Breathing mask and regulator for aircraft

Abstract

The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus for an oxygen mask for pilots and crew of an airplane includes a flow control device with closed and open positions to regulate flow through an auxiliary channel. A pressure sensor such as an aneroid capsule automatically closes the auxiliary channel upon a decrease in cabin pressure. A handle also allows a user to manually move the flow regulating means to a closed position.

Claims

1. An auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus for an oxygen mask for pilots and crew of an airplane, the oxygen mask having an oronasal face seal defining an oronasal cavity, and an oxygen supply regulator, the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus comprising: an auxiliary ambient air flow channel defined in a flow channel member through a portion of the oxygen mask, said auxiliary ambient air flow channel being connected to ambient air and configured to deliver ambient air through said auxiliary ambient air flow channel to the oxygen mask; a flow regulator for regulating flow through the flow channel member, the flow regulator having a main housing and an aneroid housing assembly including a lower aneroid housing movable within the flow regulator main housing between at least one closed position in which flow through the auxiliary ambient air flow channel is blocked and an open position in which flow through the auxiliary ambient air flow channel is enabled, the flow regulator including an aneroid capsule that changes in length in response to changes in cabin pressure operative to move said lower aneroid housing in said flow regulator main housing between said at least one closed position and said open position; and a push/pull button for manually moving said lower aneroid housing in said flow regulator main housing to said at least one closed position, said push/pull button having a tubular lower portion and an upper plate connected to the tubular lower portion, said tubular lower portion being movably mounted between an upper aneroid housing and said lower aneroid housing.

2. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary ambient air flow channel passes through the oronasal face seal of the oxygen mask, bypassing the oxygen supply regulator.

3. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flow regulator main housing defines an inner chamber with an upper opening, lower exit ports, and a lower opening; said aneroid housing assembly includes an upper aneroid housing having a wall and a top cover plate joined to the wall; said lower aneroid housing is disposed in the inner chamber of the main housing and slidingly mated to the upper aneroid housing; an annular ball track insert is disposed between the upper aneroid housing and the lower aneroid housing, said annular ball track insert having an inner surface including a lower ball track and an upper ball track, and the wall of the upper aneroid housing including a plurality of ball apertures receiving and retaining corresponding detent balls, respectively; a spring retainer is disposed within the upper aneroid housing and lower aneroid housing, the spring retainer having a base portion with a plurality of spring fingers connected to and extending from the base portion, the plurality of spring fingers having a protrusion aligned with and disposed adjacent to the detent balls to press against and bias the detent balls outwardly into either of the upper or lower ball tracks to latch the upper aneroid housing in an upper or lower position, respectively; and said aneroid capsule is disposed within the upper aneroid housing and lower aneroid housing, the base portion of the spring retainer being connected to a bottom surface of the aneroid capsule, so that when the aneroid capsule expands at elevated altitudes, the bottom surface of the aneroid capsule moves downwardly and the plurality of spring fingers of the spring retainer correspondingly are pushed downwardly by the lengthening of the aneroid capsule, releasing pressure on the detent balls to release the detent balls from the lower ball track of the ball track insert in the open position of the lower aneroid housing, and allowing the detent balls to move to the upper ball track of the ball track insert in the at least one closed position of the lower aneroid housing.

4. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 3, wherein said main housing includes an outer threaded flow channel connector, and a flow channel connector flange, threadably connectable to a corresponding threaded mask connector port at a side opening of the oxygen mask oronasal face seal.

5. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 4, wherein an O-ring sealing gasket is interposed between the mask connector port and the flow channel connector flange to provide a secure leak proof attachment of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus to the threaded mask connector port of the oxygen mask oronasal face seal.

6. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 3, wherein said top cover plate includes a plurality of upper vent openings through which ambient air is adapted to flow into the auxiliary ambient air flow channel to the lower exit ports.

7. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 3, wherein said lower aneroid housing comprises a lower outer flange and a channel for receiving and retaining an o-ring located adjacent to a lower inner wall of the main housing, said lower inner wall of the main housing tapering inwardly to form a valve seating surface.

8. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a main coil spring mounted about the lower aneroid housing between the lower outer flange and the top cover plate, wherein said main coil spring biases said lower aneroid housing to said at least one closed position.

9. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 3, wherein said aneroid capsule comprises an aneroid set point screw threadably mounted in an upper portion of the aneroid capsule for adjusting operation of the aneroid capsule.

10. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 3, wherein said push/pull button abuts an upper surface of the ball track insert.

11. The auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a flapper valve secured below the lower exit ports by a flapper valve retainer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of the invention, deployed on an oronasal face seal component of an oronasal face seal of an oxygen mask.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an oxygen mask showing a second preferred embodiment of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of the invention, deployed in an oronasal face seal of the oxygen mask.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the oxygen mask and auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the oxygen mask and auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2, shown in a valve open position.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2, shown in a valve closed position.

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2, shown in a valve manually closed position.

(10) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

(11) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus shown in the valve open position and showing the flow path through the apparatus of FIG. 2.

(12) FIG. 12 is another cross-sectional view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2 shown in the valve closed position.

(13) FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2 shown in the valve open position showing the top cover plate.

(14) FIG. 14 is another cross-sectional view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2 shown in the valve manually closed position.

(15) FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2.

(16) FIG. 16. is a side elevational view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2.

(17) FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2.

(18) FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(19) While conventional mask and oxygen regulator assemblies are commonly designed to deliver oxygen when the cabin pressure altitude is at or above approximately 10,000 ft., it has been very difficult and impractical to provide a conventional regulator that will provide the required quantity of oxygen to be delivered at or above approximately 10,000 ft, but will also conserve oxygen by providing no oxygen at slightly lower pressure altitudes where the ambient pressure is only slightly higher, such as approximately 5,000 to 8,000 ft cabin pressure altitude. It has also heretofore been very difficult and impractical to mount a compact and light weight regulator with very low inhalation resistance that must operate above and below 10,000 ft directly on the user's oxygen mask.

(20) The present invention accordingly provides for an auxiliary breathing flow channel apparatus for an oxygen mask for pilots and crew of an airplane, the oxygen mask having an oronasal face seal defining an oronasal cavity, and an oxygen supply regulator. In a first presently preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1, the auxiliary breathing flow channel 20 may be deployed in an oronasal face seal 22 of an oxygen mask. The oronasal face seal of the oxygen mask typically defines an oronasal cavity, and the oxygen mask typically also includes a regulator, such as a dilution demand regulator, connected by oxygen supply lines to an oxygen supply source, which is typically triggered to dispense oxygen to the oxygen mask in response to sensing of a pressure drop, indicating a demand inhalation, as will be explained further below.

(21) The auxiliary breathing flow channel includes an air flow regulating means 24 having an open position typically at lower altitudes having adequate oxygen levels not requiring the supply of auxiliary oxygen, and a closed position which may be activated automatically at higher altitudes by the air flow regulating valve mechanism, or manually by the user. An air flow channel 26 is defined through a portion of the oxygen mask, such as through the oronasal face seal of the mask, bypassing the oxygen supply regulator. The air flow regulating means includes a valve mechanism 28 for regulating flow through the air flow channel, and the flow regulating means is movable between at least one closed position in which flow through the air flow channel is blocked and an open position in which flow through the air flow channel is enabled. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve mechanism may include a valve assembly that opens and shuts by movement of a sliding member 30, such as by a linear or curvilinear motion of the sliding member. The valve mechanism preferably includes biasing means for applying a biasing force to the flow regulating means to bias the flow regulating means in a closed position, such that the air flow channel is normally blocked. The biasing means typically is compressed when the sliding member is slid into the open position, and relaxes when the sliding member reverts to the closed position. Alternatively, the flow regulating means may include a rotating disk with a hole that can be positioned to overlap another hole in the oronasal face seal of the mask to enable flow, and that can be rotated to an alternate alignment so that the holes do not overlap, to prevent flow. Means for biasing the rotating disk in a closed position, such as a torsion spring, deployed so that the spring will rotate the disk into a closed position, may also be provided. The valve mechanism may also include means for manually moving the flow regulating means into the open position, latching means for releasably retaining the flow regulating means in the open position, and means for releasing the latching means to allow the flow regulating means to revert to the closed position. The biasing means may be a pressure sensing means for sensing ambient pressure, connected to the latching means and operative to release the latching means upon sensing of a decrease in cabin pressure to a threshold pressure, to allow the flow regulating means to revert to the closed position without intervention or action by the user upon such a decrease in cabin pressure. In one presently preferred aspect, the pressure sensing means is an aneroid capsule 32 that changes in length in response to the changes in cabin pressure, and the change in length can actuate a linkage that releases the flow regulating means. As the cabin altitude increases, the aneroid capsule expands, tripping a mechanism that automatically closes the auxiliary flow channel. The pressure sensing means may be an electronic pressure transducer that is interfaced to a suitable electronic circuit that can release the latching means through the operation of an electrical or electronic actuating means, such as a solenoid that releases a mechanical catch, allowing the flow regulating means to revert to its closed position. Alternatively, the electrical actuating means may be a coil that is energized briefly to create a magnetic field that overcomes the field of a permanent magnet to release a magnetic catch, allowing the flow regulating means to revert to its closed position.

(22) When the valve mechanism is in an open position, ambient air can be inhaled through the auxiliary breathing flow channel by the user, allowing normal breathing at lower altitudes having breathable, life-supporting oxygen levels. In the orientation illustrated in FIG. 1, an existing regulator currently employed by B/E Aerospace can interface to the opening 34 in front, while the remainder of the face seal would project to the back 36 of the component shown. Alternatively, the auxiliary channel may be integrated into the structure of a regulator that is adapted to be attached to an oxygen mask. This allows the improved regulator to be installed on an otherwise unmodified mask of the prior art. The auxiliary breathing flow channel has a sufficiently low pressure drop that normal inhalation by the user does not trigger the regulator to dispense stored oxygen. Thus, the invention can be incorporated into the equipment design while eliminating or minimizing the need to modify the designs of other elements of the equipment that are otherwise satisfactory.

(23) In a second presently preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 2-18, the auxiliary breathing flow channel may be deployed in an oxygen mask 40, typically having an oronasal face seal 42 defining an oronasal cavity 44, a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 4, and a regulator 48, such as a dilution demand regulator, connected by one or more oxygen supply lines 49 to an oxygen supply source (not shown), which is typically triggered to dispense oxygen to the oxygen mask in response to sensing of a pressure drop, indicating a quick or rapid breathing, or high altitude with a low oxygen level has been reached.

(24) The auxiliary breathing flow channel 50 includes an air flow regulating valve mechanism 52 having open and closed positions, but normally in an open position at lower altitudes having adequate, life-supporting oxygen levels not requiring the supply of auxiliary oxygen. When the valve mechanism is in an open position, ambient air can be inhaled through the auxiliary breathing flow channel by the user, allowing normal breathing at lower altitudes having breathable, life-supporting oxygen levels. This auxiliary breathing flow channel has a sufficiently low pressure drop that inhalation by the user does not trigger the regulator to dispense stored oxygen during a normal or typical inhalation. As is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, in one preferred embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary breathing flow channel may be provided as a passage directly through the oronasal face seal of the mask, to entirely bypass the regulator. By opening a passage in the oronasal face seal versus through the regulator, it is possible to obtain the benefits of the present invention while simultaneously continuing to utilize an existing regulator design.

(25) Referring to FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 10-14, the auxiliary breathing flow channel includes a main or lower housing 54, typically including an outer threaded flow channel connector 56 and flow channel connector flange 58, which may be threadably connectable to a corresponding threaded mask connector port 60 at a side opening 62 of an oxygen mask oronasal face seal, with an o-ring sealing gasket 64 interposed between the mask connector port and the flow channel connector flange to provide a secure leak proof attachment. Referring to FIGS. 6, 8 and 10-14, the main housing includes an inner chamber 66, lower exit ports 68, a lower opening 69, and an upper opening 70 which receives an upper aneroid housing 72 having a generally tubular wall 74 and a top cover plate 76 joined to the tubular wall. The top cover plate includes a plurality of upper vent openings 78 through which ambient air may flow into the auxiliary breathing flow channel to the lower exit ports. The upper aneroid housing is slidingly received in a lower aneroid housing 80 disposed in the inner chamber of the main housing, with a generally annular ball track insert 82 disposed between the walls of the upper aneroid housing and the lower aneroid housing. The inner surface of the ball track insert preferably includes a lower ball track or groove 84, and an upper ball track or groove 86, and the tubular wall of the upper aneroid housing includes a plurality of ball apertures 88, each receiving and retaining a corresponding detent ball 90, such as a stainless steel ball, for example. Typically three stainless steel balls are mounted in three ball apertures.

(26) A spring retainer 92, having a base portion 94 with a plurality of spring fingers 96 connected to and extending from the base portion, is disposed within the upper aneroid housing and lower aneroid housing. The spring fingers have a protrusion 98 aligned with and disposed adjacent to the detent balls to press against and bias the detent balls outwardly into either of the upper or lower ball tracks to latch the upper aneroid housing in an upper or lower position, as will be further explained below. An aneroid capsule 100 is contained within the upper aneroid housing and lower aneroid housing, and the base portion of the spring retainer is connected to a bottom surface 102 of the aneroid, so that when the aneroid expands at elevated altitudes, the bottom surface of the aneroid moves downwardly and the spring fingers of the spring retainer correspondingly are pushed downwardly by the lengthening of the aneroid, releasing pressure on the detent balls to release the detent balls from the lower track of the ball track in the open position of the auxiliary breathing flow channel, and allowing the detent balls to move to the upper track of the ball track in the closed position of the auxiliary breathing flow channel. The operation of the aneroid may be adjusted with an aneroid set point screw 104 threadably mounted in an upper portion of the aneroid.

(27) The lower aneroid housing includes a lower outer shoulder or flange 106 and a channel 108 for receiving and retaining an o-ring 110, located adjacent to the lower inner wall of the main or lower housing, which tapers inwardly to form a valve seating surface 112. A main coil spring 114 is mounted about the lower aneroid housing between the lower flange and the top plate of the top cover plate. A push/pull button, handle or knob 116 having a generally tubular open lower portion 118 and an upper plate 120 connected to the lower portion is mounted with the tubular lower portion situated between the upper aneroid housing and the lower aneroid housing, and abutting the upper surface of the ball track insert. A flapper valve 122 is secured below the lower exit ports by a flapper valve retainer 124. An auxiliary flow channel 126 is thus formed between the inner wall of the main or lower housing and the outer wall of the lower aneroid housing, from the top cover plate upper vent openings to the lower exit ports, through the flapper valve and through the lower opening to the interior of the oronasal cavity of the oxygen mask.

(28) When the auxiliary breathing flow channel is open and operating, typically at or less than approximately 8,000 ft of cabin pressure, the valve mechanism is in a static open position. The spring fingers retain the detent balls in the lower main track of the ball track insert, and the aneroid capsule is fully compressed. When a depressurization occurs, the aneroid capsule will begin to expand at approximately 8,000 ft of cabin pressure. As the aneroid capsule expands, it moves the spring fingers downwardly with the movement of the bottom surface of the aneroid, allowing the detent balls to move down a ramp provided by the spring fingers. The aneroid capsule will typically start moving before approximately 8,000 ft of cabin pressure, but the engagement of the spring fingers and detent balls will not decrease until approximately 8,000 ft. This movement of the detent balls releases the detent balls from the positive engagement of the stainless steel balls in the ball track insert. Before a threshold depressurization at approximately 10,000 ft of cabin altitude is reached, the engagement goes to zero, and the main spring forces closed the aneroid housing assembly at the interface between the o-ring and the main or lower housing. The entire aneroid housing, including the push/pull knob, moves to the closed position, excluding the upper aneroid housing, which is attached to the main housing. In this position, the device cannot be opened using the push/pull button until the aneroid is back on stop, i.e. under approximately 8,000 ft of cabin altitude. The detent balls lock in the upper or secondary groove in the ball track insert to ensure a positive locking position, automatically closing the valve mechanism, based upon use of the aneroid capsule as an altitude sensing device. Other altitude sensing devices may be employed, such as a pressure transducer, or a bourdon tube, for example.

(29) The auxiliary breathing flow channel can also be opened or closed manually under approximately 8,000 ft of cabin altitude. To manually move the valve mechanism from the open position to the closed position the push/pull button is pushed until the spring fingers deflect past the engagement point with the detent balls. The main spring along with this applied pushing force close the valve mechanism. This procedure is very quick to perform, such as in the event of presence of toxic gas or smoke in the cabin, for example. This design also incorporates a tactile set point adjustment screw cap or button 128, which is flush with the push/pull button when the device is in the open position, and taller than the push/pull button when the device is closed, to allow the operator to feel the auxiliary breathing flow channel to ensure that the valve mechanism is closed.

(30) The flapper valve assembly is designed to open upon inhalation and close when the user exhales. This helps keep moisture out of the device, and forces the exhalation from the user out through the exhalation vent in the crew mask dilution demand regulator. In addition, when the dilution demand regulator is switched to the emergency mode providing positive pressure in the mask, the flapper valve closes to act as a secondary seal to ensure no infiltration through the device. The flapper is also designed to be the primary seal in the event the device is still in the open position and the dilution demand regulator is switched to the emergency mode and the device is still in the open position. This is a redundancy built into the device to ensure operator safety.

(31) It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.