A near ceiling mounted NBC filtration system [10] (FIG. 8) for collective protection shelters having an optimized modular structure. The main building blocks comprising: a filter unit [30], a blower [40], a manual air exchange backup unit [20] and a changeover valve [50]. The filter unit [30] is elongated in shape horizontally positioned along a top portion of a wall of the protected space. An inlet port [36] and outlet port [38] of the filter unit are located in proximity to each other near a first extremity of the filter unit. The blower [40] is driven by the electric motor [42] through a second speed increasing transmission enabling rotation of an impeller of the blower at speeds of above 3000 rpm. The blower [40] is positioned along the filter unit [30] near a second extremity thereof distal from the inlet port and outlet port; The changeover valve [50] comprises a tubular housing extending along the filter unit near the first extremity thereof, and an internal displaceable tubular valve member. The air exchange backup unit [20] comprising a plurality of lunged segments [22a, b, c] serially linked to each other, forming a foldable arm. A first end [24] of the air exchange backup unit is swiveably attached to the electric motor [42] and a second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit carries a detachable hand crank [28]. Manual rotation of the hand crank [28] rotates the electric motor [42] at substantially a rated speed of the electric motor. The second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit is firmly attachable to a wall of the protection shelter at a convenient position for manual cranking of the hand crank [28]. Each of the building blocks of the NBC filtration system may be replaced with a block of different capacity without effecting the other blocks.

A near ceiling mounted NBC filtration system [10] (FIG. 8) for collective protection shelters having an optimized modular structure. The main building blocks comprising: a filter unit [30], a blower [40], a manual air exchange backup unit [20] and a changeover valve [50]. The filter unit [30] is elongated in shape horizontally positioned along a top portion of a wall of the protected space. An inlet port [36] and outlet port [38] of the filter unit are located in proximity to each other near a first extremity of the filter unit. The blower [40] is driven by the electric motor [42] through a second speed increasing transmission enabling rotation of an impeller of the blower at speeds of above 3000 rpm. The blower [40] is positioned along the filter unit [30] near a second extremity thereof distal from the inlet port and outlet port; The changeover valve [50] comprises a tubular housing extending along the filter unit near the first extremity thereof, and an internal displaceable tubular valve member. The air exchange backup unit [20] comprising a plurality of lunged segments [22a, b, c] serially linked to each other, forming a foldable arm. A first end [24] of the air exchange backup unit is swiveably attached to the electric motor [42] and a second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit carries a detachable hand crank [28]. Manual rotation of the hand crank [28] rotates the electric motor [42] at substantially a rated speed of the electric motor. The second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit is firmly attachable to a wall of the protection shelter at a convenient position for manual cranking of the hand crank [28]. Each of the building blocks of the NBC filtration system may be replaced with a block of different capacity without effecting the other blocks.

A modular, multi-crew life support system and a method of assembling the system involve a fan to draw in ambient air. The system includes one or more assemblies that produce conditioned air from the ambient air, and a housing to support an oxygen source. The system also includes a port configured as an inlet from the oxygen source to augment the conditioned air, and a duct to disperse a result of augmenting the conditioned air as output air to support two or more occupants of an enclosure.

A modular, multi-crew life support system and a method of assembling the system involve a fan to draw in ambient air. The system includes one or more assemblies that produce conditioned air from the ambient air, and a housing to support an oxygen source. The system also includes a port configured as an inlet from the oxygen source to augment the conditioned air, and a duct to disperse a result of augmenting the conditioned air as output air to support two or more occupants of an enclosure.

An NBC filtration system whose main components are a filter unit, a blower, a manual air exchange backup unit and a changeover valve. The filter unit is elongated horizontally positioned along a top portion of a wall of the protected space. Inlet and outlet ports of the filter unit are located close to each other near a first extremity of the filter unit. The blower is driven by the electric motor through a second speed increasing transmission enabling rotation of an impeller of the blower. The blower is positioned along the filter unit near a second extremity distal from the inlet and outlet ports; The changeover valve has a tubular housing extending along the filter unit near the first extremity, and an internal displaceable tubular valve member. Each of the components may be replaced with a component of different capacity without effecting the other components.

An NBC filtration system whose main components are a filter unit, a blower, a manual air exchange backup unit and a changeover valve. The filter unit is elongated horizontally positioned along a top portion of a wall of the protected space. Inlet and outlet ports of the filter unit are located close to each other near a first extremity of the filter unit. The blower is driven by the electric motor through a second speed increasing transmission enabling rotation of an impeller of the blower. The blower is positioned along the filter unit near a second extremity distal from the inlet and outlet ports; The changeover valve has a tubular housing extending along the filter unit near the first extremity, and an internal displaceable tubular valve member. Each of the components may be replaced with a component of different capacity without effecting the other components.

A floor-space saving NBC filtration system for collective protection shelters with NBC filter unit and means for changing the NBC filtration system state between a ventilation mode, effective during normal times or conventional hazard, and a NBC protection mode, effective during NBC hazard. The NBC filtration system is contained in a space out of a comfortable reach of the shelter occupants thus saving usable floor-space. The means for changing the NBC filtration system state is operated from a location within the comfortable reach of the shelter occupants. The NBC filter unit inlet and outlet are located at close proximity to each other, a pre-filter outlet is located in proximity to the NBC filter unit inlet and outlet with a changeover valve, serving as means for changing the NBC filtration system state, located there between. Resulting in simple operation and space saving by the changeover valve replacing prior art space consuming flexible pipes.

A floor-space saving NBC filtration system for collective protection shelters with NBC filter unit and means for changing the NBC filtration system state between a ventilation mode, effective during normal times or conventional hazard, and a NBC protection mode, effective during NBC hazard. The NBC filtration system is contained in a space out of a comfortable reach of the shelter occupants thus saving usable floor-space. The means for changing the NBC filtration system state is operated from a location within the comfortable reach of the shelter occupants. The NBC filter unit inlet and outlet are located at close proximity to each other, a pre-filter outlet is located in proximity to the NBC filter unit inlet and outlet with a changeover valve, serving as means for changing the NBC filtration system state, located there between. Resulting in simple operation and space saving by the changeover valve replacing prior art space consuming flexible pipes.

A collective NBC filtration system (FIG. 1A) for providing positive-pressure purified air to a plurality of subjects in a protected space, or in an environment which cannot be maintained at positive pressure, in conjunction with one or more facepiece fluidly connected to the NBC filtration system. The system comprises: A casing body [102] including a first section [136] defining an inner volume therein, and a second section [138] adjacent to the first section. The second section includes an inlet port [116], The first section has a larger cross-section than the second section, and forms a peripheral first ledge [142] surrounding the second section. At least one NBC filter accommodated in the inner volume. The at least one NBC filter is supported on the first ledge [142], A lid [104] including a central portion [154] and a second ledge [152] surrounding the central portion. The central portion [154] includes a plurality of outlet ports [118], which are sealable. The lid [104] is openable to provide access to the inner volume and is securely closeable to affix the at least one NBC filter therein the inner volume by the second ledge [152], The lid [104] and the at least one NBC filter define, when the lid is securely closed, an outlet compartment there between. The outlet compartment has about the same cross-section as the second section. A blower [108] housed within the second section. A suction port of the blower being fluidly coupled to the inlet port. The system is configured such that the second section [138] fluidly couples the inlet port [116] to at least one inlet of the respective at least one NBC filter, and, when the lid [104] is securely closed, the outlet compartment [302] fluidly couples at least one outlet of the respective at least one NBC filter to the one or more outlet ports [118] but is otherwise fluidly sealed, thereby preventing potentially contaminated air from entering the outlet compartment, except via the at least one NBC filter.

A floor-space saving NBC filtration system for collective protection shelters with NBC filter unit and means for changing the NBC filtration system state between a ventilation mode, effective during normal times or conventional hazard, and a NBC protection mode, effective during NBC hazard. The NBC filtration system is contained in a space out of a comfortable reach of the shelter occupants thus saving usable floor-space. The means for changing the NBC filtration system state is operated from a location within the comfortable reach of the shelter occupants. The NBC filter unit inlet and outlet are located at close proximity to each other, a pre-filter outlet is located in proximity to the NBC filter unit inlet and outlet with a changeover valve, serving as means for changing the NBC filtration system state, located there between. Resulting in simple operation and space saving by the changeover valve replacing prior art space consuming flexible pipes.