Patent GB-804858-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to combination mask and suit regulators
Inventor: KECKLER JOHN WARREN
IPC: B64D10/00
Filed: 1956-04-11
Abstract: 804,858. Pressurized suits for aviators. ARO EQUIPMENT CORPORATION. April 11, 1956, No. 11078/56. Class 68(2) A suit and mask to be worn by aviators are pressure-controlled, as regards oxygen supply, by a suit regulator, a mask regulator and a regulator influenced by the extent of the demand for oxygen in breathing and the degree of dilution with atmospheric air which is necessary, and the pressures in the latter regulator are utilized for pressurizing the suit and providing breathing pressure in the mask. The apparatus is shown in diagrammatic form in Fig. 10, oxygen at a pressure of 50 to 200 lbs. per square inch being supplied at 21 and admitted to the chamber A, by a reducing-valve 30, at a pressure of 35 lbs., from when the suit and mask are supplied through pipes 121a, 51a, at pressures dependent upon altitude which by means of an aneroid 112 adjusts the suit-regulating means SR and the mask-regulating means MR. When a predetermined altitude is reached, the aneroid 122 forces the stem 125 against a valve seat 122 carried by a diaphragm 113 which is subjected on one side to atmospheric pressure and on one other to pressure in the chamber H, the valve seat thus seating on the valve 120 whereby the chamber H is isolated from the atmosphere. Further increase in altitude transmits the aneroid thrust through the stem 126 to open the valve 110, oxygen from the chamber A passing to the chamber H and to the suit-supplying pipe. The, pressure in the suit is used to regulate the supply of oxygen to the mask, this being effected by connecting a chamber H<SP>1</SP> by a passage 132 with the chamber H, so that the suit pressure acts upon a diaphragm 131. The supply of oxygen to the mask is initiated by the drop in pressure in the mask, due to inhalation, being transmitted by a passage 45 to a chamber B, the consequent movement of the diaphragm 41, being used, via linkage 44, to open a valve 40, the resulting oxygen flow being through a venturi valve 50 to the mask. This flow is modified by the diaphragm 131 which seats the valve 139 on the diaphragm 133 and isolates the chamber J from the atmospheric pressure chamber K. The diaphragm 133 has about five times the effective area of the diaphragm 131 so that the pressure in the chamber J is about one-fifth of the suit pressure. As the altitude increases, the valve 139 is thrust to open the valve 130 to connect the chamber A to the chamber J, pressure being thus admitted to the space between diaphragms 41, 42 whereby the action of the diaphragm 41 on the valve 40 is augmented. If the oxygen demand is greater than the capacity of the hole 52 in the valve 50 to deliver it, the valve will rise against the action of the spring 54 to permit the greater flow. If it is desired to dilute the oxygen with atmospheric air, the valve 82 is opened so that air is drawn into the venturi through an inlet 61 which leads to a chamber E, the outlet to another chamber F being closed at a predetermined altitude by an aneroid 62. The valve 70 is closed by a light spring 71 if the suction in the chamber F becomes too weak, so that oxygen cannot be discharged to atmosphere if the valve 82 is left open. When the altitude lessens, the aneroid 112 allows the valve 110 to close, whereupon the valve 139 closes and the chamber B is vented via the atmospheric pipe 102. If the pressure in the chamber A rises, it is vented by the valve 90 into the chamber B from which it may be delivered to the mask, or, vented to atmospere by valve 100. The pressure in the suit is varied by a handle 115 which moves the plate 109 to adjust the pressure of the spring 114.