There is disclosed a connection apparatus for connecting breathing gas delivery components of a breathing apparatus, comprising: a male connector configured to be received in a corresponding female port, the male connector comprising a perimeter wall defining an external shape of the male connector and enclosing a gas conduit. The perimeter wall comprises a distal portion defining a first cross-sectional area of the male connector, a proximal portion defining a second cross-sectional area of the male connector larger than the first cross-sectional area, and a tapered portion formed between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

A self-contained breathing apparatus includes an air cylinder pressurized to about 5500 psi, wherein the air cylinder is compatible with infrastructure used in conjunction with the air cylinder. The self-contained breathing apparatus also includes a first regulator valve for reducing air pressure from the air cylinder to a predetermined level. A second regulator valve is also provided for reducing the air pressure from the predetermined level to a level suitable for use by an operator, wherein air is supplied from the second regulator valve to the operator via a mask. The self-contained breathing apparatus further includes a frame for supporting the air cylinder on the back of the operator. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A self-contained breathing apparatus includes an air cylinder pressurized to about 5500 psi, wherein the air cylinder is compatible with infrastructure used in conjunction with the air cylinder. The self-contained breathing apparatus also includes a first regulator valve for reducing air pressure from the air cylinder to a predetermined level. A second regulator valve is also provided for reducing the air pressure from the predetermined level to a level suitable for use by an operator, wherein air is supplied from the second regulator valve to the operator via a mask. The self-contained breathing apparatus further includes a frame for supporting the air cylinder on the back of the operator. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A self-contained breathing apparatus includes an air cylinder pressurized to about 5500 psi, wherein the air cylinder is compatible with infrastructure used in conjunction with the air cylinder. The self-contained breathing apparatus also includes a first regulator valve for reducing air pressure from the air cylinder to a predetermined level. A second regulator valve is also provided for reducing the air pressure from the predetermined level to a level suitable for use by an operator, wherein air is supplied from the second regulator valve to the operator via a mask. The self-contained breathing apparatus further includes a frame for supporting the air cylinder on the back of the operator. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A self-contained breathing apparatus includes an air cylinder pressurized to about 5500 psi, wherein the air cylinder is compatible with infrastructure used in conjunction with the air cylinder. The self-contained breathing apparatus also includes a first regulator valve for reducing air pressure from the air cylinder to a predetermined level. A second regulator valve is also provided for reducing the air pressure from the predetermined level to a level suitable for use by an operator, wherein air is supplied from the second regulator valve to the operator via a mask. The self-contained breathing apparatus further includes a frame for supporting the air cylinder on the back of the operator. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A system is designed to increase diver safety in a high-risk environment containing one or more hazardous materials. The system includes chemically-hardened surface-supplied diving equipment designed to provide full environment isolation for the diver. The system also includes a dive helmet and a surface-return exhaust system, where the surface-return exhaust system includes a demand exhaust regulator that serves as a pressure-actuated valve to enable exhausting to a breathable atmosphere outside of a dive helmet instead of exhausting into the environment containing one or more hazardous materials. The system also includes retrofittable kits enabling the upgrading of contaminant-vulnerable materials of an existing dive helmet. The system also includes fluoroelastomeric materials and components to implement in a closed circuit dive system.

A need exists for a tank regulator that can reduce a pressure of more than about 4,300 psi to a much lower pressure. The present disclosure describes a piston regulator that allows for pressure to be reduced from an inlet pressure of about 5,000 psi or more to outlet pressure of about 2,000 psi or less. The regulator includes intermediate chambers to provide step-down pressures along the piston. The internal chambers enable to hold pressure differentials between the high-pressure inlet and the low-pressure outlet. The pressure in the intermediate chambers is maintained by a pressure-limiting valve to control the pressure differentials across piston seals. These seals allow the piston to actuate while maintaining a seal between the various pressure chambers.

A wearable respiratory isolation system is configured as an open collar to be worn loosely around the neck of the user, with an articulating arm positioning a mouthpiece in front of the mouth and nasal region of the user. The system provides filtered and sterilized air through a inhalation vent on the mouthpiece which creates a curtain of sterilized air in front of the users face, which protects the users face from air bourne pathogens provides sterile air for the user to inhale. Exhaled air is extracted through an exhalation vent on the mouthpiece, is decontaminated and exhausted to the rear of the user. A modified, background oriented Schlieren imaging technique is used to determine whether the user is inhaling or exhaling, and this information is used to control the flow of sterilized air and the capture of exhaled gases.

A valve for a breathing apparatus system includes a housing extending axially from a first end to a second end, with the first end fluidly coupled to the mask and the second end configured to fluidly couple with a source of breathable air. An air flow path extends through the housing between the first end and the second end.

A breathing system includes a pressurized fluid supply, a downstream breathing device, and a fluid regulator comprising. The fluid regulator includes an inlet in fluid connection with the fluid supply, and an outlet in fluid connection with a downstream breathing device. The fluid supply supplies fluid at a first pressure to the inlet, and the fluid is at a second pressure at the outlet that is lower than the first pressure. The fluid regulator also includes a boost tube disposed within an outlet portion of the fluid regulator. The boost tube includes a body defining a length and a plurality of apertures extending through the length of the body and configured to reduce the turbulence of the fluid flowing from the outlet to the downstream breathing device.