Abstract:
A smoke generator is adapted to be used with other apparatus for testing the peripheral seal integrity of a package. The smoke generator heats a fuel within a chamber and then aspirates smoke into a conduit through which fluid is flowing. The apparatus includes additional conduits operatively arranged to selectively flush the chamber of ash and other accumulated particulate material.
Abstract:
A system useful in an assembly intended for use in a deep ocean environment for generating gas within the assembly to equalize the internal pressure with the external underwater pressure. In one embodiment, the gas is generated by a chemical reaction between a stored substance and the ocean water itself and, in another embodiment, the gas is generated by a reaction initiated by a pyrotechnic charge.
Abstract:
A replaceable cartridge-type oxygen generator is described including a quick-opening pressure casing containing a chemical oxygen-generating cartridge having a severable hermetically-sealed container and an ignition device, the casing further including an actuating device capable of actuating the ignition device only when the cartridge is disposed within the casing and the casing is closed. The casing further includes a high-volume vent automatically effective in case of the sudden build-up of a high pressure, such as may be caused by the ignition of a contaminant. Also described is an oxygen supply system including a plurality of such generators connected to an outlet manifold having pressure sensing means controlling the ignition of the cartridges.
Abstract:
A control and monitoring system for an oxygen generation device having a plurality of chemical oxygen generation elements sequentially decomposed to continuously generate oxygen. The control and monitoring system has a temperature sensor operatively coupled to each of the chemical oxygen generation elements, except the one to be ignited last, for producing a first control signal in response to the heat generated by the chemical oxygen generation elements during decomposition, a gas flow sensor disposed in the oxygen outlet has the oxygen generation elements and responsive to a flow rate less than a predetermined minimum flow rate to produce a second control signal, a sequential ignition mechanism operated on the occurrence of both the first control signal and the second control signal, as an ignition signal for igniting the oxygen generation elements one after another, and an alarm operative in response to the second control signal after a time interval of not less than a predetermined magnitude for indicating the interruption of oxygen generation for an abnormally long time interval.Preferably, light emitter indicator means are provided to indicate ignition of the corresponding oxygen generating element.
Abstract:
The disclosed gas flow sensor has an orifice connected in an oxygen conduit and a pressure switch connected to the conduit by having a pressure chamber communicating with the conduit. The chamber terminates at a diaphram which is operatively coupled to a normally open microswitch by a spring loaded rod. As the flow rate of oxygen flowing through the conduit drops below a permissible minimum magnitude, back pressure on the orifice decreases so as to close the microswitch to provide a control signal. A bypass valve is connected across the orifice to prevent the oxygen pressure within the conduit from excessively increasing.
Abstract:
Three chlorate candles are connected to a common conduit to which a normally open pressure switch is connected on the downstream side. The switch closes in response to a flow rate less than its predetermined minimum magnitude of oxygen from each candle flowing through the conduit. The pressure switch and one thermal switch for each candle except the last one are serially interconnected across a DC source through a resistor. When that candle first ignited is weakened in generation of oxygen, the next candle is ignited with the closure of the two serially connected switches and through the resulting heating of the associated resistor. The third candle is similarly ignited.
Abstract:
An oxygen generator for welding, cutting and brazing work includes a gas-tight container and a cartridge holder for cartridges giving off oxygen when burned. The gas-tight container is constructed as a pressure tank and envelops the cartridge holder in such a way so as to leave a storage volume which is capable of accommodating the amount of oxygen given off by burning at least one cartridge without exceeding the pressure limits of the pressure tank.
Abstract:
A gas generator for an inflatable life raft having a gas-generating chamber filled with a gas-generating composition which generates gas by chemical reaction, either a chemical cooling chamber or a physical cooling-and-filtering chamber or both, a gas passage in communication with a safety valve, and an ignition device which provides rotational friction between a friction means and a frictional igniting agent. The gas generator has the advantages that it is not influenced by the environmental temperature, a gas temperature drop due to adiabatic gas expansion accompanying the gas discharge does not occur and therefore the generated gas can very reliably be discharged, the gas is fully cleaned, troubles due to abnormality of the gas-generating composition can be avoided, and it can be made light and small.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for rapidly generating a controllably variable flow of motive gas at an elevated temperature and pressure in a gas generating system. The system comprises a driver gas generator containing a conventional gas generating composition, a demand gas generator containing a body of gas generating material that will support combustion only when exposed to an external source of thermal energy and means for conducting the hot driver gas through passages in the gas demand composition to cause the demand gas composition to burn and produce additional quantities of gas. The flow of driver gas through the demand gas composition is regulated to vary the total gas output of the system. A pressure relief valve communicates with the output of the driver gas generator and is set at a predetermined pressure above the delivery pressure of the system to permit the system to idle when the control valve is shut and the flow of driver gas through the demand gas generator ceases.
Abstract:
An inflator of the augmented type includes a pressure vessel having an outlet opening to an occupant restraint system and a combustion chamber containing a gas generating charge of propellant and having an outlet opening to the pressure vessel. A rupturable seal closes the pressure vessel outlet. A pressure deflectable and rupturable seal closes the outlet of the combustion chamber. A rod has one end fixed to the pressure vessel seal and the other end fixed to the combustion chamber seal to rigidly interconnect these members to each other. When the pressure vessel is filled, the pressure of the fluid seats the deflectable seal on the combustion chamber to correspond the spacing of the seals to the length of the rod. By fixedly interconnecting the seals, the pressure of the fluid on one seal tending to rupture it in one direction is resisted by the pressure of the fluid on the other tending to rupture it in the other direction.