Simplified emergency oxygen generator for airline passengers

Abstract

Generator (2) for the chemical production of oxygen (4) for the emergency supply of passengers in a passenger aircraft, - with a housing (6) with a housing opening (8) which is designed to release the oxygen (4), - with a core (10) arranged in the housing (6) which is designed to chemically generate the oxygen (4), - with an insulating holder (12) arranged in the housing (6), which is designed to both mechanically fix the core (10) in the housing (6) and to thermally insulate it from the housing (6), - wherein the insulating holder (12) is designed to be oxygen-tight, - wherein the insulating holder (12) is designed as a sleeve (14) enclosing the core (10) which is closed except for a holder opening (16) for the oxygen (4), - wherein the insulating holder (12) is formed in two parts with a cup-shaped base part (32) and a cover part (34) which has the holder opening (16), - with a concentrated filter body (40) arranged in the housing (6), which is fluidically connected between the core (10) and the housing opening (8) with respect to the oxygen (4), - wherein the filter body (40) is arranged in a longitudinal direction (30) of the generator (2) between the core (10) and the housing opening (8) and is arranged between the insulating holder (12) and the housing opening (8), - wherein the filter body (40) covers the holder opening (16) of the sleeve (14), so that the oxygen (4) escaping here must always flow through the filter body (40) in order to be able to escape from the sleeve (14), - wherein the filter body (40) forms a filter disc extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (30) and the filter body (40) fills the entire free housing cross-section in the interior of the housing (6) and thus divides the interior of the housing (6) into two sub-chambers, namely a core chamber (44) or oxygen generation chamber in which the core (10) is located and an oxygen outlet chamber (46) which is located between the filter body (40) and the housing opening (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a generator for the chemical production of oxygen for the emergency supply of passengers in a passenger aircraft.

[0002] DE 196 15 501 A1 discloses a chemical oxygen generator comprising a chemical mass that generates oxygen through a chemical reaction and is housed inside a container. The chemical mass is held in the container by a gas-permeable fiber material (4) arranged around it. The structure of the chemical oxygen generator is to be improved. To achieve this objective, the fiber material is designed as a chemical sorption filter.

[0003] US 2004 / 0 151 639 A1 discloses an oxygen generator comprising an oxygen generation unit with: (a) a chlorate oxygen generation candle for generating oxygen when ignited; and (b) an ignition device for igniting the candle to initiate oxygen generation from the candle. The candle is configured such that, during operation, a plurality of combustion fronts propagate through it, with the fronts propagating in different directions.

[0004] From DE 34 22 021 C2 a chemical oxygen generator is known with a chemical mass which generates oxygen by chemical reaction and is accommodated inside a closed container with a one-sided outlet, which chemical mass is divided into individual oxygen candles which are axially assembled in a modular design and are each connected by a glow element, and with an ignition device, wherein the glow element is designed as a shape-adapted connecting element which largely covers the end faces of the successive individual oxygen candles.

[0005] US Pat. No. 6,155,254 A discloses a self-contained device for generating high-pressure breathable oxygen, comprising an oxygen-generating chemical candle, a gas-tight enclosure chamber consisting of a body and a cover in which the candle is housed, means for igniting the candle, means for striking the igniter, and means for filtering the oxygen generated. The ignition means consist of a compressed mixture of titanium and boron, and the filter means consist of a mixture of lime or soda-lime and a molecular sieve, and are packaged around the candle on the one hand and distributed in a cartridge with an outlet cap for the generated oxygen on the other. The device is used for oxygen generation in the medical or paramedical fields, in the aviation field, and in the military field.

[0006] From US 2022 / 0 040 509 A1, a manifold for a chemical oxygen generator (COG) is known, comprising a positioning plate configured to be connected to a COG and a manifold body rotatably mounted on the locking plate. The plenum body has an inlet for receiving oxygen and at least one output port in pneumatic communication with the inlet. The manifold includes a lock for securing the manifold body relative to the positioning plate in at least a first position. In another aspect, a COG is provided. The COG may have a housing and a locking manifold.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to propose an improved oxygen generator.

[0008] The object is achieved by a generator according to patent claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention and other categories of invention emerge from the further claims, the following description and the attached figures.

[0009] The generator is designed or used to chemically produce oxygen. The oxygen is designed or used for the emergency supply of passengers in a passenger aircraft.

[0010] The generator has a housing. The housing has an outlet opening for the oxygen in the form of a housing opening. The housing opening is designed to release the oxygen.

[0011] The generator contains a core, the so-called chemical core. The core is located within the housing. The core serves or is designed for the chemical production of oxygen.

[0012] The generator contains an insulating holder. The insulating holder is arranged in or inside the housing. The insulating holder is designed or serves to both mechanically fix the core in the housing and thermally insulate the core from the housing. Both the housing and the core have, in particular, a cylindrical shape that extends along a longitudinal axis. The cylindrical shape is, in particular, that of a right circular cylinder. The insulating holder thus also secures the core against external movements of the housing. The core lies completely within the insulating holder.

[0013] According to the invention, an optimized oxygen generator is obtained. According to the invention, a chemical oxygen generator is obtained which is used for the emergency oxygen supply for passengers in commercial aircraft. This is an optimized design with a focus on reducing the number of components through the use of optimized assemblies which fulfill cross-functional purposes, i.e. at least a dual function. This is because the insulating holder fulfills the purpose of both mechanically fixing the core in the housing and thermally insulating the core from the housing. According to the invention, an integration of functionalities results through the use of optimized assemblies which can fulfill cross-functional purposes / a dual or multiple function, in particular the insulating holder with the aforementioned dual function.

[0014] The invention is based on the observation that chemical oxygen generators are chemical-mechanical components that, due to their life-sustaining function, require very high reliability. During operation (i.e., the actual generation of oxygen), the high reaction heat during oxygen production places particular demands on the design (here in the sense of "concept / boundary conditions / technical design / design specifications"). By designing the insulating holder with dual functionality (mechanical holding / thermal insulation), an advantage is achieved over generators known from practice, which are manufactured from approximately 50 individual components, each of which – without multiple functions – is usually assigned to a (single) specific purpose.

[0015] The inventive concept is optimized so that individual components serve multiple purposes, thus reducing the number of components used (in particular by approximately 25%). The manufacture and production of the oxygen generator according to the invention is optimized because fewer components need to be assembled. Furthermore, this results in a space-optimized design. In generators known from practice, the combination of components to fulfill multiple tasks has not yet been implemented. For example, comparable products use approximately five components to hold and insulate the core (chemical core) in the housing. The inventive design achieves this with two components, a base part and a cover part. In particular, this is achieved using a moldable layered silicate, see below.In generators known from practice, there is a clear demarcation of the individual units according to their assigned purpose. The inventive design is optimized so that individual components fulfill multiple tasks through (functional / material) integration, thus creating an optimized design.

[0016] In an embodiment not forming part of the invention, the insulating holder is not designed to be oxygen-tight. The insulating holder is designed to be oxygen-tight. This means that no significant amount of oxygen passes through the insulating holder to the housing opening. The oxygen escapes exclusively by other means, in particular through channels in the insulating holder facing the core, out of the core, or to a holder opening in the insulating holder, through which the oxygen then escapes from the insulating holder.

[0017] The insulating holder is designed as a sleeve that encloses the core except for an outlet opening for the oxygen in the form of a holder opening for the oxygen, i.e., it is completely closed except for this holder opening (with regard to the oxygen, see below). The holder opening is therefore the only opening through which oxygen can escape from the sleeve. Other openings in the sleeve may be provided, but they are not intended for oxygen escape but rather, for example, to guide an ignition mechanism for the core from the outside to it through the sleeve. A corresponding sleeve is particularly well-suited to fulfilling the aforementioned dual functionality (holder and thermal insulation).

[0018] The insulating holder is constructed in two parts. A first part is formed by a cup-shaped base part, and a second part by a cover part. The cover part closes the cup-shaped base part, together with which it forms the aforementioned sleeve enclosing the core. The cup part forms a blind hole-like receptacle for receiving the core. The cover part has the aforementioned holder opening. This makes it particularly easy to implement an insulating part. The base part and cover part are, in particular, one-piece components. The base part can also be understood as the lower insulator cap, and the cover part as the upper insulator cap.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the insulating holder is made of a material containing a moldable phyllosilicate, in particular vermiculite. In particular, the insulating holder is made entirely of moldable phyllosilicate. Such a material is particularly well suited to fulfilling the dual functionality (mechanical support and thermal insulation). Vermiculite is a substance which, due to its inorganic composition, does not emit gases at high temperatures and yet still provides the required strength, workability, and insulating properties. Variants of materials or material components such as ceramics, aerated concrete, aluminum silicates, etc. are also conceivable. The above statements apply to these materials accordingly.

[0020] The generator contains a filter body. This is a concentrated filter body that is arranged in the housing, i.e. inside the housing. “Concentrated” means in particular that it is designed as a single, separately handleable component and not, for example, as loose bulk material. With regard to oxygen, the filter body is fluidically connected between the core and the housing opening. This means that all of the oxygen generated by the core (again with the exception of insignificant portions) must pass through the filter body to get from the core to the housing opening. In other words, the filter body is designed in particular like a filter cartridge, which can be inserted into the housing as a compact, handleable component / complete part. In particular, the filter body is pressed into the housing in an assembled state, in particular without any other parts in between.The use of a concentrated filter body simplifies the manufacture of the generator, as the filter functionality can be incorporated into the generator by inserting a single component, namely the filter body, and does not require the filling and handling of loose bulk material.

[0021] The filter body is positioned along a longitudinal axis of the generator, directly adjacent to the chemical core or insulating holder. The filter body filters the gas generated in the core before it flows out of the outlet (housing opening, outlet, outlet element). The filter body is held in place, in particular, by the outer housing into which it is pressed. The filter body, i.e., the filter unit itself, consists primarily of two perforated plates with different openings, which force the gas to travel a certain distance through the filter body. In particular, the openings are not arranged congruently in the longitudinal direction on the two flat sides of the filter body.

[0022] The filter body / filter cartridge can be designed to secure the insulation holder in the housing—particularly together with the housing, e.g., by precisely pressing it in place. The fixation occurs primarily in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis. This also represents a multiple / cross-functionality of the filter body.

[0023] The filter body, or "filter," serves the function of filtering out dust particles from the gas mixture generated in the core and escaping from it, which primarily contains oxygen. It also filters out undesirable components / substances, such as chlorine, from this gas mixture. In other words, the filter cleans the gas mixture generated in the core of undesirable components in order to obtain oxygen suitable for passengers at the end of the filter.

[0024] The filter body covers the sleeve's holder opening, so that the oxygen escaping here must always flow through the filter body to exit the sleeve. This forces the filtering of all the oxygen / gas generated by the core.

[0025] Here, too, this refers to the filtering of the relevant portion of the oxygen and not, for example, to any negligible diffusion processes of oxygen through other materials, which could also fulfill an (insignificant) filtering function.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the filter body represents the only filter functionality for the oxygen in the generator. Additional filter materials / filter units / filter media, which would be designed to filter the oxygen generated in the core, are therefore not included in the generator.

[0027] According to the invention, it is assumed that the generator has a longitudinal direction, in particular a central longitudinal axis, along which it extends. In particular, it extends (in particular circularly) cylindrically along the longitudinal axis. The filter body is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the generator between the core and the housing opening. The filter body is arranged between the insulating holder and the housing opening.

[0028] The filter body forms a filter disc extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. The filter body fills the entire free cross-section inside the housing, thus dividing the interior of the housing into two sub-chambers: a core chamber or oxygen generation chamber, in which the core is located, and an (oxygen) outlet chamber located between the filter body and the housing opening.

[0029] This design also results in a particularly simple generator structure and thus simplifies its manufacture, since, for example, the insulating body with core and then the filter body can be inserted longitudinally into the housing (e.g., into a pot-shaped base housing), and the housing then simply needs to be closed with a housing cover. The housing then comprises the base housing and the housing cover.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the filter body (when assembled in the housing and during operation) has a designated passage direction for the oxygen coming from the core. This means that during operation, the generator is designed so that the generated oxygen passes through the filter body in a specific direction. In the above embodiment, this is the direction from the core space to the outlet space. The filter body is then designed, in the direction of passage of the oxygen, as a layered arrangement with at least one dust filter layer and at least one gas filter layer. In particular, corresponding dust filter and gas filter layers alternate. In particular, the first and last layer is not a gas filter layer, but rather a nonwoven layer.

[0031] The dust filter layer is particularly designed as a dust filter fleece. The gas filter layer is particularly designed as a granulate layer formed by a bed of loose filter granules. In the filter body, the filter granules are held between two adjacent layers, which are particularly fleece layers, in particular dust filter layers or flat-sided cover layers of the filter layer. The filter granules are thus held captively in the filter body. Handling of the granules is therefore only necessary during production of the filter body. Afterward, only the filter body, from which no granules can escape, is necessary. In the direction of passage of the oxygen, it is therefore always subjected alternately to gas filtration (gas filter layer, in particular removal of chlorine) and dust filtration (dust filter layer, in particular removal of dust particles).

[0032] The interior of the filter body consists primarily of layers of dust filter fleece with chemical filter granules in between. A metal oxide mixture, e.g., hopcalite, is located between the two dust filters, chemically removing impurities from the gas. The gas filter layer therefore primarily contains or consists of metal oxide mixtures. This layered arrangement can also be referred to as a "lasagna" solution, as it allows for an extremely compact design and the required gas purity can be achieved with just a three-layer system (three layers of metal oxide mixtures). The system, i.e., the filter body, consists of three layers of metal oxide mixture and two dust filters separating the individual metal oxide mixture layers.The compact design also facilitates the handling of metal oxide mixtures, as the granules can be introduced into the filter / filter body in a single prefabrication step (production of the filter body), eliminating the need to handle loose bulk material during the final assembly of the generator (insertion of the filter body into the housing). The first and last metal oxide mixture layers are covered, for example, by a fleece layer that serves solely to hold the metal oxide mixture so that the granules do not escape through the flow openings in the lid or base of the filter body (half-shells). The filter body therefore comprises two metal sheets / half-shells that are inserted into one another like a can. Inside, there are two layers of dust filter and granules made of metal oxide mixture for gas filtration (in particular three layers, separated by the dust filters), each covered on one side only by a cover fleece.The filter body therefore contains, in particular, two perforated sheets / half shells that externally enclose its internal structure (dust filter layers, gas filter layers, etc.).

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the generator contains an outlet element. The outlet element is arranged on the housing, in particular in the housing, but protrudes outwards from the housing. The outlet element is designed to discharge the generated oxygen. The outlet element contains at least two, in particular four, connecting pieces, in particular running parallel to one another, in particular extending cylindrically. Further elements for discharging or forwarding the generated oxygen can be connected to the connecting pieces, for example a connecting hose leading to one or more oxygen masks for each connecting piece, or an adapter that can be connected to one, several, or all connecting pieces in order to connect the connecting piece to another device for forwarding the oxygen (for example a pipeline).In particular, the generator has four connection ports, allowing up to four masks and their hoses to be directly connected to the connection ports. The connection ports are arranged squarely, i.e., at the four corners of a square, with respect to a plane transverse to their direction of extension.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, at least one, in particular several, and in particular all of the connecting pieces are designed with smooth walls in a front-end region over a minimum length extending away from the front. Adjoining the end region is a retaining structure on the connecting piece. The retaining structure is designed to secure a fitting hose attached to the connecting piece against slipping toward the front, i.e., against slipping off the front.

[0035] In particular, the end section from the front end of the connecting piece has a corresponding minimum length to be securely accommodated in an adapter that accommodates one, several, or all of the connecting pieces. This ensures that, in addition to the secure attachment and retention of fitting hoses, an adapter can also be securely and reliably attached to the connecting piece. In particular, the adapter has a minimum length of greater than or equal to 12.7 mm. The connecting pieces are, in particular, straight and circularly cylindrical, and the retaining structures are designed as radially outwardly projecting extensions, in particular barbs.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the outlet element comprises a plastic base body. Metallic connecting pieces are incorporated into this base body in an oxygen-tight manner. This allows for a complex geometry of an outlet element to be easily implemented while simultaneously achieving sufficient mechanical stability of the connecting pieces.

[0037] The invention is based on the following findings, observations, and considerations and also includes the following preferred embodiments. These embodiments are sometimes referred to as "the invention" for simplicity. The embodiments may also contain parts or combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments or correspond to them and / or may also include previously unmentioned embodiments.

[0038] The invention is based on the observation that, in practice, it is common practice to hold and thermally insulate the chemical core with approximately fifteen components. According to the invention, both the core holder and the insulation can be covered with two components (base part / cover part). The insulating holder, i.e., the two components, encloses the chemical core, fulfills structural functions, and secures the core against vibrations and relative movement within the housing. Furthermore, the insulating holder insulates the chemical core during combustion (chemical generation of oxygen), thus reducing the external temperature (difference between the core temperature and the external temperature of the housing) to approximately 300°C.Despite the high temperatures, the oxygen produced is not contaminated because it does not diffuse through the insulation, but rather is simply guided past the insulation and the core by means of channels located inside the insulation.

[0039] The invention is further based on the observation that it is known in practice to filter the resulting oxygen in two steps. First, the resulting oxygen is freed of gas impurities through chemical reactions using bulk material, before any resulting dust is filtered out using a gas-permeable cotton structure(s). According to the invention, however, a layer arrangement - in particular alternating layers - of a chemical gas filter material and a dust filter material is selected. In particular, a layer of chemical filter is embedded between two layers of dust filters. In particular, the corresponding filter structure is externally encased by two perforated sheets (half shells or similar, which form a housing of the filter body), creating a single integrated filter cartridge (i.e., a concentrated filter body). The half shells / perforated sheets or similar thus form an outer casing of the filter body.Thus, a previously sequential / distributed filtering process is replaced by a single filtering step or locally concentrated filter body.

[0040] The invention is further based on the observation that the oxygen masks for the passengers to be supplied are connected to the outlet (outlet or manifold) of the oxygen generator (housing opening). It is known from practice to use different outlet pieces / outlet elements based on different requirements. For example, one outlet element is provided for the connection of individual hoses, another outlet element for the connection to an adapter. Due to the inventive combination of, in particular, plastic and metal components and the adaptation of the geometry, a single outlet element can now cover all connection types, in particular equally the connection of an adapter piece or the connections of several, in particular four, individual hoses.

[0041] The insulating holder, also called insulator, encloses the chemical core on the inside and is surrounded on the outside, i.e. on the outside, by the metallic shell, the housing. In particular, apart from the insulating holder, no other intermediate parts / intermediate layers are arranged between the core and the housing. In addition to its insulating function, the insulating holder also holds the core in the housing. The insulating holder is in particular equipped with air / gas / oxygen guide channels on the inside so that the gas / oxygen produced at the core can easily escape from the insulating holder towards the housing opening, in particular towards the holder opening. The insulating holder can also have recesses on its outer circumference, which serve in particular to save weight. In other words, webs then remain which provide mechanical support in the housing.In the solutions known from practice, the functionalities of mechanical support and thermal insulation were implemented separately. With a suitable geometry of the insulating holder, a particularly efficient solution can be found. The chemical core is thus held in the insulating holder.

[0042] The masks for the passengers to be supplied are connected to the outlet (housing opening / outlet element) of the oxygen generator either directly or via an adapter. Both of these connection options are covered by the connection element proposed here. This consists primarily of a main body (base body) and four metal inserts (connecting pieces). Due to the complex shape of the main body, it is primarily injection-molded from plastic. In particular, the main body consists of two individual parts that are joined together by ultrasonic welding. The connecting pieces are inserted into this main body as small metal tubes (in particular four, particularly in a square arrangement) to ensure the oxygen flow.The metallic design is based on the mechanical requirements of the forces to be withstood, for example, when the mask and thus the attached (fitting) hose are pulled strongly, and thus the outlet (outlet element, connection piece) must also withstand these forces. To be compatible with the adapters used in practice, the inserts are designed cylindrically (connection pieces). However, to prevent accidental detachment of the hoses / masks in the case of direct mask connection, retaining structures, particularly barbs, are attached to the inserts (connection pieces). Thus, in particular, four oxygen masks for passengers can be attached to the outlet element.

[0043] The invention is based, in particular, on a given adapter piece that is known in practice for certain aircraft types. The outlet element is then adapted to a corresponding adapter piece with regard to the geometric requirements or is designed or configured to match this intended adapter piece.

[0044] Further features, effects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying figures. Each of these figures shows a schematic diagram: Fig. 1 a generator according to the invention in a symbolic sectional view; and each in perspective view: Fig. 2 the two-part insulation holder Fig. 1, Fig. 3 the insulating holders Fig. 1 in the housing (without the bottom of the housing), Fig. 4 the filter body Fig. 1, Fig. 5 the connecting element Fig. 1.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a generator 2. This serves to chemically generate oxygen 4 for the emergency supply of passengers (not shown) in a passenger aircraft (not shown). The generator 2 contains a housing 6 with a housing opening 8, wherein the housing opening 8 serves to discharge the oxygen 4 generated in the generator 2 from the housing 6. A core 10 is arranged in the housing 6, which serves to chemically generate the oxygen 4 or a gas primarily containing the oxygen 4.

[0046] The generator 2 also contains an insulating holder 12 which is Fig. 1 is indicated by hatching. This serves to both mechanically fix the core 10 in the housing 6 and to thermally insulate it from the housing 6. The insulating holder 12 is designed here as a sleeve 14 enclosing the core 10. The sleeve 14 is closed, i.e. it completely encloses the core 10 with the exception of a holder opening 16 for the oxygen 4. This “closed” refers only to the oxygen 4, i.e. the oxygen 4 (the gas) only escapes from the insulating holder 12 at the holder opening 16. Therefore, the insulating holder 12 still has an ignition opening 18, which, however, does not serve to discharge oxygen 4, but rather serves to effectively connect an activation mechanism 20, which is arranged on the outside of the housing 6, to the core 10.The activation mechanism 20 contains a spring-loaded trigger 22, not further explained, which, when activated, strikes a primer cap 24, which in turn activates an ignition mixture 26, which in turn causes the activation of the chemical oxygen generation in the core 10.

[0047] The housing 6 is welded by laser welding in the circumferential direction at the locations indicated by circles in the form of weld lines 28. The generator 2 extends along a longitudinal direction 30, here a central longitudinal axis, and is essentially designed in the manner of a right circular cylinder, in particular the housing 6, the core 10 and the insulating holder 12, as well as the filter body 40 (see below).

[0048] The insulating holder 12 is designed in two parts and consists of a cup-shaped base part 32 and a cover part 34 which sits sufficiently tightly on the base part 32 in the illustrated assembled state for the thermal insulation effect. A gap in the Fig. Figure 1 is shown for illustrative purposes only, to show the two parts separately. Base part 32 and cover part 34 are represented by different hatching.

[0049] The insulating holder 12 is made of a moldable layered silicate, namely vermiculite.

[0050] The generator 2 contains a filter body 40, which is designed as a concentrated filter body, i.e., a concentrated component, and is arranged in the housing 6. In fluid terms, the filter body 40 is connected between the core 10 (generation of oxygen 4) and the housing opening 8 (escape of oxygen 4 from the housing 6). This is symbolized by two flow arrows 42, which symbolically represent the path of the oxygen 4 from its creation in the core 10 to its discharge from the generator 2. All of the oxygen 4 must pass through the filter body 40 because the filter body 40 rests directly on the insulating holder 12 in the axial direction of the longitudinal direction 30, thus covering or closing the holder opening 16, and also because the filter body 40 rests on the housing 6 and fills its entire internal cross-section. The filter body 40 provides the only filter functionality for the oxygen 4 in the entire generator 2.

[0051] In a longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction of the longitudinal direction 30, the filter body 40 is arranged between the core 10, or here the insulating holder 12, and the housing opening 8. Thus, it divides the interior of the generator 2 into two sub-chambers, namely the core chamber 44 and the outlet chamber 46.

[0052] The filter body 40 thus has a passage direction 48 for the oxygen 4, which Fig. 1 is symbolized by an arrow. In this passage direction 48, the filter body 40 is designed as a layered arrangement with a total of seven layers. These are: three gas filter layers 50, each consisting of a bed of loose granules, namely a metal oxide mixture, here hopcalite. Between each two gas filter layers 50, a dust filter layer 52 is arranged. At each end / flat side, the outer gas filter layer 50 is covered by a fleece layer 54 to prevent the granules from escaping from Fig. 1 not visible openings 56 in half shells 58, which together form a housing for the filter body 40 for holding the layer structure.

[0053] An outlet element 60 is arranged on the housing 6 and serves to discharge the oxygen 4 from the generator 2. The outlet element 60 has four parallel, cylindrical connection pieces 62, of which Fig. 1, only two are visible. The outlet element 60 has a plastic base body 64. The metallic connection pieces 62 are incorporated therein in an oxygen-tight manner. The further functionality of the outlet element 60 (pressure reduction, etc.) is irrelevant here and will therefore not be explained further.

[0054] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the insulating holder 12, which here is designed and disassembled in two parts and consists of the base part 32 and the cover part 34. The cover part 34 has the holder opening 16. During assembly, the cover part 34 is placed with its axial recess 66 onto the axial projection 68 of the base part 32 in order to achieve sufficient thermal tightness. Groove-like channels 70 are provided on the inside of the insulating holder 12, which run parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 (see Fig. 1) and serve to guide the gas / oxygen 4 escaping from the core 10 to the holder opening 16. Groove-like recesses 72 can be seen on the outside of the insulating holder 12, which serve to reduce the weight of the insulating holder 12.

[0055] Fig. 3 shows the insulating holder 12, inserted into the housing 6 with a view of the ignition opening 18 and thus the base part 32. A bottom of the housing 6 according to Fig. 1 is not yet welded here. The recesses 72 for weight reduction are visible.

[0056] Fig. 4 shows the filter body 40 with, in the assembled state, openings 56 facing the outlet space 46 and the covering fleece layer 54 translucent through the openings 56. It can also be seen that a housing of the filter body 40 is composed of two half-shells 58 in the manner of a can with a lid.

[0057] Fig.Finally, Figure 5 shows the outlet element 60 with the four connecting pieces 62. These are designed to be smooth-walled, straight, circularly cylindrical in a front end region 74 over a minimum length LMIN, starting from the front end 76. Adjoining the end region 74 (facing away from the front end 76) is a holding structure 78, which is designed to secure a fitting tube (leading to a mask for the passengers, not shown here) attached to the connecting piece 62 against slipping off the connecting piece 62 over the front end 76. List of reference symbols 2 generators 4 Oxygen 6 housings 8 Housing opening 10 core 12 insulating holders 14 sleeve 16 Holder opening 18 Ignition opening 20 Activation mechanism 22 triggers 24 percussion caps 26 Ignition mixture 28 Welding line 30 Longitudinal direction 32 Basic part 34 Lid part 40 filter bodies 42 River Arrow 44 Core room 46 Outlet room 48 Passage direction 50 gas filter layer 52 dust filter layer 54 fleece layer 56 Opening 58 half shells 60 outlet element 62 connecting pieces 64 basic bodies 66 Return 68 lead 70 channel 72 recess 74 End area 76 End 78 Support structure LMIN Minimum length

Claims

[1] Generator (2) for the chemical production of oxygen (4) for the emergency supply of passengers in a passenger aircraft, - with a housing (6) with a housing opening (8) which is designed to release the oxygen (4), - with a core (10) arranged in the housing (6) which is designed to chemically generate the oxygen (4), - with an insulating holder (12) arranged in the housing (6), which is designed to both mechanically fix the core (10) in the housing (6) and to thermally insulate it from the housing (6), - wherein the insulating holder (12) is designed to be oxygen-tight, - wherein the insulating holder (12) is designed as a sleeve (14) enclosing the core (10) which is closed except for a holder opening (16) for the oxygen (4), - wherein the insulating holder (12) is formed in two parts with a cup-shaped base part (32) and a cover part (34) which has the holder opening (16), - with a concentrated filter body (40) arranged in the housing (6), which is fluidically connected between the core (10) and the housing opening (8) with respect to the oxygen (4), - wherein the filter body (40) is arranged in a longitudinal direction (30) of the generator (2) between the core (10) and the housing opening (8) and is arranged between the insulating holder (12) and the housing opening (8), - wherein the filter body (40) covers the holder opening (16) of the sleeve (14), so that the oxygen (4) escaping here must always flow through the filter body (40) in order to be able to escape from the sleeve (14), - wherein the filter body (40) forms a filter disc extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (30) and the filter body (40) fills the entire free housing cross-section in the interior of the housing (6) and thus divides the interior of the housing (6) into two sub-chambers, namely a core chamber (44) or oxygen generation chamber in which the core (10) is located and an oxygen outlet chamber (46) which is located between the filter body (40) and the housing opening (8). [2] Generator (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the insulating holder (12) is made of a material containing a moldable layered silicate. [3] Generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filter body (40) represents the only filter functionality for the oxygen (4) in the generator (2). [4] Generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the filter body (40) is an arrangement layered in a passage direction (48) of the oxygen (4) with at least one dust filter layer (52) and at least one gas filter layer (50). [5] Generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the generator (2) has an outlet element (60) arranged on the housing (6), which is designed to release the oxygen (4) and which has at least two connection pieces (62). [6] Generator (2) according to claim 5, characterized by that at least one of the connecting pieces (62) is designed to have a smooth wall in a front end region (74) over a minimum length (LMIN) and that a holding structure (78) is connected to the end region (74) and is designed to secure a fitting hose plugged onto the connecting piece (62) against slipping off at the front. [7] Generator (2) according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized bythat the outlet element (60) has a base body (64) made of plastic and metallic connecting pieces (62) inserted therein in an oxygen-tight manner.

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