Aircraft Breathing Mask Audio Control for Oxygen Flow Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication assemblies in aircraft breathing masks suffer from interference due to oxygen flow noise during emergency situations, complicating effective communication between crew members and the control tower, and require manual verification of proper operation, which is cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A communication assembly with a breathing mask equipped with a microphone, a test button, sound monitoring system, and an attenuation device that automatically adjusts noise reduction modes based on sound intensity analysis in different frequency ranges to distinguish between oxygen flow noise and vocal sounds, ensuring clear communication and easy verification of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microphone is provided inside the sealed breathing mask shell to enable communication during emergency situations, then communication capability is improved, but oxygen flow noise interference increases making communication difficult to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent detects the harmful oxygen flow noise and converts it into a useful signal by using the noise detection to automatically control the microphone's activation state. The system identifies when noise is present and prevents the microphone from transmitting during inhalation phases, thereby converting the harmful noise into a control signal that improves communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the microphone output is monitored to detect oxygen flow noise characteristics. This detected noise information is fed back to the control system, which then automatically adjusts the microphone activation state. The feedback loop continuously monitors and adjusts the system to maintain clear communication by preventing transmission during noisy inhalation phases.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual audio button activation is required to enable the microphone function, then oxygen flow noise interference is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring manual activation during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically detects oxygen flow noise and controls its own microphone activation without requiring manual user input. The microphone assembly autonomously determines when to activate or deactivate based on detected noise levels and breathing patterns, freeing the user from manual button activation during emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical button activation system with an automated electronic control system. Instead of requiring physical button presses by the user, the system uses electronic sensors to detect breathing patterns and noise levels, then electronically controls the microphone activation state, substituting mechanical user action with automated electronic control.
3Reliability
If the microphone continuously transmits audio signals to monitor communication, then communication monitoring is improved, but oxygen flow noise transmission increases disturbing other crew members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic transmission system where the microphone activation state changes continuously based on real-time detection of breathing patterns and noise levels. Rather than continuous static transmission, the system dynamically adjusts between active and inactive states, transmitting only during exhalation phases when noise levels are low, and remaining inactive during inhalation phases when noise is high.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by synchronizing microphone transmission with the periodic breathing cycle of the user. The microphone activates during exhalation phases and deactivates during inhalation phases, creating a periodic transmission pattern that aligns with natural breathing rhythms. This periodic operation ensures communication monitoring continues while minimizing noise transmission to other crew members.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces oxygen flow noise interference, allowing clear communication without manual button activation, enhances operational reliability, and simplifies verification of the communication system's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the sounds emitted by the user activate a microphone which converts the received sounds into an audio signal for transmission
Implementation Method 2
an attenuation device configured to reduce an intensity of the audio signal in a central frequency band of the audio signal extending between 500 Hz and 1,500 Hz
Implementation Method 3
a sound monitoring system comprising: a first sound monitor configured to monitor the sound signal, detect a first sound intensity in a first frequency range and analyse the first sound intensity to determine whether the first sound intensity is within a first determined level range to detect a flow noise
Data Source
AI summary
A communication assembly for avoiding interferences due to oxygen flow noise, including a) a breathing mask having a body having a face shell having a breathing cavity and a regulator delivering a breathing gas, b) a microphone configured to capture a sound signal in the breathing cavity, c) a test button for supplying the breathing cavity with breathing gas, d) an attenuation device, e) a sound monitoring system, f) a controller configured to the attenuation device operate in an active mode when a flow noise though the breathing cavity during inhalation by the user is detected, and an inactive mode when a vocal sound or a flow noise in the breathing cavity in a stowed configuration is detected, and g) a transmitter for transmitting an output signal.