US3736949A

US3736949A - Fluidic respirator

Info

Publication number: US3736949A
Application number: US00113149A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Wolter; T Gustafson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-02-08
Filing date: 1971-02-08
Publication date: 1973-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-05

Abstract

A respirator as disclosed which is controlled by pneumatic logic components. The respirating apparatus has a first control mode, in which a patient''s lung pressure is sensed to control the breathing function. When lung pressure falls below a predetermined low limit air is supplied to the patient, and as lung pressure approaches and exceeds a predetermined high limit, the supply of air is cut off. In a second control mode, respirating air is again supplied on the basis of sensing pressure below the low limit, but air supply cut off is effected after a predetermined volume of air has been delivered to the patient''s lungs. Supplemental to either type of control is apparatus which counts the number of output ''''breaths,'''' and when a predetermined number has been reached a ''''sigh breath'''' of increased volume is provided to break the constant breath pattern and thereby preclude lung collapse.

Description

States Meat Welter et al.

[ 1 June5,1973

[ FLUIDIC RESPIRATOR [22] Filed: Febv lS -i'l [21] Appl.No.: 113,149

[52] US. Cl ..137/102, 128/145.8 [51] Int. Cl. ..A62b 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..137/102; 128/1422,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Foxwell ..l28/145.5

Primary Examiner-Robert G. Nilson Attorney-Merchant & Gould 57 ABSTRACT A respirator as disclosed which is controlled by pneumatic logic components. The respirating apparatus has a first control mode, in which a patients lung pressure is sensed to control the breathing function. When lung pressure falls below a predetermined low limit air is supplied to the patient, and as lung pressure approaches and exceeds a predetermined high limit, the supply of air is cut off. In a second control mode, respirating air is again supplied on the basis of sensing pressure below the low limit, but air supply cut off is effected after a predetermined volume of air has been delivered to the patients lungs. Supplemental to either type of control is apparatus which counts the number of output breaths, and when a predetermined number has been reached a sigh breath" of increased volume is provided to break the constant breath pat- 15 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 3,537,449 11/1970 3,610,237 10/1971 Barkalow ....l28/l45.8 2,830,580 4/1958 Saklad et al..... ....l28/l45.8

Metivier tem and thereby preclude lung collapse 3,494,357 2/1970 Kimball.... ....l28/l45.6 3,504,670 4/1970 H081 .l28/l45.8

runmc RESPIRATOR The invention is directed to respirators generally, and specifically to those which are pneumatically controlled.

The function of a respirator is to help persons having respiratory disorders to breath properly, and to restore the breathing process to persons in emergency situations. The manner in which breathing assistance is provided depends on the condition of the patients lungs; i.e., the load presented to the respirating apparatus. Normal lungs are elastic in nature, and their volume increases and decreases with inhalation and exhalation. Under such circumstances, the respirating apparatus may controlbreathing as a function of lung pressure. Respirating air is supplied when lung pressure falls below a given low limit and is cut off when lung pressure exceeds a predetermined high limit. Under this mode of control, it may also be desirable to establish the low limit at a negative value (vacuum) to permit the patient to initiate the breathing cycle by inhaling slightly. Supplying respiratory air at the patients demand prevents excessive oxygen from continuously building up in the patients blood stream, which results in hyperventilation.

Some respiratory diseases affect elasticity of the lungs, which significantly diminishes the aforementioned volumetric change with inhalation and exhalation. Consequently, the respirating apparatus works under an essentially constant volume load, and if operation is in the pressure sensing mode the upper pressure limit may be reached before the patient receives sufficient respirating air. The solution to this problem is to retain the pressure sensing mode at the lower pressure limit, but to insure the provision of a minimum volume of respirating air to the patient before switching to exhalation. Thus, volume sensing means are incorporated into the respirating apparatus control to switch operation to the exhalation cycle after the patient has received the minimum volume of respirating air.

It is also known that operation of a respirator at a constant breathing rate over a period of time will eventually lead to collapse of the lungs. Accordingly, it is desirable to include a sigh" control in the respirator which periodically provides a breath of increased volume to the patient. This breaks the constant breathing rate and precludes such lung collapse.

Our invention provides all of the foregoing features in respirating apparatus which employs pneumatic logic elements to effect the various control modes. A portion of the control circuitry consists of fluidic amplifiers which have no moving parts and offer extreme reliability. However, conventional pressure actuating valve means are employed to control the flow of respirating air under flow operating pressure. The air supply valve, for example, is normally closed and permits the passage of respirating air only during the inhalation cycle. Consequently, respirating air is conserved during the exhalation cycle. This is an improvement over existing respiratory control apparatus which employ fluidic amplifiers to control the supply of respirating air. In all such systems of which we are aware, the supply of respirating air is merely dumped to atmosphere during the exhalation cycle.

Our inventive apparatus also permits extremely reliable operation with very low control pressure even though pressure of the respirating air supply is considerably higher. This also represents an air consumption saving, particularly in view of systems in which the control pressure approaches or is equal to the regulated pressure of the respirating air supply.

The combination of fluidic logic elements with conventional valve means results in a unit which is extremely reliable in operation and, by virtue of the simplicity and availability of individual components, can be assembled at low manufacturing costs. The components are sufficiently small to permit complete portability of the unit, particularly when used in conjunction with the respirating air supply of the hospital. Under these circumstances, the respirating air supply may also serve as a source of control pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a general schematic representation of respirating apparatus embodying the inventive principle, wherein control means for effecting pressure sensitive, volumetric and sigh control modes are represented by block diagrams; and

FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic representation showing the control circuitry for each of the control means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring initially to FIG. 1, a respirator is schematically represented by a broken line designated 11. The output of respirator 11 consists of a mask 12 adapted for patient use, and a pressure coupling 13 serves as the respirator inlet. Coupling 13 is adapted for connection with a mating coupling 14 which, by means of a conduit 15, communicates with a source of respirating air 16, usually oxygen enriched. Such sources of respirating air are ordinarily provided in certain hospital rooms, particularly those relating to intensive care.

Internally, coupling 13 is connected to a conduit 21 which communicates through a pressure regulating valve 29 and an on-off valve 17 with the inlet of a pressure operated supply valve 22. The outlet of supply valve 22 is connected to mask 12 by a conduit 23, which is also connected to the outlet of a pressure actuated exhaust valve 24. As is shown, the outlet of exhaust valve 24 communicates with atmosphere.

Respirator 11 includes control means for effecting first and second control modes, which are selectively usable, and a third control mode which may be used in combination with either of the other control modes. In FIG. 1, the control means are designated 25, 26 and 27, and each is supplied with pressure through a conduit 28 which communicates with conduit 21 through pressure regulating valve 29. In the preferred embodiment, the control pressure supplied to control means 25-27 is considerably lower than the pressure of respirating air provided through conduit 21.

Control means 25 includes sensing apparatus and logic circuitry which permits inhalation and exhalation to be controlled by lung pressure, which is sensed through a conduit 31 connected with conduit 23. Control means 26 controls the inhalation cycle in a similar manner, but the exhalation cycle is governed by apparatus which automatically supplied a predetermined volume of respirating air to the patient.

Control means 27 effects operation in the *sigh control mode, in which an increased volume of respirating air is supplied to the patient at periodic intervals. In order to accomplish this function, control means 27 must also communicate with conduit 23 through a conduit 32 which includes an on-off valve 33.

Each of the respective control means 25-27 has an output which serves as an input to a conventional NOR logic element 34. The transmission of pressure signals is to conduits 35-37, respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the NOR logic function is provided by turbulent fluid amplifiers similar to the one disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,234,955, issued to Raymond N. Auger on Feb. 15, 1966. Turbulence fluid amplifiers consist of spaced inlet and outlet tubes which are aligned to permit fluid supplied to the inlet tube to form a free stream or jet before it is collected in the inlet tube. The parameters of the free jet are controlled so that under normal conditions a critical Reynolds number is approached; i.e., the jet remains laminar but is easily prompted into a state of turbulence. The fluid amplifier includes one or more control inputs which are positioned to permit a control jet to transversely impinge on the free jet, causing it to become turbulent and preventing further collection at the outlet tube. Thus, whereas the outlet tube initially provides an output signal, the application of one of several con trol jets reduces the output to zeros and thus performs the NOR logic function. Operation of the turbulence fluid amplifier is monostable, and laminar flow resumes in the absence of a control jet.

The output of logic element 34 is inverted through the use of a second pneumatic NOR element 38. The output of NOR element 38 is commonly received through a conduit 39 by the pressure control portions of

valves

22 and 24. Supply valve 22 is normally biased to a closed position whereas exhaust valve 24 is normally opened. From the standpoint of magnitude,

valves

22 and 24 are biased for the same range of operation. Accordingly, a positive pressure signal appearing at the output of logic element 38 simultaneously opens supply valve 22 and closes exhaust valve 24. Under this condition, the patient receives respirating air through mask 12 and inhalation is effected. Control means 25 and 26 sense the sufficiency of respirating air to the pa tient, and the output of logic element 38 is switched accordingly. Under this condition, supply valve 22 closes and exhaust valve 24 opens, permitting the inhaled air to be exhausted to atmosphere.

FIG. 2 discloses the specific pneumatic circuitry which brings about the different control modes. The numeral designation of FIG. 1 carries over to FIG. 2. As is typical in the symbolic notation of logic circuitry, only the control inputs and outputs are shown. The conduits communicating the supply of power pressure are left out for purposes of simplicity and clarity.

Pressure sensitive control means 25 comprises four NOR" logic elements 41-44 connected output to input as shown. The output of NOR element 44 is connected to conduit 35 and also serves as theinput to NOR element 43 through a conduit 45. Internally of control means 25, conduit 31 divides into conduits 31a and 31b. Conduit 310 includes a variable resistor 46 and is connected to the single input of NOR element 42. Conduit 3112 also includes a variable restriction 47 and serves as the second input to NOR element 44.

Variable restrictions

46 and 47 are set so that the NOR elements 41-44 are capable of sensing different levels of lung pressure through conduit 31 to effect the desired pressure control mode.

In operation, NOR element 41 provides a continuous output signal since it has no control inputs. Whether the output signal from NOR element 41 reaches the control input of NOR element 42 with a magnitude sufficient to prompt its laminar supply jet into a state of turbulence depends on how much of the signal is bled through variable restriction 46 into conduit 31. This, of course, is a function of the pressure in conduit 31, meaning that at a particular point a decrease in lung pressure will permit the output pressure of NOR element 41 to bleed through variable restriction 46. With no input signal NOR element 42 is on" which turns NOR element 43 off." Assuming that the pressure in conduit 31b is too low to have an effect on NOR element 44, it follows that the output occurring at conduit 35 will be on," or a positive pressure signal. This signal is fed back through conduit 45 to NOR element 43 to maintain a stable state.

After passing through NOR

elements

34 and 38, this output signal appears as a positive pressure in conduit 39 and thus opens control valve 22 while closing control valve 24.

As the broken lines of FIG. 2 indicate, control means 26 employs selected circuit components of control means 25 in order that it may receive a desired output signal from NOR element 42 through a conduit 51. Obviously, the circuit components shared, including NOR

elements

41 and 42, variable resistor 46 and the innerconnecting pressure conduits, could be duplicated for control means 26. The sharing of elements between control means 25 and 26 eliminates unnecessary parts and conserves valuable space.

Control means 26 also includes a NOR element 52, one input of which is connected to conduit 51, and NOR

elements

53 and 54. NOR element 53 has two in puts which are respectively connected to the outputs of NOR

elements

52 and 54. The output of NOR element 53 is connected to conduit 36 through a variable resistor 55, the latter serving merely as part of the on-off control for control means-26. The output of NOR element 53 is' also conveyed from a point upstream of variable restriction 55 through a conduit 56 to serve as the second input for NOR element 52. The output of NOR element 52 is also connected by a conduit 5'? including a variable restriction 58 to the inlet of a pressure actuated control valve 59. Variable restriction S8 cooperates with variable restriction 55 to complete the on-off switching control for control means 26. Valve 59 is directly supplied with pressure through conduit 21, and its outlet is connected to the input of NOR element 54 through a timing circuit including a volume capacitor 61 and a variable restriction 62.

As mentioned above, a volume sensitive control means provides the necessary mode of operation in cases where the volume capacity ofa patients lungs remains essentially constant during inhalation and exhalation. This mode of operation insures that a sufficient volume of air enters the patients lungs before the exhalation cycle has begun. However, it is not essential that the control means for switching from the exhalation to the inhalation cycle be a volume sensing device since the problem exists only at the upper inhalation limit. Accordingly, it is possible for volume sensing control means 26 to employ the low limit pressure sensing portion of control means 25 and still accomplish the necessary operation.

Thus, in operation of control means 26, let it be assumed that the respirator is in the exhalation cycle and that lung pressure has not yet fallen to the low pressure limit. Accordingly, NOR element 51 provides a sufficient output to disrupt the laminar supply jet of NOR element '42, and no input is received by NOR element 52 through conduit 51. Since operation is in the exhalation cycle, it follows that the output of NOR element 53 must be of in order for supply valve 22 to be in its closed state. Thus, both of the inputs to NOR element 52 are off, which permits it to generate a positive output signal. This signal is carried to the input of normally closed control valve 59, which holdsthe valve in an open position. Pressure is therefore continuously supplied to the input of NOR element 54 through volume capacitor 61 and variable restriction 62, and no output signal is carried from NOR element 54 to the second input of NOR element 53. Summarizing, NOR element 52 is on, NOR element 53 is off, control valve 59 is open and NOR element 54 is off.

When lung pressure of the patient drops below the low pressure limit, the output signal of NOR element 41 is bled through variable restriction 46 and NOR element 42 turns on. As a result, NOR element 52 turns off, NOR element 53 turns on and control valve 59 closes. This positive output signal of NOR element 53 is carried through conduit 36, NOR

elements

34 and 38, and ultimately opens supply valve 22 and closes exhaust valve 24 to initiate the inhalation cycle. Since control valve 59 has been closed, the positive input signal to NOR element 54 continues only so long as the timing circuit permits. As soon as the pressure previously built-up in volume capacitor 61 is bled off through variable restriction 62, NOR element 54 turns on, causing NOR element 53 to turn off and thereby terminate the inhalation cycle and initiate the exhalation cycle. Cyclic operation continues as lung pressure decreases to the low pressure limit.

Control means 25 and 26 are selectively openable, the latter by operation of

variable restrictions

55 and 58. In the preferred embodiment, however, control means 25 operates at all times, whether or not control means 26 has been actuated. In this manner, the high pressure limit portion of control means 25 is capable of acting as a safety feature when the volume sensing mode of operation is selected. Specifically, variable restriction 47 is adjusted to have a resistance value which will permit the flow of air therethrough from having an effect on the normal operation of control means 26. However, in such case that control means 26 switches the respirator to the inhalation cycle and is incapable of switching to the exhalation cycle, the increase in lung pressure will be sensed through variable restriction 47 and cut the supply of respirating air to the patients lungs.

Control means 27 is selectively operable with either control means 25 or 26. Conduit 32, which communicates with conduit 31, serves as the inlet to control means 27, and it includes a variable restriction or onoff valve 33 for enabling or stopping the sigh mode of operation. Conduit 32 also includes a pressure gauge 50 which continuously monitors lung pressure. Preferably, a volume capacitor 64 is disposed in conduit 32 to smooth out stray pressure pulses which may be generated in conduit 32, and an isolator 65 which precludes unwanted interaction of signals between control means 27 and control means 25 and 26. lsolator 65 is a conventional, commercially available device comprising a single diaphragm relay.

The signal emanating from isolator is inverted by means of NOR element 66, from which point it is transmitted to a plurality of serially arranged binary counters numbered 71-77, respectively. The output signals generated by

binary counter

75, 76 and 77 are selectively transmittable to a conduit 78 through variable restrictions 81-83.

Conduit 78 serves as one of two inputs to a flip flop logic circuit represented generally by the numeral 84. Flip-flop 84 has two outputs, one of which communicates with conduit 37, the other being connected to a variable restriction to the input of a pressure actuated control valve 86. Variable restriction 85 performs a second on-off function for control means 27.

Control valve 86 receives a supply from conduit 21, and its outlet is connected to a timing circuitry comprising a volume capacitor 87 and a variable restriction 88. The signal issuing from the timing circuitry is inverted by a NOR element 89 before passing on to the second input of flip-flop 84.

Flip-flop 84 is conventional in design, comprising six NOR elements interconnected as shown. Being conventional, the detailed operation of each NOR element need not be described. Generally speaking, a positive signal received through conduit 78 will generate an output signal in conduit 37 while turning the output connected to control valve 86 off. A positive signal issuing from NOR element 89 has the opposite effect; i.e., there is no signal in conduit 37 whereas a positive signal is applied to normally closed control valve 86.

Each of the binary counters 71-77 is identical to flipflop 84 with the exception that each has but a signal input (corresponding to conduit 78), and only a single output is used. The resulting operation is such that each application of a positive pulse causes an output signal to shift from one output to the other.

From their serial arrangement, it is evident that binary counters 71-77 are capable of counting the number of breaths that respirator 11 has supplied to the patient. This arrangement of binary counters is conventional in design, and a description of operation is not necessary. It suffices to say that opening of variable restriction 81 will permit a positive output signal in conduit 78 at the end of 32 breaths. Selective operation of variable restrictions 82 or 83 permits the generation of an output signal in conduit 78 after 64 or 128 breaths, respectively.

Reception of a signal through conduit 78 causes flipflop 84 to shift to an output state wherein a positive output pressure signal is supplied through conduit 37 to open valve 22. Simultaneously, the positive signal emanating from the other output maintaining valve 86 in an open position is cutoff, thereby closing valve 86. The positive signal applied at the input of NOR element 89 continues, however, as long as the pressure buildup in capacitor 87 continues. This time period is determined by the capacity of capacitor 87 and the fluid resistance of variable restriction 88, the latter of which is adjusted to establish the desired volume of air necessary to generate a proper sigh." Generally, the sigh breath is one and one-half to two times the length of a normal breath.

After the pressure capacitor 87 has bled down through variable restriction 88, the output signal of NOR element 89 turns on. This input signal to flip-flop 84 causes the output signals thereof to revert to the initial state to close valve 22 and reopen valve 86. The binary counter begins to count again, and operation reverts to the pressure sensing or volume sensing mode until a requisite number of breaths have again been supplied.

What is claimed is: g

l. Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising:

a. pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet;

b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user;

c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first and second variable restriction means each communicating with the conduit means;

ii. first switching means responsive to the first restricted pressure for providing a signal pressure of a first or second state;

iii. second switching means responsive to the second restricted pressure and to the signal pressure for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means;

iv. the first and second variable restriction means being adjusted to establish the first and second limit pressures, respectively.

2. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the first switching means comprises:

first and second pneumatic NOR gates;

the output of the first gate communicating with the downstream side of the first variable restriction and with the input of the second gate;

the output of the second gate serving as said first signal pressure.

3. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 1,

wherein the second switching means comprises:

first and second pneumatic NOR gates;

one input of the first gate communicating with said first signal pressure;

the output of the first gate communicating with one input of the second gate;

the downstream side of the second variable restriction communicating with a second input of the second gate;

the output of the second gate serving as said second signal pressure and further communicating with a second input of the first gate.

4. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the first and second switching means comprise fluidic components.

5. The respirator apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein the pressure actuated valve means is normally closed.

6. The respirator apparatus defined by claim 5, and further comprising normally open valve means having an inlet communicating with said conduit means, an outlet serving as an exhaust for the respirator apparatus, and a control pressure inlet for receiving the control pressure, the normally open valve means being constructed and arranged to open when the normally closed valve means is closed and to close when the normally closed valve means is opened.

7. The respirator apparatus defined by claim 1, and further comprising second control means for counting the number of breaths supplied to the user and for increasing the duration of a selected breath upon completion of a predetermined number of breaths.

8. Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising:

a. normally closed pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet;

b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the normally closed valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user;

c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for opening the normally closed valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the normally closed valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a first signal pressure corresponding to the first limit pressure;

ii. second adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a second signal pressure corresponding to the second limit pressure;

iii. and switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to the control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.

9. Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising:

c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the sensed pressure falls below a predetermined limit and for effecting closing of the valve means a predetermined time after said valve means has been opened, comprising i. variable restriction means communicating with the conduit means;

ii. first switching means responsive to the restricted pressure for providing a first signal pressure of a first or second state;

iii. pneumatic timing means responsive to the second state of the first signal pressure for providing a second signal pressure of predetermined duration;

iv. and second switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.

10. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein the first switching means comprises:

first, second and third pneumatic NOR gates;

the output of the first gate communicating with the downstream side of the variable restriction and with the input of the second gate;

the output of the second gate communicating with the input of the third gate;

and the output of the third gate serving as said first signal pressure 11. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9,

wherein the pneumatic timing means comprises:

a second normally closed, pressure actuated valve means adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure;

and third conduit means connected downstream of the second valve means, the third conduit means including a fluid capacitor and a variable fluid restriction.

12. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein the second switching means comprises a pneumatic NOR gate having first and second inputs communicating with the first and second signal pressures, respectively, and an output for providing said control pressure, the output further communicating with the first switching means to maintain said first signal pressure in one of said first or second states.

13. The respirator apparatus defined by claim 9, wherein the valve means is normally closed.

14. The respirator apparatus defined by claim 13, and further comprising normally open valve means having an inlet communicating with said conduit means, an outlet serving as an exhaust for the respirator apparatus, and a control pressure inlet for receiving said control pressure, the normally open valve means being constructed and arranged to open when the normally closed valve means is closed and to close when the normally closed valve means is opened.

15. The respirator apparatus defined by claim 9, and further comprising second control means for counting the number of breaths supplied to the user and for increasing the duration of a selected breath upon completion of a predetermined number of breaths.

Claims

1. Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first and second variable restriction means each communicating with the conduit means; ii. first switching means responsive to the first restricted pressure for providing a signal pressure of a first or second state; iii. second switching means responsive to the second restricted pressure and to the signal pressure for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means; iv. the first and second variable restriction means being adjusted to establish the first and second limit pressures, respectively.

2. The respirator apparatus as dEfined by claim 1, wherein the first switching means comprises: first and second pneumatic NOR gates; the output of the first gate communicating with the downstream side of the first variable restriction and with the input of the second gate; the output of the second gate serving as said first signal pressure.

3. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the second switching means comprises: first and second pneumatic NOR gates; one input of the first gate communicating with said first signal pressure; the output of the first gate communicating with one input of the second gate; the downstream side of the second variable restriction communicating with a second input of the second gate; the output of the second gate serving as said second signal pressure and further communicating with a second input of the first gate.

8. Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. normally closed pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the normally closed valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for opening the normally closed valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the normally closed valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a first signal pressure corresponding to the first limit pressure; ii. second adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a second signal pressure corresponding to the second limit pressure; iii. and switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to the control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.

9. Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the sensed pressure falls below a predetermined limit and for effecting closing of the valve means a predetermined time after said valve means has been opened, comprising i. variable restriction means communicating with the conduit means; ii. first switching means responsive to the restricted pressure for providing a first signal pressure of a first or second state; iii. pneumatic timing means responsive to the second state of the first signal pressure for providing a second signal pressurE of predetermined duration; iv. and second switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.

10. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein the first switching means comprises: first, second and third pneumatic NOR gates; the output of the first gate communicating with the downstream side of the variable restriction and with the input of the second gate; the output of the second gate communicating with the input of the third gate; and the output of the third gate serving as said first signal pressure.

11. The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein the pneumatic timing means comprises: a second normally closed, pressure actuated valve means adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure; and third conduit means connected downstream of the second valve means, the third conduit means including a fluid capacitor and a variable fluid restriction.