REGULATORY DEVICE, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RESPIRATORY GAS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a regulating device, an apparatus and a method for generating breathable gas.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a breathing gas regulation device delivered to a user, in particular for a breathing oxygen generation device carried on board an aircraft, comprising a gas circuit including a main line having at least one upstream end intended to be connected to at least one gas source and a downstream end intended to be connected to at least one user station such as a mask, the main line including at least one electromechanical regulating valve configured to regulate the gas pressure between the upstream and downstream ends, the circuit including a secondary line including an upstream end intended to be connected to at least one gas source and a downstream end intended to be connected to the same user station(s), the secondary line including at least one auxiliary gas flow regulation device,The device includes a switching system configured to control the flow of gas between the upstream and downstream ends of the circuit via the main line or via the secondary line.

[0003] Such breathing gas regulation devices delivered to a user in an aircraft are known from documents US2013220317A1, FR2353094A1 and US3190287A.

[0004] The invention relates in particular to a breathing gas regulation device for an on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS).

[0005] In military aviation in particular, some user (pilot) oxygen supply systems include a main pressure regulator supplying one or more masks at the correct partial pressure of oxygen from an oxygen-enriched gas source from an oxygen concentrator (e.g., a molecular sieve type concentrator).

[0006] This regulator typically features a continuous flow backup system that bypasses the main regulator. The main regulator may consist of two electromechanical valves connected in series, each capable of shutting off the flow to the other in case of failure and maintaining its regulation function. Failures include, but are not limited to: oxygen pressure delivered to the user that is too low or too high relative to a setpoint, user disconnection from the concentrator in the event of aircraft ejection, malfunction of the main regulator, electrical failure, mechanical valve blockage, etc.

[0007] The regulator delivers oxygen into the mask at a regulated pressure between zero and one hundred millibars relative to atmospheric pressure according to the setpoint (depending on altitude and maximum acceleration of use for example).

[0008] This device has dilution or overpressure functions to meet all regulatory requirements and control oxygen consumption.

[0009] The backup system for this regulator is provided by a calibrated orifice, integrated into a pilot-operated valve, supplied by a backup cylinder filled with pure oxygen. This backup system can generally be ejected from the aircraft along with the pilot.

[0010] The latest generations of regulators are powered either by an on-board oxygen concentrator or by a pure oxygen gas source.

[0011] This known backup system supplies the pilot's mask with a continuous flow of oxygen. This ensures flight safety in the event of a primary regulator failure, allowing the pilot to descend to a sufficiently low altitude where supplemental oxygen is not required, but it does not necessarily extend the flight mission.

[0012] Another known problem with this system is the risk of creating either overpressure (excess flow during the expiratory phase) or underpressure (insufficient flow during the inspiratory phase requiring supplementary air) at the mask level, which can be potentially unpleasant for the pilot.

[0013] One object of the present invention, as defined in the set of claims, is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

[0014] To this end, the device according to the invention, which also conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the auxiliary regulating organ of the secondary line is a pneumatic pressure regulator.

[0015] Thus, the backup system of the main volumetric bypass regulator can be replaced by a pressure-regulated backup system (pneumatic regulator in particular) in order to ensure, even in the event of switching to the backup system, maximum comfort to prolong the mission.

[0016] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics: The device includes an altitude sensor; the auxiliary line pressure regulator is a pilot-operated regulator to regulate the gas pressure according to the altitude measured by the sensor; the device includes an inhibition valve arranged on the secondary line in series with the pneumatic pressure regulator; the inhibition valve is manually operated and / or automatically piloted; the main line includes, arranged in series from upstream to downstream, a first switching valve and a pilot-operated electromechanical regulating valve to regulate the gas pressure; the first switching valve includes two inlets intended to be connected respectively to two separate gas sources, at least one outlet connected to the electromechanical regulating valve of the main line, and a distributor to establish a gas passage between one of the inlets and said outlet or to isolate any passage between the inlets and said outlet.The first switching valve comprises two outlets connected respectively to the electromechanical control valve of the main line and to the pneumatic pressure regulator, the distributor being configured to establish a gas passage between at least one of the inlets and the outlet connected to the pressure regulator of the secondary line, the device includes a manually actuable control element for the position of the distributor allowing the configuration of the distributor to be forced for a gas passage between at least one of the inlets and the outlet connected to the pressure regulator of the secondary line (8), the first switching valve is a spool valve, the electromechanical control valve is a spool valve controlled by electronic control receiving signals from a pressure sensor in the circuit downstream of said control valve,The device comprises two separate sources of oxygen-enriched gas, the first of which is connected at least to the upstream end of the main line and the second of which is connected at least to the upstream end of the secondary line. The second source is also connected to the upstream end of the main line. The device comprises at least one breathing mask connected to the downstream end of the main line and to the downstream end of the secondary line. The downstream ends of the main and secondary lines coincide. The first source comprises an oxygen concentrator, and the second source comprises at least one pressurized oxygen tank.

[0017] The invention also relates to a breathable oxygen generation device intended to be carried on board an aircraft comprising a gas regulation device conforming to any one of the above or below characteristics.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method of generating breathable oxygen in an aircraft using such an oxygen generation device, the method comprising a gas transfer via the main line between the gas source and a user station at a pressure regulated between 0 and 100mbar relative to ambient pressure and, in the event of failure of the gas transfer via the main line, a gas transfer via the main secondary line between the gas source and the user station at a pressure regulated fixed or variable by the pressure regulator of the secondary line.

[0019] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below characteristics.

[0020] Other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the description below, which refers to the figures in which: there figure 1 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a first example of a regulation device implementation in an oxygen generation apparatus, the figure 2 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a second example of a regulation device implementation in an oxygen generation apparatus, the figure 3 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a third example of a regulation device implementation in an oxygen generation apparatus, the figure 4 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of a fourth example of a regulation device implementation in an oxygen generation device.

[0021] The breathing gas regulation device shown in the figure 1 is integrated into a device 1 for generating breathable oxygen intended for example to be carried on board an aircraft (OBOGS for example).

[0022] The control device includes a gas circuit comprising a main line 2 having an upstream end connected, via a switching valve 4, to two separate gas sources 6, 5. For example, the two sources 6, 5 may be respectively: an oxygen concentrator 6 producing an oxygen-enriched gas (by molecular sieve and / or membranes or any other suitable system) and a source 5 of pure or concentrated oxygen (oxygen cylinder(s) for example).

[0023] The main line 2 includes a downstream end connected to at least one user station such as a mask 7, for example for a pilot.

[0024] Between the switching valve 4 and the downstream end, the main line 2 includes an electromechanical regulating valve 3 configured to regulate the gas pressure between upstream and downstream.

[0025] The electromechanical regulating valve 3 (and / or the switching valve 4) can be controlled by an electronic component 11 comprising a microprocessor. Specifically, the electromechanical regulating valve 3 can be controlled to deliver a regulated oxygen pressure to the mask (for example, between zero and 100 mbar in addition to atmospheric pressure) that depends on the flight conditions (altitude and operating acceleration). To this end, the electromechanical regulating valve 3 and / or its control component 11 can receive a set of appropriate sensor signals (altitude, acceleration, pressure delivered downstream of the valve 3, etc.).

[0026] Without limitation, the electromechanical control valve 3 may include all or part of the features of that described in document EP500407A1. In particular, and as illustrated in the figure 2 The electromechanical control valve 3 can be a spool valve controlled by an electronic control unit 11 receiving signals from a pressure sensor 14 in the circuit downstream of said control valve 3.

[0027] Similarly, without limitation, the switching valve 4 may include all or part of the characteristics of that described in document EP499505A1. In particular, the first switching valve 4 may be a so-called "spool" valve, i.e., comprising one or more inlets and one or more outlets and a controllable movable distributor 15, which, depending on the position, ensures fluid communication between one or more inlets with one or more outlets.

[0028] Typically, the circuit has a secondary line 8 (or backup line) comprising an upstream end connected to at least one of the gas sources (cylinder(s)) and a downstream end connected to the same user station(s). As illustrated, the downstream ends of the main line 2 and the secondary line 8 can be the same. This means that the secondary line 8 acts as a bypass for the main line 2 when needed, particularly in the event of a malfunction of the main line 2.

[0029] For example, oxygen is delivered to mask 7 via secondary line 8 in the event of a failure in the regulation of the main line 2 (partial pressure too high or too low, or in the event of pilot ejection and disconnection of the concentrator 6 which remains attached to the aircraft, electrical failure, etc.). This switching can be controlled by the switching valve 4.

[0030] This secondary line 8 includes an auxiliary gas pressure regulating device 10, preferably of pneumatic type. For example, a pneumatic pressure regulator 10.

[0031] The pneumatic pressure regulator 10 is preferably passive, i.e., mechanically operated (not requiring an electrical power supply). For example, this mechanical pressure regulator includes pressure regulation by means of a diaphragm, valve(s), etc. mechanism. For example, this pressure regulator may include a valve or a pressure regulator of the piston and / or diaphragm type, etc.

[0032] This pneumatic auxiliary regulator 10 then provides backup for the main electromechanical regulator 3. The auxiliary regulator 10 can be supplied with gas by a pure oxygen cylinder 5 (backup cylinder) and / or by the concentrator 6. It then delivers gas to the pilot's mask 7 on demand.

[0033] The auxiliary regulator 10 can optionally be controlled (piloted) based on a detection of overpressure or underpressure reflecting the pilot's breathing. This pressure measurement could be performed, for example, via the compensation device described in document EP500407A1.

[0034] Thus, the auxiliary regulator 10 (preferably pneumatic) can regulate the pressure (and possibly the flow rate) of oxygen sent into the mask 7.

[0035] As schematically illustrated in the figure 1 , device 1 can optionally integrate an altimetric capsule 12 into the auxiliary regulator 10 allowing to add mechanical regulation of pressure (and / or flow) according to the measured altitude and / or according to the demand of the mask user 7.

[0036] That is to say, either the auxiliary regulator 10 ensures: either a pressure regulation at a fixed setpoint (without altimeter capsule or equivalent), or a variable pressure regulation depending on altitude and / or demand / acceleration (with altimeter capsule 12 or equivalent).

[0037] Preferably, and as illustrated in the figure 1 In cases where the auxiliary regulator 10 provides pressure regulation based on altitude and demand (acceleration or other), the device preferably also includes a shut-off valve 13 to prevent emptying the backup oxygen cylinder 5 during unintended starts of the auxiliary regulator 11. This shut-off valve 13 may be manually and / or automatically operated, with a preference for manual activation.

[0038] Thus, under normal conditions, the switching valve 4 controls the oxygen supply to the mask 7 from the oxygen concentrator 6 and via the electromechanical pressure regulator 3 of the main line 2. In case of malfunction, the switching valve 4 can switch the oxygen supply to the mask 7 from the oxygen cylinder 5 and via the electromechanical pressure regulator 3 of the main line 2.

[0039] In the event of a malfunction of the main line 2, the device can automatically switch the oxygen supply of the mask from the oxygen cylinder 5 and via the auxiliary pressure regulator 10 of the secondary line 8.

[0040] As illustrated in the figure 2 , to facilitate switching between "normal" mode and "emergency" mode, the switching valve 4 can be modified to also control the selection between the electromechanical control valve 3 (main line 2) or the auxiliary pressure regulator 10 (secondary line 8).

[0041] That is to say, the switching valve 4 ensures the switching between the main line 2 and the secondary line 8 in addition to other functions (switching between the two oxygen sources 6, 5 to supply the main line 2...).

[0042] Thus, the switching valve 4 can include two inlets connected respectively to the two gas sources (oxygen concentrator 6 and cylinder(s) 5) and two outlets connected respectively to the electromechanical control valve 3 of the main line 2 and to the auxiliary pressure regulator 10.

[0043] The switching valve 4 may include a movable distributor 15 (translation and / or rotation or other) configured to establish or not a gas passage between at least one of the inlets and the outlet(s) or to isolate any passage between the inlets and at least one outlet.

[0044] Thus, as illustrated in the figure 2 The distributor 15 can control the oxygen supply to the mask 7 from the concentrator 6 via the main line (right-hand dashed arrow). Alternatively, the distributor 15 can control the oxygen supply to the mask 7 from the cylinder 5 via the auxiliary line 8 (left-hand dashed arrow).

[0045] Furthermore, preferably, the switching valve 4 has a locking position to prevent oxygen from being supplied to the mask 7 by the concentrator 6 via the main line 2 (right-hand dashed arrow). This locked position can be achieved by means of a stop mechanism cooperating with the distributor 15 (cam or other). This locked position could be provided, for example, when the aircraft incorporating this device is on the ground, to prevent the use of the cylinder 5 to supply the mask 7.

[0046] This locked position can be unlocked (automatically or manually) while the aircraft is in flight. That is, the locked position of the oxygen supply to the mask 7 from the concentrator 6 via the main line (right-hand dashed arrow) is maintained but can be changed.

[0047] For example, the switching valve 4 can switch the oxygen supply to the mask via the main line 2 from the cylinder 5 (cf. figure 2 : dotted arrow illustrating the other state of the distributor 15). That is to say, in another possible configuration, the emergency oxygen cylinder 5 can also supply the main line 2.

[0048] Similarly, the switching valve 4 can switch the oxygen supply to the mask 7 via the auxiliary line 8 from the cylinder 5 (cf. figure 2 , dotted arrow on the left which illustrates another state of the distributor 15).

[0049] This configuration can be established for example in the event of an electrical failure (ejection of the pilot for example) and / or in the event of a failure of the electromechanical control valve 3 of the main line 2.

[0050] In one possible variant, the switching valve 4 can be configured (stroke and / or geometry of the distributor 15 for example) to allow the backup cylinder 5 to supply oxygen only to the auxiliary line 8 (and therefore not the main line 2).

[0051] Furthermore, as illustrated in the figure 3 It is possible to integrate into the switching valve 4 a manual emergency position which allows this valve 4 to be operated in case of blockage to return to a position of supplying the auxiliary line 8 by the cylinder 5. For this purpose, the device may include a control element 16 of the position of the distributor 15 which can be operated manually by the user allowing the configuration of the distributor 15 to be forced for a passage of gas.

[0052] The invention offers numerous advantages. In particular, such an architecture eliminates the potential discomfort for the pilot associated with the backup system according to the prior art. According to the invention, in the event of a switchover to the backup oxygen supply system, the pressure regulator 10 ensures the supply of pressure-regulated oxygen. The flow rate will be provided at the pilot's request. Indeed, if the pilot increases their breathing rate to maintain the regulated pressure setpoint (to compensate for the negative pressure generated by the pilot), the auxiliary pressure regulator 10 will increase the gas flow rate supplied to the mask 7 (and conversely, decrease it if the demand at the mask 7 is lower). This pressure regulation provides greater user comfort without increasing the system's power consumption.

[0053] The invention may, where appropriate, allow the removal or reduction of a battery box(es) because in the case where the auxiliary pressure regulator 10 is of the pneumatic type, it does not require an electrical supply.

[0054] The battery pack(s) is generally an alternative power source to the aircraft's electrical network which allows all or part of the functions of the regulator 3 to be maintained in the event of total or partial electrical loss (in amplitude or in time (micro-interruption)) of the onboard network.

[0055] A battery pack, for example, allows the pilot to breathe as if connected to the aircraft. It also allows the "altimeter overpressure" function to be maintained in the mask at altitude.

[0056] In the proposed solution, the mechanical pressure regulator 10 can be equipped with a mechanical altimetric capsule 12 allowing the pressure (and / or flow rate) delivered to the mask 7 to be adjusted according to the ambient pressure experienced by the capsule 12, without requiring an electrical supply.

[0057] In addition, it is possible to add other functions to the switching valve 4 to also select backup modes and direct the oxygen flow (bottle 5 and / or concentrator 6) to the auxiliary pressure regulator 10.

[0058] In addition, the various valves 4, 3 can be configured to compensate for the pressure losses in the circuit between the pressure sensors and the user station (mask 7) see for example document EP500407A1.

[0059] Using a valve conforming to the examples given above allows for very wide pressure regulation within a relatively small footprint. Furthermore, the valve examples (particularly spool valves) combine the characteristics of a monostable and a bistable valve in a single component, with the possibility of pressure regulation (see also FR2876432A1).

Claims

1. A device for regulating breathable gas delivered to a user, in particular for a breathable oxygen generation apparatus on board an aircraft, including a gas circuit comprising a main line (2) having at least one upstream end intended to be connected to at least one gas source (6, 5) and a downstream end intended to be connected to at least one user station (7) such as a mask (7), the main line (2) comprising at least one electromechanical regulating valve (3) configured to regulate the gas pressure between the upstream and downstream, the circuit including a secondary line (8) including an upstream end intended to be connected to at least one gas source (6, 5) and a downstream end intended to be connected to the same user station(s) (7), the secondary line (8) comprising at least one auxiliary gas flow regulating member (10), the device comprising a switching system (11, 4) configured to control the transit of gas between the upstream and downstream of the circuit via the main line (2) or via the secondary line (8), wherein the auxiliary regulating member (10) of the secondary line (8) is a pneumatic pressure regulator for regulating the oxygen pressure sent to the mask, the device comprising two separate oxygen-enriched gas sources (5, 6), the first source (6) comprising an oxygen concentrator, the second source (5) comprising at least one pressurized oxygen reservoir, wherein, under normal conditions, a switching valve (4) is configured to control the oxygen supply to the user station (7) from the oxygen concentrator (6) and via the electromechanical pressure regulator (3) of the main line (2), wherein, in the event of a malfunction, the switching valve (4) is configured to switch the oxygen supply to the user station (7) from the second source (5) and via the electromechanical pressure regulator (3) of the main line (2), wherein, in the event of a malfunction of the main line (2), the device is configured to automatically switch the oxygen supply to the user station (7) from the second source (5) and via the auxiliary pressure regulator (10) of the secondary line (8).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an altitude sensor (12) and in that the pressure regulator of the auxiliary line (8) is a regulator piloted to regulate the gas pressure according to the altitude measured by the sensor (12).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it includes an inhibition valve (13) arranged on the secondary line (8) in series with the pneumatic pressure regulator (10).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the inhibition valve (13) is manually operated and / or automatically piloted.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the main line (2) comprises, arranged in series from upstream to downstream, the switching valve (4) and an electromechanical regulating valve (3) piloted for regulating the gas pressure.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the switching valve (4) comprises two inlets intended to be connected respectively to two separate gas sources (6, 5), at least one outlet connected to the electromechanical regulating valve (3) of the main line (2), and a distributor (15) for establishing a gas passage between one of the inlets and said outlet or for isolating any passage between the inlets and said outlet.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the switching valve (4) comprises two outlets connected respectively to the electromechanical regulating valve (3) of the main line (2) and the pneumatic pressure regulator (10), the distributor (15) being configured to establish a gas passage between at least one of the inlets and the outlet connected to the pressure regulator (10) of the secondary line (8).

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it includes a manually operable member (16) for controlling the position of the distributor (15) allowing the configuration of the distributor to be forced for a gas passage between at least one of the inlets and the outlet connected to the pressure regulator (10) of the secondary line (8).

9. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the switching valve (4) is a spool valve.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electromechanical regulating valve (3) is a spool valve piloted by an electronic control unit (11) receiving signals from a pressure sensor (14) in the circuit downstream of said regulating valve (3).

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises two separate oxygen-enriched gas sources (5, 6), a first source (6) of which is at least connected to the upstream end of the main line (2) and the second source (5) of which is connected at least to the upstream end of the secondary line (8).

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the second source (5) is also connected to the upstream end of the main line (2).

13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one breathing mask (7) connected to the downstream end of the main line (2) and to the downstream end of the secondary line (8).

14. A breathable oxygen generation apparatus for use on board an aircraft comprising a gas regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for generating breathable oxygen in an aircraft using a generation apparatus according to the preceding claim, the method comprising a gas transfer via the main line between the gas source (6, 5) and a user station (7) at a pressure regulated between 0 and 100 mbar relative to ambient pressure and, in the event of a failure of the gas transfer via the main line (2), a gas transfer via the secondary line (8) between the gas source (5) and the user station (7) at a fixed or variable pressure regulated by the pressure regulator (10) of the secondary line (8).