EP3007775A1

EP3007775A1 - Respiratory protection equipment

Info

Publication number: EP3007775A1
Application number: EP14727879.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rachid Makhlouche; Jean-Michel Cazenave; Freddy DUMONT; Christian Rolland; Vincent PERRARD
Original assignee: LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Current assignee: LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority date: 2013-06-12
Filing date: 2014-05-02
Publication date: 2016-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-02
Also published as: CA2912326A1; US10335617B2; CN105263586A; JP6612218B2; RU2016100183A; JP2016520406A; FR3006900A1; CN105263586B; US20160151649A1; RU2655237C2; WO2014199028A1; FR3006900B1; CA2912326C; EP3007775B1

Abstract

Respiratory protection hood comprising a flexible envelope (2) and a reservoir (3) of pressurized oxygen comprising an outlet orifice (3) that leads into the internal volume of the envelope (2), the outlet orifice (4) being closed off by a removable stopper (5), characterized in that the reservoir (3) of oxygen comprises, upstream of the orifice (4), a passage (6) for the pressurized gas and a needle (7) that is able to move in a given direction (A) of displacement in said passage (6), the needle (7) being subjected to two opposite forces in the direction (A) of displacement, said forces being respectively generated on the one hand by the pressure of the gas in the reservoir (3) and on the other hand by a return member (8), the needle (7) having a section with a defined profile that is variable in the direction (A) of displacement in order to modify the degree of closure of the passage depending on the position of said needle relative to the passage (6) so as to regulate the flow rate of gas allowed to escape via the passage (6) towards the orifice (4) as a function of time and the pressure of gas in the reservoir (3).

Description

Respiratory protection equipment

The present invention relates to a respiratory protection equipment commonly called a hood.

The invention relates more particularly to a respiratory protection hood comprising a flexible envelope intended to be threaded on the head of a user and a pressurized oxygen tank comprising an outlet opening opening into the internal volume of the flexible envelope, the outlet orifice being closed by a removable plug or breakage arranged.

This type of device, which must meet the standard TSO-C-1 16a is conventionally used on board aircraft when the atmosphere of the cabin is flawed (depressurization, smoke, chemical agents, ...).

These hoods must in particular allow the aircrew to fight the damage, rescue passengers and manage a possible evacuation of the aircraft.

The technical specifications of these devices are defined according to classes of use (in-flight damage, protection against hypoxia at high altitude, emergency evacuation on the ground, etc.).

In order to meet the requirements of use, the device must be able to provide enough oxygen to the user.

In particular, the hood may be designed to both prevent hypoxia at an altitude of 40000 feet two minutes after placement and then, in the final minutes of use, provide enough oxygen to allow evacuation.

The known respiratory protection equipment mainly uses two types of oxygen source:

a chemical bread (also called "chemical candle") generating oxygen by combustion (potassium superoxide - KO ₂ , sodium chlorate - NaClO ₃ , etc.), or

a compressed oxygen reservoir associated with a calibrated orifice.

The first type provides an oxygen flow rate that grows to reach a relatively constant level before decreasing rapidly at the end of combustion. Properly sized chemical candle type generators can provide a source of oxygen to fulfill the desired conditions, but this solution has a major disadvantage: the combustion reaction of the candle is highly exothermic.

As a result, the outer surface temperature of the device can easily exceed 200 ° C and ignite any combustible material in contact (a fatal accident has already occurred following the accidental activation of such a chemical candle in a container transport in the hold of an airplane).

This type of device also has the disadvantage of requiring a certain time for the rise in flow of oxygen at startup. This may require the addition of additional oxygen capacity for startup. Finally, these devices require filters to remove impurities generated by the oxygen production reaction.

The second type (pressurized oxygen tank associated with a calibrated orifice) provides a flow of oxygen that decreases exponentially, in proportion to the pressure inside the reservoir.

The hoods using this second type generally contain a source of oxygen to supply a person with oxygen for 15 min. This equipment also has a means of limiting the pressure inside the hood (for example a pressure relief valve).

This technology using compressed oxygen in a sealed capacity associated with a calibrated orifice is safer. Nevertheless, in order to be able to respond to certain use cases (significant consumption of oxygen at the end of use corresponding for example to an emergency evacuation of the apparatus), the capacity must have too much volume for the intended purpose. Another solution may be to provide a high initial pressure (greater than 250 bar). This generates a large initial flow, for example more than ten normoliter per minute (Nl / min) to have a sufficient flow at the end of use (for example more than 2NI / min at the fifteenth minute of use of the equipment ). An excessive flow of oxygen, although advantageous for protection against hypoxia, is however problematic in case of fire on board the aircraft because the excess oxygen will be evacuated from the equipment through its pressure relief valve and could supply flames. Moreover, this requires an oversizing of the oxygen tank which is a major drawback in terms of mass, size and cost.

The invention relates to a hood using an oxygen tank under pressure.

An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

An object of the invention may notably be to propose a hood that can supply a relatively large quantity of oxygen at the beginning of use (to prevent hypoxia at high altitude) while allowing the supply of a sufficient quantity of oxygen. at the end of use (after ten or fifteen minutes) to allow evacuation.

For this purpose, the hood according to the invention, furthermore in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the pressurized oxygen reservoir comprises, upstream of the orifice, a passage for the pressurized gas and a moving needle in a direction of displacement determined in said passage, the needle being subjected to two opposing forces in the direction of displacement and generated respectively on the one hand by the pressure of the gas in the reservoir and on the other hand, by a return member, the needle having a determined profile section variable in the direction of movement to change the degree of closure of the passage according to its position relative to the passage so as to regulate the flow of gas admitted to escape through the passage to the orifice as a function of time and gas pressure in the tank.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:

the needle has a section of profile determined in the direction of displacement to control the flow of admitted gas to escape via the passage to the orifice according to a predetermined curve as a function of time and the initial gas pressure in the reservoir; ,

the needle has a section of profile determined in the direction of displacement to control the flow of admitted gas to escape via the passage to the orifice as a function of time along a curve comprising a first phase delivering a first flow rate between 3NI; / min and 8NI / min when the pressure in the tank is between 250 bar and 100bar and a second phase delivering a second flow rate between 2 Nl / min and 5NI / min when the pressure in the tank is 100 bar and 30bar,

the needle has a profile section determined according to the direction of movement, for controlling the flow of gas admitted to escape from the tank via the passage towards the orifice as a function of time according to a curve having substantially constant successive stages, that is, for a gas initially stored at an initial pressure of between 250 bar and 100 bar in the tank, the bearings have a flow reduction of less than 1 Nl / min, said bearings comprising a first flow rate between 3 and 6 NI (normoliter) per minute for a period of time between one and five minutes after the opening of the calibrated orifice, and a second flow rate of between 1, 6 and 3 NI per minute during a duration of between 5 and 25 minutes after the beginning of the opening of the calibrated orifice,

the passage is formed in a partition delimiting an intermediate chamber between the calibrated orifice and the remainder of the internal volume of the reservoir, said intermediate chamber being put to the external pressure via the orifice calibrated during the opening of the closure plug ,

the needle comprises a movable end in the intermediate chamber, the return member being housed in the intermediate chamber and exerting its force on this end,

the needle has a section of increasing diameter,

the needle has a profile of increasing diameter and provided with at least one bearing of constant diameter

the needle comprises a deformable waterproof capsule containing a gas at a predetermined pressure, in particular an altimetric capsule, said capsule being in abutment against at least one wall of the reservoir and deforming according to the pressure within the reservoir to cause a determined displacement of the needle in a direction of displacement as a function of the pressure in the reservoir,

the flexible envelope is waterproof,

the oxygen reservoir is integral with the base of the flexible envelope, the oxygen reservoir has a generally tubular shape, in particular a C shape, to allow it to be placed around the neck of a user,

the base of the flexible envelope forms a flexible diaphragm intended to be mounted around the neck of a user,

the hood comprises a device for absorbing CO2 which communicates with the inside of the envelope,

the envelope comprises an opening through which the CO2 absorption device is arranged,

the capsule consists of at least one of: a steel, an alloy of copper or bronze,

- The needle is dimensioned so that pressure variations of 350bar in the tank cause displacement in translation of the needle in the direction by a distance of between 1 to 10 mm and preferably between 1 to 4 mm.

The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features.

Other particularities and advantages will appear on reading the description below, with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 represents a front and schematic view illustrating an example of a hood according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a detail of the hood of FIG. 1 illustrating a first embodiment of the pressurized oxygen tank,

FIGS. 3 and 4 show enlarged sectional views of a reservoir detail of FIG. 2 respectively according to two operating configurations,

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of oxygen flow curves that can be provided by a reservoir according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 represents a sectional view of a detail of the hood of FIG. 1 illustrating a second embodiment of the pressurized oxygen tank, the two halves of the section respectively corresponding to two operating configurations,

- Figures 7 to 9 show schematic and partial schematic views of three embodiments of a needle used in a reservoir according to the invention. The hood illustrated in Figure 1 typically comprises a flexible envelope 2 (preferably waterproof) to be threaded onto the head of a user. A transparent visor 13 is provided on the front face of the casing 2. The hood 1 also comprises a reservoir 3 of oxygen under pressure, arranged for example at the base of the casing 2.

Conventionally, the base of the flexible envelope 2 may comprise or form a flexible diaphragm designed to be mounted around the neck of a user to ensure sealing.

Also conventionally, the hood 1 may comprise a CO2 absorption device (not shown) which communicates with the inside of the casing 2, to remove CO2 from the exhaled air by the user. For example, the envelope 2 may comprise an opening through which the CO2 absorption device is disposed. Similarly, another opening may be provided for a safety valve 14 provided to prevent overpressure in the casing 2.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the oxygen tank 3 may have a generally tubular shape, in particular C-shaped, to allow its arrangement around the neck of a user.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the reservoir 3 comprises an outlet orifice 4 opening into the internal volume of the flexible envelope 2, in order to deliver pure oxygen gas or an oxygen-enriched gas to the user. The reservoir 3 also comprises at least one filling orifice (not shown for the sake of simplification).

The outlet orifice 4 is normally closed by a cap 5 removable or breakage arranged and will be open only when used.

For example, when the plug 5 is broken / removed, the orifice 4 communicates the outside with the internal volume of the reservoir 3.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the tank 3 of oxygen under pressure (pure or majority) comprises, upstream of the plug 5, a passage 6 for the gas under pressure and a needle 7 movable in a direction A of displacement determined in said passage 6 Preferably, the needle 7 is movable in translation in the direction A of displacement. As can be seen in the example of FIGS. 2 to 4, the passage 6 may be formed in a partition 16 delimiting an intermediate chamber 31 between the outlet orifice 4 and the remainder of the interior volume of the reservoir 3. This separating partition 16 may be integral with a housing inserted at one end of the reservoir 3. This housing can integrate the plug 5 frangible. The volume of the intermediate chamber 31 corresponds for example to a io ^th to 50 ^th of the total volume of the reservoir 3.

The needle 7 can cooperate with a seal 9 arranged at the passage 6.

The needle 7 is subjected to two opposing displacement forces in the direction A and generated respectively on the one hand by the pressure of the gas in the tank 3 and, on the other hand, by a return member 8.

For example, the gas pressure in the tank 3 pushes the needle 7 towards the outlet port 4 while the return member 8 (for example a compression spring) pushes the needle 7 in the opposite direction. The needle

7 may thus comprise an end 17 movable in the intermediate chamber 31 on which the spring 8 exerts its force.

The needle 7 has a profile section 10 determined variable along the direction A of displacement to change the degree of closure of the passage according to its position relative to the passage 6. This profile 10, which may comprise longitudinal grooves in the direction of movement A, is configured to regulate the flow of admitted gas to escape via the passage 6 to the open outlet port 4 when the plug 5 is removed.

In this way, the needle 7 has a profile section determined in the direction A of displacement to control the flow of gas admitted to escape via the passage 6 to the orifice 4 calibrated according to a predetermined curve as a function of time and the initial pressure in the tank 3.

For example, the needle 7 has a profile section 10 determined according to the displacement direction A for controlling the flow of admitted gas to escape in a curve comprising a first phase delivering a first flow rate of between 3 Nl / min and 8 Nl / min (NI = normolitre) when the pressure in the tank is between 250 bar and 100 bar then a second phase delivering a second flow rate between 2 Nl / min and 5 Nl / min when the pressure in the tank 3 is 100 bar and 30 bar.

When the cap 5 is in place, the reservoir 3 contains gas under pressure including in the intermediate chamber 31 (see Figure 3).

When the cap 5 is broken, the orifice 4 fluidly connects the intermediate chamber 31 with the outside. The intermediate chamber 31 and thus the spring 8 are then found at the external pressure. Gas escapes at a rate controlled by the passage formed between the profile 10 of the needle 7 and the edge of the passage 6. The needle 7 is displaced by the pressure in the reservoir (this force takes over the spring force 8 which is compressed, see Figure 4).

As the gas pressure decreases in the tank 3, the spring 8 moves the needle 7 again against the gas pressure (to the left in FIG. 4). According to the machining profile chosen for the needle 7, the released flow rate can follow various predetermined changes.

Such an example of gas flow rate variation provided (in NOR normolitre ie in liters of gas under conditions of temperature T = 0 ° C and pressure P = 1 atm determined) as a function of time (in second) is represented by a first curve provided with a cross in FIG.

This first curve is obtained via a needle 7 having a profiled section determined in the direction A of displacement. This curve provides successive successive stages substantially constant, that is to say that, for a gas initially stored at an initial pressure determined in the tank 3, the flow admitted to escape through the outlet orifice 4 is first substantially constant around a first determined value (for example 3.2 NI per minute for about 6 minutes). Then this flow then decreases to reach a second substantially constant level at a determined value around 2NI / minute (for about 25 minutes).

FIG. 5 represents in continuous line another more theoretical flow curve that can be approximated by a device according to the invention. This curve comprises a first short step (approximately 1 to 2 minutes) at a relatively high flow rate (approximately 5.2 NI per minute for example) and then a decrease in flow rate to a second level (for example at approximately 1.8 Nm). per minute for about 35 minutes) before decreasing. Thus, by choosing the profile of the section of the needle 7 it is possible to determine the general shape of the gas flow curve by the tank 3. This makes it possible to configure the emptying of the gas tank 2 to the user's needs according to the case or the class of use of the hood 1 (high initial flow for an emergency intervention, then stabilization of the flow during the emergency landing and high flow rate during the evacuation phase of the apparatus).

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the needle 7 may comprise a deformable waterproof capsule 27 containing a gas at a determined pressure, in particular an altimetric capsule. The altimetric capsule 27 (also called anemometric capsule) may be made of stainless steel, steel or any other suitable material. This capsule 27 constitutes a sealed volume containing a gas at constant pressure (generally at a pressure included near vacuum, for example between 0.1 bar and 1 bar) throughout its lifetime. The gas contained in the capsule 27 is for example air.

When the pressure in the tank 3 is high (150bar for example), the capsule 27 is compressed (see the upper part of Figure 6). On the other hand, as the pressure inside the tank 3 decreases, the volume of the capacity increases. This increase in volume of the capsule moves the needle 7 by reaction to a larger open position (see lower part of Figure 6 (and vice versa).

Indeed, the change in volume of the capsule 27 moves the needle 7 relative to the body of the tank 1 and varies the distance between the needle 7 and the passage 6 in the direction A of displacement. The flow is thus modified by the modification of the open section at the level of the passage.

Such mechanisms are used in pneumatic-mechanical oxygen regulators to provide the altimetric overpressure function. They are also used in the automobile to reduce the intake during braking phases.

Depending on the profile of the needle 7, different types of flow profiles can be obtained.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates a needle 7 whose section is variable and has several bearings 77 of different constant diameter. Such Profile allows to obtain variations of sections at the level of the passage between three constant passage sections.

Figure 8 illustrates a needle profile 7 having a section of increasing diameter linearly. This can make it possible to obtain a variable passage section according to the position with respect to the passage 6.

Figure 9 illustrates a needle profile 7 comprising a diameter increasing to a constant diameter bearing. Such a profile makes it possible to obtain a variable passage section as a function of the position in the direction of displacement A and then a constant passage section.

Of course, other profiles can be envisaged (non-linearly variable diameter section ...).

The embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 6 may comprise a single filling orifice (preferably distinct and opposite to the calibrated outlet orifice 4).

These embodiments given by way of example allow control of the flow rate supplied to the casing 2 of the hood with a great freedom of dimensioning.

In addition, the movable needle 7 does not require a large stroke in the direction A of displacement, a few millimeters (1 to 4 mm for example) may be sufficient to control flow rates over a period of 15 to 30 minutes for example for all classes ( 1 to 4) uses of the hood 1.

Claims

1. Respiratory protective hood comprising a flexible envelope (2) to be threaded onto a user's head and a reservoir (3) of pressurized oxygen comprising an outlet orifice (4) opening into the internal volume of the envelope (2) flexible, the outlet orifice (4) being closed by a plug (5) removable or rupture arranged, characterized in that the reservoir (3) of oxygen under pressure comprises, upstream of the orifice ( 4), a passage (6) for the gas under pressure and a needle (7) movable in a direction (A) of displacement determined in said passage (6), the needle (7) being subjected to two opposing forces in the direction (A) displacement and generated respectively on the one hand by the pressure of the gas in the reservoir (3) and, on the other hand, by a member (8) for return, the needle (7) having a profile section determined variable according to the direction (A) of displacement to modify the degree of closure of the passage according to its position relative to the passage (6) so as to regulate the flow of admitted gas to escape via the passage (6) to the orifice (4) as a function of time and the gas pressure in the reservoir (3) .

2. Hood according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle (7) has a profile section determined in the direction (A) of movement to control the flow of gas admitted to escape via the passage (6) to the orifice (4) according to a predetermined curve as a function of time and of the initial gas pressure in the reservoir (3).

3. Hood according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the needle (7) has a profile section determined in the direction (A) of displacement to control the flow of gas admitted to escape via the passage (6) to the orifice (4) as a function of time according to a curve comprising a first phase delivering a first flow rate between 3NI / min and 8NI / min when the pressure in the reservoir (3) is between 250 bar and 100bar then a second phase delivering a second flow rate between 2 Nl / min and 5NI / min when the pressure in the tank (3) is 100 bar and 30bar.

4. Hood according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the needle (7) has a profile section determined in the direction (A) of displacement, to control the flow of gas admitted to escape the reservoir (3) via the passage (6) to the orifice (4) as a function of time according to a curve having substantially constant successive stages, that is to say that, for a gas initially stored at an initial pressure of between 250 bar and 100 bar in the tank, the bearings have a decrease in flow rate of less than 1 N / min, said bearings comprising a first flow rate of between 3 and 6 N / min (normoliter) per minute for a period of time between one and five minutes after the beginning of the opening of the orifice (4) calibrated, and a second flow rate of between 1, 6 and 3 NI per minute for a period of between 5 and 25 minutes after the beginning of the opening the orifice (4) calibrated.

5. Hood according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the passage (6) is formed in a partition (16) defining a chamber (31) intermediate between the orifice (4) calibrated and the rest of the internal volume of the tank (3), said intermediate chamber (31) being put to the external pressure via the orifice (4) calibrated during the opening of the closure cap (5).

6. Hood according to claim 5, characterized in that the needle (7) comprises an end (17) movable in the chamber (31) intermediate and that the member (8) is housed in chamber (31) intermediate and exerts its effort on this end (17).

7. Hood according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the needle (7) has a section of increasing diameter.

8. Hood according to claim 7, characterized in that the needle (7) has a profile of increasing diameter and provided with at least one bearing (77) of constant diameter.

9. Hood according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the needle (7) comprises a deformable waterproof capsule (27) containing a gas at a predetermined pressure, in particular an altimetric capsule, said capsule (27) being resting against at least one wall of the tank (3) and deforming according to the pressure within the tank (3) to cause a determined displacement of the needle (7) in a direction (A) of displacement as a function of the pressure in the reservoir (3).

10. Hood according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the envelope (2) flexible is sealed.

1 1. Hood according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the reservoir (3) of oxygen is secured to the base of the flexible envelope (2).

12. Hood according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the reservoir (3) of oxygen has a generally tubular shape, in particular C-shaped, to allow its arrangement around the neck of a user .