US3768466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic oxygen breathing apparatus
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
•
Filing: 1970-12-21
•
Granted: 1973-10-30
•
Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Oxygen regulating apparatus of the demand and pressure breathing type for aircraft pilot use including an atmospheric air pressure responsive device operative to generate a control output signal which operates as a function of a predetermined rate of change of aircraft cabin altitude, upon a predetermined rate of ascent. The control signal causes the oxygen demand valve to open and supply 100 percent oxygen at relatively high flow rate to purge the air from the supply hose leading to the pilot''s oxygen mask thereby increasing the alveolar oxygen partial pressure accordingly.
Inventors
- 👤 A Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:55
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D16/00; G05D16/14; G05D16/16; G05D16/163; A; A62; A62B; A62B9/00; A62B9/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1842; Y10T137/1939; Y10T137/2012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
An oxygen regulator apparatus having means for controlling an air-oxygen breathing mixture supplied to an aircraft operator in response to a predetermined rate of ascent, said means comprising: casing means having an inlet port and an outlet port; a source of oxygen under pressure connected to said inlet port; atmospheric pressure responsive means located in said casing means for controlling the flow of oxygen through said inlet port; valve means located in said casing means for controlling the flow of oxygen through said outlet port in response to an operator demand; ratio means connected to said outlet port and the atmosphere for establishing an air-oxygen mixture as a function of altitude; a supply conduit connected to said ratio means for distributing said air-oxygen mixture; mask means connected to said supply conduit through which said air-oxygen mixture is communicated in response to an operator demand; fluid pressure responSive means operatively connected to said valve means and responsive to a pressure drop in said supply conduit generated by inhalation during said operator demand for actuating said valve means allowing oxygen to flow through said outlet port; and capsule means having an expandable chamber exposed exteriorly to atmospheric air pressure and interiorly to atmospheric air pressure through a restricted passage, said capsule means generating an output signal when the rate of change of atmospheric air pressure as sensed by a created pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the expandable chamber exceeds a predetermined value, said output signal activating said valve means for purging said supply conduit of the air-oxygen mixture by allowing oxygen to flow through the supply conduit to said mask means independently of an operator demand.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
An oxygen regulator apparatus having means for controlling an air-oxygen breathing mixture supplied to an aircraft operator in response to a predetermined rate of ascent, said means comprising: casing means having an inlet port and an outlet port; a source of oxygen under pressure connected to said inlet port; atmospheric pressure responsive means located in said casing means for controlling the flow of oxygen through said inlet port; valve means located in said casing means for controlling the flow of oxygen through said outlet port in response to an operator demand; ratio means connected to said outlet port and the atmosphere for establishing an air-oxygen mixture as a function of altitude; a supply conduit connected to said ratio means for distributing said air-oxygen mixture; mask means connected to said supply conduit through which said air-oxygen mixture is communicated in response to an operator demand; fluid pressure responSive means operatively connected to said valve means and responsive to a pressure drop in said supply conduit generated by inhalation during said operator demand for actuating said valve means allowing oxygen to flow through said outlet port; and capsule means having an expandable chamber exposed exteriorly to atmospheric air pressure and interiorly to atmospheric air pressure through a restricted passage, said capsule means generating an output signal when the rate of change of atmospheric air pressure as sensed by a created pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the expandable chamber exceeds a predetermined value, said output signal activating said valve means for purging said supply conduit of the air-oxygen mixture by allowing oxygen to flow through the supply conduit to said mask means independently of an operator demand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said fluid pressure responsive means includes movable wall means responsive to a control fluid pressure differential derived from the pressure in said supply conduit and atmospheric air pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said movable wall means is vented to atmospheric air via a normally open port; said means for generating an output signal as a function of the rate of change of atmospheric air pressure includes a valve member operatively connected to said normally open port for closing the same to prevent a decrease in atmospheric air pressure imposed on said movable wall means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said movable wall means includes diaphragm means exposed on one side to the oxygen pressure downstream from said normally closed valve means and on the opposite side to atmospheric air pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said expansible chamber is a capsule anchored at one end to a fixed support and at an opposite movable end operatively connected to said valve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including: means operatively connected to said mask and responsive to the oxygen pressure in said supply conduit for limiting the air-oxygen mixture pressure in said mask means to a maximum allowable value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said mask means includes an inlet connected to said supply conduit and an outlet connected to relatively low ambient pressure, inhalation valve means and exhalation valve means connected to said inlet and outlet, respectively, for controlling flow therethrough and; chamber means having a fluid connection with the pressure upstream from said inlet, and pressure responsive means connected to said exhalation valve means and responsive to the differential between pressures downstream from said inhalation valve means and in said chamber means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for limiting the air-oxygen mixture pressure to said mask means includes: valve member connected to said chamber through said fluid connection; and resilient means for urging said valve member to a closed position, said resilient means responding to a predetermined pressure to vent said air-oxygen mixture under pressure in the supply conduit to ambient to limit the pressure of the air-oxygen mixture communicated through the inhalation valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said normally closed valve member and said pressure responsive member connected thereto are defined by a spring loaded pressure responsive check valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Oxygen regulating apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said fluid connection connecting said chamber means to said pressure upstream from said inlet is defined by a restricted passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |