CH715460B1 - Respiratory protection device by air supply. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for respiratory protection by air supply comprising at least one centralized air supply unit (2) comprising: at least one air inlet (13) and several air outlets (5-8) communicating between the exterior and interior of the block, at least one blower communicating with the air inlet to draw ambient air around the block and communicating with the air outlets to discharge the air through at least one of said outputs, characterized in that said blower apparatus being a turbine (20) and said power supply unit (2) comprising an electronic controller (25) and a variator connected to or forming part of the electronic controller; the controller and variator being configured to allow the rotation speed of the turbine (20) to be changed in order to adjust the air flow in the direction of the air outlets (5-8).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a respiratory protection device by air supply designed to supply breathable and healthy air to people working or evolving in a potentially hostile atmospheric environment.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Respiratory protection devices by air supply exist and are used by people working in an atmospheric environment potentially polluted by pollutants such as asbestos or other dangerous fine particles. The principle consists in supplying people wearing respiratory masks and working in a hostile place, with ambient air taken from a healthy environment. For this, the device comprises a centralized air supply unit comprising a blower device which sends pressurized air to supply assemblies, generally, in very long supply tubes connected to the respiratory masks. The power supply is placed in the healthy place, for example outside the building, a corridor, a stairwell, etc. The operators' activity can thus take place at a distance from the block defined by the length of the supply tubes and in a potentially hostile place.

Existing protection devices use either a membrane compressor delivering high pressure but low flow, or a low pressure fan (Cubair type system). In the case of a compressor, the air is compressed and distributed for direct distribution to the operator through a pressurized air buffer tank. The disadvantages of such a system are that to obtain an air flow sufficient for at least four operators, the compressor must be dimensioned accordingly and the block is therefore bulky and heavy. A fan is not very robust and the pressure delivered low to supply several operators.

None of the existing devices capable of supplying several operators at the same time combines efficiency, robustness and small footprint.

In addition, the existing devices do not allow to control malfunctions and / or abnormal air supply conditions.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention thus relates to a respiratory protection device by air supply comprising at least one centralized air supply unit comprising: <tb> <SEP> at least one air inlet and several air outlets communicating between the outside and the inside of the block, <tb> <SEP> at least one blower communicating with the air inlet to draw ambient air around the block and communicating with the air outlets to discharge the air through at least one of said exits, <tb> <SEP> characterized in that the blower apparatus is a turbine and <tb> <SEP> in that the power supply unit comprises an electronic controller and a drive connected to or forming part of the electronic controller; the controller and variator being configured to allow the rotation speed of the turbine to be changed in order to adjust the air flow in the direction of the air outlets.

The wind tunnel solution of the invention using a turbine as well as means for adjusting the flow rate makes it possible to respond to the supply problems of existing systems for several operators. The solution thus provides with direct supply sufficient pressure as well as an air flow suitable for several operators, in particular, for at least four outlets. The solution is also less bulky than a compressor and delivers more pressure than a fan, thus allowing longer tubular connections (up to 45-65 meters).

A turbine according to the invention relates generally to a rotary device comprising a low pressure air inlet, a high pressure air outlet and a vane rotor rotatably mounted in a housing and driven by an electric motor which draws air from the low pressure inlet and expels it into the high pressure outlet.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the variator is configured to allow the selection of several predetermined rotation speeds of the turbine which are stored in the electronic controller.

The variator can include a manual selection button with several positions such as a rotary button or any other selection means with several positions such as a rectilinear cursor or a series of independent buttons; each being assigned to a speed memorized by the electronic controller.

It is thus possible to adapt the flow of air supplied as a function of the number of outlets used. For example, if only one air outlet is connected to a single supply assembly, such as a hose and breathing mask, the lowest speed may be selected. If four outputs are used, then a higher speed will be selected. Thus, the speed selected by the operator is preferably proportional to the number of outputs connected to a supply assembly (supply pipe and mask). The speed selection can also depend on the pressure losses due to the length of the supply pipes used.

Each selected speed delivers an air outlet flow rate which is a function of the number of air outlets open or connected to a supply assembly. For this, the air outlets are associated with valves and / or plugs for their selective opening. Air outlets that are not used are closed with their valve and / or plug.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the turbine is connected to an outlet tube which feeds the pressurized air from the turbine into an expansion unit; which case is connected on the one hand to the outlet tube from the turbine and on the other hand to the air outlets.

The housing has the function of relaxing the air and distributing it uniformly through the open outlets. The section of the housing in the plane of the inlet tube is at least ten to 20 times larger than the section of the outlet tube. Similarly, the section of the box in the same plane is at least ten to 20 times larger than the section of each of the air outlets. Preferably, the box comprises between three and six outlets, for example four air outlets.

The air outlets preferably include a selective closure means. This means can be a plug and / or a closing valve. A plug can be removable so that it can be manipulated by the operator to open or close the air outlet. A valve can automatically close the outlet in the absence of a supply assembly connected to the air outlet.

The device preferably comprises airtight connections, a connection part is present on each air outlet and a complementary connection part is present on each supply assembly, in particular, on each end of the pipe. air supply from the block and connected to each breathing mask. The device may include, for each air outlet, a valve and / or plug making it possible to close the outlet when not in use. The valve can be configured to be automatically opened when the fittings are connected to the corresponding outlet and to be automatically closed when the fittings are separated. A removable plug can be associated on the connection part of each outlet. In this case, the opening and closing of the outlet is done manually. The fittings can be cam systems to facilitate the connection of the parts to each other („Camlock <®>“ system for example).

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the electronic controller is programmed to detect at least one value of the electrical characteristic of the turbine, preferably the intensity of the current consumed by the turbine, the controller comparing the value measured with a threshold corresponding to a particular (for example abnormal) situation of air supply to the block.

The electrical characteristic could be a voltage, an impedance, a power or any other characteristic. The characteristic can also be a derived or integral function of an electrical characteristic or a combination of electrical characteristics or functions.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises an audible or visual alarm activated by the electronic controller when said electrical value threshold is reached or exceeded.

The controller is therefore programmed to automatically activate the alarm in response to reaching or exceeding said threshold. Activation can be done continuously or repeatedly (as at regular time intervals). In a preferred example, the alarm may include a lamp configured to deliver a flashing or continuous flashing light. The alarm can also be audible, such as being an audio signaling device or "buzzer", a loudspeaker, a siren, etc.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the block comprises at least one air filter connected to an air inlet tube in the turbine.

The air filter is preferably configured to retain particles suspended in the ambient air, the size of which is preferably above 10 microns, preferably above 7 microns, more preferably still above 5 microns. The filter can be a suction filter containing an interchangeable filter cartridge using pleated paper contained in a metal and / or plastic frame.

According to another aspect of the invention, permanent monitoring of the ambient air in which the power supply is located is provided in order to avoid the problems of sneaky asphyxiation with carbon monoxide and other excess of compounds. volatile carbonaceous. For this, the device preferably comprises at least one gas detector, in particular carbon monoxide, connected to the electronic controller.

In addition, the device comprises at least one audible or visual alarm connected to the electronic controller; which is programmed to activate said alarm when a rate of gas, in particular carbon monoxide, reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold detected by the sensor.

In a preferred example, the alarm is audible like an audio signaling device or "buzzer", a speaker, a siren, etc. The alarm is set to deliver an audible signal of at least 90 db, preferably at least 100 to 150 db.

In order to automatically ensure the safety of operators in activity, the electronic controller comprises a circuit breaker for supplying power to the turbine which interrupts the power supply when the rate of gas, in particular carbon monoxide, is measured. by said detector reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The interruption by the circuit breaker can be programmed at the same time as the activation of the alarm or after a predetermined time delay which can optionally be programmed variably as a function of the measured carbon monoxide level.

In addition, the circuit breaker is associated with a manual switch configured to reset the monitoring parameters of the gas detector; the reset having the effect of closing the circuit breaker to allow the current supply to the turbine.

The switch can be a push button, for example or any other equivalent manual actuation means.

According to another characteristic, the device comprises a time counter (for example hourly) connected to the electrical controller configured to count and display the operating time of the turbine.

This function thus makes it possible to indicate to the operator the operating time to allow him to carry out the maintenance of the device in good time, such as changing the filter, cleaning or changing the sensor or the pneumatic parts (turbine, pipes, fittings, housing, etc.).

Preferably, the power supply is in the form of a box grouping the different elements. The box can be supported by a rolling cart and removably mounted on it. The box can be made of plastic or metal wall and can include a door leading to access to the various components including the turbine and the electronic controller. The air inlet and / or the air filter can protrude above or to the side of the box or be inserted into the internal volume of the box. The box can include a wall grouping the air outlets. Air vents can be made in one or more walls of the box to allow ventilation around the turbine and electrical and electronic components. The box can have a cubic or parallelepiped or other shape.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description of the figures illustrating a preferred example of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of the respiratory protection device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic general view of the power supply according to the invention; Figure 3 is a view of the electrical and electronic diagram of the device; FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of an air outlet connection of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

A respiratory protection device 1 according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The device comprises a centralized air supply unit 2 comprising a box 3 and a rolling cart 4 allowing the block to be moved easily. The power supply unit includes air outlets, for example four outlets 5, 6, 7, 8 which can be individually and removably connected to supply assemblies 9, 10, 11, 12 comprising connected supply hoses respiratory masks for operators. The number of air outlets on block 2 can be variable and is in particular a function of the power of the blower of the power supply. It is not always necessary to use all the air outlets at the same time. Thus, a lower number of supply assemblies (one, two or three) can be connected to only some of the air outlets and leave the other air outlets closed. In addition, the air flow rate supplied by the block is variable, as will be explained below, so that the device can thus easily adapt to a variable number of operators as required.

Figure 2 shows the principle of the centralized power supply 2 of the device. The power supply unit 2 comprises at least one air inlet 13, preferably associated with an air filter 14 which can be located outside the box 15 of the power supply unit.

For example, the air filter comprises a perforated metal cylinder containing an interchangeable cartridge comprising a pleated filter paper whose fineness is of the order of 5 to 7 microns (EFP-FAP-40 cartridge model ).

The air outlets 5-8 of the power supply can be positioned through a wall 17 of the box. They are preferably grouped through an air distribution and distribution box 18 with a larger cross section than the sum of the cross sections or passages of the air outlets.

The air filter communicates with the low pressure inlet 19 an air turbine 20 contained in the block. For this, a sealed tube 21 connects the filter to the inlet 19. The turbine 20 includes an air outlet 22 which is connected by an outlet tube 23 in the air distribution and distribution box 18. The section of the inlet tube 23 is also less than the cross section of the housing 18.

For example, the dimensions of the housing are as follows: 16x12x9 cm and the diameter of the inlet tube and of each outlet are of the order of 2.54 cm.

The centralized block of the device comprises a control panel 24 connected to an electronic controller 25 allowing the entry of control orders such as starting, emergency stop, variation of air flow, a reset of parameters, etc.

In particular, the device comprises a variator 26 connected to the controller or forming part of the controller 25. The variator-controller assembly is configured to vary the speed of rotation of the rotor with blades of the turbine. The variator can include or be associated, as in the preferred example, with a speed selection means 32, such as for example a rotary knob with several predetermined positions corresponding to constant speeds of rotation of the turbine. For example, a number n of speed selection positions can be provided (with n = 4 or 6 for example). These positions correspond to a stepped rotation speed programmed in the controller which controls the air turbine. The number of positions n can correspond to the number of air outlets, therefore to the maximum number of power supply assemblies potentially connectable to the power supply. However, this number n could be greater than the number of air outlets so as to provide a finer staging which can also take account of variable pressure losses in the supply assemblies (length of pipes, type of masks, state of the material, etc.).

Preferably, the power reserve in air supply that can be delivered by the turbine must be at least 300 l / min in order to ensure an air supply flow of the order of 240 I / min for one to two operators. The rotational speeds stored in the controller must therefore take account of this power reserve in order to correctly stagger the power supply according to the number of operational outputs.

In order to ensure the safety of the supply for the operators, the device provides for checking that the turbine is operating correctly and delivering the volume necessary for the operators. Abnormal operation can originate from an air blockage in the circuit, for example due to the abnormal compression of an air supply pipe. For this, the electronic controller is programmed to measure an electrical characteristic related, preferably to the electrical consumption of the turbine, as preferably the electrical intensity. The electrical current is compared to a reference or threshold value programmed by the controller. If the measurement is abnormally high compared to the reference value, then the controller can activate an alarm. The device may include one or more alarms such as an audible or buzzer alarm 27 or a visual alarm such as a flashlight 28. Triggering due to an abnormal increase in the intensity of the turbine allows personnel to react quickly to eliminate the cause of this abnormal operation.

The device can also include a detection of harmful gas in order to prevent serious potential accidents during operations. Thus, at least gas detector, preferably carbon monoxide can be provided. The gas detector comprises a sensor 29 placed as close as possible to the air inlet or the filter. The detector is set, for example, to a carbon monoxide trigger threshold. For purely indicative purposes, this threshold may be of the order of 200 ppm (0.02%) (Schabus model 200898-CO).

When the detector measures an abnormal concentration of harmful gas, an alarm is preferably activated by the detector itself or through the electronic controller. As such, it should be noted that the detector control part can be integrated into the controller or be an independent part directly connected to one of the alarms. For example, the alarm may be an audible alarm such as the buzzer 27 which will emit a high intensity audible signal for a short continuous, repeated or progressive time in order to alert the personnel to the occurrence of the danger.

The controller can also include a cut-out of the turbine supply which is activated automatically in the event of danger. The circuit breaker function can be combined with the alarm if carbon monoxide is detected so that staff are alerted to something abnormal.

The circuit breaker can also be activated manually as by a push button 30 to stop the turbine in an emergency or normally.

The device can also include a manual switch 31 configured to reset the operating parameters of the detector. The switch can be connected to the circuit breaker so as to keep the circuit breaker open until the switch has been activated. Thus, the turbine cannot be restarted until the reset switch has been activated by the operator.

The control panel can also advantageously include a control for putting the turbine under tension, such as a start button 33.

The supply box can include one or more air vents 34. A fan can be arranged inside the box to cool the electronic controller and other electronic components.

The box can rest on a carriage 35 provided with rollers. The box can be removably mounted vis-à-vis the carriage.

The device may also include a counter 36 for recording the operating time of the turbine. This counter can be an hour counter or any other digital or digital recorder.

The electronic controller 25 is supplied with mains current by a socket 37. The current can be a single-phase or three-phase current. The single-phase current (for example 230 Volt) can then be converted by a converter into three-phase current (for example 3x230 Volts) to supply the turbine in order to ensure good rotational stability, lower wear as well as lower consumption of the turbine.

Figure 4 shows an example of an airtight female connector 38 fitted to each air outlet of the power supply unit (known under the trade name Camlock <®>). The connector comprises a connection part 39 as well as a plug 40 for removably closing the outlet when it is not connected to a supply assembly. The connector may include locking means for locking the plug in place. The connector is connectable to the outlet tube 23 which is connectable to a nozzle 22 for pressurized outlet of the turbine. These connections can be made by screwing, tightening by means of collars or any other means.

Claims (11)

1. Respiratory protection device by air supply comprising at least one centralized air supply unit (2) comprising: at least one air inlet (13) and several air outlets (5-8) communicating between the outside and the inside of the block, at least one blower communicating with the air inlet to draw ambient air around the block and communicating with the air outlets to discharge the air through at least one of said outlets, characterized in that the blower apparatus is a turbine (20) and in that the power supply unit (2) comprises an electronic controller (25) and a variator (26) connected to or forming part of the electronic controller; the controller and the variator being configured to allow the rotation speed of the turbine (20) to be changed in order to adjust the air flow in the direction of the air outlets (5-8). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the variator (26) is configured to allow the selection of several predetermined rotation speeds of the turbine which are stored in the electronic controller (25). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the turbine (20) is connected to an outlet tube (23) which feeds the pressurized air from the turbine into an expansion unit (18); which unit is connected on the one hand to the outlet tube (23) coming from the turbine and on the other hand to the air outlets (5-8). 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic controller (25) is programmed to detect at least one value of the electrical characteristic of the turbine (20), preferably the intensity of the current consumed by the turbine , the controller comparing the measured value to a threshold corresponding to a particular situation, for example an abnormal air supply to the block (2). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises an audible or visual alarm activated by the electronic controller (25) when said electrical value threshold is reached or exceeded. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply unit comprises at least one air filter (14) connected to an air inlet tube of the turbine. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one noxious gas detector (29) connected to the electronic controller. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one audible alarm (27) and / or visual (28) connected to the electronic controller (25); which is programmed to activate said alarm when the harmful gas rate measured by said harmful gas detector reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the electronic controller (25) comprises a circuit breaker for supplying electrical power to the turbine which interrupts the electrical supply when the rate of gas measured by said harmful gas detector reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the circuit breaker is associated with a manual switch (31) configured to reset the monitoring parameters of the gas detector; the reset having the effect of closing the circuit breaker to allow the power supply to the turbine (20). 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a time counter (36) connected to the electronic controller (25) configured to count and display the operating time of the turbine.