Arrangement for breathing apparatus, and breathing apparatus

Abstract

An arrangement for a breathing apparatus, the arrangement comprising a breathing device; a primary connection point; a secondary connection point; a primary side; a secondary side; a first valve arranged between the primary connection point and the secondary connection point, the first valve being arranged to automatically close a first fluid connection between the primary connection point and the secondary connection point when a secondary pressure in the secondary side decreases below a first pressure threshold; and a second valve arranged on the secondary side, the second valve being arranged to automatically establish a second fluid connection between the secondary connection point and the breathing device when a primary pressure in the primary side decreases below a second pressure threshold. A breathing apparatus is also provided.

Claims

1. An arrangement for a breathing apparatus, the arrangement comprising: a breathing device; a primary connection point for fluid communication with a primary container; a secondary connection point for fluid communication with a secondary container; a primary side arranged between the primary connection point and the breathing device; a secondary side arranged between the secondary connection point and the breathing device; a first valve arranged between the primary connection point and the secondary connection point, the first valve being arranged to automatically close a first fluid connection between the primary connection point and the secondary connection point when a secondary pressure in the secondary side decreases below a first pressure threshold such that the first valve operates as a one-way valve by (i) when in an open configuration, providing pressurized gas from the secondary connection point to the primary connection point, and (ii) when in a closed configuration, inhibiting pressurized gas from flowing through the first valve; a second valve arranged on the secondary side, the second valve being arranged to automatically establish a second fluid connection between the secondary connection point and the breathing device when a primary pressure in the primary side decreases below a second pressure threshold; a primary shut-off valve arranged between the primary container and the primary connection point; and a secondary shut-off valve arranged between the secondary container and the secondary connection point.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first valve is arranged to automatically establish the first fluid connection when the secondary pressure increases above the first pressure threshold.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second valve is arranged to automatically close the second fluid connection when the primary pressure increases above the second pressure threshold.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a primary container for containing pressurized gas connected to the primary connection point, and a secondary container for containing pressurized gas connected to the secondary connection point.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a maximum volume of the primary container differs less than 10% from a maximum volume of the secondary container.

6. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the primary side provides a primary path between the primary container and the breathing device, wherein the secondary side provides a secondary path between the secondary container and the breathing device, and wherein the primary path and the secondary path are independent.

7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first pressure threshold is higher than the second pressure threshold.

8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first pressure threshold is between 50 bar overpressure and 150 bar overpressure.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure threshold is between 1.2 bar overpressure and 3 bar overpressure.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a primary one-way valve arranged on the primary side and a secondary one-way valve arranged on the secondary side.

11. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a primary pressure-reducing valve arranged on the primary side between the primary connection point and the breathing device.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the primary pressure is a pressure in the primary side downstream of the primary pressure-reducing valve.

13. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a secondary pressure-reducing valve arranged on the secondary side between the secondary connection point and the second valve.

14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the secondary pressure is a pressure in the secondary side upstream of the secondary pressure-reducing valve.

15. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the primary side comprises a primary outlet line, wherein the secondary side comprises a secondary outlet line, wherein the breathing device comprises a primary breathing outlet for fluid communication with the primary outlet line; and wherein the breathing device comprises a secondary breathing outlet for fluid communication with the secondary outlet line.

16. A breathing apparatus comprising an arrangement according to claim 1.

17. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a maximum volume of the primary container differs less than 5% from a maximum volume of the secondary container.

18. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein a maximum volume of the primary container differs less than 2% from a maximum volume of the secondary container.

19. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure threshold is between 1.5 bar overpressure and 2.5 bar overpressure.

20. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure threshold is 2 bar overpressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1: schematically represents a breathing apparatus comprising an arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) In the following, an arrangement for a breathing apparatus, and a breathing apparatus comprising such arrangement, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

(4) FIG. 1 schematically represents a breathing apparatus 10 comprising an arrangement 12. The arrangement 12 comprises a primary side 14 and a secondary side 16. The arrangement 12 further comprises a breathing device 18, here exemplified as a full face breathing mask, a primary connection point 20 and a secondary connection point 22. The breathing device 18 can be worn by the user (not shown), such that the user breathes through the breathing device 18.

(5) The primary side 14 is arranged between the primary connection point 20 and the breathing device 18. The secondary side 16 is arranged between the secondary connection point 22 and the breathing device 18.

(6) The arrangement 12 of this example further comprises a primary container 24 and a secondary container 26. Each of the primary container 24 and the secondary container 26 contains pressurized breathing gas, for example air or nitrox. The pressures in the primary container 24 and the secondary container 26 may be at least 200 bar, such as at least 300 bar, when filled. The primary container 24 and the secondary container 26 are rigid and have identic volumes.

(7) The arrangement 12 further comprises a primary valve 28, here exemplified as a shut-off valve. The primary container 24 is connected to the primary connection point 20 via the primary valve 28. The primary valve 28 is used to open a gas flow from the primary container 24, such that the primary container 24 is in fluid communication with the primary connection point 20.

(8) The arrangement 12 further comprises a secondary valve 30, here exemplified as a shut-off valve. The secondary container 26 is connected to the secondary connection point 22 via the secondary valve 30. The secondary valve 30 is used to open a gas flow from the secondary container 26, such that the secondary container 26 is in fluid communication with the secondary connection point 22.

(9) The arrangement 12 further comprises a first valve 32. The first valve 32 is arranged between the primary connection point 20 and the secondary connection point 22. The first valve 32 is arranged to automatically close to close a first fluid connection between the primary connection point 20 and the secondary connection point 22 when a secondary pressure in the secondary side 16 decreases below a first pressure threshold. The first valve 32 of this example is also arranged to automatically open to establish the first fluid connection when the secondary pressure increases above the first pressure threshold. In this example, the first pressure threshold is 90 bar overpressure.

(10) The arrangement 12 of the example in FIG. 1 comprises an intermediate line 34 between the primary connection point 20 and the secondary connection point 22, and the first valve 32 is a gate valve arranged on the intermediate line 34. The first valve 32 comprises a first pilot line 36. The first pilot line 36 is connected to a first pilot connection point 38 on the secondary side 16, between the secondary connection point 22 and the first valve 32.

(11) The primary side 14 of this example comprises a primary high pressure line 40, a primary medium pressure line 42 and a primary outlet line 44. Each of the primary high pressure line 40, the primary medium pressure line 42 and the primary outlet line 44 may be implemented as a flexible hose. Also the intermediate line 34 may be implemented as a flexible hose.

(12) The secondary side 16 of this example comprises a secondary high pressure line 46, a secondary medium pressure line 48 and a secondary outlet line 50. Each of the secondary high pressure line 46, the secondary medium pressure line 48 and the secondary outlet line 50 may be implemented as a flexible hose.

(13) The arrangement 12 further comprises a primary regulator or primary pressure-reducing valve 52 and a secondary regulator or secondary pressure-reducing valve 54. The primary pressure-reducing valve 52 is provided on the primary side 14, between the primary high pressure line 40 and the primary medium pressure line 42. The secondary pressure-reducing valve 54 is provided on the secondary side 16, between the secondary high pressure line 46 and the secondary medium pressure line 48. Thus, the primary pressure-reducing valve 52 is provided downstream of the primary high pressure line 40 and the secondary pressure-reducing valve 54 is provided downstream of the secondary high pressure line 46.

(14) The primary pressure-reducing valve 52 is configured to reduce the pressure in the primary high pressure line 40 to a medium pressure, e.g. of 7 bar overpressure to 10 bar overpressure, in the primary medium pressure line 42. The secondary pressure-reducing valve 54 is configured to reduce the pressure in the secondary high pressure line 46 to a medium pressure, e.g. of 7 bar overpressure to 10 bar overpressure, in the secondary medium pressure line 48.

(15) One or more buoyancy control devices (not shown) may be connected to the primary pressure-reducing valve 52 and the secondary pressure-reducing valve 54. One example of such buoyancy control device is an inflatable dry suit.

(16) The arrangement 12 further comprises a second valve 56. The second valve 56 is arranged on the secondary side 16. The second valve 56 is arranged to automatically open to establish a second fluid connection between the secondary connection point 22 and the breathing device 18 when a primary pressure in the primary side 14 decreases below a second pressure threshold. The second valve 56 of this example is also arranged to automatically close to close the second fluid connection when the primary pressure increases above the second pressure threshold. In this example, the second pressure threshold is 2 bar overpressure.

(17) The second valve 56 is here exemplified as a gate valve arranged on the secondary medium pressure line 48. The second valve 56 comprises a second pilot line 58. The second pilot line 58 is connected to a second pilot connection point 60 on the primary side 14. In this example, the second pilot connection point 60 is provided on the primary medium pressure line 42.

(18) Downstream of the second pilot connection point 60, the primary medium pressure line 42 transitions into, or is integrally formed with, the primary outlet line 44. Thus, the primary medium pressure line 42 and the primary outlet line 44 may be formed by one single hose, or by two connected hoses. The arrangement 12 comprises a primary one-way valve 62, here exemplified as a check valve, on the primary outlet line 44. In this example, the primary one-way valve 62 is arranged on the primary outlet line 44 inside the breathing device 18.

(19) Downstream of the second valve 56, the secondary medium pressure line 48 transitions into, or is integrally formed with, the secondary outlet line 50. Thus, the secondary medium pressure line 48 and the secondary outlet line 50 may be formed by one single hose, or by two connected hoses. The arrangement 12 comprises a secondary one-way valve 64, here exemplified as a check valve, on the secondary outlet line 50. In this example, the secondary one-way valve 64 is arranged on the secondary outlet line 50 inside the breathing device 18.

(20) The breathing device 18 of this example comprises a primary breathing outlet 66 and a secondary breathing outlet 68. The primary breathing outlet 66 comprises a primary breathing valve 70 and the secondary breathing outlet 68 comprises a secondary breathing valve 72. The primary breathing valve 70 is connected to the primary outlet line 44 and the secondary breathing valve 72 is connected to the secondary outlet line 50.

(21) The primary one-way valve 62 allows gas flow in a direction towards the primary breathing outlet 66, and prevents gas flow in an opposite direction. The secondary one-way valve 64 allows gas flow in a direction towards the secondary breathing outlet 68, and prevents gas flow in an opposite direction.

(22) As illustrated in FIG. 1, the primary outlet line 44 and the secondary outlet line 50 are connected to separate attachment points (not denoted) on the breathing device 18. Thereby, a primary fluid path is provided from the primary container 24, through the primary side 14 and to the primary breathing outlet 66 of the breathing device 18, and a secondary fluid path, independent from the primary fluid path, is provided from the secondary container 26, through the secondary side 16 and to the secondary breathing outlet 68 of the breathing device 18.

(23) In order to fill the primary container 24 and the secondary container 26 with pressurized gas, the secondary pressure-reducing valve 54 may be temporarily disconnected and a source of pressurized gas may be connected to the secondary side 16, i.e. at the position of the secondary pressure-reducing valve 54. During filling, the secondary pressure may initially be lower than the first pressure threshold controlling the operation of the first valve 32. The first valve 32 is then consequently closed and the gas is only supplied to the secondary side 16 and the secondary container 26 to increase the secondary pressure. When the secondary pressure increases above the first pressure threshold, the first valve 32 opens. During further filling, pressurized gas is supplied to the primary side 14 and the primary container 24 until the pressure in the primary container 24 reaches the first pressure threshold. During further filling, pressurized gas is supplied to both the primary side 14 and the secondary side 16 such that the pressure in the primary container 24 and the pressure in the secondary container 26 each reaches a desired level, e.g. 300 bar.

(24) The primary valve 28 and the secondary valve 30 may be used to perform a precheck, e.g. to check the functionality of the breathing apparatus 10 before diving. By means of the primary valve 28 and the secondary valve 30, various failure modes can be simulated without consuming much gas. The primary valve 28 and the secondary valve 30 may then be fully open during use.

(25) When the primary container 24 and the secondary container 26 have been filled and the user has started to breathe pressurized gas from the breathing device 18, the secondary pressure is initially above 90 bar overpressure and the secondary pressure is initially above 2 bar overpressure. Thus, the first valve 32 is open and the second valve 56 is closed. Thereby, pressurized gas is initially supplied to the breathing device 18 from both the primary container 24 and the secondary container 26 via the primary side 14. During normal use of the breathing apparatus 10, each of the primary valve 28 and the secondary valve 30 is open so that the pressure prevailing in the primary container 24 prevails at the primary connection point 20 and the pressure prevailing in the secondary container 26 prevails at the secondary connection point 22. Eventually, when secondary pressure (e.g. at the secondary connection point 22) decreases below the first pressure threshold, the first valve 32 closes.

(26) After closing of the first valve 32, the user only consumes pressurized gas from the primary container 24 through the primary side 14. By closing the first valve 32, a certain amount of gas is reserved in the secondary container 26. After further consumption of pressurized gas from the primary container 24, the pressure in the primary container 24 will eventually decrease below a third pressure threshold, such as 55 bar overpressure. A pressure warning device (not shown) may thereby issue a signal to the user for safe return.

(27) After further consumption of pressurized gas from the primary container 24, the primary pressure (e.g. at the second pilot connection point 60) will eventually decrease below the second pressure threshold. The second valve 56 will thereby automatically open to initiate a supply from the secondary container 26 to the breathing device 18 via the secondary side 16 during return by the user.

(28) In case of damage on the primary side 14, e.g. due to a rupture of any of the primary high pressure line 40, the primary medium pressure line 42 or the primary outlet line 44, the primary pressure will rapidly decrease to an ambient pressure level. This will cause the pressure warning device to issue a warning signal to the user and the second valve 56 to open. Pressurized gas can now be consumed from secondary container 26 through the intact secondary side 16.

(29) In case of a damage on the secondary side 16, e.g. due to a rupture of any of the secondary high pressure line 46, the secondary medium pressure line 48 or the secondary outlet line 50, the secondary pressure will rapidly decrease to an ambient pressure level. This will cause the first valve 32 to automatically close. The pressure in the primary container 24 will in this case remain substantially unchanged and gas in the primary container 24 can still be consumed through the primary side 14. Eventually, the pressure in the primary container 24 will decrease below the third pressure threshold and the automatic warning by the pressure warning device will be issued, so that the user knows he/she has to initiate safe return, if not already initiated upon the damage on the secondary side 16.

(30) While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.