Abstract: An ionic conduction device of the kind including a tri-layer including an electrolytic membrane having a pair of opposed surfaces, and a gas permeable electrode in contact with each opposed surface. The device has a first gas flow path for a first gas across one of the opposed surfaces, and second gas flow path for a second gas across the one of the opposed surfaces, and a third gas flow path for a third gas along the other of the opposed surfaces of the membrane. The device includes a fourth flow path through the device for a heat exchanging fluid. The fourth flow path bringing the heat exchanging fluid into heat exchange relationship with the tri-layer.

Abstract: A breathing gas supply system for supplying breathable gas in an aircraft includes an oxygen enriching apparatus which is operable in at least two modes to provide product gas with varying oxygen concentrations. A first feed line feeds more highly enriched product gas to one or more breathing gas outlets, and a second feed line feeds less highly enriched product gas e.g. to an aircraft cabin for breathing during normal high altitude flight. A control means controls oxygen enrichment apparatus to provide highly enriched product gas to the breathing gas outlet or outlets in the first mode of operation or less highly enriched product gas e.g. to the cabin for normal breathing, and controls a diverter valve. Which directs the product gas to the respective feed line.

Abstract: A method of testing a system including a plurality of modules, each of which in use, produces from an air supply, a product gas which is one of oxygen gas and oxygen enriched gas, the method including providing to an inlet to at least one of the modules, when the module is not in use, a restricted air supply, and at an outlet of the module, sensing at least one of the oxygen concentration and product gas pressure, and analysing the sensed oxygen concentration and/or product gas pressure during a test period to determine the potential performance of the module in use.

Abstract: A method of installing a molecular sieve bed gas enrichment system in a vehicle such as an aircraft. A system controller, a product gas distribution conduit, a high pressure gas supply conduit which extends from a high pressure gas source, and a plurality of molecular sieve beds are installed in the vehicle. Each sieve bed has a first port which delivers product gas through a check valve to an outlet duct. Each sieve bed also includes a second port connected to a valve assembly which is controlled by the system controller to connect the second port either to a gas supply duct during a charging phase or to a venting duct during a venting phase. The outlet duct for each sieve bed is connected to the product gas distribution conduit, and the gas supply duct for each sieve bed is connected to the high pressure gas supply conduit.

Abstract: A gas bottle assembly includes a container for containing a pressurized gas, and an operating head, the operating head including a valve member which in the absence of any demand for the gas, is positioned close to a valve seat such as to permit only a minimal flow of gas from the container past the valve seat, and an actuator moveable to move the valve member away from the valve seat thereby to permit a greater flow of gas past the valve seat, to an outlet for use, and wherein the actuator includes a plunger with which the valve member is integral or to which the valve member is affixed, and the actuator includes a piston part which is movable in a piston chamber in one direction in response an actuator spring acting at a first side of the piston part, to move the valve member away from the seat, and in an opposite direction in response to a combination of gas pressure and a valve return spring which is located in the piston chamber at a second opposite side of the piston part to the actuator spring.

Abstract: A life-support system for an aircraft B includes a first oxygen supply apparatus A operable to provide a limited supply of first product gas being one of pure oxygen and oxygen enriched gas, to a breathing gas supply apparatus 12, 13, 14, and a second oxygen supply apparatus B operable to supply a durable supply of second product gas which is an oxygen enriched gas containing a lower concentration of oxygen than that in the first product gas, to the breathing gas supply apparatus 12, 13, 14, wherein the second product gas is supplied as the pressure which is higher than that at which the first product gas is supplied to the breathing gas supply apparatus 12, 13, 14.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying pressurized gas to a plurality of gas outlets from an upstream gas supply, in which each of the plurality of gas outlets in use is connected to a common gas feed line via a respective valve, each valve being adapted to close to prevent the flow of gas downstream of the valve in the event of the integrity of the feed line being breached downstream of the respective valve, to prevent the escape of gas from the breached feed line, and wherein each valve includes a valve member which is moveable into engagement with a valve seat to close the valve, and a valve member damping means to resist movement of the valve member into engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: A method of operating a life support system for an aircraft, the system including a plurality of oxygen supply apparatus, each of which in use is operable to supply product gas, which may be pure oxygen or oxygen enriched gas, to a breathing gas supply apparatus, at least one of the oxygen supply apparatus being a main oxygen supply apparatus and the remainder of the oxygen supply apparatus being auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, the main oxygen supply apparatus being operable independently of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, characterized in that the method includes operating the main oxygen supply apparatus and supplying product gas to each of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying pressurized gas to a plurality of gas outlets from an upstream gas supply, in which each of the plurality of gas outlets in use is connected to a common gas feed line via a respective valve, each valve being adapted to close to prevent the flow of gas downstream of the valve in the event of the integrity of the feed line being breached downstream of the respective valve, to prevent the escape of gas from the breached feed line, and wherein each valve includes a valve member which is moveable into engagement with a valve seat to close the valve, and a valve member damping means to resist movement of the valve member into engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: A method of testing a system including a plurality of modules, each of which in use, produces from an air supply, a product gas which is one of oxygen gas and oxygen enriched gas, the method including providing to an inlet to at least one of the modules, when the module is not in use, a restricted air supply, and at an outlet of the module, sensing at least one of the oxygen concentration and product gas pressure, and analysing the sensed oxygen concentration and/or product gas pressure during a test period to determine the potential performance of the module in use.

Abstract: A gas bottle assembly includes a container for containing a pressurized gas, and an operating head, the operating head including a valve member which in the absence of any demand for the gas, is positioned close to a valve seat such as to permit only a minimal flow of gas from the container past the valve seat, and an actuator moveable to move the valve member away from the valve seat thereby to permit a greater flow of gas past the valve seat, to an outlet for use, and wherein the actuator includes a plunger with which the valve member is integral or to which the valve member is affixed, and the actuator includes a piston part which is movable in a piston chamber in one direction in response an actuator spring acting at a first side of the piston part, to move the valve member away from the seat, and in an opposite direction in response to a combination of gas pressure and a valve return spring which is located in the piston chamber at a second opposite side of the piston part to the actuator spring.

Abstract: A method of operating a life support system for an aircraft, the system including a plurality of oxygen supply apparatus, each of which in use is operable to supply product gas, which may be pure oxygen or oxygen enriched gas, to a breathing gas supply apparatus, at least one of the oxygen supply apparatus being a main oxygen supply apparatus and the remainder of the oxygen supply apparatus being auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, the main oxygen supply apparatus being operable independently of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, characterized in that the method includes operating the main oxygen supply apparatus and supplying product gas to each of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus.

Abstract: A method of installing a molecular sieve bed gas enriching system in a vehicle, the method including installing in the vehicle a system controller, a product gas distribution conduit which extends to at least one product gas distribution position, and a high pressure gas supply conduit which extends from a high pressure gas source, providing a plurality of molecular sieve bed modules, each module including a container containing molecular sieve bed material, a first gas communication port from the container with an outlet duct for product gas produced in use during a charging phase of the molecular sieve bed, the outlet duct including an outlet valve to prevent ingress of gas into the container through the first gas communication port, and the container including a second gas communication port which is connected to a valve assembly which, depending upon the controlled state of the valve assembly, in use permits of communication between the interior of the container and one of a gas supply duct during the cha

Abstract: A system and method of performance testing an aircraft's oxygen supply system where demand is assured by in use performance testing and monitoring by a controller and monitor for the partial pressure of oxygen necessary to meet demand in a pressurized aircraft. The system and method utilizing a predetermined performance test signal sent out at pre-programmed intervals of time during use, receiving, evaluation and responding to performance test signal control data received in response to the performance test signal and adjusting the partial pressure of oxygen to meet demand if necessary.

Abstract: A method of reducing the duration of the thermal stabilization phase of a liquefied gas converter (13) is characterized in that the method comprises providing in a feed line (11) between a source (12) of liquefied gas and the liquefied gas converter (13), an uninsulated flow region (16) through which at least a portion of the liquefied gas passes during filling.

Abstract: A molecular sieve type gas separation apparatus (10) for separating product gas from a gas supply (14) includes at least one sieve bed (11-13) which during an adsorption charge phase of a cycle, adsorbs non product gas in the gas supply (14), and in a desorption regeneration phase of the cycle desorbs the previously adsorbed non product gas. The apparatus further includes an outlet (18) to which product gas is delivered during the adsorption charge phase, and an outlet (31) for non product gas during the desorption regeneration phase. A sensor (36) responsive to the concentration of a constituent in the product gas, and a control (20) to switch the apparatus (10) between the adsorption charge and desorption regeneration phases are further provided. The control (20) is adapted to adjust the duration of adsorption charge phase relative to the duration of the desorption regeneration phase in each cycle.

Abstract: A gas generating system for generating a supply of oxygen or at least an oxygen rich gas, and a residual gas, the system including a first gas separation device for separating from a supply gas, a first gas being oxygen enriched gas, to leave a residual gas. The first oxygen enriched gas from the first gas separation device is communicated to a second gas separation device for further separating from the first oxygen enriched gas, oxygen gas. The second gas separation device generating a product gas which is at least highly oxygen enriched and a further residual gas, with at least one of the first and second gas separating devices including a ceramic membrane through which in use gas ions diffuse.

Abstract: A valve assembly including an actuator and a valve, the valve including a valve body having first and second ports and a valve seat between the first and second ports, a valve member carried on a valve stem and the valve stem being moveable to move the valve member at least one of into or out of engagement with the valve seat to prevent or permit communication between the first and second ports and wherein the actuator includes a stepper motor the rotational movement of which is converted to linear movement of the valve stem by a transmission, the transmission being adapted to maintain the valve stem in a position to which it is moved by the operation of the actuator whereby the transmission means is a non back-derivable transmission.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fluid in a life support system including at least one of a G-suit and a counterpressure garment including utilizing a control system comprising a control valve having a moveable part which is moved by an actuator in response to an input to the control system to operate the valve to bring a parameter of the fluid towards a desired value, the input being conditioned to provide a control signal to cause the actuator to move the moveable part of the valve and wherein the method comprises conditioning the input by comparing the input with reference information relating to the position of the moveable part of the valve, and when the comparison indicates that the position of the moveable part of the valve is not at a desired position, issuing the control signal incrementally to move the moveable part and updating the reference information so that the updated reference information is available for future comparison with the input.

Abstract: An ionic conduction device comprises a stack of layers, each layer comprising an electrolyte membrane having a pair of opposed surfaces, a gas permeable electrode in contact with each opposed surface, and there being a plurality of interconnects in electrical contact with the electrodes of the layers, to provide electrical continuity through the stack, wherein there is at least one gas flow path though the layers and the interconnects of the stack.