Patent ID: 8584676

Claim:
A breath responsive filter blower for a gas mask, comprising: a gas mask having a filter port used to provide filtered air; a blower operatively connected to the filter port of the gas mask, the blower being capable of forcing air to the gas mask; and, a detection and control device operatively connected to the blower which detects a pressure condition within the gas mask and controls operation of the blower wherein the detection and control device comprises: a pressure sensor positioned inside the gas mask that detects air pressure in the gas mask; and an optoelectric device is positioned in the mask at a location suitable for detecting the open or closed position of an outflow valve linked to the gas mask, wherein the optoelectric device and the pressure sensor work cooperatively, wherein the pressure sensor controls operation of the blower upon exhalation or inhalation of a user of said mask and the optoelectric device controls operation of the blower upon inhalation or exhalation of the user of said mask.