US2353906A - Automatic means for preventing detrimental physiological reactions at high altitudes - Google Patents

Description

y 1944. H. M. KIRSCHBAUM 2,353,906

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR PREVENTING DETRIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS AT HIGH ALTITUDE-S Filed Sept. 8, 1942 PHOTO ELECTRIC LIGHT CELL N ANAROID BA ROMETER SWITCH ELECTRO- MAGNETIC VALVE INVENTOR.

- HARRY M.KIRSCHBAUM ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR PREVENTING DETRIMENTAL' PHYSIOLOGICAL REAC- TIONS AT HIGH ALTITUDES Harry M. Kirschbaum, Detroit, Mich. 1

Application September 8, 1942, Serial No. 457,676 7 Claims. (01.128-204) The invention relates to means for protecting aviators when flying at high altitudes from detrimental physiological reactions incident to 'low barometric pressure. It is a well-known fact that it is dangerous to pass rapidly from normal atmospheric pressure to altitudes where the pressure is greatly reduced. This causes various physiological reactions, among which are, first. oxygen deficiency in the blood due to the rarefied atmosphere; second, aeroembolism, which is generally conceded to be caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the body tissues and fluids due to decrease in atmospheric pressure.v To avoid the first difficulty the aviator is supplied with pure oxygen. The second dimculty has been partially overcome by a preliminary treatment of the aviator prior to his making the ascent. Such treatment includes physical exercise taken while breathing pure oxygen, or a mixture of oxygen and helium, instead of the ordinary atmosphere, thereby to a considerable extent eliminating the nitrogen gas which has been absorbed by the system. Obviously, it is not always possible for the aviator to take this preliminary treatment, and consequently he is exposed to the danger incident to rapid ascent.

It is the object of my invention to provide means for conditioning the aviator which automatically operates during his ascent, so that he will be protected against aeroembolism when high sists in the novel method and apparatus as here-:

inafter set forth.

In the drawing; Fig. l is a diagrammatic view illustrating my improved apparatus; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing-a modification.

In the present state of medical knowledge the conditioning accomplished by exercise while breathing pure oxygen is not fully understood.

It is reasonable to suppose that the elimination of nitrogen gas from the system is expedited by muscular exercise. It is also possible that the movement and vibrationof the tissues, aside from muscular effort, partially accounts for'the effect. Thus physical benefit is obtained through the use of motor-driven mechanisms for "oscillating or vibrating members of the human body, which is in some respects similar to that derived from voluntary muscular exercise. I have therefore designed a mechanism for use in aircraft which during flight imparts anoscillating or vibrating movement to the body of the aviator, and without requiring any attention on his part. This mechanism is automatically controlled by barometricpressure, which may also simultaneously control the administration of oxygen. It may, however, be undesirable to continue the oscillation treatment beyond a certain limit of altitude, and this also is automatically controlled by barometric pressure. On the other hand, to avoid oxygen deficiency in the blood the oxygen treatment must continue while at high altitudes. and I have therefore provided separate means for automatically controlling its administration responsive to the actual condition of the blood.

' As an aviator pilot is obliged to use both hands and feet for manipulating the controls during flight, one'essential characteristic of the oscillating mechanism employedis that it must not interfere with such manipulation. This I accomplish by a modification-in the control mechanism such that while oscillatory movement may be imparted to the-legs and arms of the pilot, these members are maintained during such movement in'the same'relation to the control levers operated thereby. I

As specifically illustrated in the drawing, the

construction of the apparatus is as follows: A is' the lever in the control mechanism which is operated by the feet of the pilot to manipulate the rudder. B is the.control stick or other means operated by the hands of the pilot for manipulating the elevatorand ailerons. The movements which are imparted to the latter member are usually forward and back for operating the elevator, and sidewise for operating the ailerons. The movement imparted to the lever A is an angular movement about a vertical pivot accomplished by movement of the feetrespectively forward and to the rear. In order that these same movements may be accomplished when the arms and legs are being oscillated, I have mounted these members-so that they'are raised and lowered to the same extent'andin phase with the oscillations. Thus the member A is fulcrumed at A at the. end of a linkme'mber C, which-latter is oscillated in a vertical direction by suitable means such as a revolving crank D and connectingro'd D. The feet of the pilot areheld on the lever by engaging pedals E thereon, to'which'theymay be strapped orotha coupled through the medium of a suitable transmission H with said crank. The starting and stopping of the motor is accomplished by closing or opening a switch I, which in turn is controlled by barometric pressure.

As diagrammatically illustrated, J is a barometer which under varying atmospheric pressures actuates a member K. L is a photoelectric cell, and M is a light source for direct? ing a beam N against said cell. The member K in one position of adjustment is interposed in the path of said light beam M so as to shield the cell L therefrom, while in another position it is removed from the path of the beam. The cell is utilized to control the operation of the switch I, and the arrangement is such that at a predetermined barometric pressure the switch I will be closed to energize the motor G, thereby operating the oscillating mechanism. At another pressure the switch I will be open to deenergize the motor G, thereby stopping the oscillations. Any suitable means may be used for controlling the switch I from the barometer J, and that illustrated is merely one construction.

To supply oxygen or other gas to the pilot an oxygen tank is connected by a flexible conduit P with a mouth or nose piece P' secured to the pilots head. An electromagnetically operated valve Q controlled by the photo cell L opens or closes connection between the tank and conduit P, so that whenever the oscillating mechanism is in action, oxygen will also be supplied to the pilot. However, as above stated, it is desirable to continue the oxygen supply at times when the oscillating mechanism is not in operation. This is accomplished through a by-pass valve Q which is controlled by the condition of'the blood of the pilot. The apparatus used for this purpose forms the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 449,489, filed July 2, 1942, entitled Method and apparatus for controlling the'oxygen content of the blood of living animals, and therefore will not be specifically described here, but in general the change in color of the blood, due to oxygen deficiency, will afiect the transmission of light through body tissue, such for instance as the lobe R of the ear. This, operating through a photo electric cell, will effect the opening or closing of the valve Q. Thus, when there is oxygen deficiency, the blood becomes darker, which will cause the opening of the valve while the restoration of the color to normal will close the valve.

With the apparatus as described, the controls are so set that the oscillator will be set in 'motion at a predetermined barometric pressure and will remain in operation until a much higher altitude is attained. The oscillator will raise and lower the legs and arms of the pilot but as the controls are. simultaneously oscillated to the same extent and in the same :phase, there will be no interference with the operation of either the control stick or'the foot-operated lever. During this movement oxygen, helium, or any other suitable gas is administered to the pilot with the result that nitrogen gas is eliminated from the system before sufficient altitude is attained to be dangerous. Also, at some other predetermined barometric pressure the oscillator is stopped, so as to permit the members of the body to remain quiescent while ,still administering oxygen. The exact point at which the oscillator is thrown into or out of action can be determined by careful experimentation, and the personal equation of the aviator may also be a factor to be considered. However, with my apparatus, conditions during flight most favorable to the health and efficiency of the pilot are automatically maintained.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figure 2, in place of oscillating the controls by a crank and connecting rods, I employ a fluid motor for this purpose. As shown, S is a fluid cylinder and T a piston rod extending vertically therefrom on which is fulcrumed the lever A. An oscillator ipump U located at any convenient point and actuated by a clamp V from a motor is connected by conduits W with the cylinder S, so as to cause a vertical oscillation of the rod B. Similar means may be used for oscillating the hand control lever.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Means for physiologically conditioning the body of an animal subject for safety at high altitudes, comprising gas administering means, an oscillator for one or more members of the body, and means responsive to changes in barometric pressure for controlling said gas administering means and oscillating means.

2. Means for physiologically conditioning the body of a human subject for safety at high altitudes, comprising gas administering means, an oscillator for one or more members of the body, and means responsive to changes in barometric pressure for controlling the operation of said oscillating means.

3. Means for physiologically conditioning the body of a human subject for safety at high altitudes, comprising gas administering means, oscillating means for one or more members of the body, and means responsive to changes in barometric pressure for starting said oscillating means at one altitude and for stopping the same at a higher altitude.

4. Means for physiologically conditioning the body of a human subject for safety at high altitudes, comprising gas administering means, means for oscillating one or more members of the body, means responsive to changes in barometric pressure for starting said oscillating means at one altitude, for stopping it at a higher altitude, and for simultaneously starting and stopping said gas administering means.

5. Means for physiologically conditioning the body of a human subject for safety at high altitudes, comprising gas administering means.

means for oscillating one or more members of the body, means responsive to changes in barometric pressure for starting said oscillating means at one altitude, for stopping it at a higher altitude, and for simultaneously starting and stopping said gas administering means, and independent means responsive to changes in condition of the blood of the subject for continuing operation of said gas administering means at high altitudes.

6. Means for physiologically conditioning the conditioning 10 the body of an aviator pilot for safety at high altitudes, comprising gas administering means, means for vertically oscillating the controls respectively manipulated by the hands and the feet of the pilot to impart a similar oscillation to his legs and arms without interference with the vlateral movement thlereo-f incident to manipulation of said controls.

HARRY M. KIRSCHIBAUM.

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