Abstract: A pressure demand regulator assembly for use with a breathing apparatus having a valve assembly that includes an inlet for connection to a source of breathing gas, an outlet for connection to a facepiece to provide breathing gas to the user and an actuator for controlling the flow of breathing gas between the inlet and the outlet in response to the user's respiration. The regulator assembly further includes a flexible elastomeric diaphragm in operative connection with the actuator. The diaphragm is exposed to ambient pressure on a first side thereof and exposed to a positive pressure within the facepiece on a second side thereof.

Abstract: A body armor to be worn by a person includes a front section including ballistic paneling. The front section further includes at least a first front laterally extending section on a first side of the body armor. The first front laterally extending section includes ballistic paneling. The body armor further includes a rear section comprising ballistic paneling and at least a first rear laterally extending section attached to the rear section on the first side of the body armor and extending from the rear section.

Abstract: A spectacle frame mount provides secure, removable positioning of a spectacle frame in a gas mask or full face respirator. A spring wire mount supports the spectacle frame between two legs of a loop. The spring wire mount includes two leg portions that have lower ends which terminate adjacent each other when the mount is in its use position. The two leg portions positively engage an internal portion of the full face mask so that the spectacle frame will be positioned within the interior of the mask at a location such that the spectacles will be properly positioned for use by the person wearing the mask.

Abstract: Body armor to be worn on the torso of a person includes a front section having ballistic paneling therein and a back section having ballistic paneling therein. The body armor further includes at least one side closure mechanism including a rearward section adapted to be grasped and pulled in a forward direction around the side of the torso to close the closure mechanism. The rearward section is in operative connection with a forward section of the side closure mechanism so that a portion of the ballistic paneling of the front section moves in a rearward direction around the side of the torso of the person when the rearward section is pulled in a forward direction and overlaps a portion of the ballistic paneling in the back section when the closure mechanism is in a closed position.

Abstract: A testing module for use with a gas detector, includes a plurality of gas inlets and outlets, each outlet being in fluid connection with one of the inlets. Each of the outlets is adapted to mate with and form a fluid connection with one of the inlets of a second like testing module. Gases can then flow from the outlets of the testing module into the inlets of the second like testing module. A gas container module for use with a gas container, includes a plurality of gas inlets and outlets, each inlet being in fluid connection with one of the outlets. Each of the inlets is adapted to mate with and form a fluid connection with one of a the outlets on a second like gas container module. Gases can then flow from the outlets of the second like gas container module into the inlets of the gas container module.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the output of an electrochemical sensor includes the steps of: simulating the presence of an analyte gas electronically; measuring a response of the sensor to the electronic simulation; and adjusting the output of the sensor as a function of the measured response to the electronic simulation. The method of adjusting the output of an electrochemical sensor having a working electrode and a counter electrode preferably includes the steps of: electronically causing a current flow between the working electrode and the counter electrode; measuring a response of the sensor to the current demand; and using the measured response to adjust the sensor output during sampling of an analyte gas.

Abstract: A headband for use in a headgear support includes a first end section having a plurality of spaced connectors and a second end section including a fastener attached adjacent the end thereof. The fastener includes a connecting member to which at least one cooperating connector is attached. The connecting member biases the cooperating connector in an engagement position with at least one of the plurality of connectors of the first end section to hold the headband in a selected loop configuration. The fastener further includes at least a first flexible release member.

Abstract: A breathing system includes a container to store a gas under pressure, wherein the gas includes air or oxygen. The container includes an outlet through which the gas exits the container. The breathing system further includes a generator system including a generator in operative connection with the container outlet such that energy is supplied to the generator by the pressurized gas. The generator converts the energy supplied by the pressurized gas to electrical energy. The system further includes a fluid path in connection with the generator through which pressurized gas passes after providing energy to the generator and a respiration facepiece in fluid connection with the fluid path.

Abstract: A photoionization detector includes a housing, electrical contacts within the housing and an easily removable and replaceable photoionization chamber within the housing. The photoionization chamber includes a cathodic electrode and an anodic electrode which may be coated with a thin layer of material. The photoionization chamber and the associated cathodic electrode and anodic electrode are removable from within the housing as a unit. The photoionization chamber makes electrical connection with the contacts when seated within the housing regardless of the orientation of the photoionization chamber about an axis.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrochemical sensor includes a catalyst dispersed within an electrolyte. Preferably, the catalyst is immobilized within a matrix of the electrolyte. In one embodiment, the electrode of the present invention includes at least one catalyst/electrolyte layer having a mixture of a powdered catalyst, a powdered, quasi-solid electrolyte and a binder material compressed together. The quasi-solid electrolyte can include a liquid electrolyte immobilized by a high-surface-area, high-pore-volume solid.

Abstract: A method of communicating information from a sensor includes the step of modulating the emission of energy from an energy source in a manner that corresponds to information to be transmitted from the sensor through a transmissive section in the sensor housing. Energy from the energy source, which is within the housing of the sensor, also interacts with an analyte in a detectable manner. A sensor for detecting the presence of an analyte in an environment being tested includes a housing, an energy source within the housing, at least one detector within the housing adapted to detect interaction between energy emitted by the energy source and the analyte, a transmissive section in the housing through which energy emitted from the energy source can be transmitted; and a controller within the housing in operative connection with the energy source to modulate emission of energy from the energy source in a manner to communicate information through the transmissive section.

Abstract: A communications device for use with a protective helmet having a headband is provided. Generally, the communications device provides support member for a bone conduction microphone that is easily added to and removed from the protective helmet, allowing the communications device to be readily used with both new and existing protective helmets. While in use, support member positions the bone conduction microphone between the headband and a user's head, preferably between the napestrap and the center of the back of the user's head. The communications device can be used with any type of protective helmet, such as a fireman's helmet, a military helmet, a hard-hat, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoacoustic gas sensor utilizing diffusion having a sensing volume and an acoustic pressure sensor volume containing an acoustic pressure sensor such that the fluid connection between the sensing volume and the acoustic pressure sensor volume restricts the flow of analyte gas therethrough but does not restrict the transmission of the photoacoustic signal therethrough.

Abstract: A headband for use in a headgear support includes a first end section having a plurality of connectors extending latitudinally from a lateral surface of the first end section. The headband also includes a second end section having a fastener attached adjacent the end thereof. The fastener includes a flexible lever arm and a cooperating connector biased in an engagement position with at least one of the plurality of connectors of the first end section to hold the headband in a selected loop configuration. The flexible lever arm is movable to a release position upon application of force thereto to cause the cooperating connector to disengage from the at least one the plurality of connectors of the first end section to enable increasing the size of the loop of the headband. The plurality of connectors of the first end section can, for example, be ratchet teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for accomplishing noise reduction in a photoacoustic gas detector using a sound damping element and/or a background or reference microphone where a preferably larger external volume that acts as a sound damping element (SDE) is coupled to a smaller volume through which the gas diffuses. The coupling is accomplished in such a way that the externally generated sound waves incident upon the photoacoustic detector are adequately attenuated by the larger volume SDE without adversely affecting diffusion of the gaseous species of interest through the smaller volume for measurement by the detector. Preferably this is accomplished by coupling the larger SDE volume to the smaller gas diffusion volume by a long and thin pressure channel.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor includes an active element in electrical connection with a measurement circuit. The measurement circuit includes a thermistor network to compensate for the effect of changes in ambient temperature to the resistance of the active element. Another combustible gas sensor includes an active element having a geometric surface area no greater than approximately 0.5 mm2 in electrical connection with a measurement circuit. The measurement circuit includes a compensator that compensates for the effect of changes in ambient temperature to the resistance of the active element without compensating for heat lost by thermal conduction from the active element.

Abstract: A neck seal for use in a protective hood includes an inner section including a passage for donning. The inner section is fabricated from an elastomeric material to form a seal around a neck of a user. The neck seal also includes an outer section adhered to the inner section. The outer section is fabricated from a material heat sealable to a hood covering material. In one embodiment, the elastomeric material of the inner section is a latex material. The outer section can, for example, be fabricated from a thermoplastic material. In one embodiment the thermoplastic material is a polyurethane such as a polyester-based polyurethane.

Abstract: An instrument system includes an instrument assembly having at least one fitting projecting therefrom. The instrument system further includes at least a first housing member including at least one alignment member located therein. The alignment member preferably includes at least one sloped surface which slopes toward at least one seating adapted to seat the at least one fitting of the instrument assembly. The instrument system further includes a second housing member which forms an explosion-proof enclosure with the first housing member to enclose the instrument assembly. The second housing member preferably forms an explosion-proof enclosure with the first housing member via cooperating threading. The instrument assembly can, for example, include electrical components for a combustible gas sensor.

Abstract: A controlled descent device for use in industrial or recreational settings for controlled descent of a user from an upper level to a lower level. The device comprises principally a steel housing, an internal spring-loaded drum on which a webbing line is wound, and an attachment to a harness worn by a user. A centrifugal brake mechanism which acts upon the drum to limit the rate of descent includes a manufactured one-way bearing. The line constituent provides increased shock absorbing capabilities and is field replaceable.