightly fitting the person's face. As an example of the use of a regenerative substance, alkali metal superoxides, such as potassium superoxide, can be used. The regenerative substance, upon contact with exhaled air, absorbs carbon dioxide, releasing an additional volume of oxygen and heat during this reaction. It is known that one of the problems of operating self-contained breathing apparatus is maintaining the granulometric composition (granularity) of the regenerative product within the specified limits, which determine the most important operational characteristics of the apparatus: conditions of heat and mass transfer in the regenerative product, efficiency of using the regenerative product and breathing resistance, which is solved in this technical solution. The amount of heat released may depend on the intensity of breathing, humidity of exhaled air, mass of the regenerative substance itself and design. The air at the outlet of the cartridge can have a temperature of 45 to 80 ° C. As a result, the probability of hypothermia of the victim, as one of the causes of mortality, is reduced. Warming of the operator is ensured while waiting for help.

[0042] Then, from the cartridge (6), the gas-air mixture enters the air space next to the person (air pocket). The exhalation valves are designed to release the air exhaled by the person into the air space at the moment of exhalation and to prevent the entry of unpurified air into the mouth and nose at the moment of inhalation.

[0043] The valve bodies are made of hard plastic, the valve membranes are made of elastic polymer material. To ensure gas circulation in only one direction, an exhalation valve (8) is installed on the cartridge. An air pocket is the space between the victim's body and the snow mass filled with air, for example, any fold in clothing that creates additional volume not filled with snow acts as an air pocket.

[0044] After inhalation, the gas from the air pocket enters the cartridge (7), where an absorbent substance is located, for example, lithium hydroxide, which additionally removes carbon dioxide. Through the branch pipe (5), the purified gas enters the sub-mask space and the person inhales air purified from carbon dioxide and enriched with oxygen.

[0045] To ensure gas circulation in only one direction, an exhalation valve (9) is installed on the cartridge (7).

[0046] The second embodiment will now be described in detail: a ring circuit with absorption.

[0047] When exhaling through the branch pipe (4), the gas from the under-mask space enters the cartridge (6), in which the absorbent substance is installed. The absorbent substance, upon contact with the exhaled air, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases heat. As a result, the likelihood of hypothermia of the victim, which is one of the causes of mortality, is reduced. Warming of the operator is ensured while waiting for help.

[0048] Then, from the cartridge (6), the gas enters the air space near the person (air pocket). To ensure that the gas circulates in only one direction, an exhalation valve (8) is installed on the cartridge.

[0049] After inhalation, the gas from the air pocket enters the cartridge (7), where an absorbent substance is also located, which additionally removes carbon dioxide. Through the branch pipe (5), the purified gas enters the sub-mask space and the person inhales a mixture purified from carbon dioxide and air.

[0050] To ensure gas circulation in only one direction, an exhalation valve (9) is installed on the cartridge (7).

[0051]Next, the third embodiment will be described in detail: a pendulum circuit with oxygen regeneration (see Fig. 2, 4).

[0052] When exhaling through the branch pipe (4), the gas from the under-mask space enters the cartridge (6), in which a regenerative substance (e.g., alkali metal superoxides) is installed. The regenerative substance, upon contact with the exhaled air, absorbs carbon dioxide, releases an additional volume of oxygen and heat.

[0053] The cartridge does not have a bypass valve (inhalation and/or exhalation valve) and gas flows from the cartridge into the air pocket.

[0054] When inhaling, gas from the air pocket enters the cartridge (6), and then through the branch pipe (4) into the sub-mask space.

[0055] In some embodiments, instead of a regenerative substance, an absorbent substance is installed in the cartridge (6).

[0056] Unlike self-rescuer variants, self-contained breathing apparatus and rebreathers, this design does not have a breathing bag. The function of the breathing bag is performed by an air pocket surrounding the victim.

[0057] The system becomes quasi-closed, i.e. breathing is provided by a gas mixture surrounding a person in an air pocket under the snow surface. Since snow has different conditions, in certain cases it can have gas permeability, namely oxygen permeability. Thus, the oxygen reserve can be higher, since not only the gas that is in the system itself is used for breathing, but the entire volume of gas in the air pocket. Also, the refusal of a breathing bag saves us from the problem of squeezing (compressing) the victim and, accordingly, the breathing bag, if there was one.

[0058] In the event of an inadvertent activation of the mask closing mechanism, its opening is ensured by acting on the locking mechanism (2).

[0059] A trigger frame (3) made of mesh or any air-permeable material, covering the area of the ventilation opening (2), but not providing significant resistance to breathing, due to its air-permeable properties. In some embodiments, this may be a frame with air-permeable fabric stretched over it.

[0060] Cartridges can be fixed on a person's chest both from the outside, above the clothes, and from the inside, under the jacket, and can also be placed in a backpack or any other place. Cartridges can be attached using a suspension system - like a backpack, can be attached to the backpack straps with belts. Cartridges can simply be placed separately in the inside or outside pockets of the jacket.

[0061] To ensure safety, hydrophobic membranes are installed on the breathing valves, preventing melt water from entering the interior of the cartridges.

[0062] In some embodiments, valves may not be used. Valves are required to separate air flows into inhalation and exhalation, and when implementing a pendulum air flow scheme, this separation is not required.

[0063] Instead of cartridges, a system similar to AVALunng Pat. # 5,490,501 is installed. This eliminates the disadvantage of the lack of automatic activation of the system in the form of a mouthpiece, which must be inserted into the oral cavity and held with the teeth before entering an avalanche. The inhalation and exhalation pipes are spread over the maximum possible distance (for example, exhalation in the chest area, inhalation in the backpack, or exhalation simply immediately behind the mask, even without an air duct, inhalation in the chest area or in the backpack). Thus, inhalation is carried out with air from an area with a minimum concentration of carbon dioxide, which in turn increases the survival time of the victim.

[0064] The connection of the face mask and cartridge pipes is preferably hermetically sealed, which eliminates the possibility of snow getting inside the mask. After connecting the filter to the mask, a person can breathe air passing through the cartridge body and therefore purified.

[0065] An activated carbon filter may be located between the cartridges (6) and (7). In another embodiment, a multi-stage filter may be placed between the cartridges. In particular, in addition to the activated carbon filter, a desiccant may be used to absorb moisture contained in the air and a substance that catalytically converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Despite the possibility of using filters of various designs within the framework of the present solution, filters intended for cleaning air with a high content of carbon monoxide, i.e. filters containing hopcalite and silica gel, are preferred. The filter cartridge of such a filter may be placed in a more compact, disk-shaped housing.

[0066] The elements of the claimed technical solution are in a functional relationship, and their joint use leads to the creation of a new and unique technical solution. Thus, all blocks are functionally connected.

[0067] A sufficiently detailed consideration of specific embodiments of the technical solution does not limit the scope in any way. In essence, the solution assumes the possibility of various modifications of the above-described variants that are obvious to specialists in this field. At the same time, all these variants and modifications should not go beyond the basic idea of the device as it is set out in the formula below.

Claims (8)

1. An avalanche self-rescuer comprising a housing with openings in an autonomous breathing circuit on which air ducts are installed which are connected to containers with chemicals that ensure the regeneration of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide, characterized in that the housing is made with a ventilation opening on which a locking mechanism and a trigger frame are installed, designed with the possibility of closing the ventilation opening in the event of an emergency, wherein the locking mechanism is designed with the possibility of hermetically closing the area of the ventilation opening upon mechanical action on the trigger frame. 2. An avalanche self-rescuer according to paragraph 1, characterized in that an absorbent substance is installed in the air duct, which, upon contact with exhaled air, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases heat. 3. An avalanche self-rescuer according to item 1, characterized in that a regenerative substance is installed in the air duct. 4. An avalanche self-rescuer according to item 2, characterized in that the absorbent substance is lithium hydroxide. 5. An avalanche self-rescuer according to paragraph 3, characterized in that the regenerative substance is potassium superoxide. 6. An avalanche self-rescuer according to item 1, characterized in that the descent frame is made of mesh or air-permeable material. 7. An avalanche self-rescuer according to item 1, characterized in that the air ducts can be secured to a person. 8. An avalanche self-rescuer according to item 1, characterized in that the air ducts are equipped with breathing valves on which hydrophobic membranes are installed, preventing melt water from entering the interior of containers with chemical substances.