Patent GB-1388569-A (GB)
Title: Anti-g valve
Inventor: CRAMER ROBERT LOUIS
IPC: A62B17/00
Filed: 1972-03-22
Abstract: 1388569 Valves for inflating anti- G garments BENDIX CORP 22 March 1972 [12 May 1971] 13439/72 Heading G3P A valve for inflating an anti- G garment is arranged to be actuated initially by acceleration anticipating means responsive to dynamic airpressure and then by movement of a weight under the influence of the anticipated acceleration forces. The valve comprises a first chamber 16 having an inlet 14 for connection to a source of fluid-pressure, a diaphragm 64 dividing the chamber into a flow chamber 72 and a control chamber 68, levers 102, 116 connecting the diaphragm to the shaft 130 of a valve 136, a weight 86 for controlling fluid-flow into a chamber 82 which is connected to the ambient atmosphere through passage 62 and outlet 61; a Venturi-shaped chamber 24 with a high velocity inlet 154, an outlet 26 leading to the anti- G garment, a diaphragm 172 closing a passage 176 leading to the ambient atmosphere, and a valve 168 preventing entry of the ambient atmosphere; and a further chamber 28 with ports 36 and 40 leading to the outside of the vehicle carrying the wearer of the garment and respectively conveying static and dynamic air-pressure to opposite sides of a diaphragm controlling a valve 50 associated with outlet 61. When the vehicle is travelling at a constant velocity the anti- G garment is deflated and fluid entering at 14 travels through passage 18 into chambers 72, 82, through passage 62 and to the ambient atmosphere through outlet 61. The pressure in chamber 72 is communicated through passage 74 to a chamber 182 so as to hold the diaphragm 178 against a passage 172. As the velocity of the vehicle increases, the ram pressure entering chamber 28 at 40 overcomes the static pressure on the opposite side of the diaphragm and causes the valve 50 to close outlet 61. The resulting build up of pressure in chamber 72 causes the diaphragm 64 and levers 102, 116 to lift valve 136 off passage 138. Fluid from 14 then passes through inlet 154 and outlet 26 to inflate the anti- G garment. The high velocity of the fluid at inlet 154 produces a pressure reduction in a chamber 148 and causes valve 168 to open. Air from the ambient atmosphere thereby passes to the chamber 24 and is entrained by the fluid from the inlet 154 to assist in the inflation of the garment. When the acceleration forces increase the weight 86 closes opening 78 to maintain the pressure in chamber 72. As the pressure in the garment increases, passage 70 transmits this pressure to chamber 68 to equalize the pressure on either side of the diaphragm and thereby close the valve 136, and consequentially the valve 168, to prevent further inflation of the garment. The garment remains inflated as long as the acceleration forces are sensed. Should the pressure in chamber 72 become excessive, the excess is vented to the ambient atmosphere through passage 74 and ball valve 76. When the acceleration forces are reduced, a spring 88 returns the weight 86 to the position shown and fluid passes to the outlet 61 which is open by virtue of the dissipation of the pressure differential across diaphragm 32. The pressure in the garment is, at the same time, greater than that in chamber 182 and lifts the diaphragm 178 to vent the garment to the ambient atmosphere. The valve can be tested manually by pushing a button 94 which causes the weight 86 to close passage 78.