Patent US3720208A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3720208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater space suit pressure control regulator
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-11-02
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A device for regulating the pneumatic pressure in a ventilated space suit relative to the pressure imposed on the suit when being worn by a person underwater to simulate space environment for testing and experimentation. A box unit located on the chest area of the suit comprises connections for suit air supply and return lines and carries a regulator valve that stabilizes the air pressure differential between the inside and outside of the suit. The valve and thus suit pressure is controlled by the suit occupant and the valve includes a mechanism for quickly dumping the suit pressure in case of emergency. Pressure monitoring and relief devices are also included in the box unit.
Inventors
- 👤 B Aldrich
- 👤 C Cooper
- 👤 J Rasquin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:53
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G6/00; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/04; B63C2011/043; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7904; Y10T137/7922; Y10T137/7925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
A fluid flow system for supplying and exhausting gas to and from a ventilated underwater space suit comprising: a box unit positioned on the chest area of said suit; a main gas supply line connected to said box unit and a suit gas supply line connected to said box unit and said suit; a passageway in said box unit between said main gas supply line connection and said suit supply line connection; a main exhaust line connected to said box unit and a suit exhaust line connected to said box unit and said suit; a gas exhaust passageway in said box unit between said suit exhaust line connection and said main exhaust line connection; meanS for regulating the resistance to gas flow through said gas exhaust passageway; said regulating means comprising a cylinder mounted in said gas exhaust passageway and having a gas receiving end including an opening through which exhaust gas must pass; the end of said cylinder opposite said receiving end having an opening externally of said fluid flow system adapted for exposure to the ambient water pressure around said suit; a piston movably disposed in said cylinder between said ends thereof; the wall of said cylinder between said ends thereof having a fluid exit opening therein; said fluid exit opening communicating with said main exhaust line; means for adjustably interposing said piston between said receiving end and said exit opening of said cylinder whereby resistance to fluid flow through said fluid flow system may be regulated; a fluid seal between said wall exit opening and said external opening of said cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
A fluid flow system for supplying and exhausting gas to and from a ventilated underwater space suit comprising: a box unit positioned on the chest area of said suit; a main gas supply line connected to said box unit and a suit gas supply line connected to said box unit and said suit; a passageway in said box unit between said main gas supply line connection and said suit supply line connection; a main exhaust line connected to said box unit and a suit exhaust line connected to said box unit and said suit; a gas exhaust passageway in said box unit between said suit exhaust line connection and said main exhaust line connection; meanS for regulating the resistance to gas flow through said gas exhaust passageway; said regulating means comprising a cylinder mounted in said gas exhaust passageway and having a gas receiving end including an opening through which exhaust gas must pass; the end of said cylinder opposite said receiving end having an opening externally of said fluid flow system adapted for exposure to the ambient water pressure around said suit; a piston movably disposed in said cylinder between said ends thereof; the wall of said cylinder between said ends thereof having a fluid exit opening therein; said fluid exit opening communicating with said main exhaust line; means for adjustably interposing said piston between said receiving end and said exit opening of said cylinder whereby resistance to fluid flow through said fluid flow system may be regulated; a fluid seal between said wall exit opening and said external opening of said cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
264 words
A fluid flow system for supplying and exhausting gas to and from a ventilated underwater space suit comprising: a box unit positioned on the chest area of said suit; a main gas supply line connected to said box unit and a suit gas supply line connected to said box unit and said suit; a passageway in said box unit between said main gas supply line connection and said suit supply line connection; a main exhaust line connected to said box unit and a suit exhaust line connected to said box unit and said suit; a gas exhaust passageway in said box unit between said suit exhaust line connection and said main exhaust line connection; meanS for regulating the resistance to gas flow through said gas exhaust passageway; said regulating means comprising a cylinder mounted in said gas exhaust passageway and having a gas receiving end including an opening through which exhaust gas must pass; the end of said cylinder opposite said receiving end having an opening externally of said fluid flow system adapted for exposure to the ambient water pressure around said suit; a piston movably disposed in said cylinder between said ends thereof; the wall of said cylinder between said ends thereof having a fluid exit opening therein; said fluid exit opening communicating with said main exhaust line; means for adjustably interposing said piston between said receiving end and said exit opening of said cylinder whereby resistance to fluid flow through said fluid flow system may be regulated; a fluid seal between said wall exit opening and said external opening of said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
264 words
A fluid flow system for supplying and exhausting gas to and from a ventilated underwater space suit comprising: a box unit positioned on the chest area of said suit; a main gas supply line connected to said box unit and a suit gas supply line connected to said box unit and said suit; a passageway in said box unit between said main gas supply line connection and said suit supply line connection; a main exhaust line connected to said box unit and a suit exhaust line connected to said box unit and said suit; a gas exhaust passageway in said box unit between said suit exhaust line connection and said main exhaust line connection; meanS for regulating the resistance to gas flow through said gas exhaust passageway; said regulating means comprising a cylinder mounted in said gas exhaust passageway and having a gas receiving end including an opening through which exhaust gas must pass; the end of said cylinder opposite said receiving end having an opening externally of said fluid flow system adapted for exposure to the ambient water pressure around said suit; a piston movably disposed in said cylinder between said ends thereof; the wall of said cylinder between said ends thereof having a fluid exit opening therein; said fluid exit opening communicating with said main exhaust line; means for adjustably interposing said piston between said receiving end and said exit opening of said cylinder whereby resistance to fluid flow through said fluid flow system may be regulated; a fluid seal between said wall exit opening and said external opening of said cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 including a delta pressure transducer mounted in said box unit for indicating the difference between the pressure in said space suit and the ambient water pressure around said suit, said pressure transducer having one surface in communication with said suit exhaust line connection and another surface adapted for exposure to the ambient water pressure around said suit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |