GB2107993A

GB2107993A - Respiratory apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2107993A
Application number: GB08215981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernst Warncke
Original assignee: Draegerwerk AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Draegerwerk AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 1981-10-30
Filing date: 1982-06-01
Publication date: 1983-05-11
Also published as: FR2515521B1; DE3143103A1; FR2515521A1; JPS5883974A; DE3143103C2; GB2107993B

Abstract

A respiratory apparatus has a filter unit (1) which includes a respiratory connection piece (6) and a filter element (2). A user, in a contaminated atmosphere, can breathe through the filter unit (1). If the oxygen content of the air falls, an oxygen supply unit (not shown) can be connected to the filter unit (1) via coupling element 8. The oxygen supply unit includes a base- consumption bag which ensures that oxygen is only supplied during inhalation, so that the use of the oxygen supply unit is kept small. By providing separate filter and oxygen supply units, the apparatus can be comfortably carried by the user, for example on his belt. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Respiratory apparatus This invention relates to a respiratory apparatus, and more particularly this invention relates to a respiratory apparatus, which includes a filter unit and an oxygen supply unit.

This invention also relates to a respiratory or protective breathing apparatus for use as an escape or emergency device which includes a filter unit and an oxygen supply unit.

The use of filter devices in breathing or respiratory equipment is only possible when the inhaled air supplied to the wearer from the ambient atmosphere is respirable. For this purpose the air must be free from airborne poisons and, in addition, contain an adequate proportion of oxygen which must not fall below approximately 15% in the exhaled air.

The airborne poisons in the inhaled air are retained in the breathing filter. However, they do not replace oxygen loss caused, for example, by fire or explosion in the ambient air.

Escape devices should be carried whenever possible on the person and be ready for use immediately when required. However, in practice, they are only carried when the manner of carrying them is as comfortable as possible and is not inconvenient.

Our British Patent Specification 1,528,593, discloses a known respiratory apparatus which is to be carried on the person and which contains in a housing a filter for filtering out airborne poisons and other undesired matter. Also, the housing contains an oxygen supply in the form of cartridges of solid oxygen. The oxygen is mixed with the inhaled air after it has passed through the filter, as it enters the inhalation line to the user.

The supply of gas continues automatically via a low or base consumption bag. The low consumption bag also receives the oxygen and gas flowing during the exhalation phase. The solid oxygen is activated automatically when the housing is opened for using the protective breathing equipment. Despite the compact construction in one housing the device remains bulky. As a general principle, the additional supply of oxygen is activated and used when the housing is opened, irrespective of whether the ambient atmosphere requires an additional oxygen supply.

It is desirable that a respiratory or protective breathing apparatus, which has a filter device, with an additional oxygen supply, which in particular is for use as an escape device and which renders the wearer independent of the ambient atmosphere, should be easy to carry and operate, so that it is actually carried by the wearer.

According to the present invention, there is provided a respiratory apparatus comprising, as two separate units: a filter unit which includes a respiratory connection piece and a filter element communicating via a connection member with the respiratory connection piece, through which filter unit a user of the apparatus can breathe; and an oxygen supply unit which includes a supply of oxygen and a base-consumption bag and which, in use, can optionally be connected via a first coupling element forming part of the oxygen supply unit to a cooperating, second coupling element on the connection member of the filter unit to provide additional oxygen for a user of the apparatus.

Preferably the oxygen supply unit includes an exhalation valve in the connection member and a respiratory hose, which provides communication between the respiratory connection piece and the connection member.

Preferably the oxygen supply unit includes a connection member into which the baseconsumption bag opens and to which a supply of oxygen is or can be connected.

The connection member of the oxygen supply unit preferably includes the first coupling element.

The connection mernber of the oxygen supply unit can include a metering device, and a nonreturn valve, which permits oxygen to flow only out of the base-consumption bag to the filter unit.

The connection member of the filter unit preferably includes a non-return valve, which only permits oxygen to flow into the filter unit. The second coupling element can include, either as well as or instead of that non-return valve, a rupturable foil, which is ruptured when the oxygen supply unit is connected to the filter unit.

Conveniently, the oxygen supply unit includes a cylinder containing pressurised oxygen which is connected to the base-consumption bag via a cylinder valve and a pressure reducer.

Alternatively, the oxygen supply unit can include one or more chemical oxygen-generating cartridges and an ignition device for the cartridges.

Preferably, the filter unit and the oxygen supply unit are carried separately on a belt.

Dividing the protective breathing apparatus with a filter unit which is capable of supplying respirable air by itself and an oxygen supply unit with a bag, means that a self-rescue device is present which is always to hand. Each of the individual units is of a size which enables it to be carried on the belt. The bag, preferably a base or low consumption bag, enables the oxygen requirement to be kept down to the volume actually required, and as a result it makes possible the reasonable dimensions and weight of the oxygen supply unit. The matching or complementary coupling members on the filter unit and the oxygen supply unit make the coupling easy and secure.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a filter unit; Figure 2 shows an oxygen supply unit; and Figure 3 shows the filter unit and the oxygen supply unit of Figures 1 and 2 on the belt of a wearer.

A filter unit 1 shown in Figure 1 has a CO filter as a respiratory filter element 2. The filter unit 1 is housed in a housing 3. The housing 3 is shown by broken lines only so that the filter unit 1 can be shown in the position it has in use.

In addition to the CO filter 2 the filter unit 1 has a connection member 4 joined to which are a respiratory hose 5 with a respiratory connection piece 6, which is a mouth piece, an exhalation valve 7 and a coupling element 8 for the coupling to an oxygen supply unit 9. The housing 3 is gas and water tight because the CO filter 2 is sensitive to moisture. It has a seal 10 which may be quickly opened. The housing 3 comprises a base 2Q and a cover 21. To open the housing 3, the seal 10 is removed and then the cover 21 lifted off. When the filter unit 1 is encased and the housing 3 is closed the respiratory hose 5 with the respiratory connecton piece 6 are housed tightly folded in the space 11 of the housing 3.Figure 1 shows the respiratory connection piece 6 and the respiratory hose 5 after the housing 3 has been opened by removing the cover 21 and after the respiratory connection piece 6 has been taken out for use by the wearer of the apparatus.

The coupling element 8 is closed by a nonreturn valve 12 when the oxygen supply unit 9 is not connected. The oxygen supply unit 9, shown in Figure 2, comprises an oxygen cylinder 13, a cylinder valve 14, a pressure reducer 1 5, a metering device 16, a low or base-consumption bag 17, a non-return valve 1 8 and a coupling element 1 9 for the connection of the oxygen supply unit 9 via the coupling element 8 to the filter unit 1. The coupling elements 8 and 19 are, in this embodiment, formed as bayonet coupling elements. After the cylinder valve 14 has been opened, a flow of oxygen of 3 I/min for example passes via the metering device 1 6 into the baseconsumption bag 17.

In use, if the ambient air contains sufficient oxygen but is contaminated by poisons for example, then only the filter unit 1 needs to be used. The cover 21 is detached by the wearer and the respiratory connection piece 6 taken out. Air can be inhaled via the filter element 2, the connection member 4 and the respiratory hose 5, and then exhaled via the respiratory hose 5, the connection member 4 and the exhalation valve 7.

If the oxygen content of the air drops too far, the oxygen supply unit 9 can be attached via its coupling element 1 9 to the coupling element 8 of the filter unit 1. The valve 14 is opened to provide a steady flow of oxygen to the bag 17. During inhalation, additional oxygen flows from the baseconsumption bag 1 7 to the connection member 14 to enrich the inhaled air with oxygen. During exhalation, the non-return valve 12 is closed, and the steady flow of oxygen from the oxygen cylinder 13 fills the bag 1 7, ready for the next inhalation phase.

The low or base-consumption bag 1 7 is dimensioned to provide a required base oxygen supply, i.e. the oxygen required by a user, who is not excessively exerting himself. The bag 1 7 can be dimensioned for any particular anticipated usage. For example, for a wearer who will be working hard, the volume of the baseconsumption bag 1 7 and the oxygen supply rate from the cylinder 13 can be increased accordingly.

Figures 3 shows how the filter unit 1 and the oxygen supply unit 9 can be carried separately on a belt 23, by a wearer or user. To couple the oxygen supply unit 9 to the filter unit 1, it can either be removed from its respective container or the two units and their containers can be moved adjacent one another on the belt 23.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Respiratory apparatus comprising, as two separate or separable units: a filter unit which includes a respiratory connection piece and a filter element communicating via a connection member with the respiratory connection piece, through which filter unit a user of the apparatus can breathe; and an oxygen supply unit which includes a supply of oxygen and a base-consumption bag and which, in use, can optionally be connected via a first coupling element forming part of the oxygen supply unit to a cooperating, second coupling element on the connection member of the filter unit to provide additional oxygen for a user of the apparatus. 2. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the filter unit includes an exhalation valve in the connection member and a respiratory hose, which provides communication between the respiratory connection piece and the connection member. 3. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the oxygen supply unit includes a connection member into which the baseconsumption bag opens and to which a supply of oxygen is or can be connected. 4. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection member of the oxygen supply unit includes the first coupling element. 5. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the connection member of the oxygen supply unit includes a metering device. 6. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the connection member of the oxygen supply unit includes a non-return valve, which permits oxygen to flow only out of the baseconsumption bag to the filter unit. 7. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection member of the filter unit includes a non-return valve which only permits oxygen to flow into the filter unit. 8. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second coupling element includes a rupturable foil, which is ruptured when the oxygen supply unit is connected to the filter unit. 9. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the oxygen supply unit includes a cylinder containing pressurised oxygen, which is connected to the base-consumption bag via a cylinder valve and a pressure reducer. 10. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the oxygen supply unit includes one or more chemical oxygen generating cartridges and an ignition device for the cartridges. 11. Respiratory apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the filter unit and the oxygen supply unit are carried separately on a belt.

1. Respiratory apparatus comprising, as two separate units: a first housing containing a filter unit which includes a respiratory connection piece and a filter element communicating via a connection member with the respiratory connection piece, through which filter unit a user of the apparatus can breathe; and a second housing containing an oxygen supply unit which includes a supply of oxygen and a baseconsumption bag and which, in use, can optionally be connected via a first coupling element forming part of the oxygen supply unit to a cooperating, second coupling element on the connection member of the filter unit to provide additional oxygen for a user of the apparatus.

1

2. Respiratory apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 30.11.1982.

Superseded claims: 1.

New or amended claims: