GB2094640A - Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus - Google Patents

Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2094640A
GB2094640A GB8108162A GB8108162A GB2094640A GB 2094640 A GB2094640 A GB 2094640A GB 8108162 A GB8108162 A GB 8108162A GB 8108162 A GB8108162 A GB 8108162A GB 2094640 A GB2094640 A GB 2094640A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
user
pressure
cylinder
display
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8108162A
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.)
Siebe Gorman and Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Siebe Gorman and Co Ltd
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
Application filed by Siebe Gorman and Co Ltd filed Critical Siebe Gorman and Co Ltd
Priority to GB8108162A priority Critical patent/GB2094640A/en
Publication of GB2094640A publication Critical patent/GB2094640A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B9/00—Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus
    • A62B9/006—Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination

Abstract

Breathing apparatus includes a compressed-air cylinder and a face-mask. A piezoelectric transducer produces an electrical signal indicating the air pressure in the cylinder. A digital readout of the pressure is generated from the electrical signal and presented to a user as an image reflected in the visor of the face-mask.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus The invention relates to breathing apparatus, and especially to breathing apparatus comprising a container for gas under superatmospheric pressure arranged to be strapped to the back of a user.
Breathing apparatus comprising a cylinder of compressed air strapped to the back of a user and means for supplying air from the cylinder at or about atmospheric pressure to be breathed by the user is well known, and such apparatus has in the past been provided with a pressure gauge to show the air pressure in the cylinder. However, such gauges have usually been mechanically operated dial gauges, which are subject to mechanical failures and are difficult to read accurately, especially in poor light, and have typically been placed by the head of the air cylinder, where the gauge is most easily connected to the cylinder but cannot readily be seen by the user, or on the shoulder, where the gauge has to be connected to the cylinder by an extension compressed-air lead.
The invention provides breathing apparatus comprising means for supplying gas at superatmospheric pressure, means for producing a breathable gas mixture comprising the said gas at a lower pressure for breathing by a user of the apparatus, means for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the said superatmospheric pressure, and means for displaying in digital form a number corresponding to the said superatmospheric pressure in response to the said electrical signal, the arrangement being such that in use the said number can be read by a user with normal eyesight.
The means for supplying gas advantageously comprises a cylinder arranged to contain gas at high pressure, for example, compressed air, and to be carried on the back of the user. The means for generating an electrical signal, which advantageously comprises a solid-state transducer, for example, a piezo-electric element, may then be mounted directly on a pressure reducing valve unit at the head of the cylinder, and the electrical signal conducted to the display means.
The display means may be arranged to be mounted on the chest or shoulder of the user, advantageously on a shoulder strap of a harness for supporting a gas-cylinder on the user's back. If the user is wearing a face-mask, however, the display means is preferably mounted on the face-mask and the number is then advantageously displayed by means of an optical imaging system to produce an image far enough from the user's eyes to be easily readable. Such an optical imaging system may also be provided on a chest-mounted display, especially if the breathing apparatus is intended to be used under water. If the user is wearing a helmetorface mask including a transparent portion through which in use the user looks, the display means may be so arranged as to be visible to the user as a reflection in the transparent portion.It will be appreciated that the display means is then preferably so arranged that the reflection appears to the user substantially erect and not laterally inverted.
The digits of the number are advantageously formed by selective activation of an array of elements that are visible when activated. Advantageously the elements are self-luminous when activated; for example, they may be light-emitting diode elements. If the digits of the number are not selfluminous, for example, if a liquid crystal display is used, some suitable illumination is advantageously provided to make the number legible in the dark. In either case, the number may be arranged to become, or to cease to be, luminous or illuminated upon operation of a control by the user.
One form of breathing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example.
A breathing apparatus comprises a harness by which in use a compressed air cylinder is strapped to the back of the user, with the mouth of the cylinder provided with a cylinder valve by which it can be sealed and connected to a reducing valve either directly or via a flexible hose. From the reducing valve, a flexible hose leads air at a pressure of a few atmospheres to a face-mask worn by the user, where a demand valve admits air at ambient pressure or preferably at a pressure slightly above ambient pressure to the interior of the mask and thus to the lungs of the user. The mask is a full face mask having a spherically curved transparent viewing portion in front of the upper part of the user's face, and has the demand valve, an exhale valve, and optionally a microphone for a communication device arranged on the lower part of the mask.
A piezoelectric transducer is set into the reducing valve unit at a position where it is exposed to the full air pressure in the cylinder. From the transducer a wire carries an electrical signal indicative of the pressure in the cylinder to a control unit. From the control unit a further wire leads along the flexible air hose to the facemask, where a light-emitting diode digital display shows the cylinder pressure in digital form. The display is arranged to project the pressure reading onto a part of the viewing portion of the mask that is so curved that a reflection of the display in the viewing portion is visible to the user. Alternatively, the display may be reflected in a mirror mounted at the edge of the viewing portion. The display is so arranged and positioned that the image seen by the user appears to the user to be erect, not laterally inverted, and large enough and far enough away to be easily read.
The control unit and the electrical power supply that is necessary to operate the pressure measuring and display arrangement are mounted on the harness at the back, where they are to some extent protected from accidental damage by the bulk of the compressed-air cylinder.
CLAIM
1. Breathing apparatus comprising means for supplying gas at superatmospheric pressure, means for producing a breathable gas mixture comprising the said gas at a lower pressure for breathing by a user of the apparatus, means for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the said superatmos
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus The invention relates to breathing apparatus, and especially to breathing apparatus comprising a container for gas under superatmospheric pressure arranged to be strapped to the back of a user.
    Breathing apparatus comprising a cylinder of compressed air strapped to the back of a user and means for supplying air from the cylinder at or about atmospheric pressure to be breathed by the user is well known, and such apparatus has in the past been provided with a pressure gauge to show the air pressure in the cylinder. However, such gauges have usually been mechanically operated dial gauges, which are subject to mechanical failures and are difficult to read accurately, especially in poor light, and have typically been placed by the head of the air cylinder, where the gauge is most easily connected to the cylinder but cannot readily be seen by the user, or on the shoulder, where the gauge has to be connected to the cylinder by an extension compressed-air lead.
    The invention provides breathing apparatus comprising means for supplying gas at superatmospheric pressure, means for producing a breathable gas mixture comprising the said gas at a lower pressure for breathing by a user of the apparatus, means for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the said superatmospheric pressure, and means for displaying in digital form a number corresponding to the said superatmospheric pressure in response to the said electrical signal, the arrangement being such that in use the said number can be read by a user with normal eyesight.
    The means for supplying gas advantageously comprises a cylinder arranged to contain gas at high pressure, for example, compressed air, and to be carried on the back of the user. The means for generating an electrical signal, which advantageously comprises a solid-state transducer, for example, a piezo-electric element, may then be mounted directly on a pressure reducing valve unit at the head of the cylinder, and the electrical signal conducted to the display means.
    The display means may be arranged to be mounted on the chest or shoulder of the user, advantageously on a shoulder strap of a harness for supporting a gas-cylinder on the user's back. If the user is wearing a face-mask, however, the display means is preferably mounted on the face-mask and the number is then advantageously displayed by means of an optical imaging system to produce an image far enough from the user's eyes to be easily readable. Such an optical imaging system may also be provided on a chest-mounted display, especially if the breathing apparatus is intended to be used under water. If the user is wearing a helmetorface mask including a transparent portion through which in use the user looks, the display means may be so arranged as to be visible to the user as a reflection in the transparent portion.It will be appreciated that the display means is then preferably so arranged that the reflection appears to the user substantially erect and not laterally inverted.
    The digits of the number are advantageously formed by selective activation of an array of elements that are visible when activated. Advantageously the elements are self-luminous when activated; for example, they may be light-emitting diode elements. If the digits of the number are not selfluminous, for example, if a liquid crystal display is used, some suitable illumination is advantageously provided to make the number legible in the dark. In either case, the number may be arranged to become, or to cease to be, luminous or illuminated upon operation of a control by the user.
    One form of breathing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example.
    A breathing apparatus comprises a harness by which in use a compressed air cylinder is strapped to the back of the user, with the mouth of the cylinder provided with a cylinder valve by which it can be sealed and connected to a reducing valve either directly or via a flexible hose. From the reducing valve, a flexible hose leads air at a pressure of a few atmospheres to a face-mask worn by the user, where a demand valve admits air at ambient pressure or preferably at a pressure slightly above ambient pressure to the interior of the mask and thus to the lungs of the user. The mask is a full face mask having a spherically curved transparent viewing portion in front of the upper part of the user's face, and has the demand valve, an exhale valve, and optionally a microphone for a communication device arranged on the lower part of the mask.
    A piezoelectric transducer is set into the reducing valve unit at a position where it is exposed to the full air pressure in the cylinder. From the transducer a wire carries an electrical signal indicative of the pressure in the cylinder to a control unit. From the control unit a further wire leads along the flexible air hose to the facemask, where a light-emitting diode digital display shows the cylinder pressure in digital form. The display is arranged to project the pressure reading onto a part of the viewing portion of the mask that is so curved that a reflection of the display in the viewing portion is visible to the user. Alternatively, the display may be reflected in a mirror mounted at the edge of the viewing portion.The display is so arranged and positioned that the image seen by the user appears to the user to be erect, not laterally inverted, and large enough and far enough away to be easily read.
    The control unit and the electrical power supply that is necessary to operate the pressure measuring and display arrangement are mounted on the harness at the back, where they are to some extent protected from accidental damage by the bulk of the compressed-air cylinder.
    CLAIM
    1. Breathing apparatus comprising means for supplying gas at superatmospheric pressure, means for producing a breathable gas mixture comprising the said gas at a lower pressure for breathing by a user of the apparatus, means for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the said superatmos pheric pressure, and means for displaying in digital form a number corresponding to the said superatmospheric pressure in response to the said electrical signal, the arrangement being such that in use the said number can be read by a user with normal eyesight.
GB8108162A 1981-03-16 1981-03-16 Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus Withdrawn GB2094640A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8108162A GB2094640A (en) 1981-03-16 1981-03-16 Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8108162A GB2094640A (en) 1981-03-16 1981-03-16 Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2094640A true GB2094640A (en) 1982-09-22

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8108162A Withdrawn GB2094640A (en) 1981-03-16 1981-03-16 Improvements in and relating to breathing apparatus

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2094640A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4996981A (en) * 1989-06-20 1991-03-05 Allen Elenewski Apparatus for removing condensate from a sealed face visor and for indicating a dangerous environmental temperature
EP0428131A2 (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-05-22 CAIRNS & BROTHER INCORPORATED Pressure monitoring device for self-contained breathing apparatus
GB2277451A (en) * 1993-05-01 1994-11-02 Peter John Mckay A diving computer and mask combined
US5764203A (en) * 1992-12-01 1998-06-09 Kemira Oy Breathing mask with a display unit
DE10135458A1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2003-02-06 Matthias Veltmann Digital pressure display for use in displaying the remaining pressure in an oxygen bottle, whereby the pressure display is mounted in the peripheral area of a mask worn by a diver or person wearing a breathing mask
GB2380044A (en) * 2001-09-25 2003-03-26 Draeger Safety Ag & Co Kgaa Helmet or mask comprising a voice controlled display showing measurement data

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4996981A (en) * 1989-06-20 1991-03-05 Allen Elenewski Apparatus for removing condensate from a sealed face visor and for indicating a dangerous environmental temperature
EP0428131A2 (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-05-22 CAIRNS & BROTHER INCORPORATED Pressure monitoring device for self-contained breathing apparatus
EP0428131A3 (en) * 1989-11-13 1992-08-12 Cairns & Brother Incorporated Pressure monitoring device for self-contained breathing apparatus
US5764203A (en) * 1992-12-01 1998-06-09 Kemira Oy Breathing mask with a display unit
GB2277451A (en) * 1993-05-01 1994-11-02 Peter John Mckay A diving computer and mask combined
DE10135458A1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2003-02-06 Matthias Veltmann Digital pressure display for use in displaying the remaining pressure in an oxygen bottle, whereby the pressure display is mounted in the peripheral area of a mask worn by a diver or person wearing a breathing mask
GB2380044A (en) * 2001-09-25 2003-03-26 Draeger Safety Ag & Co Kgaa Helmet or mask comprising a voice controlled display showing measurement data
GB2380044B (en) * 2001-09-25 2004-01-07 Draeger Safety Ag & Co Kgaa A data communications system for wearers of masks/helmets

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)