Patent Application
20070193132
The present invention relates to shelter systems for humans, and more specifically to shelters and related devices for protection from chemical, biological and radiological agents.
Political and criminal events in the early 21st Century have raised the threat of a terrorist attack by “weapons of mass destruction”, such as chemical, biological or radiological agents, to an unprecedented level. As such, systems for protection of persons from such attacks have become highly desirable.
In one aspect, the present invention is a shelter system for use within an environment having air. The shelter system comprises an enclosure disposable within the environment and formed of an air impermeable material. The enclosure is configured to define an interior chamber, to contain a quantity of air within the chamber, and to substantially prevent entry of the environment air into the chamber. An oxygen generator is disposable within the enclosure, the oxygen generator including a chemical oxygen generation material for generating oxygen and being configured to discharge oxygen into the enclosure air. Further, a carbon dioxide removal device is disposable within the enclosure and includes an interior chamber and a reactive material disposed within the removal device chamber and configured to remove carbon dioxide from the enclosure air.
In another aspect, the present invention is a shelter for isolating at least one person from an environment having air. The shelter comprises an enclosure formed of an air impermeable material and disposable within the environment, the enclosure being configured to define an interior chamber. The enclosure is expansible from a storage configuration, in which the chamber has a minimum volume, to a usage configuration in which the chamber has a maximum volume, the maximum volume being of sufficient magnitude to entirely contain at least one person. The enclosure is further configured to contain a quantity of air within the chamber when disposed in the usage configuration and to at least one of substantially prevent entry of the environment air into the enclosure chamber and substantially prevent egress of enclosure air into the environment.
In a further aspect, the present invention is a method of constructing a shelter within a building having at least one room, the room having an interior space. The method comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of sheets of a generally flexible material, determining a number of sheets required to enclose a desired portion of the room interior space, and attaching each one of the required number of sheets to at least one of the other sheets so as to form a generally air impermeable enclosure, the enclosure being disposable within the desired room portion so as provide an interior chamber isolatable from a remainder of the room interior space.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is a shelter for isolating at least one person from an environment having air. The shelter comprises an enclosure disposable within the environment, formed of an air impermeable material and having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface bounding an interior chamber. The enclosure is configured to contain a quantity of air within the chamber and to maintain the chamber air substantially separated from the environment air. Further, a connector unit is attached to the enclosure and is configured to electrically connect at least one electrical device located within the enclosure chamber with an electrical power supply located within the environment. The connector unit is further configured to substantially prevent air flow through the connector unit.
In an even further aspect, the present invention is an oxygen generator for providing oxygen to a chamber of an enclosure, the chamber having a volume of a sufficient magnitude so as to entirely contain at least one person. The oxygen generator comprises a housing disposable within the enclosure chamber and having an interior chamber and an opening. The opening extends into the interior chamber and is fluidly connectable with the enclosure chamber. Further, a quantity of an oxygen-producing material is removably disposable within the housing chamber and is configured to generate oxygen by spontaneous chemical reaction. The housing is configured such that the oxygen generated by the material flows from the housing chamber, through the housing opening and into the enclosure chamber.
In yet an additional aspect, the present invention is an air treatment device for removing carbon dioxide from air contained within a chamber of an enclosure, the enclosure chamber having a volume of sufficient magnitude to entirely contain at least one person. The air treatment device comprises a housing disposable within the enclosure chamber and having an interior chamber, the chamber being configured to receive a quantity of a reactive material for removing carbon dioxide from air. An inlet port fluidly connects the housing chamber with the enclosure chamber and an outlet port fluidly connects the housing chamber with the enclosure chamber. Further, a fan is connected with the housing and is configured to initiate flow of a portion of the air within the enclosure chamber into the inlet port, through the housing chamber, out of the outlet port and back to the enclosure chamber.
In an even further additional aspect, the present invention is an air treatment device for removing carbon dioxide and water from air contained within a chamber of an enclosure, the enclosure chamber having a volume of sufficient magnitude to entirely contain at least one person. The air treatment device comprises first and second removal units disposable within the enclosure chamber. The first removal unit has an interior chamber, the chamber being configured to receive a quantity of a first reactive material for removing one of carbon dioxide and water from air, an inlet port fluidly connecting the interior chamber with the enclosure chamber, and an outlet port fluidly connected with the interior chamber. The second removal unit has an interior chamber, the second unit chamber being configured to receive a quantity of a second reactive material for removing the other one of carbon dioxide and water from air, an inlet port fluidly connected with the first unit outlet port and an outlet port fluidly connecting the second unit chamber with the enclosure chamber.
The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, which are diagrammatic, embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, left”, “lower”, “upper”, “upward”, “down” and “downward” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Further, as used herein, the word “connected” is intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbers are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
Preferably, the enclosure 12 is generally flexible and is configured to expand from a storage configuration (
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Preferably, when the vehicle V is a “land based” vehicle (i.e., car, truck, van, etc.), the enclosure 12 includes a first section 21A disposable within the vehicle chamber CV and a second section 21B disposable externally of the vehicle V. As the enclosure 12 is preferably expansible from a storage configuration (
Furthermore, as discussed in detail below, the enclosure 12 is preferably custom built or fit for one specific building B, vehicle V, or other environmental space within which it is intended to be used. Such an enclosure 12 is preferably constructed generally by the following method. A plurality of sheets 24 of a generally flexible, air impermeable material are provided and the number of sheets 24 required to enclose a desired portion of the room interior space SR or vehicle chamber space SV is determined. Each one of the required number of material sheets 24 is attached to at least one of the other sheets 24 so as to form the generally air impermeable enclosure 12, preferably the bag 13, such that the formed enclosure 12 is disposable within the desired room or chamber portion to provide an interior chamber CE isolatable from a remainder of the room interior space SR or vehicle chamber space SV, as discussed above and in further detail below.
Although preferably used within a building B or vehicle V, the shelter system 10 may be used within any other appropriate enclosed environment E, such as within a mine or cave (neither shown). Further, the shelter system 10 may also be used in a completely “open” environment, such as for example, in a yard, parking lot or a field, in woods, on a desert plain, on a mountain side, etc. The scope of the present invention includes these and all other appropriate applications of the shelter system 10.
Referring particularly to
Preferably, the oxygen-producing material 28 is provided as a granular mass of material that is placeable or “pourable” into the housing chamber 30, preferably through the opening 32. Most preferably, the oxygen generator 14 further comprises a supply 31 of oxygen-producing material 28 located externally of the housing chamber 30, such that the quantity Q of the material 28 within the housing chamber 30 is replenishable from the material supply 31. Further, the generator 14 also preferably comprises a quantity of a chemical reaction initiating material 34 disposable within the housing chamber 14, which is most preferably a volume of water 35. The oxygen-producing material 28 is contactable with the reaction initiating material 34 such that the oxygen-producing material 28 chemically reacts to produce oxygen, the oxygen-producing material 28 being a non-reactive or inert state until chemical reaction is initiated. Preferably, the water 35 is first placed or poured into the chamber 26, and then the oxygen-producing material 28 is disposed within (i.e., poured into) the water 35 so that chemical reaction is generally immediately initiated, as discussed below. Furthermore, the oxygen-generator device 14 also preferably comprises a catalyst material 36 disposed within the housing chamber 30 and contactable with the oxygen-producing material 28. The catalyst material 36 is configured to increase the rate of the chemical reaction of the oxygen-producing material 28, and thus the rate of oxygen production. The catalyst material 36 is preferably manganese acetate tetrahydrate and is preferably combined or mixed with the water 35 prior to pouring the preferred sodium percarbonate 28 into the water 35.
Referring now to
Preferably, the reactive material 18 is a carbon-dioxide absorbent, and most preferably, is a granular mass of calcium hydroxide, but may be any other appropriate carbon dioxide removal substance, as discussed below. Further, the treatment device 16 also preferably includes a sensor 47 configured to sense carbon-dioxide within the enclosure air AC and a controller 48 coupled with the sensor 47 and operatively connected with the fan 46. The controller 48 is configured to operate the fan 46 so as to maintain a level of carbon dioxide within the enclosure air AC below a predetermined value, as discussed in further detail below, although the fan 46 may alternatively be continuously operated or manually controlled.
Referring to
The fan 58 is connected with at least one of the two removal units 50, 52 and is configured to initiate flow of a portion of the air AC within the enclosure chamber CE into the first unit inlet port 62, through the first and second unit chambers 60, 61, out of the second unit outlet 65 and back to the enclosure chamber CE. As such, when the first reactive material 52 is disposed within the first unit chamber 60, the second reactive material 56 is disposed within the second unit chamber 61 and a portion FAC of the enclosure air AC flows through the two unit chambers 61, 62, at least a portion of any carbon dioxide within the air flow portion FAC is removed by one of the two reactive materials 52, 56 and at least a portion of any water within the air flow portion FAC is removed by the other one of the two reactive materials 56, 52.
Thereby, the total amount of carbon dioxide and water within the enclosure air AC is reduced so as to maintain habitable and relatively comfortable (i.e., less humid) conditions for the one or more persons located within the enclosure chamber CE. As with the first construction, the second construction treatment device 59 also preferably includes a sensor 67 configured to sense carbon dioxide within the enclosure air AC and a controller 68 coupled with the sensor 67 and operatively connected with the fan 58. The controller 68 is configured to operate the fan 58 so as to maintain a level of carbon dioxide within the air AC below a predetermined value, as discussed in further detail below, although the fan 58 may alternatively be continuously operated or manually controlled (i.e., switched on and off).
With the shelter system 10 described above, one or more persons are provided with a breathable atmosphere or air AC which is substantially isolated from the external, environment air AE and is sustainable for a prolonged period of time, such as for example, one or two weeks, a month or even longer. As such, the person(s) inhabiting the enclosure 12 are completely protected from exposure to any dangerous agents, i.e., hazardous chemicals, biological agents or radiological particles, that are suspended or dispersed within the environment air AB surrounding or within the building B, the vehicle V, or other environment B in which the shelter system 10 is located. Having described above the basic elements of the safe room system 10 of the present invention, each of these and additional components and/or systems are described in further detail below. Referring first to
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Preferably, the enclosure 12 further includes a plurality of connectors 76 disposed at various locations on the wall outer surfaces, particularly the ceiling wall outer surfaces 72b and the side wall outer surfaces 74a, that are configured to attach the enclosure walls 72, 74 (and possibly also the base walls 70) to proximal room walls, as discussed above. Most preferably, the connectors 76 are each a magnet or a metallic piece that is magnetically engageable with another magnet or metallic piece mounted on a proximal room wall RC or RS, such that each enclosure section 20 is removably attachable to the walls RC, RS of the associated room R. However, the connectors 76 may be any other type of fastener element, such as for example, mating hook and loop piles (i.e., Velcro®), hooks, tape, magnets, etc., capable of removably or non-removably attaching the enclosure walls 72, 74 (and possibly base wall(s) 50) to the associated room Rn.
Alternatively or in addition to the connectors 76, each enclosure section 20 may be provided with one or more supports 78 configured to maintain the enclosure 12 disposed in the deployed, usage configuration. Each support 78 is either contactable with an interior surface 72a, 74a of the enclosure 12 or is connectable with an exterior surface 72b, 72b of the enclosure 12. In one construction, the one or more supports 78 are each a frame 80 formed of a plurality of interconnected elongated members 82, most preferably as a generally rectangular truss. Each frame 80 has an upper end 80a contactable with the inner surface 72a of an enclosure ceiling wall 72 and configured to maintain the wall 72 spaced above the base wall 70, as best shown in
Referring to
Referring to
As with building enclosure described above, the truck enclosure 12 is formed as a sealable or encloseable, multi-portion bag 13 constructed of one or more relatively thin sheets 24 of a generally flexible material so as to be expansible from a storage configuration (
Preferably, the truck enclosure 12 further includes a connective portion 75 extending between and connecting the first and second chamber sections 21A, 21B. Specifically, each enclosure section 21A, 21B has a passage opening 71 and the connective portion 75 has opposing open ends 75a each connected with a separate one of the two passage openings 71. Further, each truck enclosure section 21A, 21B is generally rectangular and has a base wall 70, a ceiling wall 72 and four side walls 74 extending between and integrally connecting the base and ceiling walls 70, 72. As the truck compartment 96 is spaced above the ground surface S, the base wall 70 of the interior enclosure section 21A is spaced vertically above the exterior section base wall 70, such that the connective portion 75 is generally angled or “sloped” between the two enclosure sections 21A, 21B. Further, the decontamination enclosure 90 is generally rectangular and includes a base wall 93, a ceiling wall 95 spaced above the base wall 93 and three side walls 97 extending between and integrally connecting the base and side walls 93, 95. The decontamination enclosure 90 further has a first opening 92A extending between the decontamination chamber CD and the exterior environment E and a second opening 92B extending between the decontamination chamber CD and the exterior enclosure section 21B. A first removable cover 94A is configured to substantially seal the first opening 92A and a second removably cover 94B is configured to substantially seal the second opening 92B, the two covers 94A, 94B preventing any gases from entering the enclosure chamber CE. As discussed above, the decontamination enclosure 90 may be divided into a plurality of separated sections (not shown) to provide separate decontamination stages, and preferably includes decontamination equipment (e.g., chemicals, wash water, etc.) disposed within the chamber CD.
Furthermore, the interior chamber section 21A preferably includes a plurality of connectors 76, preferably magnets, disposed at various locations on the ceiling and side wall outer surfaces 72a, 74a, to removably connect the enclosure walls 72, 74 to the compartment roof 96b and sidewalls 96c, respectively. Additionally, the truck enclosure 12 also includes at least one and preferably a plurality of collapsible frames (not shown) disposable within the exterior chamber section CS2 and each having an upper end contactable with the exterior section ceiling wall 72. As such, the frames retain the ceiling wall 72 spaced above the base wall 70, and thus maintaining the exterior enclosure section 21A disposed in the usage configuration. When the truck enclosure 12 is in the storage configuration, the two enclosure sections 21A and 21B and the decontamination enclosure 90 are stored within the vehicle compartment 96. Further, the oxygen generator 14, the air treatment device 16, the frames, all supplies (food, water, etc.) and any other equipment desired to be used in the enclosure (e.g., radios, desks, patient beds, or operating tables, etc.) are stored within the chamber section CS1 of the collapsed or deployed enclosure interior section 21A.
Referring to
Furthermore, the aircraft enclosure 12 preferably includes a plurality of connectors 76, preferably magnets, disposed at various locations on the ceiling and side wall outer surfaces 72a, 74a, to removably connect the enclosure walls 72, 74 to the aircraft compartment roof 100b and side walls 100c, respectively, when the enclosure 12 is disposed in the usage configuration. Alternatively or additionally, the enclosure 12 may include one or more collapsible frames (none shown) disposable within the enclosure chamber CE and each having an upper end contactable with the ceiling wall 72 to maintain the ceiling wall 72 spaced above the base wall 70. Further, the oxygen generator 14, the air treatment device 16, the frame(s) 80, all supplies (food, water, etc.) and any other equipment desired to be used in the enclosure (e.g., radios, desks, patient beds, or operating tables, etc.) are stored within the enclosure chamber 12 collapsed or deployed enclosure interior section 21A. In addition to being useable as a safe environment for isolating persons from dangerous agents, the aircraft enclosure 12 may alternatively be used to transport exposed persons to a safe location, while preventing the substances on the exposed persons from escaping or leaking out of the enclosure chamber CE.
Referring to
As indicated in
An alternative structure of the first material sheet(s) 25A is a nine layer structure (not shown) consisting of a first, outer layer of linear low density polyethylene, a second, inner layer of adhesive, a third, inner layer of Valeron a fourth, inner layer of adhesive a fifth, inner layer of a metal foil or metallized substance, a sixth, inner layer is an adhesive, a seventh, inner layer formed of Valeron, an eighth, inner layer of adhesive, and a ninth, outer layer of liner low density polyethylene.
More specifically, the metal foil layer 110C is most preferably aluminum foil that is approximately 0.00035 inches thick and provides air impermeability. The Surlyn layers 110A, 110I are preferably each about two mils thick and provide a sealing layer. Specifically, the Surlyn layers 110A, 110I function to fuse with a corresponding layer 110A or 110I of another sheet 25A or 25B along a seam line 111 to form a joint 113, which may be single-overlapping (as shown), double-overlapping (as shown), or formed in any other appropriate manner. The Biax Nylon layer 110E is preferably sixty gage, and the Valeron layer 110G is preferably about three mils thick, the two layers 110E, 110G both providing strength and puncture resistance. Further, the four adhesive layers 110B, 110D, 110F and 110H each function to bond together the other five layers 110A, 110C, 110E, 110G, and 110I. Preferably, the first sheets 25A are each of a total thickness T1 of about 8 mils (0.008 inches) as indicated in
Referring to
Furthermore, each of the first and second material sheets 25A, 25B is preferably provided in the form of one or more rolls of material (not shown) of a relatively substantial length, preferably of about five hundred feet (500′) in length, and having a width of about (60″). An enclosure fabricator calculates the number of material sheets 24 (i.e., sheets 25A and possibly sheets 25B) required to enclose each of the buildings rooms R that are desired to be incorporated into the shelter 10. Then, the required number of material sheets 24 are cut or otherwise detached from the roll and are shaped to form the desired shape of each enclosure section 20. Preferably, the first material sheets 25A are sized and shaped first, the door opening(s) and the openings 29 for the windows 27 being provided therein (e.g., cut or punched). Then the first material sheets 25A are each attached to the other sheets 25A, preferably by applying heat (e.g., ironing) to each pair of overlapping sheet edges 23 so as to melt or fuse the sheet edges 23 into an air impermeable seam or joint 113 or 116. Preferably, all of the first material sheets 25A for each room or compartment of the shelter 12 are attached together to form an enclosure section or “shell” 120 for that room or compartment, in other words, without the windows 27 and the door covers 88. Thereafter, the second material sheets 25B are cut or otherwise shaped to fit within each window opening 29, if any windows are desired, and the edges 23 of each second sheet 25 are attached to one or more first sheets 25A so as to cover the window openings 29 and form the window(s) 27.
Referring to
Although the above material sheets 25A, 25B are preferred, it is within the scope of the present invention to form the enclosure 12 out of any other appropriate material, either formed as laminates of different materials or of a single material, and either as different material sheets or only a single type of sheet or even a single sheet or shell, as long as the formed enclosure 12 is sufficiently air impermeable to prevent fluid communication between the enclosure air AC and the building air AB and/or other environment air AE.
Referring now to
As discussed above, the oxygen-producing material 28 is preferably a granular mass of sodium percarbonate, but may alternatively be another appropriate material such as hydrogen peroxide, a source of hydrogen peroxide, a percarbonate salt, a perborate salt, a persulfate, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium peroxide, a peracid or another organic peroxide, or a source of peracid. The preferred oxygen-producing material 28 is preferably coated with another material that is configured to retain active oxygen within the oxygen-producing material 28 and to prevent caking thereof. Preferably, the coating material is silica, but may alternatively be borate, a water soluble surfactant, or any other coating including boron or magnesium or mixtures thereof, or any other appropriate material.
Further, as discussed above, a supply 31 of the oxygen-producing material 28 is preferably stored externally of the generator housing 26, most preferably within one or more containers 134, such as a storage bag 135 (one shown). Preferably, the material supply 31 has a total mass, about seventy-two pounds for each person in the shelter 10, sufficient to replenish the quantity of oxygen-producing material within the housing chamber 30 at least predetermined number of times, about six times, so that the percentage of oxygen within the enclosure air is maintained above the minimum value of 20% for at least a predetermined period of time, preferably at least seventy-two hours.
When it is desired to generate oxygen, either after expiration of a predetermined time period or when a low level of oxygen is detected, a person within the enclosure 12 preferably adds a quantity of the catalyst material 36 to a quantity of the water 35. As discussed above, the catalyst material 36 is preferably manganese acetate tetrahydrate, but may be any other appropriate material, such as for example, iron-tetra amido macrocyclic ligand, magnesium dioxide, or cellulase. Most preferably, the preferred catalyst material 36 is added to the preferred chemical reaction initiating material 34 in a ratio of one-quarter ounce of manganese acetate tetrahydrate to each one gallon of water 35.
The person then pours a predetermined quantity of the water 35 and catalyst material 36, preferably about one or two gallons of water 35, into housing opening 32 and into the chamber 30. Next, the person removes a quantity of the oxygen-producing material 28, preferably about six pounds, from the supply 31, most preferably by merely handling one of the storage bags 135. Then, the person places or pours the material 28 into housing opening 32 such that the material enters the interior chamber 30. Once the oxygen-producing material 28 contacts the water 35 and catalyst material 36, the material 28 begins reacting and generating oxygen, which flows out of the chamber 30, through the housing opening 32 and into the enclosure chamber EC. The preferred percarbonate material 28 is preferably added to the water 35 and catalyst material 36 in a ratio of about twelve pounds of oxygen-producing material to each gallon of the mixture of water 35 and catalyst material 36.
Further, the oxygen-producing material 28 produces a waste byproduct 136, in the form of a sludge, that is removable from the housing 26 when the entire quantity of material 28 has reacted. Such waste product removal should be performed, preferably by tilting the housing 26 to enable the product 136 to flow out of the opening 32 and into a waste container (not shown) to evacuate the housing chamber 30 to enable another quantity of oxygen-producing material 28 to be disposed or placed within the housing chamber 30.
Referring now to
The chemical oxygen generation device 140 is preferably an oxygen candle 144 formed of a chlorate material, most preferably sodium chlorate (NaClO3). The oxygen candle 144 preferably further includes an igniter device 143, such as an ignition match (not shown), disposed on the upper end of the container 145 and configured to ignite the chlorate material. Once ignited, the chlorate material continues to consume itself by means of an exothermic chemical reaction so as to release substantial quantities of oxygen. Alternatively, the oxygen candle 144 may be formed of another similar type of material (e.g., lithium perchlorate, etc.). Further, the oxygen generation device 140 may be formed of another oxygen generating chemical, such as for example, potassium superoxide, that generates or releases oxygen with the addition of another chemical (e.g., water) or by any other type of chemical process.
The preferred oxygen candle 144 is relatively large and has a diameter of about six and one-quarter inches (6¼″) and a height of about eleven and one-half inches (11-½″) and contains sufficient chlorate material to generates oxygen at a rate of about sixty-six (66) liters/min for about fifty (50) minutes, and thus generates a total volume of about thirty-three hundred (3,300) liters of oxygen. Most preferably, the candle 144 is a part number 85984 chlorate candle available from Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) of Pittsburgh, Pa. If the oxygen generated by the preferred candle 144 is released directly into the enclosure 12, the percentage of oxygen in the enclosure air AC would quickly rise above a level at which the enclosure air AC becomes potentially flammable, generally over twenty-three point five percent (23.5%) oxygen, and will likely eventually rise to a level at which the atmosphere AE may become toxic to humans, generally over 50% oxygen. In other words, at higher levels of oxygen for a prolonged period of time (e.g., three days, one week, etc.), humans generally develop negative health issues, including negative pulmonary effects, such as diminished lung capacity and other breathing maladies, and central nervous system issues that may lead to seizures. Therefore, the oxygen generator 14 preferably includes the emitter device 142, as described above and in further detail below, which functions to release the oxygen generated by the candle 144 into the enclosure atmosphere AE at much lower rate than the rate at which the candle 144 generates oxygen. More specifically, the emitter device 142 is configured to controllably release the oxygen generated by the candle 144 to maintain the percentage of oxygen in the enclosure atmosphere AE generally at a preferred level of about 20.9%.
Still referring to
Preferably, the emitter housing 148 includes a generally cylindrical, generally enclosed shell or tank 156 bounding the interior chamber 146 and a base 157 configured to support the tank 156. The housing tank 156 is preferably formed as a pressure vessel capable of withstanding or “rated” for fluid pressures of at least two hundred (200) pounds per square inches (psi) and is preferably sized to contain at least eighty (80) gallons of fluid at the two hundred psi rating. The base 157 is preferably formed as a cylindrical wall or rim 159 attached to the tank lower end wall 158B, as depicted in
Preferably, the emitter device 142 further comprises a holder 168 disposed within the housing interior chamber 146 and configured to releasably retain at least one candle 144. The holder 168 preferably includes a cylindrical base 170 disposed upon the housing lower end wall 158B and sized to receive and retain the lower end of the candle 144, and at least one and preferably two guide rings 176 connected with the base 170 by a plurality of vertical rods 178. The rings 176 are sized so as to guide a candle 144 into the base 170 and also function to support the candle 144 when disposed within the holder 168. Further, the emitter device 142 preferably includes a chute 174 having a first, upper end 175a attached to the inner surface of the tank side wall 160 beneath the upper access opening 172A and a second, lower end 175b located proximal to the upper guide ring 176. As such, a candle 144 may be installed into the holder 168 inserting the candle 144 through the upper access opening 172A, guiding the candle 144 down the chute 174 and into the upper guide ring 176, and then allowing the candle 144 to slide down into the holder base 170. Preferably, a person installing a candle 144 into the holder 168 inserts one of their arms through the lower access opening 172B in order to better guide the candle 144 into the holder 168. Further, to ignite the candle 144, a person inserts one arm through the upper access opening 172A and then activates the igniter 143, such as by striking the igniter 143 with a hammer (not shown), such that the candle 144 begins to generate oxygen. The person then withdraws their arm and seals the upper access opening 172A with the associated door 164.
Referring to
Preferably, the emitter device 142 further comprises a sensor 184 configured to sense the percentage of oxygen within the enclosure atmosphere AE and a control 186 coupled with the sensor 184 and with the solenoid valve 182. The control 186 is configured to automatically adjust the solenoid valve 182 to decrease the oxygen flow rate, preferably to about zero, when the sensed oxygen percentage is above a desired maximum value, preferably about twenty-two percent (22%). More specifically, the control 186 is configured to actuate the solenoid 182 so as to close the valve 182 when the sensed oxygen percentage within the enclosure atmosphere AE is above the maximum value. In addition, the control 186 is also preferably further configured to open the solenoid valve 182 when the sensed oxygen percentage is below a desired minimum value, preferably about twenty percent (20%). As such, the control 186 functions to generally maintain the oxygen composition within the enclosure atmosphere generally about the percentages in normal atmospheric conditions so as to contribute to the comfort and health of the persons located within the enclosure 12.
Referring particularly to
Referring now to
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More specifically, the support member 228 is spaced vertically above, and extends generally parallel with, the housing bottom wall 222. Preferably, the inlet port 42 is directly fluidly connected with the lower chamber section 17a and the outlet port 44 is directly fluidly connected with the upper chamber section 17b. Furthermore, the support member 228 has an upper surface 228a for supporting the reactive material 18, an opposing lower surface 228b, and at least one and preferably a plurality of flow passages 230. Each flow passage 230 extends between the upper and lower surfaces 228a, 228b and fluidly connects the upper and lower chamber sections 17a, 17b, as discussed below. Preferably, the support member 228 includes or is provided by a generally circular plate or screen 232 having a plurality of through-holes each providing a separate flow passage 230. The support member plate 232 is retained spaced above the wall 222 by friction or interference between the plate outer edge 232a and the side wall inner surface 224a, but may be retained in position by any other appropriate means, such as brackets, fasteners, one or more ledges, etc.
Further, the first construction treatment device 39 also includes an elongated fluid channeling member 236 fluidly connected with the housing inlet 42. The channeling member 236 is configured to channel into the housing chamber 17 enclosure air portions FAC from a location(s) spaced from the outlet port 44, so as to avoid reprocessing treated air portions FAC. The channeling member 236 has an outlet 236a fluidly connected with the inlet port 42 and an inlet 236b spaced from the housing 40. The fluid channeling member 236 is preferably a generally flexible tube or hose, but may be provided by any other appropriate device (e.g., a rigid pipe).
Still referring to
Further, the carbon-dioxide sensor 47 is configured to continuously sense or monitor the level or percentage of carbon dioxide within the enclosure air AC. Preferably, the sensor 47 has an indicator or read-out configured to provide information corresponding to the carbon-dioxide level, such as for example, an LCD screen providing the carbon dioxide level in parts per million or percentage in the enclosure air AC. Preferably, the sensor 47 is provided by a carbon-dioxide monitoring device 240, most preferably a commercially available TR9500 CO2 Sensor from Airtest Technologies Inc. of Delta, British Columbia, Canada, but may be provided by any other appropriate carbon-dioxide sensor or sensing device. With the preferred monitoring device 240 also has an alarm unit (not shown), such as a horn or light, configured to provide an audible or visual alarm when the carbon-dioxide level reaches a predetermined limit, such as for example five thousand, eight hundred parts per million (5,800 ppm).
Furthermore, the controller 48 is coupled with the sensor 47 and is configured to activate the fan 46 when the sensed carbon-dioxide level is above a predetermined value or level, for example, five thousand parts per million. The controller 48 is further configured to deactivate the fan 46 when the carbon-dioxide level is below a predetermined level, for example fifteen hundred (1500) parts per million. More specifically, the controller 48 is preferably electrically coupled with the fan 46, either directly or through the power supply 234 (e.g., battery 236), and is configured to electrically couple the fan 46 to the power supply 234 and to alternatively decouple or disconnect the fan 46 from the supply 234. The controller 48 may be any other appropriate device capable of controllably operating the fan 46 in response to the sensed carbon dioxide level, such as for example, a microprocessor or a PLC.
Still referring to
Preferably, the reactive material 18 is a carbon-dioxide absorbent containing an alkali hydroxide, such as calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, etc., and is most preferably SodaSorb® HP Indicating manufactured by the W.R. Grace company. Being SodaSorb®, the reactive material 18 changes color from white to purple when the capacity of the material 18 to absorb carbon-dioxide is exhausted. As such, at least one person inhabiting the enclosure 12 should monitor the material 18 and periodically remove the exhausted material and pour in “fresh” material form a source, such as a bucket or barrel (none shown) filled with the material 18. Although the SodaSorb® is preferred, the reactive material 18 may be any other appropriate carbon dioxide absorbent or even another type of material configured to react with and remove carbon dioxide from air. Furthermore, the reactive material 18 is mixed with a certain amount of an odor absorbent material, most preferably Purafill® (not indicated), such that odors are also removed from the air flow when the flow passes through the chamber 17.
With the structure as described above, the first preferred construction 39 of the air treatment device 16 basically functions as follows. When the carbon dioxide level in the enclosure air AC reaches a certain level, preferably as determined by the monitoring device 240, the controller 48 activates the fan 46 or if no controller is provided, a person in the enclosure 12 uses a switch or other means to activate the fan 46. The operating or “rotating” fan 46 causes a portion FAC of the enclosure air AC to be drawn into the channeling member inlet 236b or directly into the inlet port 42 if no channeling member is provided. The air portion flow FAC passes through the channeling member 236, through the fan blades 46a and into the housing inlet port 42. The air flow FAC enters the lower chamber section 17a, passes through the support member passages 230 and flows through the mass of reactive material 18 within the upper chamber section 17a. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide within the air flow FAC reacts with the granules of reactive material 18 and is removed thereby. The “treated” air flow portion FAC, having a substantially reduced carbon-dioxide content, flows out of housing outlet port 44 and mixes back with a remainder of the enclosure air AC. Preferably, when the overall carbon dioxide level in the enclosure air AE is reduced below a certain level, the controller 48 deactivates or “turns off” the fan 46 by decoupling the fan from the power supply, or a person may manually turn off the fan 46. Such intermittent operation of the fan 46 is preferred to conserve energy, particularly when the power supply 234 is one or more batteries, but the fan 46 may alternatively be in constant operation.
Referring now to
The first removal unit 50 includes a housing 250 with a cavity 252 providing the interior chamber 60 and an outer surface 250a, the inlet port 62 and outlet port 64 extending between the unit housing outer surface 250a and the housing cavity 252. Preferably, the housing 250 includes a generally enclosed, generally cylindrical body 254 having a generally horizontal bottom wall 256, a top wall 258 spaced vertically from the bottom wall 256, and a generally vertical tubular side wall 260. The sidewall 260 extends between the bottom and top walls 256, 258, and preferably has a lower end 260a connected with the bottom wall 256 and a free upper end 260b. The top wall 258 preferably includes a cover or plate 264 removably connectable with the side wall upper end 260a so as to provide entrance into the interior chamber 60. Further, each of the body walls 256, 258 and 260 has an inner surface 256a, 258a, and 260a, respectively, which define the interior chamber 60. Furthermore, the side wall 224 preferably has a lower opening 266 and an upper opening 268 each formed therewithin (e.g., cut, punched, drilled), the lower opening 266 providing the inlet port 62 and the upper opening 268 providing the outlet port 64. Most preferably, the housing 250 is provided by a commercially available, generally cylindrical drum, but may be specially manufactured and/or formed in any other appropriate structure.
Further, the housing 250 also includes a support member 270 disposed within the housing chamber 60, so as to divide the chamber 60 into a lower chamber section 60a and an upper chamber section 60b. More specifically, the support member 270 is spaced vertically above, and extends generally parallel with, the housing bottom wall 256. Preferably, the inlet port 62 is directly fluidly connected with the lower chamber section 60a and the outlet port 64 is directly fluidly connected with the upper chamber section 60b. Furthermore, the support member 270 has an upper surface 270a for supporting the first reactive material 52, an opposing lower surface 270b, and at least one and preferably a plurality of flow passages 272 each extending between the upper and lower surfaces 270a, 270b to fluidly connect the upper and lower chamber sections 60a, 60b. Preferably, the support member 270 includes or is provided by a generally circular, perforated plate or screen 274 having a plurality of through-holes each providing a separate flow passage 272. The support member plate 270 is retained spaced above the bottom wall 256 by friction or interference, but may be retained by any other appropriate means (e.g., brackets, fasteners, ledge(s)).
Further, the second removal unit 54 includes a housing 275 constructed generally identically as the housing 40 of the air treatment device first construction 39 as described above. Specifically, the housing 275 has inner wall surfaces 222a, 224a defining the second unit housing chamber 61, an upper open end 224a defining the second unit outlet port 65, and an opening 225 formed in the side wall 224 providing the second unit inlet port 63. Further, a support member 228 is disposed within and dividing the chamber 61 into lower and upper chamber sections 61a, 61b fluidly connected by passages 230, the inlet port 63 being fluidly connected with the lower chamber section 61a. Although the second removal unit 54 is preferably formed generally identically as the first treatment device construction 39, the second removal unit 54 may be formed in any other appropriate construction that enables the second treatment device construction 59 to function generally as described herein.
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Further, the fan 58 of the second construction treatment device 59 is preferably disposed within or located adjacent to the upper opening 168 of the first unit housing 250, so as to be supported by the housing 250. However, the fan 58 may alternatively be disposed at any other appropriate location, such as within the channeling member 280, within the inlet opening 225 of the second unit housing 275, within either chamber 60, 61. As with the first construction fan 46, the fan 58 is preferably electrically powered and operated by a controller 48 connected with a sensor 47 of a monitoring device 240. Furthermore, the fan 58 is most preferably either an ETRI Model 595DH fan or a Nidec Model A34148 fan, but may be any other appropriate available fan or even a specially manufactured device.
As discussed above, one of the first and second reactive materials 52, 56 is a desiccant configured to remove water from air and the other material 52, 56 is a carbon-dioxide absorbent. Most preferably, the first reactive material 52 is a desiccant 53 and the second reactive material 56 is the carbon-dioxide absorbent 55, such that the first removal unit 50 functions to remove water and the second removal unit functions to remove carbon dioxide. However, the first material 52 may be the carbon dioxide absorbent and the second material 54 may be the desiccant, such that the functions of the removal units are reversed. The desiccant is preferably calcium chloride, for example PELADOW® calcium chloride pellet or DOWFLAKE®, calcium chloride flake from the Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich. Alternatively, the desiccant may be silica gel, which is a partially dehydrated form of polymeric colloidal silicic acid, or Calcium oxide, which is calcinated or recalcinated lime, or Calcium Sulfate, better known commercially as DRIERITE® from W.A. Hammond DRIERITE Co., Ltd., of Xenia, Ohio. The carbon dioxide absorbent is preferably SodaSorb, as discussed above, may alternatively be a granular mass of calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide, or a combination of these with soda lime, for example, SOFNOLIME from Molecular Products of the United Kingdom.
With the above structure, the second preferred construction 59 of the air treatment device 16 basically functions as follows. When the preferred monitoring device 240 determines that the carbon-dioxide level exceeds the desired limit, the preferred controller 48 activates the fan 58, which causes a portion FAC of the enclosure air AE to be drawn into the first unit inlet port 62. The air flow portion FAC enters the lower chamber section 60a and then flows through the passages 272 and into the mass of desiccant material, such that at least a portion of any water in the air flow portion FAC is removed by contact with the desiccant. The air flow portion FAC then flows through the upper chamber section 60a, passes through the fan 58 and throughout the channeling member 280 and enters the second unit inlet port 63. The air flow FAC enters the lower chamber section 61a, passes through the support member passages 230 and flows through the mass of carbon dioxide absorbent material 56 within the upper chamber section 61b, such that at least a portion of the carbon dioxide within the air flow FAC reacts with the granules of reactive material 56. The “treated” air flow portion FAC, having a substantially reduced carbon-dioxide content, flows out of housing outlet port 65 and mixes back with a remainder of the enclosure air AC. Thereby, the total amount of carbon dioxide and water within the enclosure air AC is reduced. Such air flow through the treatment device 16 occurs generally continuously until the overall carbon dioxide level in the enclosure air AE is reduced below a certain level. At that point, the preferred controller 48 deactivates or “turns off” the fan 58 or a person within the enclosure 12 may manually turn off the fan 58.
Although the above structure is presently preferred, the second construction air treatment device 59 may be formed in any other appropriate manner. For example, the second construction 59 may include a single housing 290 for both removal units 50, 52, as shown in
Referring to
Preferably, the housing 302 is formed as a generally hollow, cylindrical body 316 having an open upper end 316a and a closed lower end 316b. More specifically, the cylindrical body 316 includes a circular base wall 318 and a generally tubular sidewall 320 having a lower end 320a attached to the base wall 318 and an upper end 320b forming an opening 322. Preferably, the side wall 320 has a tapering diameter that increases from the lower end 320a to the upper end 320b, such that the diameter (not indicated) of the opening 322 is larger than the diameter (not indicated) of the base wall 318, for reasons discussed below. Further, the sidewall upper end 320b preferably includes a pair of generally aligned notches 324 used to support the preferred fluid channeling device 306, as described below.
Furthermore, the air treatment device third construction 300 preferably further comprises a screen 326 disposed within the housing 302 and configured to generally divide the housing interior chamber 304 into a first, material retainer subchamber 328 and a second, flow or plenum subchamber 330. The screen 326 is further configured to fluidly connect the two chambers 328, 330. More specifically, the screen 326 has a plurality of flow ports or openings 327 each extending between and fluidly connecting the material subchamber 328 and the plenum subchamber 330. Further, the screen 326 also preferably includes a central opening 329 sized to receive a portion of the preferred fluid channeling device 306 such that the fluid channeling device 306 extends between the two chambers 328 and 330. Preferably, the screen 326 is provided by a circular metal plate having the openings 327, 329 formed or cut therein, but may alternatively be provided by a mesh or other type of wire screen. With the tapered housing body 316 as described above, the screen 326 fits within the cylindrical body 316 such that the outer perimeter 326a of the screen fits or wedges against the inner surface 321 of the sidewall 320, thereby centering the central opening 329 within the housing 302. Further, the diameter of the screen 326 is preferably sized such that screen 326 becomes located at about a pre-selected height above the housing base wall 318, thereby establishing the plenum subchamber 330 having about a particular predetermined volume.
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Preferably, each of the two inlet pipes 334 and 342 includes a bended, generally L-shaped tubular body 344 with a first open end 344a providing the two inlets 308 and 346 and a second open end 344b attached to the connector 338. When the channeling device 306 is installed into the housing 302 as described above, each inlet pipe body 344 has a first portion 345 extending generally horizontally from the connector 338 and outwardly across the sidewall top end 320b, and a second, generally vertical portion 347 extending downwardly along the sidewall 320 such that the inlets 308 and 346 are disposed generally about the same height as the housing base wall 318. As such, the air flow initiated by the fan 314 draws air located at a lower height within the disclosure atmosphere AE, which contains a greater percentage of carbon dioxide as carbon dioxide has a substantially greater mass than oxygen. Further, the second, outlet pipe 336 has a generally straight, generally vertical tubular body 350 with a first open end 350a providing the outlet 310 and a second open end 350b attached to the connector 338. Preferably a stepped adapter collar 352 connects the outlet pipe 336 with the connector 338 as the pipe second end 350b has a smaller diameter than the connector opening into which the pipe 336 is fluidly connected, as discussed below.
Furthermore, the connector 338 has an interior chamber 339 fluidly connected with the passage 312 and sized to receive the fan 314, such that the fan 314 is preferably supported by the channeling device 306.
Further, the connector 338 is preferably formed with a T-shaped body 354 having two inlet openings 356, an outlet opening 358 and two passages 359 extending between and fluidly connecting the openings 356 and 358, the chamber 339 being formed at the intersection of the connector passages 359. Most preferably, the connector 338 is provided by a commercially available “Tee” pipe connector, but may be specially manufactured or formed with any other appropriate shape (e.g., an elbow or block), particularly if the channeling device 306 includes only a single inlet pipe 334. Furthermore, the diverter 340 preferably has a T-shaped body 360 having three openings, an inlet opening 362 and two outlet openings 364, and an interior passage 366 extending between and fluidly connecting the inlet opening 362 with the two outlet openings 364. Most preferably, the outlet pipe 336 and the diverter 340 are integrally formed and provided by a commercially available Tee-pipe, but may be formed of separate parts joined together by appropriate means, such as a threaded connection, adhesive material, weldment, etc.
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Furthermore, the reactive material 18 is a preferably in the form of a granular mass and is refillably disposed within the material retainer subchamber 328 by filling or pouring the mass of granules into the housing upper end 320b. The granules of reactive material 18 fall upon the screen 326 and accumulates within the retainer chamber 328 until the material mass reaches a particular height HM above the screen 326, which is important for reasons discussed above. As with the treatment devices discussed above, the reactive material 18 is preferably a carbon dioxide absorbent containing an alkali hydroxide, and is most preferably SodaSorb® HP Indicating mixed with an odor absorbent, as discussed above.
With the structure as described above, the air treatment device third construction 300 basically functions as follows. The fan 314 is started, either automatically by a controller or manually by a switch (neither shown), causing an air flow FAC to be drawn from the enclosure air AE and into the each inlet 308. The air flow FAC passes through the fan blades 314a and into the outlet pipe 336, enters the diverter 340, and is divided into separate two flow portions that spread across the plenum chamber 330. The air becomes pressurized within the plenum chamber 330 and then the pressurized air flow FAC passes vertically upwardly through the screen openings 327 into the retainer subchamber 328. The air reacts, with the granules of reactive material 18 within the chamber 328, such that carbon dioxide is removed from the air flow FAC and then the flow FAC passes out of the housing 302 through the housing opening 322.
Referring now to
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The connector unit 400 includes a base 420 connectable with the enclosure 12 and having at least one and preferably a plurality of line passages 422 each sized to receive a portion of an electrical line 424, a fluid line 426 or a waste line 427, such that the line(s) 424, 426, 427 extend between the environment E and the enclosure chamber CE through the base 420. The base 420 preferably includes a generally rectangular connector box 428 configured to support the various lines 424, 426 and 427, as described below, and a relatively larger, generally rectangular stand 429 disposed beneath and configured to support the box 428. Preferably, the enclosure 12 has a connector opening 431 extending through one of the side walls 74 and having edges/edge surfaces 431a. The box 428 is disposed within or adjacent to the enclosure opening 431, with the opening edges 431a being attached to the box 428, most preferably to an interior wall 434 thereof, so as to thereby attach the connector unit 400 to the enclosure 12. The opening 431 is sealed, preferably by means of a flexible sealant material (e.g., tape) overlapping the opening edges 431 and the wall face 434a, to substantially prevent air flow therethrough, and thus preventing environment air E from entering, and enclosure air AC from exiting, the enclosure chamber CE. Further, when the connector unit 400 is attached to the enclosure 12, the stand 429 is preferably disposed externally of the enclosure 12.
Preferably, the connector box 428 includes two spaced apart, interior and exterior interface walls 434, 436 and four side walls 437 extending between and connecting the interface walls 434, 436, the six walls 434, 436, 437 defining an interior chamber 430. The interface walls 434, 436 each have at least one and preferably a plurality of interior and exterior openings 435, 437, respectively, each wall opening 435, 437 being aligned with a corresponding opening 437, 435 of the other wall 436, 434, respectively. As such, each pair of aligned openings 435, 437 provides the opposing ends of a separate one of the line passages 422. Further, the base 420 includes a mass of sealant material 438 disposed within the box interior chamber 430 and configured to substantially prevent air flow through the base 420, and particularly to prevent any environment air AE that may enter the outer openings 437 from flowing to the inner openings 435. Preferably, the sealant material 438 is a filler substance that is pourable into the box chamber 430 in a fluid or semi-fluid state and hardenable into a generally solid mass that substantially occupies the chamber 430 and seals all openings therethrough, such that air flow through the chamber 430 is substantially prevented. Preferably, the sealant material 438 is either polyurethane foam or potting compound, but any other appropriate filler substance may alternatively be used.
Presently, the connector unit 400 preferably includes the following electrical lines 424, fluid lines 426, and waste line 427. At least one and preferably two of the electrical lines 424 are each a power line 442 engageable with at least one electrical device 402 located within the enclosure 12. Specifically, each power line 442 includes an inner socket 444A disposed within one inner wall opening 435, an outer socket 444B disposed within the aligned outer opening 437, and three conductive wires 446 extending between the two sockets 444A, 444B. The inner sockets 444A are each configured to accept a male plug (not shown) from an electric device 402 (as discussed above), such that the inner socket provides a “power outlet”. The outer sockets 444B are each configured to either accept a plug from a power cord (not shown) connected to a standard electrical outlet PE in the environment E or are alternatively “hard wired” directly into a power line (not shown) located in the environment E. Alternatively, one or more of the power lines 442 may be hard-wired directly to both a power line in the environment E and an electrical device 402 in the enclosure chamber CE. Further, three other preferred electrical lines 424 are a cable television line 448, an Ethernet line 450, and a phone line 452, each having an inner socket 448a, 450a, 452a, an outer socket 448b, 450b, and 452b, and a conductive wire 448c, 450c, 452c, respectively, extending therebetween, as best shown in
Further, at least one and preferably two fluid lines 426 are each a water supply line 458 configured to permit water to flow into the enclosure chamber EC. Each water supply line 458 preferably includes a fluid channeling member 460, preferably a standard tubular pipe, having a portion 461 disposed within one pair of aligned wall openings 435, 437 so as to extend through a line passage 422 of the box 428. Preferably, one end 460b of the pipe 462 is fluidly connected with a water piping system 408 in the environment E, such as a conventional home or building water system, and the other end 460a is connected with a faucet 464 disposed within the enclosure chamber CE, as best shown in
As best shown in
As depicted in
Still referring to
Further, the shelter system 10 is preferably provided with a sufficient quantity of oxygen generating material 28, reaction initiating material 34 and catalyst 36 (or alternatively oxygen candles 144) for the oxygen generator 14, a sufficient quantity of reactive material 18, preferably the carbon dioxide absorbent 56, and desiccant material 53 for the air treatment device 16, the various materials being disposed within appropriate containers (e.g., buckets, bags, etc.), and a plurality of spare batteries 236 or 372 for the fans 46 or 58, stored within at least one enclosure section 20 so as to be readily available for use. Further, a sufficient supply of food and drinking water should also be stored within the collapsed enclosure 12 such a desired number of persons are sustainable within the shelter system 10 for a prolonged period (e.g., two or four weeks). Referring now to
Preferably, the enclosure door opening(s) 86 remain opened for an initial period after the enclosure 12 is deployed, if no dangerous agents are present in the immediate vicinity of the building B, in order to fill the enclosure interior space with an initial atmosphere AE, and then the door opening(s) 58 are sealed with the cover(s) 60. At some point, either once the enclosure air AC is isolated or sealed from the environment air AE, or a period of time thereafter, a person within the enclosure 12 places or pours a quantity of the reaction initiating material 34, catalyst material 36 and oxygen generating material 28 within the oxygen generator 14 such that oxygen begins to flow into the enclosure air AC. This oxygen generating process is repeated periodically, preferably about every twelve hours, for the duration of the time the one or more persons spend within the sealed enclosure chamber CE.
Further, after the enclosure 12 is sealed, a person places reactive material 18 within the air treatment device 16, and preferably both a desiccant 52 and a carbon dioxide absorbent 56 within the chambers 60, 61, respectively, of the preferred device 16. Preferably, the monitoring device 240 controls the fan 58 (or 46) of the treatment device 16 to operate the device 16 to remove carbon dioxide from the enclosure air AC when the carbon-dioxide level rises above the predetermined limit as discussed above. Alternatively, the fan 58 or 46 may operate continuously, such as when the connector unit 400 provides electricity, or may be manually operated by a person in the enclosure 12 (i.e., by means of a switch). Furthermore, the person(s) will periodically replace the reactive material 18 when exhausted. Additionally, depending on the size of the total enclosure chamber CE and the number of persons isolated or sheltered therein, two or more oxygen generators 14 and/or air treatment devices 16 may be utilized in the shelter system 10.
Similar procedures are used for a vehicle enclosure 12, as described above. With a land-based vehicle application, such as a truck T, the interior enclosure section 21A may be separately deployed using the connectors 76 and/or frames 80, while the one or more exterior sections 21B, etc. and decontamination enclosure 90 remain located within the vehicle compartment 96. As such, one or more persons may be isolated within the enclosure chamber CE while the truck T travels to a desired location. When such a location is reached, the one or more exterior enclosure sections 20 and the decontamination enclosure 90 are deployed, and preferably maintained in the deployed configuration using one or more frames 80. The oxygen generator 14 and air treatment device 16 are operated as discussed above.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the appended claims.
This application is a 371 of PCT/US2004/024951, filed on Jul. 30, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/491,455, filed on Jul. 31, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/532,218, filed on Dec. 23, 2003.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US04/24951 | 7/30/2004 | WO | 9/5/2006 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60491455 | Jul 2003 | US |
