Monitoring system with an optical gas measuring device for aircraft pilots

Abstract

The present invention relates to a monitoring system (100) with an associated infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) for use in a breathing gas supply system in aircraft. During coordinated operation of the monitoring system (100) and the infrared-optical gas collecting device (72), quantities of breathing gas mixture (10) are supplied to the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72). The infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) is configured with the aid of substitute calibration values ​​(79) for the metrological detection of a selected target gas.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system with an optical gas measuring device for pilots or passengers of aircraft or flying machines. Aircraft or flying machines include airplanes or helicopters used in civil or military aviation, such as passenger aircraft in scheduled or charter service, as well as ultra-fast aircraft flying near or above the speed of sound. In particular, flights with jet aircraft at supersonic speeds and / or at altitudes above 15,000 meters above sea level place high demands on the flight fitness of the flight personnel.Flight fitness, including physical and mental fitness, attention, concentration, and alertness, must be guaranteed at all times, especially at high altitudes, during rapid flight maneuvers or in flight attitudes such as turns, dives, and inverted flight at high speeds and accelerations. In addition to the pilot's personal and health-related characteristics and reliable aircraft equipment, a secure supply of clean and safe breathing air is essential for safe flight operations.

[0002] Breathing air can be supplied by drawing it from the ambient air – often in the area of ​​the engines or turbines – and / or by a so-called OBOGS system. The supplied gas in this way provides breathing gas for crew and passengers during flight. The OBOGS system can be designed as an oxygen enrichment system using an array of molecular sieves based on the principle of pressure swing absorption, or as a system using compressed air or oxygen cylinders. As an emergency supply in case of a failure of the main oxygen supply, a chemical oxygen generation system is often carried on board aircraft. The breathing gas mixture may also be contaminated by other gas components.

[0003] From US patent 11,033,762 B2, a device and a method for monitoring inhaled gases of a gas supply of an aircraft pilot with an OBOGS system and a face mask are known.

[0004] US patent 2021 405 008 A2 depicts a monitoring system for aircraft pilots. This system allows for the monitoring of the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations of gases supplied to the pilot. For this purpose, a gas mixture is drawn from the pilot's face mask and fed to an analyzer using a suction measurement device.

[0005] US 5,026,992 B shows a gas sensor for optical detection of methane.

[0006] A measuring system with a preliminary measurement followed by a specific measurement is described in EP 2 788 751 B1. There, an ultrasonic measurement is used to detect changes in the gas composition of a gas mixture by measuring changes in the speed of sound. Based on this, a measurement is then activated with an optical sensor specific to a target gas to analyze the gas mixture with respect to the concentration of that gas.

[0007] The present invention describes a gas measuring device for extended gas analysis of the breathing gas supply of pilots with on-site / pre-mission gas type adjustment or gas type calibration for a monitoring system, as illustrated, for example, in US 2021 405 008 A1.

[0008] Such a monitoring system enables the monitoring of gas quantities in the breathing gas supply of aircraft pilots with regard to the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas during flight operations. For this purpose, a gas mixture from the pilot's face mask and / or from the cockpit is drawn into the monitoring system and fed to an oxygen sensor using a suction measurement process. This oxygen sensor is a paramagnetic oxygen sensor. The paramagnetic oxygen sensor has thermoelectric measuring elements and is thus able to determine the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas by utilizing the paramagnetic effect of heat conduction of oxygen, based on changes in thermal conductivity under the influence of a magnetic field modulation. Utilizing the paramagnetic effect makes the determination of the oxygen concentration in the overall breathing gas mixture largely independent of the presence of other gases.

[0009] German patent application DE 10 2023 121 409.8, which is not yet published, discloses a variant of a monitoring system for monitoring a pilot and / or co-pilot. This system is designed to determine whether a breathing gas mixture contains foreign gas components in addition to oxygen, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen. Based on thermal conductivity information, this monitoring system can determine whether a situation exists in which certain amounts of impurities containing other gases or gas mixtures are present in the breathing gas mixture. While the monitoring system cannot directly determine the type of impurities in the breathing gas mixture, it can identify specific situations where impurities are suspected.This monitoring system, using a paramagnetic measuring device and evaluating thermoelectric voltages, enables an initial analysis of whether the breathing gas mixture contains additional components such as soot, oil, oil vapors or other gas components in a certain concentration, which are considered undesirable foreign gases.

[0010] To accurately determine the nature of contaminants in the breathing gas, additional precise measuring systems, such as a gas chromatograph, would be required alongside the monitoring system. However, gas chromatographs cannot be used in aircraft due to the limited space and operational requirements. Furthermore, certain measuring systems with sensors whose functionality is significantly impaired by vibrations, accelerations, and extreme and rapid pressure changes caused by large altitude differences are unsuitable for use in an aircraft environment. These include, for example, sensors with moving parts, such as chopper wheels, as well as electrochemical sensors and chemical analysis tubes.

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a monitoring system with an additional gas measuring device for extended analysis. A further object is to realize a combination of the monitoring system with the additional gas measuring device and to provide a coordinated operation of the monitoring system and the gas measuring device.

[0012] This problem is solved by the accompanying independent claims. In particular, the problem is solved by a monitoring system for extended gas analysis comprising a paramagnetic measuring device and an optical gas measuring device with the features of independent claim 1.

[0013] The present invention extends the capabilities of the monitoring system described in US 2021 405 008 A1 with an additional, specially designed gas measuring device, thereby enabling enhanced gas analysis. According to the invention, the enhanced gas analysis is performed using infrared optical gas sensors.

[0014] To solve the aforementioned problem, the invention proposes a monitoring system for monitoring the gas composition of breathing gases in aircraft or flying devices in combination with an infrared-optical gas measuring device. The infrared-optical gas measuring device is characterized by the fact that it—as well as the IR gas sensors arranged within the infrared-optical gas measuring device—can be adjusted in a special manner before the start of flight operations.

[0015] The combination of monitoring system and infrared-optical gas measuring device according to the invention enables, in situations where foreign gas components may be present in a breathing gas mixture, the infrared-optical gas measuring device to be controlled by the control unit of the monitoring system.

[0016] The monitoring system comprises a paramagnetic oxygen sensor, a gas transport module, and a control unit. An infrared-optical gas measuring device with at least one IR gas sensor and an evaluation unit is associated with the monitoring system.

[0017] The control unit is trained to organize, control, manage or regulate the process of metrological monitoring of the gas composition of air, breathing air or breathing gases in aircraft or flying equipment.

[0018] The control unit can also be designed to coordinate the operation of the monitoring system and the gas measuring device. For this purpose, the control unit of the monitoring system can activate and / or deactivate the infrared-optical gas measuring device.

[0019] The monitoring system includes a gas transport module designed to draw defined quantities or partial quantities of breathing gas from a measurement point, particularly from the pilot's breathing mask and / or the cabin or cockpit, via the measuring gas line and convey it to the monitoring system. For this purpose, the gas transport module is pneumatically and / or fluidically connected to the measurement point via the measuring gas line. The quantities of breathing gas mixture drawn by the monitoring system from the breathing mask and / or cockpit via the measuring gas line are supplied as a gas sample to the infrared optical gas measuring device and the IR gas sensor via a connecting line through the gas transport module. The infrared optical gas measuring device includes at least one IR gas sensor.IR gas sensors are particularly suitable for narrowband detection of certain gases, such as carbon dioxide, propane or methane.

[0020] Other gases can also be measured using so-called substitute calibration values.

[0021] For example, isopropyl alcohol can be detected with an IR gas sensor if propane is used as the calibration gas in combination with a suitable substitute calibration value for determining the concentration of isopropyl alcohol. This results in pairings of target gases and calibration gases with corresponding substitute calibration values, which can be documented and / or stored in a database, for example, in the form of tables or data sets. The substitute calibration value encompasses relationships and / or differences in the optical transmission of IR light between propane and isopropyl alcohol. In this way, a large number of gases or substances in a gas sample can be measured using just a few types of IR gas sensors with these substitute calibration values. Only in situations where the selected calibration gas is itself present as a component of the gas sample is it impossible to differentiate between the calibration gases and the target gases.

[0022] The present invention utilizes this possibility for determining the concentration of gases other than the calibration gas, in order to enable the determination of selected additional gases in the breathing gas mixture within a monitoring system for aircraft pilots. For this purpose, a combination according to the invention, comprising a monitoring system with a paramagnetic oxygen sensor and an infrared-optical gas measuring device with at least one IR gas sensor, is configured to detect, using substitute calibration values, the proportions of at least one additional selected gas or gas mixture in the breathing gas or breathing gas mixture, which is different from oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. The at least one selected gas or gas mixture can be, and is, referred to within the scope of the present invention as the target gas.

[0023] The combination of monitoring system and infrared-optical gas measuring device according to the invention is designed as described below.

[0024] A module P M For gas transport, a measuring gas line is designed to supply quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture from a measuring point through a gas inlet at the monitoring system to the paramagnetic oxygen sensor and further to the infrared-optical gas measuring device with at least one IR gas sensor.

[0025] The monitoring system is equipped with the paramagnetic oxygen sensor and the control unit to perform qualitative and quantitative measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the supplied quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture.

[0026] The infrared-optical gas measuring device is equipped with at least one IR gas sensor and an evaluation unit for the metrological determination of at least one further gas or gas mixture selected as a target gas in the supplied quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture.

[0027] A data storage unit is connected to the evaluation unit. This data storage unit contains at least one specific substitute calibration value, corresponding to at least one other gas, gas mixture, or group of gases or gas mixtures selected as the target gas, as a data record.

[0028] The evaluation unit is designed to perform the metrological determination of the presence of at least one further gas or gas mixture selected as target gas in the supplied quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture, taking into account the specific substitute calibration value assigned to the at least one further gas, gas mixture or group of gases or gas mixtures selected as target gas.

[0029] The evaluation unit is also designed to determine a target gas identifier, which indicates the presence of the target gas in the breathing gas mixture, and to provide it as an output signal. The target gas identifier can include a concentration, a volume concentration, a volume fraction, a volume ratio, a molar concentration, a weight fraction, or a partial pressure of the target gas in the breathing gas mixture.

[0030] Embodiments can demonstrate how the initiation and / or control of the gas sample supply to the optical gas measuring device can be designed. Such embodiments relate, for example, to switching or toggling valves and / or changeover valves, as well as activation or deactivation of the gas transport module and other gas conveying means arranged in the gas measuring device, such as pumps, to convey the quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture as a gas sample from the monitoring system to the infrared optical gas measuring device.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments can demonstrate how the infrared-optical gas measuring device can be connected to the monitoring system. For example, the infrared-optical gas measuring device can be integrated as a module within the monitoring system, or it can be arranged as a separate, additional module at the gas outlet of the monitoring system.

[0032] The supply of the gas sample to the infrared-optical gas measuring device can be controlled by the control unit, for example, by an actively switched valve. In alternative embodiments, gas samples from the face mask and / or the cockpit can be supplied in parallel to both the monitoring system with the paramagnetic measuring system and the infrared-optical gas measuring device.

[0033] The use of substitute calibration values ​​in the infrared-optical gas detection system simplifies the user's search for a specific gas in preparation for flight operations. Before operating the aircraft, the user can perform a calibration by selecting and / or entering a substitute calibration value, or by choosing from a variety of substitute calibration values. First, a target gas is selected, which may be present as a component in the breathing gas mixture during flight operations. Then, the calibration gas is selected, for example, propane, nonane, hexane, butane, or most commonly methane, for which a suitable substitute calibration value is available in the pairing of calibration gas and target gas. Finally, if this has not already been done during the pre-flight setup with the monitoring system and infrared-optical gas detection system, the gas detection system is calibrated using the calibration gas.Finally, the substitute calibration value for the selected target gas and calibration gas pairing is provided to the monitoring system and / or the infrared-optical gas measuring device. This equips the infrared-optical gas measuring device to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the target gas if it is present in the breathing gas mixture during subsequent flight operations, to determine its identification, and to provide this information as an output signal. Knowing the auxiliary and operating fluids used in the aircraft or flight equipment in various configurations, the IR gas sensors can be advantageously adjusted, i.e., calibrated, to known auxiliary or operating fluids using the substitute calibration values.This allows the user to precisely configure the IR gas sensors for an expected target gas for each upcoming use – even directly on-site – without needing to disclose or share information about auxiliary or operating materials used in the design, development, and deployment of the monitoring system. Examples of auxiliary or operating materials include fuel, coolant, lubricants, coatings, or paints. The aircraft or flying device operator can thus configure the IR gas sensors for specific substances before each use without requiring the monitoring system or gas measurement device manufacturer to be provided with information about the nature of the substances in question. This type of on-site configuration enables the operator to comply with any applicable regulations.existing confidentiality requirements towards third parties with regard to specifically expected target gases, if, for example, the auxiliary materials or operating materials for aircraft are a possible source of the target gases and these auxiliary materials or operating materials are based on special and possibly not freely available formulations.

[0034] The at least one IR gas sensor is preferably closely coupled to the monitoring system via a data connection, for example in the form of a bus system, and preferably also connected to its power supply. Since the monitoring system is preferably mobile and self-contained, and located on the pilot's clothing, e.g., in a vest or jacket pocket, it is essential to use the energy carried in the monitoring system as sparingly as possible. Ideally, only those components of the monitoring system and / or the gas measuring device that are absolutely necessary for the respective task should be continuously in operation and / or electrically powered. Due to their measurement principles, which involve a radiation source and sensor heating to prevent condensation, optical gas sensors are not necessarily suitable for low-power applications.

[0035] To ensure careful handling of the stored electrical energy, which is only available for a limited time during operation, it is therefore advantageous not to carry out the supply of a gas sample to the further sensor system, nor the measurement operation, data acquisition or data storage continuously, but only when an exceptional situation detected by the monitoring system occurs or based on a special situation, such as an activity of the aircraft crew.

[0036] In the event of an exceptional or special situation, the control unit in the monitoring system can activate a valve arrangement and / or pump arrangement in such a way that gas quantities are conveyed to the further sensor system with the infrared-optical gas sensor.

[0037] Simultaneously, the additional sensors are activated, and the gas sample is then analyzed in relation to the unusual or special situation. Activating the sensors with the infrared-optical gas sensor also allows the control unit in the monitoring system to switch on the power supply to the additional sensors and / or the infrared-optical gas sensor as needed.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine, based on the target gas identification provided by the gas measuring device, whether the aircraft's breathing gas supply system is currently operating in a situation that poses a health risk to the pilot. If such a situation is indeed present, the control unit is configured to activate a vibration alarm located in or on the monitoring system, or a vibration alarm associated with the monitoring system. The vibration alarm can be integrated into the housing of a mobile monitoring system or a mobile gas measuring device.Alternatively, the vibration detector can also be integrated as a component in a wristwatch or other mobile device worn on the wrist of a pilot or co-pilot. In addition to the vibration detector, the wristwatch or other mobile device worn on the wrist of a pilot or co-pilot can also include elements for visual or audible alerts to a potentially hazardous situation, thus enabling an audible, visual, and / or tactile alarm.

[0039] In further preferred embodiments, components of the monitoring system and the infrared-optical gas measuring device can be interconnected via interfaces and cable connections. The control unit can, for example, also be configured via these interfaces and cable connections to coordinate the operation of the infrared-optical gas measuring device and the monitoring system.

[0040] If, for example, the control unit in the monitoring system, in conjunction with the paramagnetic oxygen sensor, detects a condition—as described, for example, in DE 10 2023 121 409.8—that a gas or gas mixture other than oxygen, nitrogen, moisture or water vapor, and carbon dioxide may be present in the breathing gas mixture, the control unit can, on the one hand, activate the IR-optical gas measuring device, i.e., put it into measuring mode, and / or activate switching or changeover devices in the monitoring system and / or infrared-optical gas measuring device in such a way that a gas sample of breathing gas can be supplied to the IR gas sensor.

[0041] In particularly preferred embodiments, the control unit can be configured to perform at least one of the following actions when coordinating the monitoring system and the infrared-optical gas measuring device: • Activation of switching devices or changeover devices to start the supply of quantities of breathing gas to the infrared-optical gas measuring device; • Deactivation of switching devices or changeover devices to terminate the supply of quantities of breathing gas to the infrared optical gas measuring device; • Activation of components of the infrared-optical gas measuring device such as evaluation unit, IR gas sensor, components for energy supply; • Deactivation of components of the infrared optical gas measuring device such as evaluation unit, IR gas sensor, components for energy supply; • Connection of the electrical power supply to the monitoring system and / or gas measuring device or individual components of the monitoring system and / or infrared-optical gas measuring device; • Shutdown of the electrical power supply to the monitoring system and / or gas measuring device or individual components of the monitoring system and / or infrared optical gas measuring device.

[0042] If the additional sensor system is designed as an independent module with its own power supply, the control unit in the monitoring system can activate the infrared-optical gas measuring device from a low-energy standby or idle mode into a measuring operation, in which the IR gas sensor is then also supplied with electrical power. Such energy management and control measures by the control unit in the monitoring system allow the energy storage required for flight operations in the monitoring system and / or the additional sensor system to be dimensioned as small as possible in terms of weight, volume, and size.This offers significant advantages, particularly for mobile equipment worn on or close to the body, such as improved comfort, reduced space requirements on clothing, and minimal restrictions on the pilot's mobility at their workstation. Similarly, in the event of an unplanned ejection from the cockpit by parachute, it is beneficial to minimize any unnecessary weight on the pilot's clothing and to avoid any restrictions on their movement while parachuting.

[0043] In a further preferred embodiment, an input unit can be provided on the monitoring system and / or on the infrared-optical gas measuring device, which enables the input or selection of a selected gas or gas mixture as the target gas and / or a calibration gas and / or the specific substitute calibration value.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment, an interface can be provided on the monitoring system and / or on the infrared-optical gas measuring device, which enables the provision of special information on a target gas, a calibration gas and / or a substitute calibration value to the infrared-optical gas measuring device.

[0045] By providing the specific information via an interface or selecting a target gas at the input unit, the infrared-optical gas measuring device is prepared for a measurement operation in which a qualitative and / or quantitative measurement of the target gas is enabled.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment, an output unit can be arranged in or on the monitoring system and / or in or on the infrared-optical gas measuring device. This output unit is designed to provide and / or visually display the selected target gas and / or to display status information relating to the infrared-optical gas measuring device. This allows both measured values ​​or gas concentration values ​​of the target gas, as well as operating status information of the infrared-optical gas measuring device, such as standby or idle mode, active measurement operation, current energy consumption, alarm states, and the charge level of the energy storage devices, to be displayed to the user as visual messages, for example, alphanumeric, textual, or graphical (G1).

[0047] In further preferred embodiments, substitute calibration values ​​for various gases or gas mixtures as target gases based on the calibration gases propane, nonane, hexane, methane, butane, pentane can be stored in data sets in the data storage.

[0048] The data records can be stored in tables, data sets, or database systems, sortable by target gases or calibration gases. The data storage can also be an external storage device, such as a USB flash drive. This allows for the configuration of the infrared-optical gas measuring device, enabling the transfer of information from the external storage device to the evaluation unit of the device, tailored to the specific application. The data storage device itself is then no longer required during operation. This type of on-site configuration ensures robust operation of the infrared-optical gas measuring device, addressing potential confidentiality requirements regarding the target gases that might be encountered.

[0049] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Identical elements in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 with identical reference numbers. In the description of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 will be used to explain the overall functionality of the breathing mask, monitoring system and infrared-optical gas measuring device.

[0050] They show: Fig. 1: a representation of a state-of-the-art monitoring system; Fig. 2: A representation of a monitoring system with an infrared optical gas measuring device.

[0051] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a monitoring system 100 according to the prior art as defined in US20210405008 A1. The monitoring system 100 is connected to a person 99 via a measuring gas line 10 and a breathing mask 20. The person 99 represents an aircraft pilot. The breathing mask 20 has a gas connection 21, a connection element 23, and hoses 24 and 25. The hoses 24 and 25 serve to supply and remove breathing gases to the person 99. The monitoring system 100 has operating and input elements 40, display elements 44, at least one gas delivery module 50, and a sensor assembly 60 with at least one sensor 66. The at least one sensor 66 is designed as a paramagnetic gas sensor. The gas delivery module 50 is preferably a pump P. Mtrained. In addition, the monitoring system 100 has a control unit 70. The operating and input elements 40, the display elements 44, the sensors 60, and the gas delivery module 50 are connected to the control unit 70 via - in the Fig. 1 to 2 (not shown) are connected to signal and data lines or control lines. These control lines or signal and data lines can, for example, be configured as a bus system or network. The control unit 70 is designed and intended to control and / or actuate the gas delivery module 50 in such a way that breathing gases or breathing gas mixtures are delivered from the breathing mask 20 through the measuring gas line 10 and a gas inlet 51 to the sensor 60. Thus, a quantity or partial quantity of breathing gas mixture 10 is then available to the at least one sensor 66 for measurement and / or analysis, and for the control unit 70 to receive the measured values. The control unit 70 enables the measured values ​​to be evaluated, processed, and displayed on display elements 44.A quantity of breathing gas 10 is conveyed via a schematically depicted gas outlet 52 and a connecting line 11 to a gas inlet 53 of an infrared-optical gas measuring device 72. The monitoring system 100 and / or the gas measuring device 72 can be configured via the operating and input elements 40. Furthermore, an interface 46 is provided on the gas measuring device, which allows for control and / or configuration of the operation 900 of the monitoring system 100 and the gas measuring device 72.

[0052] The Fig. 2 shows the monitoring system 100 after the Fig. 1 in combination with an infrared-optical gas measuring device 72. The infrared-optical gas measuring device 72 has an IR gas sensor 65. Quantities of breathing gas mixture 10 can flow as a gas sample from the monitoring system 100 via the connecting line 11 through a gas inlet 53 to the infrared-optical gas measuring device 72 and, with the aid of switching and / or changeover devices 88, which may be designed, for example, in the form of valves or 2 / 3-way valves, to the IR gas sensor 65. An evaluation unit 73 is connected according to this Fig.2. The control unit 70 of the monitoring system 100 is configured as a sub-module by means of at least one interface 46 to perform coordination 900 and cooperation between the monitoring system 100 and the gas measuring device 72, as well as to exchange data and / or instructions with the evaluation unit 73 via an interface 46. A data storage device 77 is assigned to the evaluation unit 73. Substitute calibration values ​​79 for a multitude of constellations of calibration gases and target gases can be stored as data sets 78 in the data storage device 77. The infrared-optical gas measuring device 72, together with the at least one IR gas sensor 65 and the evaluation unit 73, is configured for the metrological determination of at least one further gas or gas mixture selected as a target gas in the supplied quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture 10.The evaluation unit 73 is further configured to perform the metrological determination of the presence of at least one additional gas or gas mixture selected as the target gas in the supplied quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture 10, taking into account the specific substitute calibration value 79 assigned to the at least one additional gas, gas mixture, or group of gases or gas mixtures selected as the target gas and stored as data record 78 in the data memory 77. Finally, the evaluation unit 72 is configured to determine a target gas identifier 200, which indicates the presence of the target gas in the breathing gas mixture 10, and to provide it as an output signal 908 at the output unit 44 and / or the interface 46.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit 70 or the evaluation unit 73 is enabled to incorporate special conditions 700 into the control and coordination of the module 50 for gas delivery, the switching or changeover devices 88 during the supply of quantities of breathing gas mixture 10 to the gas measuring device 72 and the IR gas sensor 65. Such situations include, for example, conditions 700 in which it may be assumed that a gas or gas mixture other than oxygen, nitrogen, moisture or water vapor, and carbon dioxide may be present in the breathing gas mixture 10. Such special conditions 700 can serve as a trigger event for the control unit 70 or the evaluation unit 73 to activate the switching or changeover devices 88 as well as components of a power supply 86 for the gas measuring device 72 in such a way as to enable the supply of quantities of breathing gas mixture 10 to the IR gas sensor 65 and to initiate the analysis and measurement of the target gas.By means of the switching means or switching means 88, for example, a distribution and / or division of quantities of breathing gas mixture 10 as a gas sample between the IR gas sensor 65 and a through-line or discharge via a connecting line 12 into an environment 5, for example a cockpit of an aircraft, can be carried out. REFERENCE MARK LIST 5 Environment 10 sample gas line (sample line) 11, 12 connecting lines 20 breathing masks 21 Gas connection to breathing mask 24, 25 hose lines 40 controls 44 display elements 46 interfaces 50 Module for gas conveyance, pump P M 51, 53 Gas inlet 52 Gas outlet 60 sensors 65 IR optical gas sensor 66 Gas sensor, paramagnetic oxygen sensor 70 control unit, control module 72 Gas measuring device 73 Evaluation unit 77 Data storage 78 data records, data records 79 Replacement calibration value 86 components of the energy supply 88 Switching devices, valves 99 Person, Pilot, Co-pilot, Aircraft Operator 100 monitoring systems 200 Target gas identification 700 special condition, situation 900 Operation, control and coordination of the operation 908 Output signal QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 11,033,762 B2

[0003] US 2021 405 008 A2

[0004] US 5,026,992 B

[0005] EP 2 788 751 B1

[0006] US 2021 405 008 A1 [0007, 0013] DE 10 2023 121 409.8 [0009, 0040] US 20210405008 A1

[0051]

Claims

[1] Monitoring system (100) for monitoring a gas composition of breathing gases or breathing gas mixtures in a breathing gas supply of aircraft, comprising a paramagnetic oxygen sensor, a gas transport module (50) and a control unit (70) with an associated infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) with at least one IR gas sensor (65) and an evaluation unit (73), • wherein the control unit (70) is designed to organize, control, control or regulate a process of metrological monitoring of the gas composition of air, breathing air, breathing gases or breathing gas mixtures (10) in aircraft or flying devices and to coordinate the operation of the monitoring system and the infrared-optical gas measuring device, • where the module P M(50) for gas transport by means of a measuring gas line (10) for supplying quantities of respiratory gas or respiratory gas mixture from a measuring location (20) through a gas inlet (51) on the monitoring system (100) to the paramagnetic oxygen sensor (60) and to the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) with the at least one IR gas sensor (65), • wherein the monitoring system (100) with the paramagnetic oxygen sensor (60) and the control unit (70) is designed to carry out a qualitative and a quantitative measurement of a concentration of oxygen in the supplied quantities of respiratory gas or respiratory gas mixture (10), • wherein the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) with the at least one IR gas sensor (65) and the evaluation unit (73) is designed for a metrological determination of at least one further gas or gas mixture selected as the target gas in the supplied quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture (10), • wherein a data memory (77) is connected to the evaluation unit (73), • wherein at least one specific replacement calibration value (79) for at least one target gas associated with the at least one further gas, gas mixture or group of gases or gas mixtures selected as the target gas is stored as a data set (78) in the data memory (77), • wherein the evaluation unit (73) is designed to carry out the metrological determination of a presence of the selected at least one further gas or gas mixture selected as the target gas in the supplied quantities of breathing gas or breathing gas mixture, taking into account the specific substitute calibration value (79) assigned to the at least one further gas, gas mixture or group of gases or gas mixtures selected as the target gas, • wherein the evaluation unit (73) is designed to determine a target gas identifier (200) which indicates the presence of the target gas in the breathing gas mixture (10) and to provide it as an output signal (908). [2] Monitoring system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (70) determines, depending on the target gas identifier provided by the gas measuring device (72), whether a current health-critical situation for an aircraft pilot (99) exists during operation of the breathing gas supply of the aircraft and, in the event that a health-critical situation for the aircraft pilot (99) currently exists, to activate a vibration alarm arranged in or on the monitoring system (100) or a vibration alarm assigned to the monitoring system (100). [3] Monitoring system (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein components of the monitoring system and the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) are connected to one another by means of interfaces (46) and line connections, and the control unit (70) is designed to coordinate the operation of the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) and the monitoring system (100) by means of the interfaces (46) and the line connections. [4] Monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (70) is designed to carry out the coordination (900) of the monitoring system (100) and the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) • activation of switching means or switching means (88) to start the supply of quantities of breathing gas to the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) or • to deactivate switching means or switching means (88) to terminate the supply of quantities of breathing gas to the infrared optical gas measuring device (72). [5] Monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (70) is designed to carry out the coordination (900) of the monitoring system (100) and the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) • activation of components of the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) such as evaluation unit (73), IR gas sensor (65), components for energy supply (86) or • to deactivate components of the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) such as the evaluation unit (73), IR gas sensor (65), and energy supply components (86). [6] Monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (70) is designed to carry out the coordination (900) of the monitoring system (100) and the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) • a connection of the electrical power supply (86) of the monitoring system (100) and / or gas measuring device (72) or individual components of the monitoring system (100) and / or infrared-optical gas measuring device (72) or • to switch off the electrical power supply (86) of the monitoring system (100) and / or gas measuring device (72) or individual components of the monitoring system (100) and / or infrared-optical gas measuring device (72). [7] Monitoring system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an input unit (40) is provided on the monitoring system (100) and / or on the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72), which enables input or selection of a selected gas or gas mixture as target gas and / or a calibration gas and / or the specific replacement calibration value (79). [8] Monitoring system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an interface (46) is provided on the monitoring system (100) and / or on the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72), which interface indicates a provision of information on a target gas, on a calibration gas and / or on a substitute calibration value (79) and enables it to be sent to the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72). [9] Monitoring system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an output unit (40) is arranged in or on the monitoring system (100) and / or in or on the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72), or wherein an output unit (40) is assigned to the monitoring system (100) and / or the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72), which output unit is designed to provide and / or a visual output with respect to the selected target gas and / or to output status information with respect to the infrared-optical gas measuring device (72). [10] Monitoring system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein replacement calibration values (79) based on the gases propane, nonane, hexane, methane, butane, pentane are stored in data records (78) in the data memory (77).

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