Abstract:
A charge station is provided for filling a gas cylinder with gas. The charge station includes a gas output port configured to be fluidly connected to a supply of gas. The gas output port is configured to be fluidly connected to the gas cylinder for filling the gas cylinder with gas from the supply of gas. The charge station also includes a control system operatively connected to the gas output such that the control system is configured to control filling of the gas cylinder, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operatively connected to the control system, the RFID reader configured to read data from an RFID tag on the gas cylinder.
Abstract:
A portable signaling device for use in a reduced visibility environment. The signaling device includes a housing for carrying the signaling device into the reduced visibility environment, the housing having a signaling side and an attachment side, the signaling side configured to transmit an infrared signal and the attachment side configured to be secured to a structure within the environment, and an infrared energy source located within the housing, the infrared energy source including a power source, an emitter connected to the power source, and a switching mechanism connected to the power source and the emitter. The signaling device also includes a control circuit coupled to the infrared energy source, the control circuit configured to receive an input representing a message to be transmitted to a thermal imaging camera being carried by a first responder, the message providing a visual indication of a firefighting operation, and operate the infrared energy source to transmit the infrared signal representing the message to the thermal imaging camera.
Abstract:
A respirator filter connection mechanism with a first attachment element, the first attachment element associated with a respirator mask. The mechanism has a second attachment element which is associated with a filter. It also has openings provided through the first and second attachment elements and configured to be aligned with an inlet or discharge port of the mask and an inlet or discharge port of the filter. One of the first and second attachment elements includes a spring element located proximate to a corresponding opening, while another the first and second attachment elements includes an attachment shelf located proximate to a corresponding opening. The spring element is configured to be linearly advanced into initial engagement with the attachment shelf until the spring element and attachment shelf couple to one another in an intermediate loaded position. The attachment shelf has a cam feature that slidably engages the spring element and pulls the spring element from the intermediate loaded position into a locked and sealed position as at least one of the attachment shelf and spring element is rotated relative to the other of the attachment shelf and spring element.
Abstract:
A respirator includes a frame, a filter layer, and a face seal member. The frame has an outer side and an inner side. The frame defines an opening therethrough. The filter layer is mounted to the outer side of the frame and covers the opening of the frame. The filter layer is configured to prohibit permeation of aerosol, gas, and/or vapor contaminants therethrough. The face seal member is mounted to the inner side of the frame. The face seal member includes a seal contact area configured to engage a facial surface of a wearer. The face seal member incorporates a phase change material therein. The phase change material is configured to provide localized cooling by absorbing heat emitted by the wearer.
Abstract:
Gas-filling system including a base manifold having a flow-control component and a manifold body that is operably coupled to the flow-control component. The manifold body includes a fill port and first and second supply ports that open to an exterior of the base manifold. The first and second supply ports are in fluid communication with a common passage within the manifold body such that the gas flowing through the first supply port or through the second supply port flows through the common passage to the fill port. The fill port is configured to be in fluid communication with a container. The gas-filling system also includes an accessory module removably coupled to the manifold body. The accessory module is connected to the first supply port and has an inlet port.
Abstract:
A system and method are disclosed including an automatic sensor excitation voltage adjustment feature, a multi-range concentration feature, and a single calibration feature. The automatic sensor excitation voltage adjustment feature may include a transmitter having an associated microprocessor that provides an initial voltage to an associated sensor. The sensor may include a microprocessor, and as the voltage changes a correction signal may be relayed from the sensor microprocessor to the transmitter microprocessor. The correction signal may be used by the transmitter microprocessor to adjust the voltage applied to the sensor. The multi-range concentration sensor feature may include an amplifier associated with the sensor/microprocessor to create gain settings used to optimize sensor resolution by changing a gain value associated with the sensor. This, in turn, enables a single sensor to be used for a variety of different concentration ranges, as desired by a user. The single calibration feature enables a sensor to be calibrated at a single gas concentration value, and thereafter be used for a variety of different concentration range applications. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Abstract:
A low-profile filter frame is disclosed for maintaining an open filter plenum configuration during normal operation, and for enabling quick and reliable negative pressure testing. The frame has upper and lower halves. A breathing tube in the lower half connects to a respirator port. The upper and lower halves snap together to maintain the structure in an assembled configuration. The halves also include features that bias the halves apart when the device is in the assembled configuration, thereby maintaining the breathing tube open. To perform a fit test, a force is applied to an outer surface of the upper half, which moves the halves together, in opposition to the bias, so that the upper half seals against the breathing tube. The frame can be provide in as a single-piece, with a living hinge connecting upper and lower halves, or the upper and lower halves can be separate pieces.
Abstract:
A self-contained breathing apparatus includes an air cylinder pressurized to about 5500 psig, wherein the air cylinder is compatible with infrastructure used in conjunction with the air cylinder. The self-contained breathing apparatus also includes a first regulator valve for reducing air pressure from the air cylinder to a predetermined level. A second regulator valve is also provided for reducing the air pressure from the predetermined level to a level suitable for use by an operator, wherein air is supplied from the second regulator valve to the operator via a mask. The self-contained breathing apparatus further includes a frame for supporting the air cylinder on the back of the operator. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Abstract:
A respirator mask for automatically activating an air-saver switch within a regulator by rotation of the regular as the regulator is mounted and dismounted from a facepiece of the mask. The mask includes a facepiece including a regulator engagement region having an aperture and a protrusion proximate the aperture, and a regulator including a regulator body having a facepiece engagement region mateably engageable with the regulator engagement region, a fluid flow path within the regulator body, and a latch within the regulator body, the latch causing obstruction of the fluid flow path when actuated. The latch is engageable with the protrusion, the regulator being rotatable within the facepiece aperture between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, rotation of the regulator within the facepiece aperture from the second to the first rotational position engaging and actuating the latch to obstruct the fluid flow path.