WO2018220610A1

WO2018220610A1 - An nbc filtration system with backup bellows and actuation lever

Info

Publication number: WO2018220610A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/050428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samuel Koeger; Jonathan Schneider
Original assignee: Beth-El Zikhron Yaaqov Industries Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-05-30
Filing date: 2018-04-16
Publication date: 2018-12-06
Also published as: IL252594A0; KR20200012881A; IL252594B; KR20240025052A

Abstract

A Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) filtration system, provided with a manually operated backup bellows and an actuation lever for operation thereof. In an embodiment, the NBC filtration system [10] (Fig.8), comprises: an NBC filter unit [12], a backup bellows [14], an electric blower, and an actuation lever [16]. Manual propulsion of the actuation lever [16] expands and contracts the backup bellows [14]. A grip-able portion [28] of the actuation lever [16] is accessible at a height lower than the installation height of the NBC filtration system. The NBC filtration system may further comprise a transmitting mechanism [80]. Manual propulsion of the actuation lever [16] drives the transmitting mechanism [80] to expand and contract the backup bellows [14]. The transmitting mechanism [80] may utilize the structure of a scissors mechanism.

Description

AN NBC FILTRATION SYSTEM WITH BACKUP BELLOWS AND ACTUATION LEVER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) filtration system, provided with a manually operated backup bellows and actuation lever thereof. More particularly to an actuation lever having a grip-able portion which is accessible at a lower height than the installation height of the NBC filtration system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

National civilian defense authorities such as US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) and Israel's HOME FRONT COMMAND (HFC) instruct citizens to enter a sealed shelter in case of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack. In Israel, every living unit includes a sealed, blast protected safe room built to Israeli government standards. The regulations in Israel enforces installation of an NBC filtration system in the blast protected safe room of every new discrete living unit.

Israeli Patent No. 124273 (US. Pat. No. 6,328,775) to the present applicant describes a compact, portable system for protection against the penetration of contaminated air into a protected space. The system includes an air intake fitted through an exterior wall of the building, carrying an integrated blast valve at the outer side of the wall and a quick connect flange at the inner side of the wall. An air exhaust unit is mounted through a preferably opposite interior wall of the safe room, provided with an over-pressure relief valve. The system further includes a portable NBC filter unit attachable to the air intake by means of the quick connect flange and a portable electric blower unit operated by mains power. The blower unit is attachable to the outlet of the filter unit directly or with a flexible extension duct. A hand operated air pump is also included providing protection even in case of mains power failure. During normal conditions the filter and blower are stored in an easy to reach place and the safe room is available for daily use. Upon declaration of an emergency state, the portable NBC filter is connected to the air intake and the portable electric blower is attached to the outlet of the filter.

However, new regulations require that the NBC filtration system should be fixedly secured in position and be ready for immediate use.

The regulations indicate that such NBC filtration system should include an NBC filter unit composed of a particulate filter and a gas adsorption filter and an electric blower appropriate for certain rate of air exchange. In addition the NBC filtration system should have an air exchange backup pump manually operated in case of power failure. Typically, the manual air exchange backup pump consists of a bellows that is manually expanded and contracted to force external air into the safe room, through the air intake while operating at ventilation mode, or through the filter unit that is attached to the air intake while operating at NBC protection mode.

In order to conveniently operate the bellows during NBC hazard and electric power failure, the bellows must be fitted at a reachable location approximately at the arm height of an average person. When the air intake is installed approximately at the arm height of an average person, the bellows can be fitted directly to the air intake or to the attached thereon filter unit as described above.

Israeli patent application 212657 to the present applicant, describes an NBC filtration system with electric blower and manual bellows, including an automatic interchange between the electric operation and the manual operation by means of two one way valves. Accordingly it is possible to actuate the bellows without any preparations and even without detaching the bellows from its original position, as long as the filtration system is installed at the arm height of an average person, typically up to 1.5 meters from floor level.

However in order to achieve optimal usage of the safe room space, it is desired and now widely accepted that the NBC filtration system and air intake are fitted above an average person height. Current NBC filtration systems where the air intake is installed above an average person height, are supplied with a bracket fitted on the wall below the NBC filtration system and a discrete bellows that can be attached to the bracket. The bellows is then connected by a flexible duct supplied with the system, to the air intake directly for operation at ventilation mode, or to the filter unit that is attached to the air intake for operation at NBC protection mode.

Until recently, there was also a need upon declaration of NBC hazard, to remove air tight seals fitted to the inlet and outlet of the NBC filter unit and to assemble the NBC filter unit between the air intake and the flexible duct. This need is now eliminated according to Israeli patent application 214577 to the present applicant, describing a two-way changeover valve within an NBC air filtration system that allows changing from ventilation mode to NBC protection mode by only switching a manual state selector handle attached thereon.

Yet, in case of electric power failure, when manual operation of the bellows is required, and the air intake is installed above an average person height, there is still a need even for systems equipped with a changeover valve, to make some preparations before the NBC filtration system is ready for manual operation. The preparations include: removing or opening (if hinged) the NBC filtration system cover, collecting the bellows and flexible duct which are stored under the cover, fitting the bellows to the on-wall bracket, connecting each side of the flexible duct to the changeover valve outlet and to the bellows inlet respectively.

The described sequence of operations may be difficult to the average user to perform under stress. Consequently, there is a need to operate the backup bellows located above an average person height without the preparation steps described above.

Israeli patent application No. 250296 to the present applicant describes an NBC filter unit including an integral ventilation bypass and air flow direction means selectively operated to direct air flow internally from the inlet port of the filter unit to the outlet port, either through the bypass, constituting a ventilation mode, or through the particulate filter and gas adsorption filter constituting an NBC filtration mode.

Israeli patent application No. 252068 to the present applicant describes a manually actuated backup bellows for an NBC filtration system, comprising an electric blower fitted to an internal space of the backup bellows. The electric blower is mounted to either the inlet port or outlet port of the backup bellows, such that the backup bellows and the electric blower can be operated alternately, independently of each other. The backup bellows is ready for immediate manual actuation in case of electric power failure.

Although not being a necessity, embodiments of the present invention may make use of the NBC filter unit and the backup bellows as described above with reference to Israeli patent applications No. 250296, and No. 252068 respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages and limitations of prior art systems and provide a manually operated backup bellows and actuation lever thereof. According to the present invention, there is provided an NBC filtration system comprising an NBC filter unit, a backup bellows, an electric blower, and an actuation lever. Manual propulsion of the actuation lever expands and contracts the backup bellows. A grip-able portion of the actuation lever is accessible at a height lower than the installation height of the NBC filtration system.

The backup bellows may further comprise a stationary closure, a deformable portion, and a movable closure. The actuation lever is mechanically linked to the movable closure of the backup bellows.

The NBC filtration system may further comprise a transmitting mechanism. Manual propulsion of the actuation lever drives the transmitting mechanism to expand and contract the backup bellows.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the transmitting mechanism mentioned above may be a scissors mechanism. The actuation lever is attached to a link of one stage of the scissors mechanism thus enabling activation of the scissors mechanism through that stage link.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and the way it may be carried out in practice, will be understood with reference to the following illustrative figures, by way of non-limiting example only, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an NBC filtration system made according to an embodiment of the present invention, making use of a simple actuation lever;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the NBC filtration system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an NBC filtration system made according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the actuation lever is rigidly fitted to a linearly guided frame;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an NBC filtration system made according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the actuation lever is rigidly fitted to a guided frame linked to a scissors type guide mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an NBC filtration system made according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention utilizing a balance type actuation lever;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an NBC filtration system made according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention utilizing a swing type actuation lever;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an NBC filtration system made according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention utilizing a hinged type curved actuation lever; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an NBC filtration system made according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, making use of an actuation lever which is coupled to a scissors type transmitting mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is shown in Fig. 1, an NBC filtration system generally referenced 10, comprising an NBC filter unit 12, a backup bellows generally referenced 14, an electric blower (not shown) preferably fitted internally to the backup bellows 14, and an actuation lever 16. Manual propulsion of the actuation lever 16 expands and contracts the backup bellows 14. The backup bellows 14 further comprises a stationary closure 20 mounted to a backplate 22 of the NBC filtration system 10, a deformable portion 24 typically cylindrical in shape, a movable closure 26 and at least two one-way valves, as known in the art. The deformable portion may be configured as a tubular accordion section or as an expandable duct stiffened by helical spring wire. As explained in Israeli patent application No. 252068 to the present applicant, the electric blower is preferably fitted to an internal space of the backup bellows 14.

Yet with reference to Fig. 1, the actuation lever 16 is mechanically linked to the movable closure 26 of the backup bellows 14. In one embodiment, the actuation lever 16 may be pivotally attached to the movable closure 26. The attachment may be accomplished in a way of example, by means of a pivot pin 32 as shown in Fig. 1, a ball joint, a flexible joint or any kind of force transmitting link. A grip-able portion 28 of the actuation lever 16 is accessible at a height lower than the installation height of the NBC filtration system 10. Optionally, the actuation lever 16 may be detachable, for instance by means of using a pivot pin 32 of the detent type. Yet in another implementation, in order to enable storage of the actuation lever 16 in the NBC filtration system compartment, the actuation lever 16 may be configured as a telescopic collapsible rod.

With reference to Fig. 2, there is shown a rear view of the NBC filtration system of Fig. 1, depicting the backplate 22 and mounting flange 36.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 1, is based on a simplified structure demonstrating implementation of the present invention with an elementary actuation lever 16. Actuation of the lever 16 as demonstrated in Fig. 1, typically requires grasp of the actuation lever 16 by both hands of the operator and may be tedious. Accordingly with reference to Fig. 3, there is shown an NBC filtration system 10, provided with an actuation lever 16 which is rigidly fitted to a linearly guided frame 27. The guided frame 27, in the form of the H letter, is provided for example with four slide bushes 31, linearly traveling about linear guide shafts 29 fixed to backplate 22. The bushes 31 and guide shafts 29 keeps parallelism between the guided frame 27 and backplate 22. Consequently the actuation lever 16 which is rigidly fitted to the guided frame 27 is kept vertical at all times and may be operated by one hand, propelling the grip-able portion 28.

Similarly, with reference to Fig. 4, the actuation lever 16 is rigidly fitted to a linearly guided frame 27, as described above with reference to Fig. 3. Here however, keeping the parallelism between the guided frame 27 and backplate 22 is accomplished by a single or doable sided scissors mechanism 80 movably linking the guided frame 27 to backplate 22. The scissors mechanism 80 or scissors lift as known in the art of mechanical assemblies, uses one or more stages of diagonal links 84 pivoted at the mid and end points to allow parallel movement of the guided frame 27 and movable closure 26 attached thereto, in relation to backplate 22. Consequently the actuation lever 16 which is rigidly fitted to the guided frame 27 is kept vertical at all times and may be operated by one hand, propelling the grip-able portion 28.

A different approach to achieve the goal of one hand propulsion is demonstrated in Fig. 5. With reference to Fig. 5, there is provided an actuation lever which is hinged for example by a clevis 38 and clevis pin 40 to a fixed position located between the grip-able portion 28, and the backup bellows 14, forming a balance like structure. The free end of the actuation lever 16 is linked to the movable closure 26 of backup bellows 14, for instance by means of a pivot pin 32 as explained above with reference to Fig. 1. With reference to Fig. 6, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the actuation lever 16 is shaped as the U letter with both arms extending along the edges of the NBC filtration system which may be oriented vertically as shown in Fig. 6. The actuation lever 16 is hinged to a fixed position located higher than the backup bellows, for instance to both sides of the filter unit 12, by means of two protruding studs 44, forming a swing like structure. A mid portion 46 of the actuation lever is pivotally attached to the movable closure 26 of backup bellows 14 by means of a flat member 48 and pins 50. As mentioned above the actuation lever 16 may be configured as a telescopic collapsible rod which needs only to be expanded downwards in case of electric power failure. Alternately the actuation lever 16 may be folded or partially dismantled at the line of widened sleeves 52 provided substantially at the mid portion 46 for that purpose.

With reference to Fig. 7, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the actuation lever 16 is curved, swivel about a vertical axis extending along one side of the backup bellows. For example as shown in Fig. 7, the NBC filtration system may be oriented horizontally, with the curved actuation lever 16 being attached to the Filter unit 12 on the wall facing away from the backup bellows 14, by means of two plain bearings 60. The grip-able portion 28 of actuation lever 16 is curved on elbow 62 away from the filtration system 10, directing towards the room space. The other end of the actuation lever 16 is curved on elbow 64 above the filter unit 12 towards the backup bellows 14 and curved again on elbow 66 downwards directing towards the center of the movable portion 26 of backup bellows 14. The end portion 68 of the actuation lever 16 is pivotally attached to the movable closure 26 of backup bellows 14 by means of a flat member 70 and plain bearing 72. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, rotation of the grip-able portion 28 to the right or the left marked by arrows 74 and 76 will expand and contact the backup bellows 14 respectively.

With reference to Fig. 8, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the NBC filtration system further comprises a transmitting mechanism generally referenced 80 where manual propulsion of the actuation lever 16 grip-able portion 28, drives the transmitting mechanism to expand and contract the backup bellows 14. The transmitting mechanism 80 may be a scissors mechanism as known in the art of mechanical assemblies and as described above with reference to Fig. 4. The scissors mechanism 80, allows parallel movement of the guided frame 27 and movable closure 26 attached thereto, in relation to backplate 22. The actuation lever 16 is attached to an extension 82 of a link 85 of one of the stages of the scissors mechanism 80, for instance to the first stage link marked 85 as shown in Fig. 6. Back and forth propulsion of the lever 16 with link 85, of any chosen stage, about an imaginary axis passing through hinge point 87 for example, activates the scissors mechanism 80 through the selected stage link 85. The scissors mechanism 80 effectively multiplies, the manual propulsion of the actuation lever by the number of stages gathering the scissors mechanism 80. Accordingly, the stroke of the backup bellows may be configured by changing the number of stages gathering the scissors mechanism. As a result, moderate actuation of the lever 16 may be transmitted to a large linear stroke of the guided frame 27 and backup bellows 14.

As explained in Israeli patent application No. 250296 to the present applicant the NBC filter unit 12 preferably includes an integral ventilation bypass and air flow direction means selectively operated by selector switch 90 to direct air flow internally from the inlet port 92 (Fig. 2) of the filter unit 12 to the outlet port 94 (Fig. 1) of the filter unit, either through the bypass, constituting a ventilation mode, or through the particulate and gas adsorption filters constituting an NBC filtration mode. The electric blower or the backup belows when operative, draws air from the outlet port 94 through duct 96 (Fig. 6) which is airflow coupling the filter unit 12 and backup bellows 14. Filtered air is admitted into the safe room through one way valve 98 (Fig. 6) located on the movable portion 26 of backup bellows 14

In operation, using any of the above embodiments, upon declaration of NBC warning, a cover (not shown) fitted to the NBC filtration system must be removed. A selector switch 90 is manually rotated to the NBC filtration state and the actuation lever is assembled, unfolded or extended as explained above with reference to the different embodiments, to enable manual propulsion. In case of electric power failure, manual operation of the actuation lever 16 can be started immediately without further preparations.

It will be appreciated that the specific embodiments of the present invention described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are set forth merely for purposes of example. Other variations, modifications, and applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore clarified that all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An NBC filtration system comprising: an NBC filter unit; a backup bellows; an electric blower; and an actuation lever, wherein manual propulsion of said actuation lever expands and contracts said backup bellows and wherein a grip-able portion of said actuation lever is accessible at a height lower than the installation height of said NBC filtration system.

2. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said backup bellows further comprises a stationary closure; a deformable portion; and a movable closure, and wherein said actuation lever is mechanically linked to said movable closure of said backup bellows.

3. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuation lever is detachable.

4. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuation lever is configured as a telescopic rod.

5. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuation lever is rigidly fitted to a linearly guided frame, said guided frame is fitted with at least one slide bush linearly traveling about a guide shaft fixed to a backplate of said NBC filtration system.

6. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuation lever is rigidly fitted to a linearly guided frame, said guided frame is linked by at least one scissors mechanism to a backplate of said NBC filtration system.

7. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuation lever is hinged to a fixed position located between said grip-able portion, and said backup bellows forming a balance like structure.

8. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuation lever is hinged to a fixed position located higher than said backup bellows, forming a swing like structure.

9. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuation lever is curved, swivel about a vertical axis extending along one side of said backup bellows.

10. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a transmitting mechanism wherein manual propulsion of said actuation lever drives said transmitting mechanism to expand and contract said backup bellows.

11. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said transmitting mechanism is a scissors mechanism.

12. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said actuation lever is attached to a link of one stage of said scissors mechanism thus enabling activation of said scissors mechanism through said stage link.

13. An NBC filtration system as claimed in claim 12, wherein a stroke of said backup bellows is configured by the number of stages gathering said scissors mechanism.