53 results about "Powered air-purifying respirator" patented technology

A powered air purifying respirator system for use with at least one filter system includes: a housing including at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port; a motorized air flow system to draw air into the housing via the at least one inlet port; a control system in communicative connection with the motorized air flow system; and a filter system sensor in communicative connection with the control system. The filter system sensor provides information to the control system relating to the type of the at least one filter system upon fluid connection thereof with the housing. The control system can control the motorized air flow system at least in part on the basis of the type of filter system sensed by the filter system sensor. Another powered air purifying respirator system for use with at least one filter system includes: a housing including at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port; a motorized air flow system to draw air into the housing via the at least one inlet port; a control system in communicative connection with the motorized air flow system; and a pressure sensor in communicative connection with the control system to provide information to the control system relating to ambient pressure. The control system can, for example, control the motorized air flow system at least in part on the basis of the information relating to ambient pressure.

A system for regulating the airflow to a closed environment using feedback control for the position of a control valve and blower speed. The system provides a control apparatus that regulates airflow to a closed environment, such as the mask of a breathing apparatus, to ensure sufficient breathing air for a wearer of such mask. In order to provide fast response to a change in condition in the breathable environment, the airflow regulator includes a valve control and a blower control.

A modular powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) which is comprised of a fan, motor, scroll, and power source mounted within one housing, and which accepts either traditional or conformal filters. Ambient air is drawn into the PAPR module through the attached filter by a fan, which is driven by direct connection to a motor. The pressurized air is then accelerated by an optimized scroll to the outlet in the PAPR housing. The PAPR module can be employed in multiple use configurations. The PAPR module further comprises a removable battery pack module that is easily retained to / removed from the PAPR module, enabling a user to be able to quickly remove a spent battery pack module and install a fresh battery pack module, thereby replacing the batteries within one breath cycle.

An apparatus for protecting a user in a hazardous or contaminated environment caused by chemical, fire, biological, and / or nuclear contamination includes a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for providing tank stored breathable air, a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for purifying ambient air and a valve system that can be used to control the source of air from either the SCBA or the PAPR. The source of breathable air can be selectively controlled via manual or automatic controls while a protective body suit can be operably coupled with the SCBA and the PAPR to protect a user within the contaminated environment.

An apparatus for protecting a user in a hazardous or contaminated environment caused by chemical, fire, biological, and / or nuclear contamination includes a selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for providing tank stored breathable air, a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for purifying ambient air and a valve system that can be used to control the source of air from either the SCBA or the PAPR. The source of breathable air can be selectively controlled via manual or automatic controls while a protective body suit can be operably coupled with the SCBA and the PAPR to protect a user within the contaminated environment.

A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a wearer is disclosed. The PAPR comprises a turbo unit with turbo unit components including a fan, an electric motor, and an electronic control unit having a wireless electronic control transceiver, the fan being driven by the electric motor under the control of the electronic control unit and the electronic control unit being configured to send and receive information via the electronic control transceiver; a turbo unit power source that provides power to the turbo unit components; a turbo remote control unit having a wireless turbo remote control transceiver; at least one turbo status indicator unit, adapted to indicate a current operating status of the turbo unit and / or turbo unit components, having a wireless turbo status transceiver; wherein at least one of the turbo remote control unit and turbo status indicator unit is remote from the turbo unit, and wherein at least two of the electronic control transceiver, the turbo remote control transceiver and the turbo status transceiver are in wireless communication with each other.

A high output, powered air purifying respirator that includes an anti-contamination suit, a filter for filtering particulates from the air, a high powered blower for delivering a cool flow of air to the body, and a stabilization mechanism. The stabilization mechanism is configurable in either head mounted or back mounted modules as desired by a worker. The head mounted configuration facilitates stream lined mobility and includes a head mounted suspension system with a circular rail and roller bearing halo around the worker's head for stabilizing the blower / filter and allowing for rotation of the worker's head inside the halo. The invention also includes additional modules, also configurable by the user, such as personal hydration and independent camera and dosimeter support.

A combined air-supplying / air-purifying breathing system that includes a self-contained breathing apparatus, a facepiece for delivering breathable air from the self-contained breathing apparatus to a user, and a powered air-purifying respirator having at least one filter and a blower and having an output connected by a hose assembly to the facepiece. A control interface operationally connects the self-contained breathing apparatus to the powered air-purifying respirator. The self-contained breathing apparatus includes a pressure vessel, a cylinder valve assembly and a pressure reducer, all carried by a back frame, and the powered air-purifying respirator is adapted to be mounted on, and carried by, the back frame, by coupling the back frame and the respirator together at respective attachment points.

A dual air supply breathing apparatus that allows a user to quickly and easily switch between two or more sources of air or compressed gas, such as filtered air from a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) and compressed air from a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). In one variation, the dual air supply breathing apparatus uses a Y-shaped changeover valve with two input tubes and one output tube. The first input tube receives filtered air from a PAPR and the second input tube receives compressed air from a tank. An actuator controls a flap valve within the changeover valve to seal off one of the input tubes while creating a flow path between the other input tube and the output tube. The changeover valve may be controlled by manipulating the high-pressure valve on the tank of compressed gas and / or by manipulating the switch that activates the PAPR.

A system for regulating the airflow to a closed environment using feedback control for the position of a control valve and blower speed. The system provides a control apparatus that regulates airflow to a closed environment, such as the mask of a breathing apparatus, to ensure sufficient breathing air for a wearer of such mask. In order to provide fast response to a change in condition in the breathable environment, the airflow regulator includes a valve control and a blower control.

A powered air-purifying respirator helmet system includes a helmet having a lens. A photovoltaic power source is mounted on the helmet. A trunk-worn blower is separate from the helmet. The trunk-worn blower includes a fan and a rechargeable battery operably connected to power the fan. A flexible air-electrical conductor interconnects the trunk-worn blower and the helmet to simultaneously supply both pressurizing air to the helmet and electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic power source on the helmet to the trunk-worn blower.

A powered air-purifying respirator that includes an enclosure, defining a single contiguous enclosed interior, an inlet duct, including an inlet and a distribution portion, that guides ambient air to the interior of the enclosure, a plurality of filter canisters disposed within the interior of the enclosure, and a blower that forces air through the at least one inlet, into the interior of the enclosure and through the plurality of filter canisters to produce filtered air suitable for breathing. A valve controls the flow of ambient air through the inlet duct. A fluid dam, disposed in an air path between the inlet and the filter canisters prevents liquids from reaching the filter canisters. The enclosure is reinforced and is adapted to provide protection for the filter canister from flame and heat while the filter canister is in use. A recirculation valve recycles previously-filtered air back into the enclosure.

An air purifying respirator includes a dual stage fan that sucks outside air in through the filter canisters and then pushes the filtered air on to the user's mask or hood, where excess air escapes. A differential pressure sensor measures the pressure within the passages after the dual stage fan and in the ambient environment to estimate the user's rate of respiration. The microcontroller monitors the estimated rate of respiration, as well as the estimated altitude and its estimated amount of oxygen to calculate a user's filtered air flow need. The microcontroller adjusts the van via a fan controller to the appropriate air flow level. The microcontroller further monitors the battery level, filter life, and for low pressure within the user's mask and operates their respective indicators when problem levels arise. The battery supplies power to the microcontroller, power on / off button, and the dual stage fan.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for operating powered air-purifying respirators safely in explosive atmospheres. The apparatus and method utilize a current control means for sensing a current flow from a battery to a motor, and stopping the current flow when the current flow exceeds a threshold value for a predetermined amount of time. Upon sensing that the current flow has exceeded the threshold value for the predetermined amount of time, the current control means immediately stops the current flow. The apparatus and method provides sufficient power to properly start and operate the motor by providing a soft start to the motor by limiting the duration of higher than threshold operating current to intervals shorter than the predetermined amount of time. Pulse width modulation is used to ramp-up the motor to speed by supplying pulses of energy to the motor that will not cause the current control means to stop the current flow.

A full face mask (1) for a PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) to be used in health hazardous environments, having an air inlet (7, 8) and an air outlet (16), manufactured in one piece from a transparent plastic in a one step vacuum forming process with a single curved field of vision (4) exempt from distorsions and comprising a compartment (5) inside a forehead area of the full face mask for accommodating a blower unit (2).

A high output, powered air purifying respirator that includes an anti-contamination suit, a filter for filtering particulates from the air, a high powered blower for delivering a cool flow of air to the body, and a stabilization mechanism. The stabilization mechanism is configurable in either head mounted or back mounted modules as desired by a worker. The head mounted configuration facilitates stream lined mobility and includes a head mounted suspension system with a circular rail and roller bearing halo around the worker's head for stabilizing the blower / filter and allowing for rotation of the worker's head inside the halo. The invention also includes additional modules, also configurable by the user, such as personal hydration and independent camera and dosimeter support.

A method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system to detect a low air pressure high airflow event is disclosed. The blower system comprises a fan powered by an electric motor, controlled by an electronic control unit for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a user. The electronic control unit has a plurality of data points representing events defining an acceptable operating range in terms of different characteristics of the blower system stored therein. The method comprises sampling a characteristic that represents the operating condition of the blower to obtain a sampled data point; comparing the sampled data point and the stored data point representing a low air-pressure high airflow event, for the same characteristic; repeating the sampling during a fixed time period, and if the comparing step indicates the low air-pressure high airflow event has been reached for the majority of the time period; activating an alarm. Use of a respirator employing the method to deliver a forced flow of filtered air to a contained user environment is also disclosed.

A combination of an SCBA system for providing bottled air to a user and a PAPR system for purifying ambient air for use by a user wherein the two systems are used alternatingly depending on the contaminated condition of the ambient air and the oxygen content of the ambient air.

Breathing responsive powered air purifying respirator apparatus comprising an air-tight housing having connections for filters (5) and for supply of purified air to a face mask (3), a motor-driven blower arranged inside said air-tight housing for drawing air through said filter units and for the supply of purified air to the face mask. The blower is a lobe blower (6) delivering a constant flow of air. A regulator (10) is arranged in said housing in parallel with the lobe blower (6), and a by-pass conduit (11) connects the outlet side (12) of the lobe blower to the inlet side (13) of the lobe blower, wherein said regulator is arranged to open said by-pass conduit, when a pressure in the face mask exceeds a predetermined positive pressure.

A powered air purifying respirator composing 2-channel structure for air support includes: a mask unit that is worn on a face to surround a mouth or nostrils of a user; a generator unit that causes outside air to flow in and supplies the air to the mask unit; and first and second connector units that are formed to provide channels of the air by being connected to the mask unit and the generator unit at both sides of the first and second connectors, where the generator unit includes a fan driving module having first and second air supply holes at both sides of the fan driving module, the first and second air supply holes communicating with end portions of the first and second connector units.

The present application discloses a lockable fitting structure used for an electric air-purifying respirator of an auto-darkening welding helmet, the electric air-purifying respirator comprising a housing and a battery device, a battery holder being formed in the housing, and the battery device being able to be detachably installed in the battery holder by the lockable fitting structure, wherein the lockable fitting structure comprises at lease four pairs of sliding joint structures formed on the battery device and the battery holder respectively and a locking structure provided in the battery device, wherein the sliding joint structures of each pair can be engaged with or disengaged from each other by sliding them relative to each other, wherein the locking structure comprises a button and a tongue capable to be actuated by the button, wherein the tongue is movable along a direction substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding joint structure, and wherein after the sliding joint structures have been moved relative to each other in place, the tongue contacts a stop side of the battery holder to lock the pairs of sliding joint structures. The present application also discloses an electric air-purifying respirator for an auto-darkening welding helmet, which is equipped with said lockable fitting structure.

A filter assembly for a breathing apparatus, such as a powered air purifying respirator. The filter assembly includes a frame for receiving and retaining a filter element, a cover connected to the frame and dimensioned to cover the aperture, a filter element, and an indicator for indicating when the filter element is retained in the filter frame and the cover is arranged across the aperture. A powered breathing apparatus including the filter assembly is also disclosed.

A respirator kit which includes a contoured plenum; a breathing mask or hood; an air supplying device, such as a powered air purifying respirator or self contained breathing apparatus; and an air hose. The contoured plenum has a low-profile and can be fluidly connected between the respirator mask and hose, and replaces the conventional air hose connection traditionally associated with powered air devices. The plenum is contoured to follow the profile of the mask, reducing the profile of the airway into the mask. The plenum includes a connector by which the plenum can be attached to the inlet of the mask, and can also include a demand valve.

A powered air purifying respirator and method for directing a forced flow of air to a wearer. A battery operatively powers a fan fluidly coupled with the air flow path which exhibits, in some circumstances, a passivation. A voltage delay sensing circuit, operatively coupled to the battery, provides an indication related to the passivation. A signal may provide an indication to a user of the passivation of the power source. A correction circuit may correct such passivation.