EP4295920A1 - Commande centralisée d'un système d'oxygène distribué - Google Patents

Commande centralisée d'un système d'oxygène distribué Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4295920A1
EP4295920A1 EP23179613.7A EP23179613A EP4295920A1 EP 4295920 A1 EP4295920 A1 EP 4295920A1 EP 23179613 A EP23179613 A EP 23179613A EP 4295920 A1 EP4295920 A1 EP 4295920A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
oxygen
airflow
passenger service
source
face mask
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP23179613.7A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Bryce Baker
Ashish SHRIKHANDE
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.)
BE Aerospace Inc
Original Assignee
BE Aerospace Inc
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 US17/952,087 external-priority patent/US20230405366A1/en
Application filed by BE Aerospace Inc filed Critical BE Aerospace Inc
Publication of EP4295920A1 publication Critical patent/EP4295920A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B7/00—Respiratory apparatus
    • A62B7/14—Respiratory apparatus for high-altitude aircraft

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to emergency oxygen supply systems and, more particularly, to intelligent controllers for oxygen systems for aircrafts.
  • Emergency oxygen supply systems are commonly installed on aircraft for the purpose of supplying oxygen to passengers upon loss of cabin pressure at altitudes above about 12,000 feet.
  • Such systems typically include a face mask adapted to fit over the mouth and nose which is released from an overhead storage compartment when needed.
  • Supplemental oxygen delivered by the mask increases the level of blood oxygen saturation in the mask user beyond what would be experienced if ambient air were breathed at the prevailing cabin pressure altitude condition.
  • the flow of oxygen provided thereby is calculated to be sufficient to sustain all passengers until cabin pressure is reestablished or until a lower, safer altitude can be reached.
  • Each such face mask may have a reservoir bag attached thereto into which a constant flow of oxygen is directed upon deployment of the system and upon activation of the individual face mask via a pull cord.
  • the oxygen is supplied continuously at a rate that is calculated to accommodate a worst-case scenario, namely to satisfy the need of a passenger with a significantly larger than average tidal volume who is breathing at a faster than average respiration rate in response to cabin pressure loss at a maximum cruising altitude.
  • a total of three valves that are associated with the mask serve to coordinate flows between the bag and the mask, and between the mask and the surroundings.
  • An inhalation valve serves to confine the oxygen flowing into the bag to the bag while the passenger is exhaling as well as during the post-expiratory pause and at all times also prevents any flow from the mask into the bag.
  • the inhalation valve opens to allow for the inhalation of the oxygen that has accumulated in the bag.
  • the dilution valve opens to allow cabin air to be drawn into the mask. The continuing flow of oxygen into the bag and through the open inhalation valve into the mask is thereby diluted by the cabin air that is inhaled during the balance of the inhalation phase.
  • the exhalation valve opens to allow a free flow from the mask into the surroundings while the inhalation valve closes to prevent flow from the mask back into the bag. All three valves remain closed during the post-expiratory pause while oxygen continues to flow into the reservoir bag.
  • the oxygen supply system includes a source of oxygen, a passenger service unit, and a main controller.
  • the passenger service unit includes a face mask configured to facilitate a flow of a bolus volume of oxygen from the source of oxygen, and a sensor configured to detect at least one of an ambient pressure, an airflow in a first direction, or an airflow in a second direction.
  • the main controller is configured to determine at least one of the ambient pressure, the airflow being in the first direction, or the airflow being in the second direction, and command delivery of oxygen from the source of oxygen to the face mask in response to the determination.
  • the oxygen supply system includes a plurality of passenger service units.
  • the main controller is configured to control each of the plurality of passenger service units.
  • the source of oxygen supplies each of the plurality of passenger service units.
  • the source of oxygen includes a container of compressed oxygen gas.
  • an inlet valve of the passenger service unit remains closed in response to the airflow being in the first direction.
  • the inlet valve is opened in response to the airflow being in the second direction.
  • the accumulated volume of oxygen is delivered to a reservoir bag coupled to the face mask prior in response to the airflow being in the second direction to meter a constant flow.
  • the main controller is configured to open and close the inlet valve.
  • the main controller is configured to determine a volume of oxygen as a function of at least one of the ambient pressure or a rate of airflow being above a predetermined threshold.
  • An article of manufacture including a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon for controlling a passenger service unit, in response to execution by a controller, cause the controller to perform operations is disclosed herein.
  • the operations include determining at least one of an ambient pressure of an aircraft cabin or an airflow through a face mask in a first direction, or an airflow through the face mask in a second direction, and commanding delivery of oxygen from a source of oxygen to the face mask in response to the determination.
  • the passenger service unit comprises the face mask and a sensor.
  • the face mask is configured to facilitate a flow of an accumulated volume of oxygen from a source of oxygen.
  • the sensor is configured to detect at least one of the ambient pressure, the airflow being in the first direction, or the airflow being in the second direction.
  • the controller is configured to communicate with the sensor such that the operations further comprise receiving data from the sensor, the data indicative of at least one of the ambient pressure of the aircraft cabin, the airflow being in the first direction, or the airflow being in the second direction.
  • the operations further include controlling a plurality of passenger service units.
  • the controller is operatively coupled to each of the plurality of passenger service units.
  • the operations further include commanding delivery of oxygen from the source of oxygen to each of the plurality of passenger service units.
  • the source of oxygen includes a container of compressed oxygen gas.
  • the operations further include commanding an inlet valve to open and commanding the inlet valve to close.
  • the inlet valve of the passenger service unit remains closed in response to the airflow being in the first direction.
  • the inlet valve is opened in response to the airflow being in the second direction.
  • the accumulated volume of oxygen is delivered to a reservoir bag coupled to the face mask in response to the airflow being in the second direction to meter a constant flow.
  • the operations further include determining the volume of oxygen as a function of at least one of the ambient pressure or a rate of airflow being above a predetermined threshold.
  • references to "a,” “an” or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. Further, all ranges may include upper and lower values and all ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined.
  • the aircraft 50 may be any aircraft such as an airplane, a helicopter, or any other aircraft.
  • the aircraft 50 may include a passenger service unit (PSU) 10 corresponding to each row of seats 62.
  • the cabin 51 may include overhead bins 52, passenger seats 54 forming the row of passenger seats 62 for supporting passengers 55, etc.
  • the PSU 10 may be integral with the overhead bins 52 or the PSU 10 may be separate from the overhead bins 52. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
  • FIG. 1B a perspective view of the cabin 51 of the aircraft 50 from FIG. 1A is illustrated with a plurality of oxygen mask assemblies 70 in a deployed position.
  • Each mask assembly in the plurality of oxygen mask assemblies 70 may be deployed from a PSU 10.
  • Each PSU may comprise a release mechanism (e.g., release mechanism 112, 122, 132), such as an actuator based lock or the like.
  • release mechanism 112, 122, 132 such as an actuator based lock or the like.
  • the present disclosure is not limited in this regard and any release mechanism is within the scope of this disclosure.
  • each oxygen mask assembly in the plurality of oxygen mask assemblies 70 comprises a tube assembly 201.
  • the tube assembly 201 is configured to transfer a fluid (e.g., oxygen gas) from an oxygen source, or a compressed oxygen gas, to a respective oxygen mask 72.
  • each tube assembly e.g., tube assembly 201
  • the oxygen system 100 comprises a main control system 101 and a plurality of PSUs (e.g., first PSU 110, second PSU 120, third PSU 130, fourth PSU 140, etc.). Although illustrated as including three PSUs, the number of PSUs of an oxygen system 100 is not limited in this regard.
  • a PSU may be disposed in each row of seats disposed in a respective column of an aircraft cabin.
  • a cabin with 50 rows and 3 columns may have 150 PSUs (e.g., each row in each column having a PSU).
  • the PSUs are not limited to rows in the aircraft cabin and may be placed throughout the aircraft cabin as well.
  • the main control system 101 includes a controller 102 (e.g., a main controller) and a memory 104 (e.g., a database or any appropriate data structure; hereafter “memory 104" also may be referred to as "database 104").
  • the controller 102 may include one or more logic devices such as one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like (e.g., controller 102 may utilize one or more processors of any appropriate type/configuration, may utilize any appropriate processing architecture, or both).
  • CPU central processing unit
  • APU accelerated processing unit
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • the controller 102 may further include any non-transitory memory known in the art.
  • the memory 104 may store instructions usable by the logic device to perform operations. Any appropriate computer-readable type/configuration may be utilized as the memory 104, any appropriate data storage architecture may be utilized by the memory 104, or both.
  • the database 104 may be integral to the control system 101 or may be located remote from the control system 101.
  • the controller 102 may communicate with the database 104 via any wired or wireless protocol. In that regard, the controller 102 may access data stored in the database 104.
  • the controller 102 may be integrated into computer systems onboard an aircraft.
  • any number of conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like may be employed.
  • the processes, functions, and instructions may include software routines in conjunction with processors, etc.
  • System program instructions and/or controller instructions may be loaded onto a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the controller 102 to perform various operations.
  • the term "non-transitory” is to be understood to remove only propagating transitory signals per se from the claim scope and does not relinquish rights to all standard computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se.
  • the instructions stored on the memory 104 of the controller 102 may be configured to perform various operations, such as determining a cabin air pressure has dropped below a threshold pressure, commanding release of a plurality of oxygen masks, initiating a start of chemical oxygen generators, etc.
  • the main control system 101 from FIG. 2 further comprises a power source 108 and sensor(s) 106.
  • the power source 108 may comprise any power source known in the art, such as a battery, a solar source, an alternating current (AC) source, a rechargeable source, or the like.
  • the sensor(s) 106 may be spaced about the aircraft 50 from FIG. 1A .
  • the sensor(s) 106 may comprise pressure sensors.
  • the sensor(s) 106 may be configured to measure an aircraft cabin pressure and relay the measurements to the controller 102.
  • the controller 102 may determine whether the aircraft pressure has dropped below a pressure threshold, and release the oxygen masks as described further herein.
  • the sensors 106 may comprise any type of sensor that measures oxygen flowing properly in the oxygen system 100 (e.g., an oxygen gas detector, an oxygen sensor, or the like). The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
  • the sensors 106 may be external to the tube assembly 201 or integrated within the tube assembly 201.
  • the sensors 204 may be disposed within a fluid conduit of the tube assembly 201 as described further herein.
  • the main control system 101 is in operable communication with each PSU in the plurality of PSUs (e.g., PSUs 110, 120, 130).
  • each PSU comprises a local controller (e.g., controllers 111, 121, 131, 141).
  • the local controllers 111, 121, 131, 141 may be configured to communicate with the main control system 101 located outside the PSU by ethernet, CAN, or another network communication protocol.
  • Each local controller e.g., controllers 111, 121, 131) may be in accordance with controller 102.
  • each local controller may include one or more logic devices such as one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like (e.g., controllers 111, 121, 131) may utilize one or more processors of any appropriate type/configuration, may utilize any appropriate processing architecture, or both).
  • the controllers 111, 121, 131 may each further include any non-transitory memory known in the art.
  • the memory may store instructions usable by the logic device to perform operations. Any appropriate computer-readable type/configuration may be utilized as the memory, any appropriate data storage architecture may be utilized by the memory, or both.
  • each PSU may comprise a release mechanism (e.g., release mechanism 112, 122, 132), an oxygen source (e.g., oxygen source 113, 123, 133), and oxygen mask assemblies (e.g., oxygen mask assemblies 114, 124, 134, 144).
  • the controller 102 may command the various local controllers (e.g., controllers 111, 121, 131) to instruct the devices therein.
  • the controller 102 may command the release mechanisms 112, 122, 132 to release the oxygen mask assemblies 114, 124, 134, command the oxygen source 113, 123, 133 to activate, etc.
  • the oxygen system 100 includes an oxygen cylinder assembly (OCA) 126.
  • OCA oxygen cylinder assembly
  • the OCA 126 may be located inside the oxygen box of the plurality of PSUs 110, 120, 130.
  • the OCA may be connected to the oxygen mask assemblies 114, 124, 134.
  • the OCA 126 may comprise of a high pressure oxygen bottle, pressure regulator and electrical or mechanical initiator.
  • the PSUs 110, 120, 130 may further comprise a low pressure manifold 136 and at least one solenoid or proportional valve 138.
  • the solenoid valve 138 is configured to dispense oxygen to the mask assemblies 114, 124, 134.
  • a first solenoid valve 138a is connected to mask assembly 114
  • a second solenoid valve 138b is connected to mask assembly 124
  • a third solenoid valve 138c is connected to mask assembly 134
  • a fourth solenoid valve 138d is connected to mask assembly 144.
  • the controller 102 may be configured to monitor the manifold pressure and temperature of the oxygen system 100.
  • a schematic of a main centralized intelligent controller e.g., main controller 101
  • the main controller 101 may include a communications module 140.
  • the communications module 140 is configured to determine a pressure and/or temperature reading from sensors 106 and send a signal to the PSUs 110, 120, 130 in response to the determination.
  • the communication modules 140 of the main control system 101 is further configured to initiate the OCA 126 and manage the delivery of oxygen to the passengers.
  • Activation of an individual passenger interface is accomplished by selecting a face mask and breathing thereinto.
  • An exhalation is detected by a sensor (e.g., sensor 106) which causes controller 101 to open the inlet valve that is associated with the face mask to allow the influx of oxygen.
  • the oxygen system 100 includes reservoir bags such that the inlet valve that is associated with the face mask allows the influx of oxygen into the associated reservoir bag.
  • the controller 101 is configured to calculate the volume of oxygen needed in light of the ambient cabin pressure measured via an ambient pressure sensor and closes the inlet valve after an appropriate period of time.
  • the controller 101 is configured to calculate the volume of oxygen needed in light of a rate of airflow (e.g., a passenger's breathing pattern) being above a predetermined threshold.
  • the system's oxygen pressure may be regulated to a level such that the desired volume of oxygen is deliverable to the reservoir bag well within the period of time needed for exhalation.
  • the delivered oxygen may be held in the reservoir bag.
  • the inhalation valve allows all the oxygen within the reservoir bag to be inhaled to fill the passenger's lower lung lobes where the most efficient oxygen transfer takes place.
  • the controller 101 is configured to deliver oxygen without the reservoir bag.
  • the face mask e.g., face mask assemblies 114, 124, 134, 1434 are configured to facilitate a flow of the accumulated volume of oxygen from the source of oxygen (e.g., OCA 126).
  • the sensor 106 detects at least one of an ambient pressure, an airflow through the face mask in a first direction, or an airflow through the face mask a second direction.
  • airflow in the first direction may indicate an inhale by the passenger and airflow in the second direction may indicate an exhale by the passenger.
  • the controller 106 may determine at least one of the ambient pressure, the airflow being in the first direction, or the airflow being in the second direction, and command delivery of oxygen from the source of oxygen to the face mask in response to the determination.
  • the inlet valve of the passenger service unit e.g., PSU 110, 120, 130, 140
  • the controller controller remains closed with the airflows in the first direction, and the controller controllers the inlet valve to open in response to the airflow flowing in the second direction.
  • the configuration of the system causes the frequency with which the oxygen is delivered to match the frequency of the respiratory rate of the passenger breathing therefrom. Should the volume of oxygen that is received by a particular passenger fail to satisfy that particular passenger's oxygen demand, the respiratory rate would be expected to increase to thereby increasing the frequency with which the allotments of oxygen are delivered to the passenger. Conversely, should the volume of oxygen that is received by a particular passenger during each respiratory cycle exceed such passenger's oxygen requirement, the passenger's respiratory rate would be expected to decrease, thereby decreasing the net flow of oxygen to the passenger.
  • the efficiency of an emergency oxygen supply system is maximized and oxygen consumption is minimized.
  • Such an increase in efficiency allows the size of the oxygen supply to be reduced when compared with less efficient systems such as are currently in use and thereby allows a substantial weight reduction to be realized.
  • the weight reduction in turn translates into a reduction in an aircraft's fuel consumption and/or an increase in payload capacity.
  • Controller 102 may further be configured to calculate the remaining oxygen in the bottle and predict when the bottle will be depleted and generate a notification accordingly. Having the centralized controller 102 creates more space in the PSU to increase the amount of stored oxygen, or provide more space for masks which will help reduce tangles during deployment.
  • the controller 102 is configured to controller the plurality of PSUs 110, 120, 130 in lieu of the local controller (e.g., controllers 111, 121, 131).
  • the oxygen system 100 may be configured to have the capacity to support the plurality of controllers 102 such that, if an intelligent controller fails, then its responsible oxygen panels will be reassigned to other controllers. The oxygen system 100 thus provides redundancy in a safety critical system.
  • the controller 102 may be configured to perform health monitoring, and report issues to the flight crew or schedule maintenance. Health status and operational status can be sent to a flight crew screen and inform them if one panel or valve is not operational so that the crew member can act accordingly.
  • the oxygen system 100 may be integrated with other smart interior systems to provide information to the flight crew without duplicating hardware components.
  • a plurality of intelligent controllers e.g., controller 102 may be used to dispense oxygen to passengers.
  • the OCA 126 may be located outside of the oxygen box of the plurality of PSUs 110, 120, 130.
  • the OCA 126 may be connected to the oxygen panels with plastic or steel flexible tubing, along with quick disconnects or threaded connections.
  • the weight of the oxygen system 100 is reduced by reducing the number of OCAs on the aircraft, and larger lighter weight composite cylinders may be used in the oxygen system 100. Further, removing the OCAs from the PSUs will allow for a more reliable mask pack and easier maintenance checks.
  • references to "one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc. indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
EP23179613.7A 2022-06-21 2023-06-15 Commande centralisée d'un système d'oxygène distribué Pending EP4295920A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN202211035528 2022-06-21
US17/952,087 US20230405366A1 (en) 2022-06-21 2022-09-23 Centralized control of distributed oxygen system

Publications (1)

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EP4295920A1 true EP4295920A1 (fr) 2023-12-27

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060118115A1 (en) * 2004-12-08 2006-06-08 James Cannon Oxygen conservation system for commercial aircraft
US20190185166A1 (en) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-20 Airbus Operations Gmbh System for providing oxygen to oxygen masks in an aircraft
US20190224505A1 (en) * 2018-01-23 2019-07-25 Zodiac Aerotechnics Dosed oxygen systems with delivery tube anti-blockage features and a method for delivering respiratory gas
FR3091486A1 (fr) * 2019-01-08 2020-07-10 B/E Aerospace Systems Gmbh Alimentation d’urgence en oxygène pour des passagers d’un avion et avion avec une telle alimentation d’urgence en oxygène
CN111434363A (zh) * 2019-01-15 2020-07-21 B/E 航空系统有限公司 用于飞机乘客的氧气应急供给装置及具有这种装置的飞机
US20210299483A1 (en) * 2020-03-26 2021-09-30 The Boeing Company Apparatus, System, and Method for Pressure Altitude-Compensating Breath-Controlled Oxygen Release

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060118115A1 (en) * 2004-12-08 2006-06-08 James Cannon Oxygen conservation system for commercial aircraft
US20190185166A1 (en) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-20 Airbus Operations Gmbh System for providing oxygen to oxygen masks in an aircraft
US20190224505A1 (en) * 2018-01-23 2019-07-25 Zodiac Aerotechnics Dosed oxygen systems with delivery tube anti-blockage features and a method for delivering respiratory gas
FR3091486A1 (fr) * 2019-01-08 2020-07-10 B/E Aerospace Systems Gmbh Alimentation d’urgence en oxygène pour des passagers d’un avion et avion avec une telle alimentation d’urgence en oxygène
CN111434363A (zh) * 2019-01-15 2020-07-21 B/E 航空系统有限公司 用于飞机乘客的氧气应急供给装置及具有这种装置的飞机
US20210299483A1 (en) * 2020-03-26 2021-09-30 The Boeing Company Apparatus, System, and Method for Pressure Altitude-Compensating Breath-Controlled Oxygen Release

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