Patent US3951137A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3951137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rebreathing system
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1974-11-20
•
Granted: 1976-04-20
•
Expires: 1994-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A constant volume rebreathing system when utilized in conjunction with an external air source, such as man. The rebreathing system forms a completely closed system between man and the environment. There is a stainless steel bellows within the system which in conjunction with ancillary equipment controls the differential pressure between man's lung and the bellows. A pressure transducer senses any pressure change and in accordance therewith alters the volume of the bellows, thereby assisting man's use of the rebreathing system. In addition analyzers are located within the system to monitor the various gases present.
Inventors
- 👤 James P. Conkle
- 👤 Marvin A. Rosenbusch
- 👤 Doyle D. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/083; A61B5/091; A61B5/093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A rebreathing system comprising a supporting structure, a container having a variable volume mounted within said structure, a pair of conduits operably connected to said container and adapted to be connected to a person for allowing air to enter and escape from said container, means operably connected to said conduits for controlling the flow of air therethrough, means operably connected to said container for sensing a pressure change within said container and providing a signal in accordance therewith, means operably connected to said container for varying the volume thereof, means operably connected between said pressure change sensing means and said volume varying means for transmitting said signal to said volume varying means to control said volume varying means in accordance with said signal, a rod fixedly secured to said container, said rod having one portion thereof inclined at an angle, a potentiometer mounted on said supporting structure, said potentiometer having a slideable element, said slideable element being in engaging relationship with said inclined portion of said rod whereby a volumetric change of said container causes movement of said slideable element thereby causing said potentiometer to emit a signal in accordance with said volumetric change, means for recording said volume change signal, means operably connected to said bellows for detecting a preselected volume change therein and emitting a signal in accordance therewith, said preselected volume detecting means being operably connected to said transmitting means for controlling the activation or deactivation of said system whereby a constant volume is maintained between said system and said person.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
A rebreathing system comprising a supporting structure, a container having a variable volume mounted within said structure, a pair of conduits operably connected to said container and adapted to be connected to a person for allowing air to enter and escape from said container, means operably connected to said conduits for controlling the flow of air therethrough, means operably connected to said container for sensing a pressure change within said container and providing a signal in accordance therewith, means operably connected to said container for varying the volume thereof, means operably connected between said pressure change sensing means and said volume varying means for transmitting said signal to said volume varying means to control said volume varying means in accordance with said signal, a rod fixedly secured to said container, said rod having one portion thereof inclined at an angle, a potentiometer mounted on said supporting structure, said potentiometer having a slideable element, said slideable element being in engaging relationship with said inclined portion of said rod whereby a volumetric change of said container causes movement of said slideable element thereby causing said potentiometer to emit a signal in accordance with said volumetric change, means for recording said volume change signal, means operably connected to said bellows for detecting a preselected volume change therein and emitting a signal in accordance therewith, said preselected volume detecting means being operably connected to said transmitting means for controlling the activation or deactivation of said system whereby a constant volume is maintained between said system and said person.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said container is in the form of a bellows and a pair of end plates, one of said end plates of said bellows being fixedly mounted on said supporting structure, said other end plate of said bellows being moveable within said supporting structure and means removably securing said end plates to said bellows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 2 further comprising means operably connected to said container for opening said bellows to the atmosphere at a predetermined pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 3 further comprising at least one air analyzer located within one of said conduits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for transmitting said pressure change signal to said volume varying means comprises at least one amplifier and a signal translator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 5 wherein said volume varying means comprises a stepping motor and a ball screw drive connected to said bellows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for detecting a preselected volumetric change in said bellows comprises at least one rod mounted on said bellows, a pair of nuts adjustably mounted on said rod and a pair of limit switches mounted on said supporting structure and in operable relationship with said pair of nuts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 7 further comprising an oxygen source operably connected to said bellows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 8 wherein said pressure change sensing means is a pressure transducer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 9 further comprising a digital voltmeter operably connected to said pressure transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rebreathing system as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for recording said volume change signal comprises a digital voltmeter operably connected to said potentiometer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3033195A
Cited
US3307542A
Cited
US3283754A
Cited
US3695263A
Cited
US3769967A
Cited
US3730180A
Cited
US3729000A
Cited
US3850170A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-20 | 1979-10-20 | 1980-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-20 | 1983-10-20 | 1984-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-20 | 1987-10-20 | 1988-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |