POWERED AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR

Abstract

A powered air purifying respirator has a headcover with an air intake, a face cover, and a neck cover. The face cover seals to the headcover and pivots from the headcover. The neck cover extends from the headcover and the face cover. A first fan motor powers a first fan and a second fan motor powers a second fan. The headcover has an upper section and a lower section. The first fan is flow connected to the upper section. The upper section is formed as a hollow area between a user's head and the headcover. The first fan is flow connected to the lower section. The lower section is formed as a hollow area between a user's face and the face cover. A filter draws air from outside of the upper section and lower section. The filter is driven by a fan.

Claims

1. A powered air purifying respirator comprising: a. a headcover, wherein the headcover has an air intake; b. a face cover, wherein the face cover seals to the headcover and pivots from the headcover; c. a neck cover, wherein the neck cover extends from the headcover and the face cover; d. an first fan powered by a fan motor; e. an upper section, wherein the first fan is flow connected to the upper section, wherein the upper section is formed as a hollow area between a user's head and the headcover; f. a lower section, wherein the first fan is flow connected to the lower section, wherein the lower section is formed as a hollow area between a user's face and the face cover; and g. a filter drawing air from outside of the upper section and lower section, wherein the filter is driven by the fan.

2. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a second fan, wherein the second fan connects to the lower section, wherein the second fan is reversible.

3. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a face filter mounted on the face cover, wherein the face filter is configured to filter incoming air.

4. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including an ear filter mounted on the headcover, wherein the ear filter is configured to filter incoming air.

5. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a headband separating the section from the lower section.

6. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, wherein the headcover is made of a soft foam shell.

7. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a neck wrap, wherein the neck wrap further includes a neck cushion.

8. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a heatpipe mounted within the headcover for exhaustion from the upper section.

9. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a brim that extends outwardly, wherein a light and a power switch are mounted on the brim.

10. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including internal airflow channels formed on the upper section, wherein the airflow channels direct air from a front of a user's head to a rear of a user's head.

11. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a rear cushion mounted on the headcover.

12. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, wherein the headcover further includes a neck adapter, wherein the neck adapter connects to the face cover at a face adapter connection, wherein the face adapter connection is formed as a releasable gasket, wherein the neck adapter further includes a neck cover connection.

13. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, wherein the upper section has an upper airflow across a users head, and wherein the lower section retains a lower airflow across a user's face.

14. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a second fan powered by a second fan motor, wherein the first fan motor and the second fan motor are reversible.

15. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 14, wherein the first fan motor is connected to a first bidirectional H bridge control circuit and wherein the second fan motor is connected to a second bidirectional H bridge control circuit.

16. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 15, further including a controller that controls the first bidirectional H bridge control circuit and the second bidirectional H bridge control circuit.

17. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 15, further including a display mounted to the headcover for displaying a visual indicator of an operating status of the powered air purifying respirator, wherein the display is connected to the controller.

18. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 17, further including a face filter mounted on the face cover, wherein the face filter is configured to filter incoming air, further including an ear filter mounted on the headcover, wherein the ear filter is configured to filter incoming air, wherein the headcover is made of a soft foam shell, further including a neck wrap, wherein the neck wrap further includes a neck cushion.

19. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, further including a battery mounted battery housing, wherein the battery housing to the headcover, further including a brim that extends outwardly, wherein a light and a power switch are mounted on the brim, further including internal airflow channels formed on the upper section, wherein the airflow channels direct air from a front of a user's head to a rear of a user's head, further including a rear cushion mounted on the headcover.

20. The powered air purifying respirator of claim 1, wherein the headcover further includes a neck adapter, wherein the neck adapter connects to the face cover at a face adapter connection, wherein the face adapter connection is formed as a releasable gasket, wherein the neck adapter further includes a neck cover connection, wherein the upper section has an upper airflow across a users head, and wherein the lower section retains a lower airflow across a user's face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention

[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention

[0025] FIG. 3 is a side cross-section view of the present invention

[0026] FIG. 4 a perspective view of the present invention

[0027] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the motor control and display circuit.

[0028] The following callout list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the element numbers of the drawings. [0029] 20 headcover [0030] 21 brim [0031] 22 battery housing [0032] 23 adjusting buckle [0033] 24 internal airflow channel [0034] 25 air intake [0035] 26 air intake openings [0036] 27 light [0037] 28 flip up cover hinge [0038] 29 power button [0039] 30 face cover [0040] 31 upper airflow [0041] 32 lower airflow [0042] 33 fabric cover [0043] 34 rear cushion [0044] 35 hook and loop flap connector [0045] 36 fan [0046] 37 face cover hinge [0047] 38 neck cushion [0048] 40 neck cover [0049] 41 neck adapter [0050] 42 neck adapter connection [0051] 43 face cover connection [0052] 44 power cable [0053] 45 power plug [0054] 46 electrical connector [0055] 47 neck wrap [0056] 50 soft foam shell [0057] 51 first exhaust fan [0058] 52 second exhaust fan [0059] 53 thermoelectric cooler [0060] 54 heat pipe [0061] 55 first airflow exhaust [0062] 56 second airflow exhaust [0063] 57 headband [0064] 58 ear opening [0065] 59 ear filter [0066] 71 upper section [0067] 72 lower section [0068] 73 heat exchanger [0069] 74 external battery [0070] 80 fan motor assembly [0071] 81 first fan motor [0072] 82 second fan motor [0073] 83 first motor first mode signal [0074] 84 first motor second mode signal [0075] 85 second motor first mode signal [0076] 86 second motor second mode signal [0077] 87 first bidirectional H bridge control circuit [0078] 88 second bidirectional H bridge control circuit [0079] 89 12V power supply line [0080] 90 control module [0081] 91 first motor control harness [0082] 92 second motor control harness [0083] 94 ground [0084] 95 controller [0085] 96 first 7 segment display [0086] 97 second 7 segment display [0087] 98 user mode select [0088] 99 power output control [0089] 100 display

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Glossary:

[0090] IC is an integrated circuit

[0091] DC refers to direct current

[0092] Vcc refers to a power input

[0093] H Bridge refers to a reversible power circuit that can be drawn in the shape of an H

[0094] As seen in FIG. 1, the headcover 20 can be formed as a helmet or hat shaped structure with a brim 21. A battery housing having a battery 22 can be formed on the headcover 20. The headcover 20 can be formed as a housing for enclosing interior internal airflow channels 24. The internal airflow channels 24 preferably pass from a front portion of the headcover 20 to a rear portion of the headcover 20. The headcover 20 also has an adjusting buckle 23 to provide a tightening of the headcover 20.

[0095] The brim 21 may have their intake openings 26 on an air intake 25 to allow a flow of air to enter and pass through a filter before continuing to the internal airflow channel 24. The brim 21 they also have a light 27 that is operatively connected to the battery housing 22. A neck cover 40 hangs from the headcover 20, and a face cover 30 connects to the next cover 40 and is connected to the headcover 20. The headcover 20 can have a swivel connection such as a flip up cover hinge 28 to allow the face cover 30 to be swiveled and adjusted. Preferably, a display 100 provides a visual indicator for determining operation. The fan is mounted behind the air intake openings 26 and powered by a battery housing 22 that can also be mounted in the headcover 20.

[0096] As seen in FIG. 2, the face cover 30 has a dome shape and can conform to the neck cover 40. A power button 29 can be mounted on the brim 21. The power button can control a light 27, or the fans. One or more fans can be used for intaking airflow and distributing airflow in the headcover 20. The battery housing 22 can be an elongated battery housing passing around a circumferential periphery of the headcover 20.

[0097] As seen in FIG. 3, preferably, a neck adapter 41 is semirigid and receives the face cover 30 at a face cover connection 43. The face cover connection 43 is curved for receiving the face cover 30. The neck adapter 41 is preferably also connected to the neck cover 40 at a neck adapter connection 42. The neck adapter 41 has an upper edge that connects to the headcover 20. The hook and loop flap connector 35 formed on the back of the neck cover 40 allows for circumference size adjustment. The neck cover 40 is preferably made of a moisture wick fabric 33. The neck adapter 41 is preferably a flexible sheet of plastic material and can be magnetically connected to the face cover 30 at the face cover connection 43. To enable the magnetic face cover connection 43, magnets can be mounted on the face cover 30 and the neck adapter 41. Additionally, a rear cushion 34 can be used for stability and comfort.

[0098] Behind the flip up cover hinge 28, the upper airflow 31 passes rearwardly over the top of a user's head. The upper airflow is separated from a lower airflow 32. The lower airflow 32 can pass downwardly and exit through fabric apertures in the moisture wick fabric 33. In this way, the face cover is slightly pressurized. The lower airflow and the upper airflow are preferably separated by a foam gasket that fills a space between the user's head and the headcover 20.

[0099] As seen in FIG. 4, the foam gasket forms a comfy headband 57. The headband separates the upper airflow 31 from the lower airflow 32. The comfy headband 7 can be mounted to a soft foam shell 50 which forms a shell of the headcover 20, A first airflow exhaust 55 and a second airflow exhaust 56 can be implemented by a first exhaust fan 51 and a second exhaust fan 52. The first exhaust fan is mounted higher into the rear of the second exhaust fan which is mounted forward and preferably lower. The second exhaust fan can circulate air for a thermoelectric cooler or a heat pipe 54 without a thermoelectric cooler 53. The heat pipe 54 can exhaust heat from the soft foam shell 50. The heat pipe 54 can extend downwardly to the lower section 72 for cooling the temples, ears or neck area of the user. The soft foam shell 50 preferably has variable rigidity with a softer rear portion and a harder portion around the airflow fans.

[0100] The thermoelectric cooler 53 is preferably reversible. The thermoelectric 53 is connected to the heat pipe 54, which is connected to the heat exchanger 73. When in a cooling mode, the thermoelectric cooler draws heat from the user to the heat pipe 54, which then carries the heat to that heat exchanger 73. The heat in the heat exchanger 73 is then exhausted away from the headcover 20 using the first or second fan. In a heating mode, the thermoelectric cooler 53 becomes a thermoelectric heater and the heat is transferred in reverse of the cooling mode.

[0101] In a first mode, the exhaust fans exhaust air out of the upper section 71 and the lower section 72 so that airflow passes from the rear of the head to the front of the head, and upwards from a lower portion of the face to an upper portion of the face. The air intake in the first mode occurs by drawing air through the face filters 36. The face filters 36 and the ear filters 59 can receive filtered air through them so that the ears and face stay cool. Ear openings 58 formed on the soft foam shell 50 can allow air and sound to aspirate. Similarly, the heat pipe 54 can warm a heat exchanger 73 that draws heat away from the user. To minimize heat generation in the headcover 20, the battery or a portion of the battery can be mounted away from the headcover 20 and electricity supply through a power cable 44. When using the power cable 44, a power plug 45 connects to an external battery 74. The external battery 74 can be used in conjunction with the battery housing 22. An electrical connector 46 can connect the external battery 74 to the battery housing 22, or to the controller that operates the fans. The neck wrap 47 can have a fabric cover 33 over the neck wrap 47, and the fabric cover 33 may have a neck cushion 38 to support a rear portion of the neck and head. The neck wrap 47 can have a bubble shape that adheres to the user to form a seal with the skin of the user when the exhaust fan is decreasing the pressure around the face cover 30. The neck wrap 47 is similarly configured to release from the user to release the seal when the exhaust fan increases the pressure around the face cover 30. The neck wrap 47 therefore has alternating release and adhesion. The neck wrap adhesion is not necessarily airtight, but greatly decreases airflow through the neck wrap 47.

[0102] The first mode is shown in FIG. 4 and the second mode is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The first mode provides a lower than ambient pressure in the lower section 72 and the upper section 71. The second mode provides a higher than ambient pressure in the lower section 72 and the upper section 71. The first exhaust fan 51 can alternate between intake of air and exhaust of air. The second exhaust fan 52 can alternate between intake of air and exhaust of air.

[0103] The headcover has an upper section 71 and a lower section 72 that are separated by a comfy headband 57. The face cover 30 is in the lower section 72 is preferably clear plastic polycarbonate sheet formed to conform to a curved profile. The neck cover 40 is also in the lower section 72 and is preferably made of a moisture wick fabric having elasticity and conforming to the neck of a wearer.

[0104] The mode can be alternated by selecting DC bidirectional motors and configuring them on H bridge control circuits, Preferably, a fan assembly 80 has a pair of bidirectional fan motors, namely a first fan motor 81, and a second fan motor 82 are configured in separate bidirectional H bridge control circuits 83 implemented on a circuit board held within the soft foam shell 50. The first motor has a first motor first mode signal 83 and a first motor second mode signal 84. The second motor has a second motor first mode signal 85 and a second motor second mode signal 86. The first motor has a first bidirectional H bridge control circuit 87 and the second motor has a second bidirectional H bridge control circuit 88. The first bidirectional H bridge control circuit 87 and the second bidirectional H bridge control circuit 88 are connected to a control module 90 with a controller such as an integrated circuit 95 and powered by a Vcc 12V 89 with a ground 94. The first motor control harness 91 and the second motor control harness 92 each have a pair of signal wires for controlling the motors.

[0105] A user can input a user mode selection 98 input to the controller 95 from a control such as a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone connection. The controller 95 can output a first seven segment display 96 and a second seven segment display 97 to show the user operational status on a display 100. The pair of seven segment displays can provide a double digit or double letter operational indicator. The power output control 99 can be used to control fan motor speed by decreasing voltage or by pulse width modulation of the nominal 12 V power supply line 89 that powers the first motor 81 and the second motor 82 also noted as Vcc 12V.

[0106] The modes of the fans can be sinusoidal, beginning first with exhaust, then intake, then exhaust. In this way, the user can adapt to different environmental considerations such as high humidity, heat or cold. The fans can also be controlled by a step function where both fans are on; one fan is in suction while the other one is opposed.

[0107] For example, the second exhaust fan 52 can be only connected to the lower section 72 and draw air through the face filter 36 and the ear filter 59 when a user is hot. Simultaneously, a first exhaust fan can intake air and be only connected to the upper section 71 to provide an airflow 31 to cool the top of the head. Thus, each individual fan can be operated either synchronously, or individually. It is preferred that the upper section 71 is only fluidly connected to the first exhaust fan 51. It is preferred that the lower section 72 only be connected to the second exhaust fan. A baffle can be formed between the lower section 72 and the upper section 71 to control airflow between the lower section 72 and the upper section 71.

[0108] A third bidirectional H bridge control circuit can control the thermoelectric cooler to allow both cooling and heating. The third bidirectional H bridge control circuit is also preferably connected to the controller which can be an IC chip. The user mode selection 98 can be Bluetooth enabled for user smartphone application selection of different fan and cooling modes, which are then displayed on the display 100 as a visual mode confirmation.