Connection module, maintenance device and method for maintaining a closed-circuit breathing apparatus

Abstract

A connection module (10) for installation in a closed breathing circuit of a closed-circuit breathing apparatus (1000), includes an inlet port (12), for connection to a first closed circuit element, an outlet port (14), for connection to a second closed circuit element, a maintenance fluid inlet (16), and a maintenance fluid outlet (18). A maintenance device may be provided with the connection module and a controller (30) and control module regulated valves (40). Maintenance fluid is circulated through the closed breathing circuit by the controller and valves in a state in which the connection module (10) is installed in the closed-circuit breathing apparatus. A method for maintaining a closed-circuit breathing apparatus includes opening the closed-circuit breathing apparatus at a point, installing the connection module or the maintenance device, and introducing maintenance fluid into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus through the connection module or the maintenance device.

Claims

1. A connection module for installation in a closed breathing circuit of a closed-circuit breathing apparatus, the connection module comprising: an inlet port, at which a first closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus is to be connected; an outlet port, at which a second closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus is to be connected; at least one fluid inlet through which maintenance fluid is introduced into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus; and at least one fluid outlet through which the maintenance fluid is removed from the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus.

2. A connection module in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an additional fluid inlet through which a gas is introduced into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus for drying the closed breathing circuit.

3. A connection module in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a controller; valves at least one of controlled and regulated by the controller; at least one fluid storage device with the maintenance fluid; a fluid delivery device; and a power supply unit, wherein the maintenance fluid is delivered through the closed-circuit breathing apparatus by the controller by means of the fluid delivery device in a state in which the connection module is installed in the closed-circuit breathing apparatus.

4. A connection module in accordance with claim 3, further comprising at least one empty fluid storage device, wherein the maintenance fluid is delivered into the empty fluid storage device by means of the fluid delivery device in an order comprising from the at least one filled fluid storage device, through the fluid inlet, through the closed-circuit breathing apparatus and through the fluid outlet.

5. A connection module in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a gas cylinder, from which gas can be removed for drying the closed breathing circuit.

6. A connection module in accordance with claim 1, in combination with at least another connection module to provide a plurality of connection modules forming a maintenance system with the plurality of connection modules providing automatic maintenance of closed-circuit breathing apparatuses comprising closed-circuit elements, wherein the maintenance system further comprises a plurality of fastening devices wherein each connection module is plugged, screwed, brought into contact and/or mounted in a positive-locking manner by the fastening means, between two of the closed-circuit elements.

7. A maintenance device for closed-circuit breathing apparatuses, the maintenance device comprising: a connection module comprising an inlet port, at which a first closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus is to be connected, an outlet port, at which a second closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus is to be connected, at least one fluid inlet through which maintenance fluid is introduced into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus, and at least one fluid outlet through which the maintenance fluid is removed from the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus; a controller; and valves at least one of controlled and regulated by the controller, wherein the maintenance fluid can be circulated by the controller with one of the control and regulation of the valves through the closed breathing circuit in a state in which the connection module is installed in the closed-circuit breathing apparatus.

8. A maintenance device for closed-circuit breathing apparatuses in accordance with claim 7, further comprising at least one of a temperature and a humidity sensor provided in an area of the inlet port and in an area of the outlet port of the connection module.

9. A maintenance device for a closed-circuit breathing apparatus in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a filter module, wherein the connection module is mountable upstream at a regenerating cartridge of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus and the filter module is mountable downstream at the regenerating cartridge.

10. A maintenance device for a closed-circuit breathing apparatus in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a bypass line connecting the connection module to the filter module.

11. A maintenance device for a closed-circuit breathing apparatus in accordance with claim 7, further comprising an additional fluid inlet through which a gas is introduced into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus for drying the closed breathing circuit.

12. A maintenance device for a closed-circuit breathing apparatus in accordance with claim 7, further comprising: at least one fluid storage device with the maintenance fluid; a fluid delivery device; and a power supply unit, wherein the maintenance fluid is delivered through the closed-circuit breathing apparatus by the controller acting on the fluid delivery device in a state in which the connection module is installed in the closed-circuit breathing apparatus.

13. A maintenance device for a closed-circuit breathing apparatus in accordance with claim 12, further comprising at least one empty fluid storage device, wherein the maintenance fluid is delivered into the empty fluid storage device by means of the fluid delivery device in an order comprising from the at least one filled fluid storage device, through the fluid inlet, through the closed-circuit breathing apparatus and through the fluid outlet.

14. A maintenance device for a closed-circuit breathing apparatus in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a gas cylinder, from which gas can be removed for drying the closed breathing circuit.

15. A closed-circuit breathing apparatus comprising: closed-circuit elements; and a connection module comprising: an inlet port, at which a first closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus is to be connected; an outlet port, at which a second closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus is to be connected; at least one fluid inlet through which maintenance fluid is introduced into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus; at least one fluid outlet through which the maintenance fluid is removed from the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus; and a fastening device wherein the connection module is plugged, screwed, brought into contact and/or mounted in a positive-locking manner by the fastening means, between two of the closed-circuit elements.

16. A closed-circuit breathing apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the connection module is part of a maintenance device that further comprises: a controller; valves at least one of controlled and regulated by the controller; at least one fluid storage device with the maintenance fluid; a fluid delivery device; and a power supply unit, wherein the maintenance fluid is delivered through the closed-circuit breathing apparatus by the controller by means of the fluid delivery device in a state in which the connection module is installed in the closed-circuit breathing apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a connection module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a connection module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a connection module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a connection module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a connection module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a maintenance device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a maintenance device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) Referring to the drawings, elements having the same function and mode of action are always designated by the same reference numbers in FIGS. 1 through 8, and a redundant description of individual components is avoided.

(11) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a connection module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows especially a connection module 10 for installation in a closed breathing system of a closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 with an inlet port 12, at which a first closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 can be connected, with an outlet port 14, at which a second closed circuit element of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 can be connected, with at least one fluid inlet 16, through which maintenance fluid can be introduced into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000, and with at least one fluid outlet 18, through which the maintenance fluid can be removed from the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000. The closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 is shown only schematically in FIG. 1. It is not shown in FIGS. 2 through 8 for a simplified representation. Valves, which may be located outside the connection module 10 or in it, may be provided for controlling and/or regulating the fluid flow in the connection module 10. The inlet port 12, the outlet port 14, the fluid inlet 16 and the fluid outlet 18 may project from a main surface of the connection module, but they may also be arranged such that they are placed into it. The positions of the inlets and outlets 12, 14, 16, 18 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1.

(12) Such a connection module 10 is especially significant for customers who have only a few closed-circuit breathing apparatuses 1000, or for those who rarely use such closed-circuit breathing apparatuses 1000. The acquisition of a large cleaning, disinfecting and drying device may not be economical for these customers. The connection module 10 may be used in this case from one respirator to the next and thus make possible a serial and cost-effective treatment.

(13) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a connection module 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The connection module 10 differs from the connection module 10 shown in FIG. 1 especially by an additional fluid inlet 20 for gas for drying the closed breathing circuit, as well as by the temperature and/or humidity sensors 28 and the valves 40. The drying and the drying efficacy of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 (FIG. 1) can be monitored by the temperature and/or humidity sensors 28. The inner surfaces of the closed breathing circuit can be recognized as being dry, for example, when the measured temperatures and humidities are equal at the inlet and outlet of the connection module 10. The controller 30 can then subject the detected sensor information to further processing and control or regulate the valves 40 correspondingly. A temperature control module 27, which controls the maintenance fluid to a desired temperature before it enters the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 (FIG. 1), may be provided for heating the maintenance fluid.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a connection module 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The connection module 10 shown in FIG. 3 differs from the connection module 10 shown in FIG. 2 especially by the fluid storage device 22 as well as the dispensing unit 70. This embodiment is especially well suited for use in connection modules 10 that must treat only a single closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 (FIG. 1). The integrated dispensing unit 70 for liquid and/or powdered cleaning and/or disinfecting agents may be dimensioned as a much smaller unit than in case of stationary cleaning devices. As a result, the limited volume available for installation can be utilized optimally. The controller 30 coordinates in this case the mode of operation of the different valves 40 in order to make possible the cleaning, disinfection and drying of one or more closed-circuit breathing apparatuses 1000 (FIG. 1). The controller 30 is also responsible for the automatic dispensing of the cleaning and/or disinfecting agents. The controller 30 as well as the other electric components may be supplied with power either from a power grid or by means of integrated batteries. The particle filters 92 shown as an example in FIG. 3 are used to filter the maintenance fluid to be introduced into the closed breathing circuit and are optional components.

(15) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a connection module 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The connection module 10 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the connection module 10 shown in FIG. 3 especially by the integrated fluid storage device 22 and the additional particle filter 92 arranged downstream of this. Especially the property of the so-called breathing lime is used in this case. The fluid storage device 22 may be filled with liquid and/or powdered cleaning and/or disinfecting agent, preferably breathing lime. For example, breathing lime may also be poured in this case into the fluid storage device 22 from a breathing lime cartridge. It is preferred to use a filter following the fluid storage device 22 in order to prevent the lime dust from being entrained into the other components of the closed breathing circuit.

(16) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a connection module according to another embodiment of the present invention. The connection module 10 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the connection module 10 shown in FIG. 5 especially by the regenerating cartridge 100 transferred to the outside. Unlike in the embodiment described in FIG. 4, the breathing lime does not have to be poured into a fluid storage device 22. The used regenerating cartridge 100 full of breathing lime is connected to external lines 80 of the connection module 10. The disinfecting effect of the lime present in the regenerating cartridge 100 is used due to the flow through the regenerating cartridge 100. If the regenerating cartridge 100 has more than two inlets and outlets, the additional outlets must be closed or sealed. It is avoided hereby that water will escape from the regenerating cartridge 100.

(17) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a connection module 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the connection module 10 has the controller 30, valves that can be controlled and/or regulated by the controller 30, at least one fluid storage device 22 filled with maintenance fluid, a fluid delivery device 50 and a power supply unit 60. The maintenance fluid can be delivered through the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 by means of the fluid delivery device 50 in a state in which the connection module 10 is installed into the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000. The maintenance fluid in at least one fluid storage device 22 is preferably a disinfectant or water as a cleaning agent. Two or more fluid storage devices 22 may also be provided in a preferred embodiment, one being filled with a disinfectant and other with a cleaning agent, for example, water. The fluid storage devices may then be connected via the valves 40 or the controller 30 such that first the disinfectant and then the cleaning agent can be discharged into the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000. The maintenance fluid removed from the fluid storage device 22 may subsequently be collected, for example, in an empty fluid storage device 24, which is likewise arranged in the connection module 10.

(18) Furthermore, a gas cylinder, from which gas can be removed for drying the closed breathing circuit, is arranged in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. Due to a connection module according to this embodiment, it is possible to create a mobile maintenance module not only for disinfecting and/or cleaning but also for rapidly drying closed-circuit breathing apparatuses 1000. The gas can be delivered in this case by the controller 30 through the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 by means of the fluid delivery device 50 in a state in which the connection module 10 is installed in the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000. However, the gas cylinder 26 may also be designed, for example, as a pressurized gas cylinder, so that the gas can be introduced as compressed air into the closed breathing circuit without a fluid delivery device 50. The use of electric compressors is also possible. The fluid outlet 18 is a fluid outlet with respect to the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 in this case, i.e., the maintenance fluid can be discharged from the closed breathing circuit of the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 through the fluid outlet 18 and it can enter the connection module or the empty fluid storage device 24.

(19) FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a maintenance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 7 shows a device for the thermochemical disinfection of closed-circuit breathing apparatuses 1000, which use breathing lime as an absorbent for chemically binding carbon dioxide contained in the exhaled air. The maintenance device 1 according to the present invention utilizes in this case the chemical, actually adverse properties of the breathing lime to carry out the disinfection. A highly alkaline medium, which develops due to the chemical absorption reaction of the breathing lime, develops in the regenerating cartridge 100 during and after use. It was possible to experimentally demonstrate during the development of the present invention that water, which flows through the regenerating cartridge 100 and has thus contact with the breathing lime, becomes immediately highly alkaline. This highly alkaline liquid has a strongly inactivated effect and reduces the count of bacteria, viruses and fungi.

(20) The maintenance device 1 according to the present invention according to this embodiment is provided with the above-described connection module 10. The maintenance device 1 contains, furthermore, a controller 30 as well as valves 40 that can be controlled and/or regulated by the controller, wherein the maintenance fluid and/or the gas can be circulated through the closed breathing circuit by the controller 30 and the control and/or regulation of the valves 40 in a state in which the connection module 10 is installed in the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000. The connection module 10 is mounted in the maintenance device 1 upstream at the regenerating cartridge 100. A filter module 90 is mounted downstream at the regenerating cartridge 100. The connection module 10 is preferably plugged in there between an exhalation tube (not shown) and the regenerating cartridge 100 filled at least partially with breathing lime. The connection module 10 will then connect the closed-circuit breathing apparatus 1000 to a water supply via the fluid inlet 16 and, for example, to the sewer system or a wastewater site via the fluid outlet 18.

(21) The water needed for the disinfection may be taken in this case again either directly from a line or from fluid containers or tanks. The water used for the disinfection may then be heated continuously to a certain temperature, for example, above 50 C., preferably between 50 C. and 60 C., by means of an electric heating module 27. The filter module 90 is then mounted between the regenerating cartridge 100 and a breathing bag (not shown). The filter module 90 contains suitable particle filters 92 in order to prevent the entrainment of the lime dust from the regenerating cartridge 100 into the other components of the closed breathing circuit.

(22) Only the valve 40 in the connection module 10 must be opened to disinfect the closed breathing circuit. Water, which flows through the regenerating cartridge 100, immediately becomes highly alkaline and ensures the disinfection of the remaining components of the closed breathing circuit. The highly alkaline liquid then flows back via the exhalation tube, for example, into the sewer system. It is also possible to reuse this liquid to lower water consumption.

(23) To rinse the closed breathing circuit with fresh water, the valve 40 in the connection module 10 is closed and the valve 40 in the bypass line 11 is opened. This makes it possible to bypass the regenerating cartridge 100. The control of the different valves takes place fully automatically in this case.

(24) The above-described devices for thermochemical disinfection may be designed both as stationary and portable variants. Tanks for maintenance fluid as well as a built-in power supply unit must be present in the portable variant.

(25) FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a maintenance device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The maintenance device shown in FIG. 8 differs from the maintenance device shown in FIG. 7 especially by the additional fluid inlet for gas for drying the closed breathing circuit and a correspondingly necessary circuit along with additional valves 40.

(26) It is advantageous for optimal maintenance if the cleaning and disinfection are repeated several times. It is ensured hereby that even small components will be treated sufficiently. The cyclic filling and emptying of the closed breathing circuit is used, furthermore, to better reach poorly accessible surfaces carrying breathing air in order to achieve better wetting with the maintenance fluid, i.e., the cleaning and/or disinfecting agent.

(27) Additional components, which make a pressure exchange with the surrounding area possible, for example, a water drain valve or a pressure relief valve, may be provided at the connection module 10 or at the maintenance device 1 in all the above-described embodiments. These are known in detail in the state of the art and they are not therefore described here in detail. These valves must, in principle, be closed during the circulation of a maintenance fluid. Fluid circulation in closed circuit is not necessary and is rather disadvantageous for drying the closed breathing circuit. Valves, such as a pressure relief valve or a water drain valve, but also valves arranged upstream of the fluid outlet 18, may therefore remain open during drying. A slow increase in the velocity of flow of the drying medium is advantageous for gentle drying of the closed breathing circuit. A cyclic switching on and off of the drying blower or of the compressed air supply ensures efficient during, because flexible components in the closed breathing circuit, for example, the breathing bag or directional control valves, remain steadily in motion.

(28) The valves 40 described are coordinated by the controller 30 fully automatically in the known manner. Reproducible quality of cleaning, disinfection and drying is thus guaranteed.

(29) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

(30) TABLE-US-00001 APPENDIX List of Reference Numbers 1 Maintenance device 10 Connection module 11 Bypass line 12 Inlet port 14 Outlet port 16 Fluid inlet for maintenance fluid 18 Fluid outlet for gas/maintenance fluid 20 Fluid inlet for gas 22 Filled fluid storage device 24 Empty fluid storage device 26 Gas cylinder 27 Temperature control module 28 Temperature and/or humidity sensor 30 Controller 40 Valves 50 Fluid delivery device 60 Power supply unit 70 Dispensing unit 80 External lines 90 Filter module 92, 92 Particle filter 100 Regenerating cartridge 1000 Closed-circuit breathing apparatus