The present invention relates to a device and method for the targeted supply of oxygen to the location of respiratory organs, in particular within aircraft cabins or similar.
The provision of passengers and the cabin and flight crew with additional oxygen is necessary, for example, if there is a drop in pressure in the aircraft cabin. For this purpose, the oxygen must reach the area where the respiratory organs are located or the respiratory organs. It can also be necessary, when preparing certain flight operations such as, eg. work on an open hatch of an aircraft at great heights, to significantly increase the concentration of oxygen in the blood. In such instances it is necessary to increase the supply of oxygen over an extended period of time, eg. 1 hour. With this so-called “pre-breathing”, people can be prepared for special circumstances.
Established devices of this type are equipped with so-called breathing masks as a means of directing the oxygen from the outlet opening to the respiratory organs. These breathing masked are connected to the lines with tube-like elements, and in this way allow the oxygen to flow indirectly to the respiratory organs. It is indirect because additional devices are required to increase the concentration of oxygen in the area where the respiratory organs are located, whereby oxygen is directed from the line to the respiratory organs via the breathing mask. For this, the breathing mask should be positioned in the nose and/or the mouth area or placed over the nose and/or mouth. If pressure drops, the breathing masks, which are normally located above each seat in covered hollows, boxes, containers or similar, drop down from these. At the same time or very soon afterwards, the line and/or the means for supplying the oxygen is opened. By the means for conveying the oxygen from the supply container to the outlet opening, which can be in the form of a pump or other for bringing about a fall in pressure, the oxygen flows out of the line and through the breathing mask into the respiratory organs. Each individual person must actively put their breathing mask on in order to be supplied with oxygen. If a person is preparing for particular flight operations or special circumstances, he must wear a breathing mask for an extended period of time.
The disadvantage, however, of these established devices and methods is that incorrect application of the breathing mask, which is particularly likely in stressful conditions or with children, will lead to insufficient supply of oxygen. Moreover, the masks falling from the hollows can also have a negative psychological effect because the necessity to be supplied with additional oxygen implies an emergency. In addition, it is uncomfortable wearing a breathing mask over an extended period of time and it also limits the freedom of movement when carrying out special flight operations.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an oxygen supply device is provided, comprising a supply container for oxygen, at least one line connected to the supply container, a means for conveying the oxygen from the supply container to an outlet opening in the line and a means for taking the oxygen from the outlet opening to the respiratory organs. Moreover, according to an exemplary embodiment, a method for the targeted supply of oxygen to the location of respiratory organs, in particular within aircraft cabins or similar is provided, comprising the following steps: conveyance of the oxygen from a supply container by means of at least one line to an outlet opening of this line, release of the oxygen through the outlet opening, and supply of the oxygen to the respiratory organs. This may allow for a simple and reliable method and device.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the line itself and the outlet opening are the means for supplying the oxygen to the location of the respiratory organs. This means that additional devices, such as eg. masks, are no longer required. The person being supplied with oxygen no longer has to take any action, and this rules out all risk of incorrect application. In other words, the supply of additional oxygen takes place without the person, namely the passenger, the flight personnel or similar, having to do anything, and this is a great advantage in situations of stress. The line as a means of supply may guarantee—unlike indirect oxygen supply—a direct supply to the respiratory organs. Moreover, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is no need for additional devices, which makes it possible to offer heightened comfort because breathing masks do not have to be worn, and this is may be advantageous if “pre-breathing” is necessary over an extended period of time. No less importantly, an embodiment of the invention is believed to facilitate “imposed breathing”, namely the supply of oxygen to the respiratory organs of animals so that, when transporting animals in the cargo area of an aircraft, the animals can also be supplied with oxygen if pressure drops. This is, of course, not possible with breathing masks.
The oxygen may be conveyed or supplied as a directed free jet from the outlet opening to the location of the respiratory organs. The supply of oxygen by means of the free jet ensures that sufficient oxygen enters the area where the respiratory organs are located without the person being supplied having to take any action. In this way one can ensure a stress-free and reliable supply of oxygen, in particular in emergencies or during special flight operations. The free jet directly supplies the location of the respiratory organs without any elements that could be awkward or likely to cause problems.
A directable and/or adjustable nozzle and/or tube element may be positioned beneficially in the area surrounding the outlet opening. This means, on the one hand, that the direction of the free jet can be determined so that, eg. it can be adapted to suit the body size of the person. On the other hand, it means that the required stream of oxygen is adjustable by using the pressure regulator in the line so that it is possible to adapt individually to the circumstances and requirements in question.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the speed and oxygen concentration of the free jet is adjustable with the help of the pressure regulator. On the one hand, this may allow to provide for a sufficient, directed supply of oxygen, and on the other hand it may ensure that consideration of the well-being of the person being supplied is prevented.
A heating element is preferably provided in the area around the line and/or the nozzle and/or tube element. By heating, it is possible for the stream of oxygen to show an increase in specific volume so as to prevent the oxygen from sinking into the surrounding air or to ensure that it sinks more slowly.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device is designed and/or adapted to be mobile and in such a way that it can be carried as a unit on a person's body. For one thing, this increases flexibility, particularly with regard to freedom of movement, because the oxygen supply does not depend upon location.
Moreover, a method with the aforementioned steps is provided where the oxygen is supplied directly from the line or the outlet opening to the respiratory organs. By means of direct supply—without the intervention of additional components—a simple and highly reliable supply may be allowed because oxygen is supplied without the person being supplied having to do anything. Moreover, the level of comfort may be improved because breathing masks, which offer indirect supply, do not have to be worn.
The oxygen is beneficially supplied as a directed free jet from the outlet opening to the or to the location of the respiratory organs. Because the oxygen is supplied directly from the outlet opening into the environment, (the aircraft cabin for example), the procedure is particularly easy and stress-free, also because there is no longer the psychological factor of an emergency situation being announced by the dropping down of breathing masks.
Embodiments which are particularly favoured and the principle of the method are more clearly illustrated by the attached drawing. In the drawing:
The forms of the devices shown are used to provide passenger and cabin and flight crew with additional oxygen.
In
The space 14 can be an aircraft cabin, a cargo space within the aircraft or any other space. If the oxygen supply is released, oxygen is released from the line 11 at the outlet opening 13, whereby the oxygen is conveyed by means of a device (not illustrated), which eg. creates a difference in pressure between the container and the line 11 on the one hand and the environment, eg. the space 14. The outlet opening 13 and/or the line 11 itself can be closed and then opened again by conventional elements which are not illustrated. These elements are preferably joined to a control and/or regulation unit. The elements can also, however, be adjusted by the pressure regulator in the line 11. The outlet opening 13 has a defined cross-section which can be different dependent upon the requirements. The cross-section is preferably circular so that a conical free ray 16 can emerge from the outlet opening 13.
The respiratory organs 15 are generally located or positioned at a distance X from the outlet opening 13. The basis for determining the distance X are the average values of people relating to their size. Particularly favoured are distances X in an area of approx. 0 to 0.7 m between the exit cross-section and the respiratory organs 15. Other distances are, however, possible. The distance X and the area between the outlet opening 13 and the respiratory organs 15 are free from components of the device 10 itself so that the free ray 16 can spread out without any hindrances.
A nozzle and/or tube element 17 (see
In another exemplary embodiment, in addition to the version shown in
In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention is described in greater detail using the exemplary embodiment of the device in accordance with
If pressure drops in the aircraft cabin, the outlet opening 13 opens so that stored, gaseous oxygen flows out of a container and the line 11. The outlet opening 13 and the nozzle and/or tube element 17 is directed so that the free jet 16 of oxygen which forms goes straight to the respiratory organs 15 or at least to the area where the respiratory organs 15 are located. This basic or additional supply of oxygen takes place without the person to be supplied taking any action whatsoever. The oxygen is quasi issued from the line 11 and the outlet opening 13 directly into the space 14. The free jet 16 reaches the respiratory organs 15 at a speed which is preferably approx. 10 m/s. If the oxygen concentration supplied is not sufficient, heightened concentration can be achieved simply by reducing the distance, eg. by inclining the head. In addition, the oxygen can be heated, whereby the specific volume changes, or more particularly increases. In this way, the difference in comparison to the specific volume of the ambient air is reduced so that the oxygen remains for a longer time in the upper area of the head.
Other exemplary embodiments shown and not explicitly explained follow the same principle. With the version with the mobile unit, the person wearing the device 10 can move freely and yet still benefit from an increase in oxygen content in the blood parallel to this. The additional supply can even continue to be provided during the flight operation so that a sufficient supply is ensured. The positioning of the device 10 on the body means that the device 10 quasi follows the movements of the person being supplied. As well as for use in aircraft, the device can also be used in other areas where an additional supply of oxygen is required, for example in areas where tanks are being cleaned.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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103 61 271.8 | Dec 2003 | DE | national |