Patent ID: 6805121
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: A62B

Abstract:
A method of regulating the inhalation and exhalation of breathable gas to and from a pilot's airway in response to the pilot's spontaneous inhalation and exhalation breathing phases, while the pilot is experiencing excessive g-forces and equipped with an anti-g force suit and a face mask having a common inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the pilot's airway comprising:providing a source of pressurized breathable gas; providing an inhalation valve connected between the source of pressurized gas and the inlet/outlet port of the face mask; providing an exhalation valve connected between the inlet/outlet port of the face mask and a low pressure area; opening and closing the inhalation and exhalation valves, respectively, during the inhalation phase and controlling the pressure of gas supplied to the inlet/outlet port so that the pressure rises from a predetermined minimum to a predetermined maximum to increase the volume of breathable gas supplied to the pilot's lungs; and opening and closing the exhalation and inhalation valves, respectively, during the exhalation phase and controlling the pressure in the inlet/outlet port so that the pressure falls from the predetermined maximum to the predetermined minimum to decrease the exhalation effort required by the pilot, the maximum pressure being a function of the g-forces to which the pilot is being subjected, the minimum pressure having a value less than the maximum for g-forces in excess of a selected value of g-force.