EP1915119A2

EP1915119A2 - System and method for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter

Info

Publication number: EP1915119A2
Application number: EP06851124A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard A. Oddo; Douglas B. Mckenna; Oliver Vincent Suddard, Jr.
Original assignee: Micropore Inc
Current assignee: Micropore Inc
Priority date: 2005-08-16
Filing date: 2006-08-16
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Also published as: WO2007117266A2; WO2007117266A3; WO2007117266A9

Abstract

A non-powered personal protective shelter comprising a portable shelter that provides protection from the group consisting of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological environments; a portable non-powered supply of oxygen located in the non-powered personal shelter; and a portable non-powered carbon dioxide scrubber located in the non-powered personal shelter.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A NON-POWERED PERSONAL

PROTECTIVE SHELTER

Cross-References to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

60/708,394 filed 16 Aug 2005.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to portable protective shelters, and more particularly to a system and method for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter.

Problem

Political and criminal events in the early 21^st century have raised the threat of a terrorist attack by weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear ("CBRN") to an unprecedented level. In Israel, every building has a safe room built to Israeli government standards. In the US, the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") has recommended that US citizens create their own safe rooms using polyethylene sheeting and duct tape. The idea is to seal off a room in your home and/or office from the environment for up to 48 hours.

Portable shelter technology has been developed to provide sealed environments for occupants. These portable shelters utilize many different powered technologies to handle the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production caused by the respiration of its occupants. These powered technologies all require electricity to power one or another of the apparatuses employed for handling these gas reactions, otherwise, the carbon dioxide content within the shelters will rise and oxygen levels will fall, thus producing a life threatening environment within the shelter.

For example, current CBRN shelter technology employed by government agencies utilize power hungry HVAC systems to maintain safe levels of carbon dioxide ("CO₂") and oxygen ("O₂"). These HVAC systems filter outside air, inside air, or both to prevent the outside contaminants from reaching those inside the shelter and to provide safe levels of CO₂ and O₂ within the shelters. This technology, while functional is very expensive, time consuming to set up, and very heavy, as well as requiring electric generators.

In a hazardous or toxic chemical environment, such as may be found during chemical warfare, or in other situations where toxic chemicals are used, occupants may be exposed to various organic chemical vapors. Shelters equipped with detoxified air supply systems have been developed for use in military or other settings. Personnel shelters for use against nuclear, biological or chemical warfare agents typically employ carbon filters, such as ASC Whetlerite filters, to absorb toxic agents from the air flowing into the shelter. Nonetheless, filter cartridges have a limited life and must be replaced when the filtration capacity has been expended. Replacement is expensive and forms a significant logistic burden.

Membrane systems that can separate organic vapors from air are also known.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,983 describes a method of removing and recovering organic vapors from air, using a rubbery membrane. Rubbery membranes are typically 50 to 100 times more permeable to large organic molecules than to oxygen and nitrogen, so the organic agent will be concentrated in the permeate stream, leaving a residue stream containing oxygen and nitrogen. Nevertheless, the oxygen content of the residue air will be lower than that of the feed air, because rubbery membranes are normally slightly more permeable to oxygen than to nitrogen.

Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in the U.S. Patent Nos. 4,707,953 issued 24 Nov 1987 to Anderson et al.; 5,082,471 issued 21 Jan 1992 to Athayde et al.; 6,192,633 issued 27 Feb 2001 to Hubert; 6,349,508 issued 26 Feb 2002 to Ju et al.; 6,428,680 issued 06 Aug 2002 to Kreichauf; published U.S. Patent Application Nos. 09/822,298 filed 27 Mar 2001 by Kreichauf; 09/818,383 filed 27 Mar 2001 by Kreichauf; and International Application No. PCT/US2004/024951 filed 30 JuI 2004 by Roscioli.

Solution

The above-described problems are solved and a technical advance achieved by the present system and method for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter. The present system provides occupants of the shelter with the means to maintain CO2 and O2 at safe levels in a sealed room for a specified time period. The present system is particularly well suited in both military and civilian applications.

Further, it is rapidly deployable in response to emergency conditions, it is easily transportable without sacrificing protective sturdiness, and it does not require a supply of electricity.

The present system includes a protective shelter that utilizes an inflatable, structural framework of high strength that provides sturdiness and versatility, and that is encased in a protective membrane that shields the occupants and their belongings from adverse and hostile environmental conditions, such as weather-related, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear environmental conditions. The structural framework is preferably created from a plurality of individual tubular supports disposed in a spaced apart relationship and inflated under pressure conditions, which transforms such tubes into so-called "air beams," making the framework extremely sturdy as compared with conventional inflatable tent structures, which are almost invariably inflated under low pressure conditions. Furthermore, the protective membrane that encases the inflatable framework is designed to create an airtight environment within the enclosure, which enables use of the enclosure, incorporated with life support means, in even the most hostile and hazardous environmental conditions. The present system minimizes the weight of the shelter, as well as set up time, and cost.

The smallest system, a personal protective shelter is a 1 or 2 person, self deploying internal air beam structure ("ABS"), which includes oxygen in forms which does not require power. Personal protective shelter also means a shelter having occupant capacity for any number of occupants. Carbon dioxide scrubbing would be accomplished without external or internal power using chemical adsorbents, such as ExtendAir^®l_ithium Hydroxide. The smallest and simplest form of the invention would provide life support for 6 to 12 man hours or more.

In addition, the present system includes larger shelters that provide additional life support for additional occupants using the combination of barrier film (shelter) technology, non powered oxygen deployment, and passive (non-powered) CO₂ adsorption. The shelter includes other standard provisions required for various survival durations. Oxygen and CO₂ scrubber deployment schedules are looked up on charts and do not require battery powered CO₂ and O₂ sensors, although they may be used.

Summary Preferably, the present non-powered personal protective shelter includes a portable shelter that provides protection from the group consisting of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological environments; a portable non-powered supply of oxygen located in the non-powered personal shelter; and a portable non-powered carbon dioxide scrubber located in the non-powered personal shelter. Preferably, the non-powered personal protective shelter further includes an oxygen content monitor. Preferably, the non-powered personal protective shelter further includes a carbon dioxide content monitor. Preferably, the portable non-powered supply of oxygen further includes a means for adjusting the supply of oxygen from the portable non- powered supply of oxygen.

Preferably, the portable shelter includes a freestanding, foldable, inflatable structure comprising walls, a roof, and a floor sealingly arranged so as to provide a gas-tight structure. Preferably, the portable shelter includes a freestanding, foldable, flexible ribbed structure comprising walls, a roof, and a floor sealingly arranged so as to provide a gas-tight structure. Preferably, the walls, the roof, and the floor are comprised of a material to provide protection from the group consisting of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological environments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a non-powered personal protective shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a cut-away view of the non-powered personal protective shelter through the lines 2 - 2 of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a cut-away view of a non-powered personal protective shelter according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a carbon dioxide scrubbing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a chart for determining the carbon dioxide content in a non- powered protective shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a chart for determining the supply of oxygen in a non- powered protective shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for providing a non-powered protective shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to Figures 1 - 7, like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the drawings. The term personal protective shelter means a shelter for providing protection for one or more persons in a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear environment. As described herein, it means a shelter having occupancy capacity for any number of occupants. It may be any size and includes all portable dwellings, shelters, rooms, domiciles, habitats, tents, and the like. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment 100 of a system for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter. The present non-powered personal protective shelter 100 includes a deployable enclosure 102 that in one embodiment is an inflatable structure. The deployable enclosure 102 includes walls 104, floor 108, and roof 106 that are joined together to form the deployable enclosure 102. The deployable enclosure 102 further may include windows 112 and 114 for allowing ambient light to enter the deployable enclosure 102 for providing light to the occupants inside. Any number of windows 112 and 114 may be used in the deployable enclosure deployable enclosure 102, and typically these windows 112 and 114 are transparent. In addition, the deployable enclosure 102 includes at least one entrance 110 for allowing ingress and egress to the deployable enclosure 102 by its occupants.

Flexible walls 104, having an outer surface or in some cases an outer surface material and an inner surface or in some cases an inner surface material, or in some cases many layers of different materials, is extended around the framework of air beam structures 210 (Figure 2) and is adapted to be supported in the configuration of the deployable enclosure 102 of the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100. The entrance 110 may include a flexible flap or flaps, which are further provided with a sealing means that is preferably capable of creating a gas-tight seal between the exterior and interior of the deployable enclosure 102. The floor 108 is attached generally attached to the walls 104 of the deployable enclosure 102 along the lower perimeter of the deployable enclosure 102, and such floor 108 may extend upwardly from the bottom of the enclosure in a heightened or raised perimeter band partially around the walls 104 of the deployable enclosure 102.

The deployable enclosure 102 of the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100 is inflatable under medium to high pressure conditions, which has the benefit of increasing strength and sturdiness, and transforming the inflatable framework into a network of air beam structures 210 of considerable rigidity. In one aspect of the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100, these air beam structures 210 have the added benefit of being separately manipulatable within the structural framework, so as to be individually replaceable and repairable without sacrificing the operation and stability of the framework as a whole. In another aspect of the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100, these air beam structures 210 are fixed with respect to the deployable enclosure 102 and are not manipulatable. In Figure 1 , the inflatable deployable enclosure 102 may comprise any number of inflatable air beam structures 210. Using elbow-joined inflatable air beam structures 210 might be preferable in certain situations where the compression characteristics along the inner bend of the inflatable support members create a kink along the midsection which might compromise the stability of the inflatable network or framework of air beam structures 210.

The deployable enclosure 102 of the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100 is a unique structure supported, as described above, by a framework of individually inflatable air beam structures 210, which have unique beam-like characteristics upon inflation, and that are wrapped or encased by the flexible walls 104. Each of the air beam structures 210 may be independently inflatable, valve- checked, and pressure regulated to provide longitudinal stability and torsional resistance to the entire framework. The inflatable, air beam structures 210 may be coupleable to a manifold or system that divides and regulates the air pressure within the air beam structures 210. The air beam structures 210 may be pocketed inside the flexible deployable enclosure 102 and they may fold flat inside the deployable enclosure 102 in a collapsed state or as it is re-packed. The use of inflatable air beam structures 210 makes the deployable enclosure

102 extremely lightweight and fast erecting. Furthermore, providing a gastight and watertight environment enables use of the deployable enclosure 102 in contaminated or hazardous environments, and a quick-connect modular capability enables the fast erection of the deployable enclosure 102. A mechanical pump 212 (Figure 2), such as a foot-pump, may be used to inflate the air beam structures 210. Likewise, a pressurized bottle of air or other bottled gases may be used to inflate the air beam structures 210, Additionally other non- powered chemical reactions which generating gases, may be used to inflate the air bean structures 210. Once the air beam structures 210 are inflated to a predetermined degree or pressure such that the inflated air beam structures 210 create a freestanding framework, the pump 212 may be decoupled from the air beam structures 210 and valves in the air beam structures 210 maintain the deployable enclosure 102 in an erect position. Preferably, one-way or check valves in a manifold or air beam structures 210 assure that the failure of a single inflated support member within the framework structure does not impact the pressurized condition of the remaining inflated air beam structures 210, and allows for the repair and replacement of single inflatable support member without compromising the operation or erect condition of the enclosure as a whole.

In another embodiment of the non-powered personal protective shelter 100, a flexible ribbed frame design is used in place of the inflatable one described above. In this embodiment, the deployable enclosure 102 has a plurality of inverted U-shaped rib members (not shown) which are disposed throughout the deployable enclosure 102 to provide support as described above with respect to the inflatable embodiment. The ribs may be pushed together to strike the deployable enclosure 102 and may be pulled apart to extend the deployable enclosure 102 to its full size. In the embodiment of the deployable enclosure 102, each rib may include joints, leg members, and top members. Also in this embodiment of the invention, adjacent rib members may be interconnected and spaced on each side of the shelter by X-shaped reinforcing members. Two reinforcing bars pivotally connected together at their centers may form reinforcing members.

In one aspect, the dimensions of the deployable enclosure 102 are five feet wide, seven feet long, and seven feet high to produce a deployable enclosure 102 with a volume of approximately 212 cubic feet ("FT³") with air beam structures 210. In another aspect, the deployable enclosure 102 may be other dimensions suitable for providing shelter.

The walls 104, roof 106, and floor 108 may be comprised of a material that has the same or different gauge material thickness. The strength of the material will be ^' most dependent on the nature of the surroundings or the environment. The material may be constructed of a multi-layer material where one layer is for insulation and another for protection from the environment. Also, the material may be designed to be easily repairable from within the enclosure, requiring, depending on the size of the hole, preferably an adhesively attached patch. In one embodiment, the walls 104, roof 106, and floor 108 are made from a material that is resistant to CBRN type environments. For example, the material may incorporate the material of the type that was disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,162, which is incorporated herein by reference. This material, in addition to being resistant to chemical and biological agents, is also resistant to and provides protection against nuclear fallout. In another aspect, the material may comprise metallized films, laminated films, barrier films, and foils. While the preferred embodiment of the deployable enclosure 102 of the non- powered personal protective shelter 100 is in the form of a rectangular-shaped unit as previously described and illustrated, alternatively shaped units, i.e. having a shape other than a rectangle, are contemplated, such as a domed shape. In addition, square frames, pyramidal frames and the like are also contemplated, each having a particular network configuration of inflatable air beam structures 210 or flexible ribs as described above. Referring to Figure 2, shown is an embodiment 200 of a cut-away view of

Figure 1 showing the inside of the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100. Shown are air beam structures 210 supporting the walls 104 and roof 106 of the deployable enclosure 102. The present non-powered personal protective shelter 100 includes a non-powered supply of oxygen 202, such as compressed oxygen bottles 204. The compressed oxygen bottles 204 contain a supply of compressed oxygen that when released into the deployable enclosure 102 supplies the deployable enclosure 102 with an adequate supply of oxygen. Although, two compressed oxygen bottles 204 are shown, the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100 may include any number of compressed oxygen bottles 204 and they may be any volume desired to fit preferably within the deployable enclosure 102.

Additionally, several oxygen sources are within the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, an oxygen tank containing compressed oxygen is used as the source to supply oxygen to the room as described above. In another embodiment, the oxygen is supplied by chemically produced oxygen using a reaction similar to that used to supply oxygen to air plane passenger face masks, a technology well known to those skilled in the art. Another source of oxygen are oxygen-generating candles, which produce oxygen upon ignition and decomposition of the candle. One such candle includes an oxygen source such as sodium chlorate, a metal powder fuel such as manganese, and an additive to suppress residual chlorine such as calcium hydroxide. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,516, herein incorporated by reference. In one aspect of the present non-powered personal protective shelter 100, the oxygen source for the deployable enclosure 102 may be generated by adding a chemical compound to water, where the resulting reaction generates oxygen. The chemical reaction often is catalyzed by addition of a second compound. Examples of one such oxygen generator may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,700, herein incorporated by reference. In addition, water-based oxygen generators are well known to those skilled in the art and are sold by companies such as Hoshiko Medical Laboratories, Inc., Kamoto, Japan and Dorcas Co., Ltd., Korea and may be used as the source of oxygen. As an example, chemicals used in water-based chemical generators can include an addition compound of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst can include manganese dioxide powder. In another aspect of the non-powered personal protective shelter 100, chlorate candles may be used in place or with the compressed oxygen bottles compressed oxygen bottles 204.

Further shown in Figure 2 is a CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 206 for removing the CO₂ within the deployable enclosure 102 as a result of respiration by the occupants. Shown in Figure 2 is a plurality of sheets of lithium hydroxide ("LiOH") adsorbent 208 that can be in many forms, the most familiar of which is granular. Granules come in many shapes, including but not limited to spherical, semi-spherical, prism, cylindrical, semi-cylindrical and random, etc. Other LiOH adsorbent shapes include, but are not limited to, that described in the McKenna (U.S. Patent 5,964,221), Hochberg (U.S. Patent No. 5,165,399), and US Patent Application No. 11/045919 titled, "Method of Manufacturing and Using Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Adsorbent," filed 28 Jan 2005, all which are incorporated herein by reference and which can be largely described as LiOH in sheet form or other forms. In sheet form, the minimum dimension corresponds to the total thickness of the sheet that may or may not include a separating means to provide airflow between. Other forms include, but are not limited to, extruded forms where gas flow channels are molded directly into the adsorbent. Figure 2 also depicts a hanger 214 for suspending the LiOH adsorbents LiOH adsorbents 208 within the deployable enclosure 102. Preferably, the LiOH adsorbents 208 are CO₂ absorbent curtains, such as ExtendAir^® manufactured by Micropore, Inc.

Additional forms of CO2 adsorbent systems include rectangular cartridges, vertically suspended sheets (with or without protective covering) and covered panels of sheets within a hood. Additional forms of adsorbent material include the use of PTFE instead of PE. Porous waterproof PTFE membranes on the adsorbent surface may also be utilized. Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment 300 of the present non-powered personal protective shelter that includes a sealed room 312 comprising walls 302, a ceiling 306, a floor 304, and a door 310. Non-powered personal protective shelter 300 may normally be supplied ventilation air by a supply duct through a supply grill. The non-powered personal protective shelter 300 normally has air removed from the room by a return duct through a return vent. Non-powered personal protective shelter 300 is preferably sealed off from the outside air as much as possible. In one aspect, this can be done by using polyethylene sheeting and duct tape to seal off the non-powered personal protective shelter 300. Another way to seal off the room 312 is to turn off the HVAC systems to the non-powered personal protective shelter 300 so that outside air is no longer transferred into the non-powered personal protective shelter 300. Yet another way to seal off the room 312 is to mechanically close and/or seal the ducts and vents in the non-powered personal protective shelter 300 that supply outside air into the room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelter 300. Non-powered personal protective shelter 300 further includes a supply of oxygen 202, such as that shown by the plurality of compressed oxygen bottles 204. Additionally, the non-powered personal protective shelter 300 further includes a CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 308 for decreasing the CO₂ content within the room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelter 300. Figure 4 illustrates the embodiment of the CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 308 that includes two panels 402 of CO₂ scrubbing sheets 404. These panels 402 each preferably include a curtain 406 that holds one or more individual sheets 404 of LiOH adsorbent material as described above. A hanger 408 provides support for suspending or positioning the CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 308 within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and non-powered personal protective shelter 300, respectively, for good air flow around the CO2 scrubbing apparatus 308.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment 500 of a chart for determining the carbon dioxide content in the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300, respectively. CO₂ chart 500 shows when the CO₂ content within enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 is approximately between 0% and 3% that there is no adverse effect on the occupants of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300. From the CO₂ chart 500, it can be seen that as the CO₂ content within the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 increases, so does the severe physiological effects upon its occupants. CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 308 and 206 reduce the CO₂ content within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non- powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 to safe levels for its occupants. Preferably, the CO₂ chart 500 is placed on walls 104 and 302 of the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300, respectively, for reference by its occupants.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment 600 of a chart for determining the supply of oxygen in the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300, respectively. O₂ chart 600 shows that when the oxygen content within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300, respectively, is approximately greater than between 15% and 20% and that there is no adverse effect on the occupants of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300. From the O₂ chart 600, it can be seen that as the O₂ content within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 is outside of this preferable range that increasingly severe physiological effects will accompany the increased or decreased O₂ content. Preferably, compressed oxygen bottles 204 provides a supply of O₂ for keeping the O₂ content within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 to safe levels for its occupants. Preferably, the O₂ chart 600 is placed on walls 104 and 302 of the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300, respectively, for reference by its occupants.

In addition to the above, the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 preferably may also include other accommodations, such as inflatable pillow/backrest (manually inflated), deployment schedules (Tables 1 and 2), O₂ and CO₂ charts (Figures 5 and 6) a non-powered timer, a thermometer, a chart to calculate evacuation/max temperature, basic MRE type rations, a crank type light/radio/cell phone charger, a metal re-sealable deployment container suitable for bathroom, and a compressed air boat horn.

The following tables are provided to further illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300, but should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Preferably, Table 1 will be placed on the walls 104 and 302 of the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non- powered personal protective shelter 100 and 300 for quick reference by its occupants.

TABLE 1

Room Size Number of People in Sealed Room

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

200 FT³ 7 2.5 - - - - - -

400 FT³ 14.25 7 4.75 3.5 - - - -

500 FT³ 17.75 8.75 6 4.5 3.5 - - -

750 FT³ 24 13.25 8.75 6.75 5.25 4.5 3.75 3.25

1000 FT³ 36 17.75 11.75 8.75 7 6 5 4.5

1500 FT³ 48 24 17.75 13.25 10.5 8.75 7.5 6.75

All units of the values in Table 1 are hours before the CO₂ content within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 become dangerous. Table 1 below shows how long occupants within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 of the non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300 can wait to deploy the CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308 and supply of oxygen 202 within a sealed deployable enclosure 102 and room 312. Preferably, it is recommended that space of approximately 100 FT³ per person in a deployable enclosure 102 and room 312. Sealed larger shelters or rooms will generally allow more time before the first deployment of the CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308 and supply of oxygen supply of oxygen 202. Table 2 shows the number of hours after a CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and

308 has been deployed that another CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308 will need to be deployed in the sealed deployable enclosure 102 and room 312.

TABLE 2

Number of People in Sealed Room

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

HOURS 12 6 4 3 2.5 2 1.75 1.25 All units of the values in Table 2 are hours before additional CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses need to be deployed. Table 2 shows the frequency of deploying refill kits. This is based only on the number of people in the sealed deployable enclosure 102 or room 312. After the first deployment, occupants will need to account for the CO₂ production and O₂ depletion as a direct result of their respiration within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312. The following example is provided to further illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present non-powered personal protective shelters 100 and 300, but should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

Example 1 Determining CO₂ Content In A Sealed Room

Using a distance measuring device, such as a tape measure, the length, width, and height of a room to be sealed is measured. The product of these measurements produces a volume, preferably in FT³. The number of people to occupy the sealed room is then determined and the time is noted that the sealed deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 was entered by the occupants. From Table 1 , the time that CO₂ content in the sealed room nears dangerous levels is determined. For example, if there are 5 occupants in a room having a volume of 750 FT³, from Table 1 it can be determined that once the occupants have entered the room and it is sealed that 5.25 hours later the CO₂ content in the room will reach a dangerous level and that the CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 206 and 308 must be deployed. After this first deployment , an additional CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 206 and 308 will need to be deployed. In this example and from Table 2, it can be seen that an additional CO₂ scrubbing apparatus will need to be deployed at approximately 2.5 hours later. In this example, if the 5 occupants were to enter the sealed room at 6:00 a.m., then the first CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 206 and 308 will need to be deployed by 11 :15 a.m. The next CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 206 and 308 will need to be deployed 2.5 hours later, or at 1 :45 p.m. and then every 2.5 hours after that. In one aspect, the deployment of the compressed oxygen bottles 204 may follow the same schedule as the CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 206 and CO₂ scrubbing apparatus 308. In addition to the aforementioned aspects and embodiments of the present system for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter, the present invention further includes methods for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter. Figure 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment 700 of one such process. In step 702, the volume of the sealed shelter or room that the occupants is determined. Using a distance measuring device, such as a tape measure, the length, width, and height of a sealed deployable enclosure 102 or room 312 to be sealed is measured. The product of these measurements produces a volume, preferably in FT³. In step 704, the number of occupants of the sealed room or shelter is then determined and the time is noted that the sealed deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 was entered by the occupants. In step 706, the time to deploy the compressed oxygen bottles 204, and the CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308. Using Table 1 , the time that CO₂ content in the sealed room near dangerous levels is determined as described above.

In step 708, the compressed oxygen bottles 204, and the CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308 are deployed. For example, the CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308 are suspended or positioned within the deployable enclosure 102 and room 312 for adequate air flow around the CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308. Also, the supply of oxygen 202 is opened to supply the deployable enclosure 102 and room room 312; this can be done by opening the regulators on the compressed oxygen bottles 204. In step 710, it is determined whether either of the compressed oxygen bottles 204, and the CO₂ scrubbing apparatuses 206 and 308 need to be replaced as described above. In step 712, an inquiry is made as to whether it is time to replace the CO₂ and O₂ apparatuses and/or supply of oxygen 202. If it is time to replace the CO₂ and O₂ apparatuses and/or supply of oxygen supply of oxygen 202, then step 708 is repeated.

Although there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the system and method for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter, it will be understood that the present system and method for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, shelters and rooms, other than those described herein, could be used without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present system and method for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present system and method for providing a non-powered personal protective shelter is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A non-powered personal protective shelter comprising: a portable shelter that provides protection from the group consisting of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological environments; a portable non-powered supply of oxygen located in said non-powered personal shelter; and a portable non-powered carbon dioxide scrubber located in said non-powered personal shelter.

2. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 1 further comprising an oxygen content monitor.

3. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 1 further comprising a carbon dioxide content monitor.

4. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 1 wherein said portable non-powered supply of oxygen further comprises: a means for adjusting the supply of oxygen from said portable non-powered supply of oxygen.

5. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 1 wherein said portable shelter comprises: a freestanding, foldable, inflatable structure comprising walls, a roof, and a floor sealingly arranged so as to provide an gas-tight structure.

6. The non-powered personal protected shelter of claim 1 wherein said portable shelter comprises: a freestanding, foldable, flexible ribbed structure comprising walls, a roof, and a floor sealingly arranged so as to provide an gas-tight structure.

7. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 5 wherein said walls, said roof, and said floor are comprised of a material to provide protection from the group consisting of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological environments.

8. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 7 wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of metallized films, laminated films, barrier films, and foils.

9. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 1 wherein said portable non-powered carbon dioxide scrubber is a curtain of material containing lithium hydroxide having an initial moisture content of between 0% and 40% by weight based on the total weight of the lithium hydroxide and moisture. 1 ,

10. The non-powered personal protective shelter of claim 9 wherein said lithium hydroxide is in the form of granules

11. A method for providing protective shelter to a user comprising: setting up a portable shelter that provides protection from the group consisting of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological environments; initiating a flow of oxygen from a non-powered supply of oxygen; and initiating a non-powered carbon dioxide scrubbing apparatus.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: monitoring the oxygen content within said protective shelter; and adjusting said supply of oxygen to provide an oxygen content within said protective shelter.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising: monitoring the carbon dioxide content within said protective shelter; and replacing said carbon dioxide scrubbing apparatus to provide a carbon dioxide content within said protective shelter.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said oxygen content is in the range of from about 15% to about 50%.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said carbon dioxide content is in the range of from about 0.5% to about 5%.

16. A non-powered protective shelter comprising: means for sealing a room to provide protection from the group consisting of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological environments; means for initiating a flow of oxygen from a non-powered supply of oxygen; and means for initiating a carbon dioxide scrubbing apparatus.

17. The non-powered protective shelter of 16 further comprising: means for monitoring the oxygen content within said protective shelter; and means for adjusting said supply of oxygen to provide an oxygen content within said protective shelter.

18. The non-powered protective shelter of 16 further comprising: means for monitoring the carbon dioxide content within said protective shelter; and means for replacing said carbon dioxide scrubbing apparatus to provide a carbon dioxide content within said protective shelter.

19. The non-powered protective shelter of claim 16 wherein said oxygen content is in the range of from about 15% to about 50%.

20. The non-powered protective shelter of claim 18 wherein said carbon dioxide content is in the range of from about 0.5% to about 5%.