Pulmonary demand regulator

Abstract

A lung demand regulator for a breathing apparatus is disclosed, the lung demand regulator comprising: an ambient valve having a bypass configuration in which the ambient valve is configured to allow gas flow between a first side of the ambient valve and a second side of the ambient valve, and a check configuration in which the ambient valve is configured to allow gas flow from the first side of the ambient valve to the second side of the ambient valve and prevent gas flow from the second side of the ambient valve to the first side of the ambient valve; and a lock mechanism having a locked configuration in which the ambient valve is held in the bypass configuration, and an unlocked configuration in which the ambient valve is biased to the check configuration. A breathing apparatus comprising the lung demand regulator is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lung-type demand regulator for a self-contained breathing device system, and more specifically, to the preservation of breathing gases in such systems. Background Technology

[0002] Firefighters and other emergency responders frequently face situations requiring them to respond to events in challenging and often hazardous environments. These environments are typically classified as Individually Hazardous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments. IDLH environments may include those containing toxic or harmful gases or particulate matter, which, if inhaled, can lead to illness or death. To operate in IDLH environments, firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) systems. These systems provide the user with safe, breathable gas from a compressed gas supply source as needed, eliminating the risk of inhaling any hazardous components.

[0003] The SCBA system has a limited compressed gas supply capacity, which determines how long the system can sustain a user in an IDLH. Once the supply is essentially depleted, the user must evacuate the IDLH environment and replenish the compressed gas supply.

[0004] Typically, once users put on their SCBA, even if they are not yet in an IDLH environment, they will begin to consume the breathing gas stored in their compressed gas supply. The time during which the compressed gas supply is running out but the user has not yet entered the IDLH environment shortens the total time the user can operate in the IDLH environment.

[0005] Therefore, it should be understood that the desired outcome is to improve the lung-type demand regulator to better preserve the compressed gas supply source. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect, a lung-type demand regulator for a respiratory apparatus is provided. The lung-type demand regulator includes an ambient valve having: a bypass configuration in which the ambient valve is configured to allow airflow between a first side and a second side of the ambient valve; and a check configuration in which the ambient valve is configured to allow airflow from the first side to the second side of the ambient valve and to prevent airflow from the second side to the first side of the ambient valve. The lung-type demand regulator includes a locking mechanism having a locking configuration and an unlocking configuration, in which the ambient valve is held in the bypass configuration, and in the unlocking configuration, the ambient valve is biased to the check configuration.

[0007] The environmental valve allows for fluid communication with the surrounding environment. The environmental valve provides a flow path between the internal chamber of the lung-type demand regulator and the surrounding environment.

[0008] An environmental valve may include a sealing seat and a sealing element movable relative to the sealing seat. The sealing element may be biased to seal against the sealing seat.

[0009] In the locking configuration, the locking mechanism can maintain the gap between the sealing element and the sealing seat to provide a flow path between the sealing element and the sealing seat.

[0010] The sealing element may include an engagement portion extending through the sealing seat. A locking mechanism may be arranged to push against the engagement portion to separate the sealing element from the sealing seat.

[0011] In the unlocked configuration, the bias of the sealing element can cause the sealing element to press against the sealing seat to seal.

[0012] The sealing element can be configured to move outward from the sealing seat relative to the lung-type demand regulator when the ambient valve is open. The term "outward" can be understood as referring to the direction from the first side of the ambient valve toward the second side of the ambient valve.

[0013] The sealing seat can be an annular sealing seat. The sealing element can be configured to move axially relative to the annular sealing seat.

[0014] The airflow direction between the sealing element and the sealing seat can be substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sealing element.

[0015] A lung-type demand regulator may include a diaphragm located between an internal chamber and the surrounding environment. An environmental valve may provide a flow path across the diaphragm between the internal chamber and the surrounding environment.

[0016] The diaphragm can be configured to deform in response to the deformation force caused by the pressure difference between the internal chamber and the surrounding environment.

[0017] The lung-type demand regulator may also include a flow regulation mechanism optionally coupled to the diaphragm via a lever arm. The lever arm may be configured to pivot in response to deformation of the diaphragm, thereby actuating a valve of the flow regulation mechanism to supply airflow into the internal chamber.

[0018] The locking mechanism may include a locking lever. The locking lever may be configured such that, in a locking configuration, it engages the diaphragm and prevents diaphragm movement when the pressure difference between the internal chamber and the surrounding environment is below a threshold. The locking lever may also be configured such that, in an unlocking configuration, it disengages from the diaphragm and allows diaphragm movement when the pressure difference between the internal chamber and the surrounding environment exceeds a threshold.

[0019] The phrase “exceeding the threshold” can include reaching and / or exceeding the threshold.

[0020] When the pressure difference between the internal chamber and the surrounding environment exceeds a threshold, the sealing element can push against the locking lever to move the locking mechanism to the unlocked position and the environmental valve to the check valve position. The threshold may correspond to a pressure difference in which the pressure in the internal chamber is at least 5 kPa less than the pressure in the surrounding environment or at least 6.5 kPa less than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

[0021] The environmental valve may include a manual setting mechanism configured to maintain the environmental valve in a bypass configuration or a check configuration. The setting mechanism may include a rotatable setting element having at least one keying feature extending radially therefrom. The setting element may be rotatable to a first position corresponding to the bypass configuration, in which the at least one keying feature engages a sealing element to disengage the sealing element from a sealing seat. The setting element may be rotatable to a second position corresponding to the check configuration, in which the at least one keying feature disengages from the sealing element to allow the sealing element to seal against the sealing seat.

[0022] The sealing element may include a flange. In a first position, at least one bonding feature may be aligned with the flange of the sealing element. The setting mechanism may also include a biasing element configured to apply force to the flange of the sealing element via at least one bonding feature to separate the sealing element from the sealing seat.

[0023] In the second position, at least one bonding feature may be misaligned with the flange of the sealing element, allowing the sealing element to move relative to the setting element. Therefore, in the second position, the sealing element can be allowed to abut against the sealing seat for sealing.

[0024] The setting element can be rotated to a third position, in which the sealing plate maintains a sealed connection with the sealing plate.

[0025] At least a portion of the setting element can extend from the body of the lung-type demand regulator to allow the user to rotate the setting element.

[0026] The airflow passing through the environmental valve can be unfiltered. Unfiltered airflow can be understood as unfiltered airflow, such as gas that comes directly from the surrounding environment without being filtered.

[0027] According to a second aspect, a breathing device is provided, which includes a lung-type demand regulator according to the first aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The arrangement of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A breathing apparatus according to an embodiment is schematically shown; Figure 2A mask and a lung-type demand regulator according to an embodiment are schematically shown; Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a lung-type demand regulator according to an embodiment is schematically shown; Figure 4A and Figure 4B A cross-sectional view of the environmental valve of a lung-type demand regulator according to an embodiment is schematically shown. Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the environmental valve of a lung-type demand regulator according to an embodiment is schematically shown. Figure 5B and Figure 5C Each schematically illustrates an axial view of the setting element according to the embodiment; and Figure 5D A cross-sectional view of the environmental valve of a lung-type demand regulator according to an embodiment is schematically shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] As mentioned above, the limited breathing gas capacity of the SCBA system directly restricts the duration the system can support a user in an IDLH environment. Furthermore, any time a user breathes through the SCBA system and consumes compressed gas supply when not in an IDLH environment results in wasted compressed gas supply. This wasted compressed gas supply reduces the time a user can spend in an IDLH environment. This invention reduces the waste of compressed breathing gas to maximize the time a user can spend in an IDLH environment.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 An example breathing apparatus 10 is shown. The breathing apparatus 10 is a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and includes: a support frame or backplate 12; straps 14 for securing the SCBA to a user; a breathing gas cylinder 16; a face mask 18; a lung demand regulator 100 connectable to the face mask 18; and a pneumatic system 20 for delivering breathing gas from the cylinder 16 to the lung demand regulator 100 via a flexible tube or hose 22, thereby delivering breathing gas to the user wearing the face mask 18 as needed. The pneumatic system 20 is connected to the breathing gas cylinder 16 via a valve 19. The breathing apparatus 10 may also include other components or systems not shown, including but not limited to electrical systems, monitoring systems, or communication systems. The lung demand regulator 100 is referred to throughout this document as regulator 100.

[0031] In the arrangement shown, breathing apparatus 10 is a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), but it should be understood that lung demand regulators may also be used in other types of breathing apparatus, such as self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and emergency escape breathing apparatus.

[0032] Turning Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a mask 18 attached to regulator 100 is shown. A hose 22 of pneumatic system 20 is connected to inlet 101 of regulator 100 to supply breathing gas from bottle 16. Pneumatic system 20 includes a first-stage pressure reducer 21 that reduces the pressure of the breathing air from bottle 16 to an intermediate pressure for supply to regulator 100 via hose 22; the breathing air may be stored at several hundred bar. The intermediate pressure may be too high to provide breathing gas directly to the user for breathing. Regulator 100 may also include a second-stage pressure reducer that further reduces the pressure of the breathing gas to a suitable pressure for delivery to the user for breathing. In other arrangements, more than two or fewer pressure reducers may be provided.

[0033] As described above, the breathing gas cylinder 16 stores breathing gas under high pressure. A typical cylinder can have a volume of 6.8 liters and can be designed to hold approximately 2,000 liters (free air volume) of compressed air at a nominal pressure of 300 bar. This volume of compressed air can sustain the user for up to 45 minutes during physically demanding work.

[0034] In existing systems, the breathing gas stored in their cylinders begins to be consumed immediately once users put on their masks and begin breathing through their regulators. There is often a delay between when a user puts on their equipment and when they enter the IDLH environment, causing some of the breathing gas stored in the cylinders to be consumed. Such delays can include briefing the user on the emergency response strategy, equipment checks (including communications system checks), waiting for other users to put on their equipment, waiting for other emergency responders to enter or evacuate the IDLH environment, etc. All of these delays cause users to consume their limited supply of breathing gas, thus reducing the total time users spend operating in the IDLH environment.

[0035] This invention generally provides a regulator with an ambient valve that allows a user to breathe ambient air instead of stored breathing gas after fully wearing the breathing apparatus when not in an IDLH environment. The ambient valve is switchable between a bypass configuration and a check configuration. In the bypass configuration, the breathing gas supply from the bottle is "bypassed" and the user can directly inhale ambient air; in the check configuration, the breathing gas supply from the bottle is enabled and inhalation of ambient air is prevented. A mechanism is provided for selectively switching between the two configurations.

[0036] Figure 3 A regulator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figure 2 A cross-sectional view in the plane marked AA.

[0037] The regulator 100 includes a flexible diaphragm 102 disposed within an internal chamber 103 of the regulator 100. The diaphragm 102 has a first side exposed to the internal chamber and a second side exposed to the surrounding environment. The regulator 100 also includes a demand valve 110 connected to the diaphragm 102 via a rod 112. When a user inhales through the regulator 100, the pressure in the internal chamber decreases relative to the ambient pressure. As a result, the diaphragm 102 moves inward. This inward movement causes the rod 112 engaging the diaphragm 102 to rotate (from...) Figure 3 (Viewed from above, rotating counterclockwise). The rotation of lever 112 is transmitted to demand valve 110, which in turn opens, allowing breathing gas to enter internal chamber 103. Introducing breathing gas into internal chamber 103 increases the pressure within it, causing diaphragm 102 and lever 112 to return to their respective original positions and demand valve 110 to close. This cycle then repeats once the user breathes again.

[0038] In the depicted embodiment, the regulator 100 also includes a locking lever 114. Before the user takes their first breath, the locking lever 114 engages the diaphragm 102 and prevents its movement. In this state, the locking lever 114 is referred to as being in a "locked configuration" and... Figure 3 As depicted in the diagram. The locking lever 114 is biased such that any minute movement of the diaphragm 102 caused by a slight decrease in pressure within the internal chamber 103 is prevented by the locking lever 114, thus preventing further movement of the diaphragm 102 and actuation of the demand valve 110. Only when the pressure in the internal chamber 103 drops significantly (i.e., due to a deep, forceful breath from the user) does the force acting on the diaphragm 102 overcome the resistance of the locking lever 114 to allow actuation of the demand valve 110. Once this pressure drop is reached, the locking lever 114 proceeds to the "unlocked configuration," in which the locking lever no longer interacts with the diaphragm 102, and the regulator 100 functions as described above.

[0039] The regulator 100 also includes an ambient valve 120. The ambient valve 120 has a first side 121 in fluid communication with the internal chamber 103 and a second side 122 in fluid communication with the surrounding environment. As described above, in the bypass configuration of the ambient valve 120 (in... Figure 3 In the diagram (as depicted), the ambient valve 120 allows gas to flow between its first side 121 and second side 122. In the bypass configuration, the ambient valve 120 allows gas to flow directly between the ambient environment and the internal chamber 103. In this configuration, the airflow passing through the ambient valve 120 is therefore unfiltered. That is, in the bypass configuration, the gas flowing from the ambient environment through the ambient valve 120 is unfiltered. Of course, filtration is not required at this stage because the user is not in an IDLH environment.

[0040] In the check valve configuration of the ambient valve 120, the ambient valve 120 allows gas to flow from the first side 121 to the second side 122 and prevents gas from flowing from the second side 122 to the first side 121.

[0041] In this embodiment, the ambient valve 120 is disposed within the diaphragm 102. That is, the ambient valve 120 allows gas to flow through the diaphragm (depending on the bypass configuration and check configuration). However, it should be understood that an ambient valve having the features described herein can be disposed on any part of the regulator that defines the boundary between the internal chamber and the environment.

[0042] Turning Figure 4A Below, it is shown Figure 3 An enlarged view of the cross-section. Again, Figure 4A An ambient valve 120 in a bypass configuration is depicted. In this embodiment, the ambient valve 120 includes a sealing seat 123 against which a sealing element 124 is configured to seal. The depicted sealing element 124 is in the form of a flat plate. The sealing element 124 is movable relative to the sealing seat 123. When the sealing element 124 is separated from the sealing seat 123, a flow path 130 is formed between them. When the sealing element 124 is engaged with the sealing seat 123, the flow path 130 is closed and airflow is prevented through the ambient valve 120.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the sealing seat 123 is an annular sealing seat with a central support 125. The central support 125 includes a hole that receives the engaging portion of the sealing element 124 in the form of a rod 126. The combination of the central support 125 and the rod 126 restricts the movement of the sealing element 124 relative to the sealing seat 123, allowing only axial movement of the sealing element 124.

[0044] The sealing element 124 is biased toward the sealing seat 123 by a biasing element 128 in the form of a helical spring. In the check valve configuration of the ambient valve 120, the biasing element 128 causes the sealing element 124 to engage the sealing seat 123, thereby closing the flow path 130 and preventing any airflow through the flow path.

[0045] The regulator 100 also includes a locking mechanism, which in this embodiment takes the form of a locking lever 114. In the bypass configuration of the ambient valve 120, the locking lever 114 is in a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the foot 116 of the locking lever 114 engages the distal end of the lever 126 to maintain the gap between the sealing element 124 and the sealing seat 123. The force applied to the lever 126 by the locking lever 114 is sufficient to overcome the bias of the biasing element 128 to ensure that the flow path 130 remains open.

[0046] In this state, the ambient valve 120 is in a "bypass" configuration. It is so named because the ambient valve 120 remains open, allowing the user to breathe ambient air directly through the ambient valve 120 without actuating the demand valve 110.

[0047] It should be understood that, since the environmental valve 120 forms part of the diaphragm 102 in this embodiment, when the locking lever 114 is in the locked configuration, the locking lever 114 is able to perform the function of preventing the diaphragm 102 from moving and maintaining the separation between the sealing element 124 and the sealing seat 123.

[0048] As described above, once the pressure inside the internal chamber 103 drops below the threshold, the locking lever 114 pivots to the "unlocked" configuration. Figure 4B It shows the relationship with Figure 4A Same view, but locking lever 114 is in the unlocked configuration. Once locking lever 114 has been moved to the unlocked configuration, the force previously applied to lever 126 by locking lever 114 is removed. Therefore, biasing element 128 causes sealing element 124 to engage sealing seat 123, thereby closing flow path 130, as shown.

[0049] In this state, the ambient valve 120 is in a "check valve" configuration. Inhalation by the user lowers the pressure in the internal chamber 103, allowing the lever 112 and demand valve 110 to function normally as previously described. Exhalation, on the other hand, raises the pressure within the internal chamber 103. This increase in pressure applies a force to the diaphragm 102 and, consequently, to the sealing element 124. As a result, this force overcomes the bias element 128 and causes the sealing element 124 to temporarily separate from the sealing seat 123, thereby opening the flow path 130. Once open, the gas exhaled by the user is discharged from the regulator through the flow path 130. Once the pressure in the internal chamber 103 begins to drop, the bias element 128 returns the sealing element 124 to the sealing seat 123, thus preventing any ambient air from entering the regulator 100.

[0050] The sealing element 124 is configured to move such that the surface of the sealing element 124 remains perpendicular to the sealing seat 123. For example... Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the embodiment depicted, the sealing element 124 covers the sealing seat 123 such that the flow path 130 between the sealing element and the sealing seat is substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of the sealing element 124 relative to the sealing seat 123. That is, airflow occurs through the flow path 130 in a radial direction extending from the axis of movement of the sealing element 124.

[0051] Of course, other structures for the check valve can be implemented as environmental valves. For example, hinged valves or butterfly valves are also applicable to this invention.

[0052] It should be understood that since the configuration of the environmental valve 120 (i.e., bypass or check configuration) is controlled by the position of the locking lever 114 (which itself is controlled by the user's inhalation), the environmental valve 120 can automatically switch from the bypass configuration to the check configuration when the user inhales deeply through the regulator 100.

[0053] In use, a user can wear a breathing apparatus 10 including a regulator 100 according to the invention. The regulator 100 can (pre-)set the locking lever 114 to a locked configuration, and thus pre-set the ambient valve 120 to a bypass configuration. During this time, the user breathes ambient air through the ambient valve 120 of the regulator 100 without wasting any pressurized gas stored in the user's bottle 16. In this state, any delay experienced by the user before responding to an event has no effect on the supply of breathing gas stored in their bottle 16.

[0054] However, once the user begins to exert force and their cardiovascular needs increase (i.e., as they begin to respond to the event), their breathing volume and force will also increase. This change to more forceful breathing will automatically trigger the locking lever 114 to move from the locked configuration to the bypass configuration. Consequently, the ambient valve 120 will automatically move from the bypass configuration to the check configuration. Therefore, all further breathing by the user will be supplied from the user's bottle via the demand valve 110, rather than from ambient air via the ambient valve 120. Thus, the ambient valve 120 only switches from allowing the inhalation of ambient air to allowing the inhalation of only safe breathing gas from the bottle 16 at the moment the user begins to respond to the event, thereby minimizing any waste of breathing gas and maximizing the available time for the user to respond to the event. In some examples, the user can also move the ambient valve 120 to the check configuration by pressing the outer surface of the sealing element 124 to force it inward and overcome the holding force of the locking lever 114.

[0055] The bias of locking lever 114 and / or ambient valve 120 can be set such that a specific differential pressure threshold between the internal chamber 103 and the surrounding environment must be met before the ambient valve 120 automatically switches from a bypass configuration to a check configuration. In some embodiments, the threshold is met when the pressure in the internal chamber 103 is at least 0.5 kPa lower than the ambient pressure. In some embodiments, the threshold is met when the pressure in the internal chamber 103 is at least 0.65 kPa lower than the ambient pressure.

[0056] Figure 5A Another embodiment of the invention is described. Specifically, Figure 5A A partial cross-sectional view of a lung-type demand regulator according to another embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is not automatic but manually operated by the user.

[0057] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is formed by a manual setting mechanism 240. The manual setting mechanism 240 includes a rotatable setting element 242. Figure 5A A locking mechanism is depicted in its locked configuration, in which the environmental valve 220 remains in a bypass configuration. A biasing element 248 biases the setting element 242. In this case, the biasing element 248 is a coil spring. The biasing element 248 engages the underside of the knob portion 243 of the setting element 242 and pushes the setting element 242 outward relative to the diaphragm 202. A stop 245 secures the setting element 242. The knob portion 243 extends from the regulator 200, allowing the user to grasp and rotate the setting element 242.

[0058] Setting element 242 also includes a bonding feature 244 that engages the flange 246 of sealing element 224 in the bypass configuration of ambient valve 220. Therefore, biasing element 248 also causes sealing element 224 to separate from sealing seat 223, thereby opening the flow path 230 between sealing element and sealing seat. In this configuration, a user is allowed to breathe through ambient valve 220 to inhale and exhale from the surrounding environment. As in the previous embodiment, because the user can breathe through ambient valve 220, no significant pressure differential is generated in the internal chamber 203, so rod 212 does not actuate the demand valve (not shown). In other words, in the bypass configuration, ambient air can freely pass through ambient valve 220 between the first side 221 and the second side 222. Therefore, pressurized breathing gas is not wasted in the bypass configuration.

[0059] Figure 5B It shows Figure 5A An isolated axial view of the setting element 242. As shown, the setting element 242 includes a bonding feature 244 extending from the center of the setting element 242. A notch 247 is located between the bonding features 244. Figure 5B The setting element 242 is shown in a first rotary position corresponding to the bypass configuration of the environmental valve 220. Figure 5C The setting element is shown in a second rotary position corresponding to the check valve configuration of the ambient valve 220. In this case, the second rotary position is 90 degrees from the first rotary position.

[0060] To move the environmental valve 220 from the bypass configuration to the check configuration, the user can manually move the setting element 242 from the first position ( Figure 5B Rotate to the second position ( Figure 5C ).

[0061] Figure 5DThe setting element 242 is shown rotated to a second position within the context of the ambient valve 220. In this position, the notch 247 aligns with the flange 246, allowing the setting element 242 to disengage from the sealing element 224 and the sealing element 224 to move relative to the setting element. Therefore, the biasing element 248 no longer pushes the sealing element 224 away from the sealing seat 223. Instead, the biasing element 228 of the ambient valve 220 pushes against the sealing element 224 to seal against the sealing seat 223, thereby closing the flow path 230.

[0062] When the notch 247 is aligned with the flange 246 in the second position of the setting element 242, the sealing element 224 moves freely relative to the sealing seat 223, just as a sealing element typically does in a check configuration. In other words, the rotatable setting element 242 can engage or disengage with the sealing element 224, thereby allowing the environmental valve 220 to move between a bypass configuration and a check configuration.

[0063] In some implementations, the setting element can be moved to a third position, in which the bonding surface engages the flange at a different location to hold the sealing element against the sealing seat, thereby effectively preventing the flow path from being fully opened.

[0064] In use, the user can wear their breathing apparatus 10 (which includes a regulator 200) and rotate the knob portion 243 to place the setting element 242 in a first position corresponding to the locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the ambient valve 220 is in a bypass configuration, allowing the user to breathe ambient air freely through the ambient valve 220 without consuming the supply of pressurized breathing gas stored in their bottle 16. Then, once the user is ready to begin responding to an emergency in an IDLH environment, the user can grasp and rotate the knob portion 243 to place the setting element 242 in a second position corresponding to the unlocked configuration. Once in the unlocked configuration, the ambient valve is in a check valve configuration, thus supplying the user with safe breathing gas through the user's bottle 16 during inhalation. During exhalation, the user's exhaled gas exits the regulator 200 via a momentarily opened flow path 230.

[0065] Of course, some embodiments of the present invention can be combined with Figure 4A and Figure 4B Features of the illustrated embodiments and Figures 5A to 5D The combination of features of the illustrated embodiments.

[0066] Importantly, in all embodiments of the invention, regardless of whether the ambient valve is configured for automatic or manual switching, it reduces the waste of compressed breathing gas. This is achieved by minimizing the time spent by the user breathing compressed breathing gas before beginning to respond to events in the IDLH environment. Therefore, the user has more time to respond to events in the IDLH environment.

[0067] Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention has been described by way of example with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and alternative examples are contemplated and can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) for a breathing device (10), the lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) comprising: Environmental valves (120, 220) have the following features: A bypass configuration, wherein the ambient valves (120, 220) are configured to allow airflow between a first side (121, 221) and a second side (122, 222) of the ambient valves (120, 220); and A check valve configuration, wherein the ambient valves (120, 220) are configured to allow airflow from the first side (121, 221) of the ambient valves (120, 220) to the second side (122, 222) of the ambient valves (120, 220), and to prevent airflow from the second side (122, 222) of the ambient valves (120, 220) to the first side (121, 221) of the ambient valves (120, 220); and The locking mechanism has a locking configuration and an unlocking configuration, wherein in the locking configuration the ambient valves (120, 220) are held in the bypass configuration, and in the unlocking configuration the ambient valves (120, 220) are biased to the check configuration.

2. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein, The environmental valve (120, 220) includes a sealing seat (123, 223) and a sealing element (124, 224) movable relative to the sealing seat (123, 223), wherein the sealing element (124, 224) is biased to seal against the sealing seat (123, 223).

3. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein, In the locking configuration, the locking mechanism maintains the gap between the sealing element (124, 224) and the sealing seat (123, 223) to provide a flow path (130, 230) between the sealing element and the sealing seat.

4. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to claim 3, wherein, The sealing element (124, 224) includes an engagement portion (126) extending through the sealing seat (123, 223), and wherein the locking mechanism is arranged to push against the engagement portion (126) to separate the sealing element (124, 224) from the sealing seat (123, 223).

5. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, In the unlocking configuration, the bias of the sealing elements (124, 224) causes the sealing elements (124, 224) to seal against the sealing seat (123, 223).

6. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The sealing element (124, 224) is configured to move outward relative to the lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) from the sealing seat (123, 223) when the environmental valve (120, 220) is opened.

7. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, The sealing seat (123, 223) is an annular sealing seat (123, 223), and the sealing element (124, 224) is configured to move axially relative to the annular sealing seat (123, 223).

8. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein, The airflow direction between the sealing elements (124, 224) and the sealing seat (123, 223) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sealing elements (124, 224).

9. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising a diaphragm (102, 202) between the internal chamber (103, 203) and the surrounding environment, optionally wherein, The environmental valves (120, 220) provide flow paths (130, 230) through the diaphragm (102, 202) between the internal chamber (103, 203) and the surrounding environment.

10. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to claim 9, wherein, The locking mechanism includes a locking lever (114), which is configured to: In the locking configuration, when the pressure difference between the internal chambers (103, 203) and the surrounding environment is below a threshold, the locking lever engages the diaphragm (102, 202) and prevents the diaphragm (102, 202) from moving; and In the unlocking configuration, when the pressure difference between the internal chamber (103, 203) and the surrounding environment exceeds the threshold, the locking lever disengages from the diaphragm (102, 202) and allows the diaphragm (102, 202) to move.

11. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to claim 10, wherein, When the pressure difference between the internal chambers (103, 203) and the surrounding environment exceeds the threshold, the sealing element (124, 224) pushes against the locking lever (114) to move the locking mechanism to the unlocking configuration and move the environmental valve (120, 220) to the check configuration. Optionally, the threshold corresponds to a pressure difference in which the pressure in the internal chambers (103, 203) is at least 5 kPa less than the pressure in the surrounding environment or at least 6.5 kPa less than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

12. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein, The environmental valves (120, 220) include a manual setting mechanism (240) configured to maintain the environmental valves (120, 220) in either the bypass configuration or the check configuration, wherein the setting mechanism includes a rotatable setting element (242) having at least one bonding feature (244) extending radially from the setting element, the setting element (242) being rotatable to: In a first position corresponding to the bypass configuration, the at least one bonding feature (244) engages the sealing element (124, 224) to separate the sealing element (124, 224) from the sealing seat (123, 223); and In a second position corresponding to the check valve configuration, the at least one bonding feature (244) disengages from the sealing element (124, 224) to allow the sealing element (124, 224) to seal against the sealing seat (123, 223).

13. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, At least a portion of the setting element (242) extends from the lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) to allow the user to rotate the setting element (242).

14. The lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The airflow flowing through the environmental valves (120, 220) is unfiltered airflow.

15. A breathing device (10) comprising a lung-type demand regulator (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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