Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for supplying respiratory gas under positive pressure
Patent
1996-06-26
1998-03-10
Millin, Vincent
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means for supplying respiratory gas under positive pressure
12820426, 12820029, 12820429, A62B 704
Patent
active
057249610
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to valve arrangements and then particularly, but not exclusively, to valves which are intended to control the flow of pressurized breathable gas to breathing regulators. The invention also relates to one such breathing regulator.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
Valve arrangements for breathing regulators are known to the art, for instance from European Patent Specification 0 014 290 (Siebe Gorman). This patent specification discloses a valve arrangement which includes a housing, an inlet through which gas enters the housing from a gas source at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, a movable valve means which functions to close the gas inlet and which, in use, is activated by a force corresponding to the difference in pressure upstream and downstream of the inlet, and a diaphragm. The valve means preferably includes an arm and is connected to the diaphragm, and functions to open and close the inlet in response to the pressure prevailing in the housing.
The mechanism is highly sensitive and it is difficult to regulate the inlet air reliably.
Breathing regulator valve arrangements are also known by virtue of their use in a regulator which is marketed by Applicant (Poseidon) under the trademark Ocenair. This valve arrangement includes an elastomeric bladder which opens and closes the inlet in accordance with the difference in pressure of the gas located upstream of the inlet and the pressure of the gas located downstream thereof. A servo-valve coacts with the bladder to achieve the desired function.
This breathing regulator, however, is encumbered with certain drawbacks. For instance, the closing function of the bladder is not always reliable, and the servo-valve is constructed in a manner which causes the rocker valve included therein to move sideways, therewith subjecting the valve to uneven loads and also to extensive wear, while also shortening the useful life of the valve.
Furthermore, many of the components of the breathing regulators are made of metal, which is disadvantageous when diving, since the metal components are liable to freeze, therewith jeopardizing their function.
European Patent Specification EP-A1-0 269 900 teaches a valve arrangement of the kind described in the introduction, in which a valve element includes a hole through which air is able to flow. This air, however, is breathing air and is not used to control the actual valve means.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to avoid the aforesaid drawbacks, by providing a breathing regulator valve arrangement which is able to regulate the air flow with great precision, which has a long useful life and which is insensitive to cold.
Another object of the invention is to provide a breathing regulator which includes an inventive valve arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforesaid objects are achieved with an inventive valve arrangement of the kind defined in the preamble of Claim 1 and characterized by the characteristic features set forth in the characterizing clause of said Claim, and also by a breathing regulator defined in Claim 7.
The inventive valve arrangement includes a lever-arm effect whereby air supply can be regulated or controlled with great precision. The simplicity of the lever-arm arrangement also imparts a long useful life to the valve arrangement.
According to the present invention, the whole of the breathing regulator can be made from a plastic material or from some other material which is insensitive to cold, therewith imparting a more reliable function to the regulator.
Other features of the invention are set forth in respective depending Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive breathing regulator, partly in section;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the regulator shown in FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic, principle cross-sectiona
REFERENCES:
patent: 4616646 (1986-10-01), Beaussant
patent: 4784129 (1988-11-01), Garraffa
Excerpt from Manual for a Regulator "Oceanair" No. 2940.
Millin Vincent
Poseidon Industri AB
Srivastava V.
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