EP1606022A1 - Systeme de respirateur a adduction d'air filtre avec ensemble moteur/ventilateur et appareil respiratoire - Google Patents

Systeme de respirateur a adduction d'air filtre avec ensemble moteur/ventilateur et appareil respiratoire

Info

Publication number
EP1606022A1
EP1606022A1 EP04714635A EP04714635A EP1606022A1 EP 1606022 A1 EP1606022 A1 EP 1606022A1 EP 04714635 A EP04714635 A EP 04714635A EP 04714635 A EP04714635 A EP 04714635A EP 1606022 A1 EP1606022 A1 EP 1606022A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
filter
user
face mask
ambient air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04714635A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Michael J. Brookman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Interspiro AB
Original Assignee
Interspiro AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/393,346 external-priority patent/US20040182394A1/en
Application filed by Interspiro AB filed Critical Interspiro AB
Publication of EP1606022A1 publication Critical patent/EP1606022A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B7/00—Respiratory apparatus
    • A62B7/02—Respiratory apparatus with compressed oxygen or air
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/006—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort with pumps for forced ventilation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B7/00—Respiratory apparatus
    • A62B7/10—Respiratory apparatus with filter elements

Definitions

  • This invention is directed to an apparatus for assisting persons to breath in hostile environments. It more particularly relates to such an apparatus that is useful in purifying contaminated air as well as providing portable clean air.
  • a suitable filter/decontamination means or other purifying means, by a powered fan or the like, such that the contaminated ambient air is rendered breathable.
  • the purified resultant air is fed to a headpiece of some kind, such as a tight fitting facemask (the complete system is known as a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)).
  • PAPR Powered Air Purifying Respirator
  • a dangerous or unbreathable atmosphere is considered to be air containing less than 19.5 volume percent oxygen, or air with the requisite oxygen, but also containing significant proportions of harmful contaminants, e.g. particulate or gaseous, is considered contaminated and harmful. It will be appreciated that, in some situations, (where the oxygen content is at least 19.5%), the wearer may be able to enter an area that has a contaminated atmosphere using only a filter system provided the filter(s) is capable of meeting the challenge of the contamination whereby cleaning the atmosphere and enabling the user to breath and still preserve his health.
  • the filter can be provided with means to eliminate harmful constituents in the wearer's ambient atmosphere.
  • filter based decontamination systems that is those systems that purify an ambient atmosphere that has become contaminated so as to convert it to breathable air, work best when they pass an air supply under positive pressure through a cleaning element (such as a suitable filter). That is, a pump/fan is used to suck the contaminated atmosphere through a filter, and perhaps into contact with a material that ameliorates the contaminant(s), and to then force the purified, e.g. filtered, air under positive pressure into a face mask or other means associated with the breathing of the wearer, such as a mouth grip, hood or helmet.
  • a cleaning element such as a suitable filter
  • APR Air Purifying Respirator
  • a powered air purifying respirator system will protect against contaminants so long as the oxygen level in the purified air is above 19.5 volume percent and provided the contaminants are such as can be removed by filtration, e.g. soot and smoke, and/or can be ameliorated by reaction with a suitable purifying material.
  • these systems have been designed to use replaceable filter(s) and air purifying canister(s). However, they are of no value where the ambient atmosphere has an oxygen content that is less than 19.5% by volume.
  • One aspect of this invention is a breathing assisting apparatus comprising a tight fitting face mask, or other conventional means of bringing respirating air to a person in need thereof, that is adapted to be tightly fitted to a person's face or mouth or nose (or any combination thereof).
  • a face mask For ease of understanding, further reference will be made to the use of a face mask. However, this use is illustrative and not limiting.
  • a mouth piece can also serve the function of bringing the breathable air to the user.
  • the PAPR and SCBA are each connected to the face mask by its own breathing hose, each with its own entry point, in the case of a dual entry face mask, or, via a "tee" piece, or similar connection device in the case of a single entry face mask.
  • At or about the face mask each is provided with a non-return (one way) valve.
  • An exhaust valve is provided in the face mask so that exhaust air is vented to the atmosphere.
  • a valving and/or switching system is provided so that the wearer controls whether to receive cleaned ambient air or supplied (bottled) air.
  • This valving and/or switching system can be manually operated by the user, in which case the user determines independently, which air supply to use; or it can operate under semi-automatic control where the air supply from the SCBA and the PAPR are both connected to a valve manifold.
  • the SCBA supply On start up, the SCBA supply is in a shut off condition and the PAPR is in an on condition. Air is passed to the face mask via the PAPR.
  • the wearer opens the SCBA supply valve and then switches off the PAPR.
  • the pressure of the SCBA air, on exhaust, will shuttle a manifold valve automatically switching off the PAPR leaving the air supply solely on SCBA.
  • the decision as to whether to accept purified air from the canister/filter assembly, or to demand air from the supplied air bottle means; can operate automatically based on sampling and testing means associated with the valving means which would be electrically operated so as to open access to the SCBA and close access to the PAPR via the manifold valve.
  • At least one air bottle is provided with a connection to at least one port in the face mask and a controllable valve is provided that permits control as to whether to withdraw air from the bottle(s) or not.
  • At least one filter or canister is provided, separate from the air bottle(s), also with a controllable valve system that permits control as to whether ambient air is taken in by the PAPR and fed to the mask.
  • a battery or other powered electric motor driven fan that is operatively attached between the filter or canister and to the user, is provided with means, such as a switch or a handle, to enable the motor driven fan to be operated or not.
  • the fan when the ambient air has sufficient oxygen content, and the contaminants are suited to removal by filtration or chemical treatment in the canister, the fan can be activated by operating the switch and ambient air will be powered through the filter or canister where it is purified of its harmful constituents, such as soot and other harmful particles, vapors or gases.
  • the valve of the SCBA Under manual operation when the ambient air has insufficient oxygen, or the contaminants are such that they cannot be removed by filtration or other treatment in the filter(s) or canister(s), the valve of the SCBA is opened by the wearer, and the PAPR is switched off. Ambient air is no longer taken in through the filter(s)/canister(s). Instead, it is now being supplied by the SCBA.
  • a face mask is suitably equipped with a one way valve that enables exhausted, exhaled air to be vented regardless whether the intake air was derived through the filter canister or from the bottled compressed air. It is considered to be within the scope of this invention for it to be used in conjunction with a closed circuit apparatus.
  • first and second stage regulators can be used for this purpose.
  • a first valve that is a simple open or close valve that is attached at or very near the air bottle
  • a regulator, pressure reducing valving system that is disposed in the line between the first valve and the face mask.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus according to this invention with parts omitted for ease of understanding;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of one aspect of the apparatus according to this invention in a fully assembled condition; where the PAPR and the SCBA both use a common hose to connect to the face mask;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an air supply system according to this invention.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an air supply system according to this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of an air supply system according to this invention.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of an air supply system according to this invention.
  • FIGs 1 and 2 an apparatus that comprises a face mask 10 that is adapted to be tightly fitted to the face of the wearer against incursion by the ambient atmosphere (for clarity, the user is not shown wearing the mask. Further for clarity, the alternative mouth and/or nose breathing elements are not shown).
  • a hose 14 connects the face mask 10 directly to source of breathable air, such as air that has been cleaned and is forced into the face mask by means of a blower motor and fan assembly 15 (see Figs 1, 2 and 6).
  • the face mask 10 is also connected directly to a compressed air bottle 22 via a hose 27.
  • the face mask itself is the plenum chamber into which bottled air as well as cleaned ambient air are both forced.
  • the blower motor and fan assembly 15 is operatively connected to a plenum chamber assembly 18 has attached to it a plurality of filter elements 16.
  • Engaging the impeller fan 25 is adapted to cause ambient air to be drawn through the filters or canisters (containing suitable decontamination 16 where it is to be cleaned of solid particulate matter, harmful gases and/or odors to produce cleaned air 19.
  • the canisters may provide breathable air in a chemically, biologically or nuclear contaminated environment.
  • the cleaned air which presumably has sufficient oxygen content, which is adapted to be drawn by the fan 25 into operative relationship with the face mask 10 and thereby provide breathable air to the wearer.
  • the cleaned air 19 can be fed directly to the mask 10, as shown in Fig 6, or it can be deployed to the face mask 10 through a second plenum chamber 21 as shown in Figs 3, 4 and 5.
  • one embodiment of this invention separates the source of cleaned ambient air from the source of bottled air (suitably supplied from a normal atmosphere) by providing separate access 30 and 32 to the face mask 10.
  • Each of these separate entry points is suitably adapted to be closed by a valve 34 and 36 which are one way or no return valves. That is, these valves 30 and 32 and the air pressure from the source of air supply for the time being, permit air to flow into the face mask 10 but do not permit the air contents of the face mask to flow out of the face mask back into the alternative source of air supply and purification system.
  • a separate valve 38 that is also a one way valve that allows the contents of the face mask 10 to vent from the face mask 10 to ambient atmosphere. This venting valve 38 is so designed that it only opens when the gaseous contents of the facemask 10 are at a pressure greater than ambient.
  • the face mask 10 is connected to a plenum chamber 21 via a hose 14a.
  • the plenum chamber 21 is adapted to be fed from the air bottle 22 through a hose 27 via a regulator 12 and a shut off valve 24.
  • the plenum chamber 21 is also adapted to be fed purified air 19 from the filters/decontamination canisters 16 through the fan 25 via hose 29.
  • the plenum chamber 21 can be fed with bottled air or purified air in the alternative.
  • Figs 3,4 and 5 the face mask 10 is shown to be connected, via a hose 14a, to a plenum 21 which in turn, is connected to both a compressed air bottle 22 via a hose 27.
  • the plenum 21 is also connected, via a hose 29 through the blower impeller 25, to the plenum chamber 18, thence to filters/decontamination canisters 16 and on to an ambient air intake 31.
  • the air bottle 22 is connected to the plenum 21 via a hose 27, a regulator 12 and a shut off valve 24.
  • the plenum chamber 21 has suitable valve means 34 and 36 that is adapted to control the flow of air from either the air bottle 22 or the filter /decontamination canisters 16.
  • the impeller fan 25 provides means for moving ambient air through the intake 31 and through the filter/decontamination canisters into the face mask.
  • the filter/canister plenum chamber 18 supports at least one, and preferably a plurality of filters or canisters 16.
  • the exit 19 from each canister is preferably operatively associated with the openings 21 in the mask plenum 21 so that contaminated air drawn into each filter/decontamination canister 16 by means of the motor driven fan 25 is cleaned and then powered by the fan 25 into the face mask 10 via the hose 14a and the regulator valving system 21.
  • FIGs 1 and 2 here are shown three (3) canisters 16 each of which contain filter medium.
  • One or more of the canisters can also contain suitable materials that serve to decontaminate the ambient environmental air by eliminating harmful components that are not filterable.
  • the canisters can be assembled, in a preferred embodiment, so that each canister has a separate intake opening 20 and a separate exit 19. All air passing through any and all specific filter/ decontamination canister(s) exit into a manifold plenum 18, having an air collection chamber 33, that is operatively associated with the fan means 25 as stated above.
  • the individual filter/decontamination canisters can be used individually or in plural configuration and may be fitted all on one side of the filter plenum chamber 18 or fitted some one side and some the other to the desired quantity.
  • a lever handle or rotary handle 43 is connected to filter cover(s) 44 and the motor on/off switch 45.
  • the lever 43 can be solenoid operated.
  • the filter cover(s) is disposed over the air entry port(s) of the filter/decontamination canister(s) thereby preventing any air from entering the filter/decontamination canister(s).
  • This function provides that while the apparatus is operating in a SCBA mode in a contaminated atmosphere, the filter/decontamination canisters are not taking in any contaminated air and therefore are not becoming unnecessarily contaminated. By being linked to the on/off switch, this ensures that the filter/decontamination canister(s) airways are open when the PAPR is switched on.
  • the air cylinder 22 is assembled into a conventional harness 17 and operatively associated with the PAPR manifold plenum chamber 21 such that air released from the air cylinder bypasses the filter media in the canisters and proceeds directly to the plenum chamber 21 and thence through the hose 14a into the face mask 10.
  • a gas pressure regulator 12 is required for use with the bottled air in order to let the bottle pressure down to a pressure that is manageable by the user.
  • the plenum 21 can be operated in any of three modes. Under manual control, starting in PAPR mode, the PAPR would be on, the main cylinder 22 valve would be open, the second stage regulator 12 would be closed, the valve 34 in the plenum 21 would be closed and valve 36 would be open due to the pressure of air from the blower motor assembly 15.
  • the wearer determines that the atmosphere is in danger of becoming un-breathable or contaminated by a challenge greater than that the filter canisters being worn, are designed to take, the wearer will open the second stage regulator 12, the resultant air pressure will open valve 34 and air will pass into the plenum 21.
  • the resultant pressure in the plenum 21 will close the valve 36 shutting off air from the PAPR.
  • the wearer will now be breathing only bottled air. The wearer will switch off the power supply to the PAPR blower motor 15.

Abstract

L'invention concerne une combinaison d'un système d'appareil respiratoire autonome (ARA) avec un système de respirateur à adduction d'air filtré avec ensemble moteur/ventilateur (PAPR), permettant de purifier l'air ambiant afin de permettre son utilisation par un utilisateur, les deux systèmes étant utilisés en alternance selon le degré de contamination de l'air ambiant, et sa teneur en oxygène.
EP04714635A 2003-03-21 2004-02-25 Systeme de respirateur a adduction d'air filtre avec ensemble moteur/ventilateur et appareil respiratoire Withdrawn EP1606022A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US393346 1989-08-14
US10/393,346 US20040182394A1 (en) 2003-03-21 2003-03-21 Powered air purifying respirator system and self contained breathing apparatus
US675135 2003-09-29
US10/675,135 US7543584B2 (en) 2003-03-21 2003-09-29 Powered air purifying respirator system and breathing apparatus
PCT/US2004/005668 WO2004093997A1 (fr) 2003-03-21 2004-02-25 Systeme de respirateur a adduction d'air filtre avec ensemble moteur/ventilateur et appareil respiratoire

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1606022A1 true EP1606022A1 (fr) 2005-12-21

Family

ID=33313057

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04714635A Withdrawn EP1606022A1 (fr) 2003-03-21 2004-02-25 Systeme de respirateur a adduction d'air filtre avec ensemble moteur/ventilateur et appareil respiratoire

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1606022A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004093997A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4791214B2 (ja) * 2006-03-10 2011-10-12 エア・ウォーター防災株式会社 呼吸器
SE531743C2 (sv) * 2006-12-12 2009-07-28 Interspiro Ab Andningsstyrd motordriven luftrenande andningsapparat
US9724484B2 (en) 2012-01-05 2017-08-08 Draeger Medical Systems, Inc. Breathing apparatus and method of use
GB201214088D0 (en) 2012-08-06 2012-09-19 Scott Health & Safety Ltd Switchable exhale filter system
WO2014132059A2 (fr) 2013-03-01 2014-09-04 Draeger Safety Uk Limited Équipement d'appareil respiratoire

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2085249A (en) * 1933-10-02 1937-06-29 Bullard Co Respirator
FR886782A (fr) * 1941-11-04 1943-10-25 Auergesellschaft Ag Appareil respiratoire à filtre
US3739774A (en) * 1970-05-21 1973-06-19 Ml Aviation Co Ltd Respirators
DE3512644A1 (de) * 1985-04-06 1986-10-16 Bartels & Rieger GmbH & Co, 5000 Köln Atemschutzgeraet
FR2673380B1 (fr) * 1991-02-28 1993-06-18 Intertechnique Sa Equipement respiratoire individuel de protection.
US5584286A (en) * 1993-01-13 1996-12-17 Kippax; John E. Integrated breathing system
DE19503027A1 (de) * 1995-01-31 1996-03-07 Michael Mucha Atemschutzmaske

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004093997A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004093997A1 (fr) 2004-11-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7543584B2 (en) Powered air purifying respirator system and breathing apparatus
EP1786523B1 (fr) Appareil de fourniture d'air respirable et de protection du corps dans un environnement contamine
US20060048777A1 (en) Apparatus and method for providing breathable air and bodily protection in a contaminated environment
US8069853B2 (en) Breath responsive powered air-purifying respirator
JP5058968B2 (ja) 密封形フィルタを利用する携帯用空気浄化システム
RU2397705C2 (ru) Комбинированная система подачи/очистки воздуха
US6796304B2 (en) Personal containment system with sealed passthrough
US11439787B2 (en) Portable air filtration and disinfection device for a respirator system
WO2004093997A1 (fr) Systeme de respirateur a adduction d'air filtre avec ensemble moteur/ventilateur et appareil respiratoire
US20030192536A1 (en) Personal containment system with isolated blower
KR102213155B1 (ko) 공기청정기능을 구비한 비상호흡장치
CN203886039U (zh) 一种手提式压缩空气净化呼吸系统
CN111632294B (zh) 带空气旁通阀的面罩和用该面罩的送风呼吸装置
EP4005642A1 (fr) Dispositif de protection des organes respiratoires
WO2023174461A1 (fr) Appareil respiratoire et procédé de commande de l'appareil respiratoire

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20051006

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20060824

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20100722