Oxygen supply device

p0001The invention relates to an oxygen supply device for a breathing mask with the features indicated in the preamble of claim 1.

p0002From the medical oxygen supply systems are known which provide the user with a breathing mask at the beginning of inhaling a metered amount of oxygen, the so-called bolus and thereafter the ambient air as a breathing gas. For this purpose, these oxygenation systems to a pulse regulator unit. In this, a pressure sensor is actuated by inhalation into the supply line between an oxygen source and the breathing mask disposed solenoid valve which releases the bolus volume of oxygen. The oxygen source gas cylinders are used, in which the oxygen is stored. To lower the pressure in the compressed gas cylinders, which can be up to 200 bar, the shut-off valve, respectively a compressed gas cylinder, a common pressure reducing valve is connected downstream, those usually used for lowering the pressure of compressed gas cylinders used.

p0003A drawback of these mechanically formed reducer is their relatively large susceptibility. In particular, the diaphragms and springs used in the print Minor can be easily damaged or destroyed in the running in the pressure reducing control processes and the associated changes in pressure, which can lead to a total failure of the pressure regulator, and thus to a total failure of the oxygen supply system. In addition, cases are known in which the processes occurring in the pressure reducer pressure changes have caused in these create gaining component vibrations that led to the failure of the pressure reducer. Furthermore, there is a danger that the ingress of dust and other impurities affect or lead to failure of these devices, the functioning of this pressure reducer. If the oxygen supply systems described above used for example in aviation, mining, parachuting or mountain climbers, the relatively large weight and also relatively large dimensions of mechanical reducer prove disadvantageous.

p0004The present invention is an object of the invention to provide an oxygen supply apparatus having a high reliability and is embodied as possible space- and weight-saving. Further, the oxygen supply device should be easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

p0005This object is achieved by means of an oxygen supply apparatus having the features indicated in claim 1st Advantageous developments of the invention result from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

p0006The oxygen supply apparatus according to the invention for a respiratory mask has at least one oxygen pressure accumulator. This is conductively connected via a controllable valve with a latch to which adjoins a respiratory mask-sufficient pulse regulator. In this case, an electronic controller is provided which controls the shut-off valve as a function of the pressure prevailing in the intermediate storage pressure.

p0007Similarly known oxygenation systems, the oxygen supply device according to the invention to a line connected to an oxygen accumulator breathing mask, the breathing mask a pulse regulator for releasing a bolus volume upstream of oxygen.

p0008In the oxygen supply device according to the invention a controllable shut-off valve with a subsequent latch, and an electronic controller for controlling the shut-off valve are provided in the line connection between the oxygen pressure reservoir and the pulse regulator. The electronic control system initially causes the opening of the shut-off valve. Characterized the buffer is filled with oxygen. When the pressure in the buffer memory a target value which is adapted to the breathing conditions of the user of the breathing mask, the check valve of the electronic control is closed. If the pulse regulator now activated by a pulse by inhalation, represents the pulse regulator to the user of the breathing mask stored in the buffer as oxygen bolus volume available. The buffer is emptied completely or partially, wherein the controller opens the shutoff valve again and the process described above can be repeated. The opening and closing of the shut-off valve is in principle independent from the required time, so it can also be in very short control times.

p0009In this way, can be dispensed with the usual mechanical pressure regulator in the oxygen supply device according to the invention, as compared to the pressure in the oxygen accumulator significant pressure reduction in the buffer memory to a pressure of, for example, 4 is by selectively activating the shut-off valve by the electronic control a bar realized. The storage volume of the buffer can be freely selected and may for example include the largest expected bolus volume of oxygen.

p0010The oxygen supply device according to the invention can be considerably formed lighter and more compact than known devices of this type, which is especially proves to be advantageous if this oxygen supply device, for example, in sailing and military aircraft with limited space is used or when it is mobile used as portable oxygen supply device, for example, mining, skydiving or mountain climbing. Further, the susceptibility of the oxygen supply device of the invention over other known oxygen supply systems is significantly reduced by minimizing the mechanical components.

p0011Conveniently, the electronic control of the controllable shut-off valve between oxygen accumulator and latch part of an electronic control device which controls a shut-off valve of the pulse regulator.

p0012Between the latch and the respirator is a shut-off valve, preferably arranged a solenoid valve, the pulse regulator, which opens briefly to release the stored in the buffer bolus to the breathing mask. To actuate this shut-off valve and the power supply, an electronic control must be provided. This electronic controller can be combined advantageously with the electronic control of the shut-off valve for filling of the buffer memory in an electronic control and regulation device. This measure also reduces the size of the oxygen supply device.

p0013In a development of the oxygenation apparatus according to the invention it is provided that the electronic control device also monitors the level of a connected oxygen accumulator and representing this level, for example on a display or with an empty oxygen accumulator automatically switches to another still filled oxygen accumulator which in the oxygen supply device is integrated.

p0014It is also conceivable that the degree of filling of the oxygen reservoir used is displayed on a display of the control and regulation device and switches the user of the oxygen supply device due to the display or activated by the control and regulating device acoustic signal from an empty to a full oxygen storage manually.

p0015Preferably, the control and regulating device to a target pressure of the buffer height or pressure dependent.

p0016With increasing height, the air pressure and therefore the partial pressure of atmospheric oxygen contained in the drops, so that inhalation of ambient air at high altitudes is a clear lack of oxygen occurs. Particularly when oxygen supply systems, which are used in aviation, it is therefore necessary to increase the supplied through the oxygen supply device bolus volume of oxygen to compensate for the altitude oxygen deprivation can. It is therefore advantageous, exiting the buffer amount of oxygen to increase more than the increase in reservoir pressure in order to make the pulse regulator to additional oxygen required for the same valve opening time available can. The electronic control device sets the target pressure of the buffer corresponding to a reference to the level or the ambient pressure.

p0017Additionally or alternatively, the control and regulating device advantageously the switching time of the shut-off valve of the pulse regulator height or ambient pressure dependent one. Thus, the opening time of the shut-off valve is suitably extended so that a height depending larger amount of oxygen, which is stored in the buffer, the mask can be supplied as a bolus.

p0018For the check valve has a preferably manually operable emergency control device is advantageously provided which intermittently opens the valve and closes.

p0019The back-up control for the shutoff valve is provided in the event that the electronic control of the shutoff valve is not working properly or fails, so that the oxygen the latch can not be supplied sufficiently, or not at all with excessive pressure. In the back-up control is preferably a mechanical trigger mechanism in which, similar to a mechanical timer, a wound coil spring mechanism is provided which then causes a clock-wise opening and closing the shut-off valve.

p0020the latch is advantageously conductively connected with a pressure sensor. This pressure sensor determines the pressure of oxygen in the buffer and provides in conjunction with the electronic regulating and control device, the shut-off valve upon reaching a preset desired pressure so that it blocks the line connection to the latch and opens again after a pressure reduction in the intermediate storage.

p0021It may also be advantageous instead of the pressure sensor to provide a pressure switch which provides blocking the stop valve upon reaching of the desired pressure and open again after oxygen removal from the cache. The pressure switch is conductively connected with the control and regulating device, so that the control and regulating device via a control line of the pressure switch triggering oxygen target pressure of the clipboard at the pressure switch can be set or changed, and so the storage capacity of the buffer, for example, a change in height can be customized.

p0022it when on the oxygen accumulator is also arranged a pressure sensor is particularly favorable. This pressure sensor determines the pressure and thus the degree of filling of the oxygen pressure reservoir. If the pressure sensor in communication with the electronic control and regulating device, where appropriate, may recognize as a function of information supplied by the pressure sensor values ​​an empty oxygen storage and switch to another, also provided in the oxygen supply device, filled oxygen accumulator.

p0023a pressure relief valve is advantageously arranged between the intermediate memory and the pulse regulator. This pressure relief valve is provided for this purpose, if the oxygen pressure in the buffer exceeds a maximum permissible value for example by a malfunctioning electronic control of the shutoff valve. The pressure can then be discharged through the relief valve, so that the pulse regulator is not damaged by excessive pressure and / or the oxygen pressure in the mask exceeds the allowable value here.

p0024Conveniently, a throttle point is arranged in the connection line between the shutoff valve and the intermediate storage. This choke point is formed preferably adjustable. It is used for. Example to so adjust the flow rate of oxygen is intermittently released in case of failure of the electronic control of the shutoff valve of the emergency control of the shut-off valve that in a simultaneously open shut-off valve of the pulse regulator, a constant flow of oxygen to the breathing mask is applied. Furthermore, the throttle can be adjusted by adjusting the throttle cross section and thus the filling of the buffer to different respiratory rates, so that for example a hastily breathing user of the breathing mask is provided at each breathing cycle bolus volume of oxygen available.

p0025Preferably an altimeter is connected to the electronic control and regulating device. This is preferably a barometer element which passes in particular when using the oxygen supply device in a height the value of the ambient pressure to the electronic control and regulating device. Based on these values, the control and regulating device then, as described above, the target pressure of the buffer and / or the switching time of the shut-off valve of the pulse regulator correct height a.

p0026The invention is illustrated with reference to an embodiment shown in the figure, the figure showing a circuit diagram of an oxygen supply apparatus of the invention.

p0027A breathing mask 2 is connected via a supply line 4 at an oxygen supply unit. 6 Here, the breathing mask 2 is preceded by a pulse breath control. 8

p0028The pulse breath control 8 has a arranged in the supply line 4 electrically controllable solenoid valve 10th In an unconnected position that closes the supply line 4 between the solenoid valve 10 and the breathing mask 2 is branched from the supply line 4 a line 12 from where a pressure sensor 14 is connected. About an electrical control line 16, the solenoid valve 10 is connected to an electronic control unit 18. The pressure sensor 14 is also signal-connected to the electronic control unit 18th

p0029By inhalation, a user of the breathing mask 2 in the supply line 4 is generated between the mask 2 and the closed solenoid valve 10 includes a negative pressure, which is detected by the pressure sensor fourteenth The electronic control unit 18 causes, after having received from the pressure sensor 14 a corresponding negative pressure signal, a temporary opening of the solenoid valve 10, so that oxygen from the oxygen supply unit 6 to the mask 2 can flow. The flow rate of oxygen is limited to a bolus. After reaching this bolus volume, the control unit 18 controls the solenoid valve 10 closing.

p0030The oxygen supply unit 6 has two gas cylinders 20 u. 20 'as an oxygen reservoir, which are available for any number of compressed gas cylinders. At the gas cylinders 20 u. 20 'arrestors 22 are u. 22', followed by electrically controlled shut-off valves 24 u. 24 ', respectively. Control lines 26 u. 26 'connect the shut-off valves 24 u. 24' to the electronic control unit 18, on one of the shut-off valves 24 u. 24 'opening and or the other are actuated closing. Pressure gas lines 28 u. 28 'are the gas cylinders 20 u. 20' with pressure sensors 30 u. 30 'in conjunction, the cylinder pressure of the compressed gas cylinder 20 u. 20' and take their fill rate. To forward the u from the pressure sensors 30. 30 'recorded pressure values, the pressure sensors 30 u. 30', via electrical lines 32 u. 32 'connected to the electronic control unit 18.

p0031When activating the oxygen supply device, the control unit 18, the check valve 24 on opening of the control line 26, so that oxygen in the compressed gas cylinder is supplied to 20 via the supply line 4 of the pulse breath control 8 and the connected breathing mask. 2 During the emptying of the pressure cylinder 20 whose cylinder pressure is received by the pressure sensor 30th Approaching the cylinder pressure to a lower limit, which is determined by the expansion pressure of the oxygen of example 4 bar, ie, the pressure cylinder 20 loses its pressure potential relative to the ambient pressure, this is detected by the control unit 18 by the pressure sensor 30th The control unit 18 causes the opening stop valve 24 'and oxygen of the compressed gas cylinder 20' is in the supply line 4 in direction pulse breath control 8 and started breathing mask. 2

p0032u Between the valves 24. 24 'of gas cylinders 20 u. 20' and the pulse breath control 8 is an electronic pressure control provided in the supply line 4 to the tank pressure of the compressed gas cylinder 20 u. 20 'of, for example 200 bar to a pressure of about 4 bar initially the pulse breath control 8 to reduce.

p0033The electronic pressure control has pressure gas cylinders each at a controllable solenoid valve 34 and to sides of the pulse breath control 8 an intermediate accumulator 36th Between the solenoid valve 34 and the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36, a throttle 38 is disposed in the supply line. 4 To the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36, a line 40 is connected, via a pressure sensor 42 is connected. The solenoid valve 34 is connected via a control line 44 to the electronic control and regulating unit 18th The pressure sensor 42 is connected via line 45 to the control and regulating unit.

p0034If the oxygen supply device is activated, opens the control line 44 Transmitted control signal of the electronic control unit 18, the solenoid valve 34. Oxygen from one of the compressed-gas bottles 20 or 20 'can be throttled via the restrictor 38 to flow into the intermediate pressure accumulator 36th The pressure prevailing in the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 42nd These values ​​are passed on via the control line 44 to the control unit 18th Upon reaching a target pressure of eg 4 bar, the control unit 18 causes the locking of the solenoid valve 34. The respiratory activity of the user of the mask 2, the intermediate accumulator emptied 36, the control unit 18 causes the re-opening of the solenoid valve 34 for filling the intermediate pressure accumulator 36 and the process just described is repeated. However, this is only by way of example to understand, since no time dependency of the oxygen removal from the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 by opening the Manet valve 10 and the oxygen supply to the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 by opening the solenoid valve 34 is composed. Thus, it is for example also open solenoid valve 34 during the oxygen withdrawal from the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 also conceivable. Due to the relatively large bottle pressure of compressed gas cylinders 20 u. 20 'as well as the relatively low pressure and volume of the intermediate pressure accumulator 36 opening of Lu are provided ungszeiten the solenoid valve 34 in the millisecond range.

p0035In an alternative embodiment, a pressure switch 52 is provided instead of the pressure sensor 42, which is connected via a line 40 'with the intermediate-pressure accumulator. Via the control line 44 of the pressure switch 52 to the solenoid valve 34 and the control unit is conductively connected 18th Upon reaching a desired pressure in the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36, the solenoid valve 34 is provided blocking of the pressure switch 52, the supply line 4th After a pressure drop in the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36, the pressure switch the supply line 4 52 switches the solenoid valve 34 re-opening. The storage pressure in the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 can be changed such that the control unit 18 via the control line 44 is adjusted according to the switching pressure of the pressure switch 52nd

p0036In addition to the control line 44 and a mechanical timer 46 is arranged on the solenoid valve 34th This is provided for in the event that the solenoid valve 34 18 faulty or not driven by the control unit. By manual operation of the timing controller 46 provides this in clocked time intervals, the check valve 34 in an open and a blocking position so that the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 is filled through the throttle 36 uniformly with oxygen, which then the manually operated in that case and constant-open solenoid valve 10 the pulse respiratory regulation 8 of the respiratory mask 2 provided.

p0037Since in case of failure of the electronic control of the solenoid valve 34, a pressure regulation of the pressure of oxygen is no longer possible in the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36, a pressure relief valve 48 is connected to the supply line 4 between the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 and the pulse breath control 8 is arranged, which at etwaigem overpressure the line pressure before the pulse breath control 8 relaxed to permissible values.

p0038In particular, for the use of the oxygen supply device in aviation, the oxygen supply device to a height sensor 50, which is connected to the control and regulating unit 18 and which detects the ambient pressure, for example of the aircraft. Based on the pressure values ​​delivered from the height sensor 50, the control unit 18 causes in relation to an increase in altitude, a pressure increase in the intermediate accumulator 36 and or a longer opening time of the solenoid valve 10 of the pulse breath control 8. In this way, is the user of the breathing mask 2 a of altitude adjusted amount of oxygen available. As an alternative to the just described barometric altitude sensor 50, it is possible to perform the level determination means of other measured variables. The control unit 18 then assigns the height values ​​determined at appropriate pressures of the intermediate-pressure accumulator 36 and controls a possible change in pressure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

p0039<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>2</dt><dd>oxygen mask</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>supply line</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>Oxygen supply unit</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>Pulse breath control</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>solenoid valve</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>management</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>pressure sensor</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>control line</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>Control unit</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>Compressed gas cylinder</dd><dt>20 '</dt><dd>Compressed gas cylinder</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>arrestor</dd><dt>22 '</dt><dd>arrestor</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>shut-off valve</dd><dt>24 '</dt><dd>shut-off valve</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>control line</dd><dt>26 '</dt><dd>control line</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>Pressure gas line</dd><dt>28 '</dt><dd>Pressure gas line</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>pressure sensor</dd><dt>30 '</dt><dd>pressure sensor</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>management</dd><dt>32 '</dt><dd>management</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>solenoid valve</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>Intermediate pressure accumulator</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>throttle</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>management</dd><dt>40 '</dt><dd>management</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>pressure sensor </dd><dt>44</dt><dd>control line</dd><dt>45</dt><dd>management</dd><dt>46</dt><dd>timing</dd><dt>48</dt><dd>Pressure relief valve</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>height sensor</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>pressure switch</dd></dl>