Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting and identifying a contaminant, such as ice, on the surface of a structure, such as a wing, are disclosed. The apparatus has a probe having a delay block with an interface apt to be placed flush with the surface of the structure and two faces at the same angle of inclination relative to the interface and having transmission and reception transducers each oriented perpendicularly to one of the faces. The block has an acoustic impedance lying in the range of 0.7 to 3.times.10.sup.6 kg/m.sup.2.s. It further has an energization and analysis unit for applying an electrical energization pulse to the transmission transducer and comparing the amplitude and the phase of the echo from the interface with a reference echo corresponding to no contamination.

Abstract: A respiratory mask adapted to be fit against the face of a user is provided with a demand regulator connectable to a pressurized respiratory gas source. An extensible harness, having end portions connected to said mask, includes an inflatable element. A manually actuatable valve delivers pressurized respiratory gas from the source to the inflatable element to extend the harness when actuated and reduces the pressure in said inflatable element to retract said harness and to cause the mask to engage the face of the wearer when released. A sensor delivers an information representative of a force with which said mask engages the face to a valve for automatic control of exhaust of pressurized gas to atmosphere and admission of pressurized gas from the source, upon release of the manually actuatable valve to adjust the reduced pressure and to maintain the force at a value which is lower than the force exerted when the inflatable element is at an ambient pressure.

Abstract: The fast donning breathing apparatus for use by a crew member comprises a mask provided with a regulator for connection to a source of pressurized breathable gas and a harness having. The harness has a stretchable strap having ends connected to the mask and including an element which is optionably inflatable by the pressurized breathable gas to extend the strap up to a size which is sufficient to permit fitting of the harness on the head and deflatable to enable the strap to tighten, to bias the mask onto the face and to hold the mask in position. The harness also has a flexible hardly extensible additional strap. A fastener enables to adjust the length of the additional strap and permits direct manual tightening by a user.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting whether liquid is present at a location in a tank, comprises a probe placed at the location, containing a negative temperature coefficient resistor (NTC) and a positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTC) mutually connected in series relation. The positive temperature coefficient resistor exhibits a progressive resistance variation responsive to temperature change. An electrical power source delivers a constant electric current to the probe. The detector further comprises a comparator for comparing the total resistance of the serially mounted resistors with a threshold.

Abstract: The equipment, for use by a pilot, is intended to provide the wearer with breathing gas under a pressure greater than ambient pressure. It comprises a mask having a rigid shell provided with fastening straps for holding the mask on the head, with a coupling for feeding breathing gas under pressure, and with a face cover of elastomer material terminated by an internal sealing lip for pressing against the face. The lip is connected to a front portion of the face cover that is secured to the shell by at least one thin deformable fold. Resilient elements are provided along the fold to exert a force that varies little with the amount of deformation and press the lip against the face.

Abstract: An individual protective equipment for use in a hostile environment comprises a closed suit including a flexible gas-tight garment and a helmet having a transparent visor and having a gas-tight connection with the garment. The equipment also includes a portable tank for storage of liquefied breathing gas and a heat exchanger having a primary circuit whose inlet is connected to an outlet of the storage tank and whose outlet feeds a breathing circuit. A gas motor is connected to receive a flow of breathing gas evaporated in the primary circuit and delivers the flow to the breathing circuit. A blower driven by the motor is inserted in a garment ventilation circuit including the secondary circuit of the exchanger.

Abstract: An Equipment for respiratory protection against pollutants, for use at low altitude comprises a face cover fitted with an atmospheric air supply comprising a filter, a rotary fan to compensate for the head loss due to the filter, and a flexible hose, as well as a self-contained electric power source for energizing the rotary fan, supplying a rated voltage V.sub.0. The fan supplies, under its rated voltage V.sub.0, an air flow rate higher than that necessary for the wearer when the latter is in rest condition, but far lower than the air flow rate required in case of abnormal activity. A pressure sensor causes a temporary increase in the voltage applied to the fan when the overpressure prevailing in the face cover with respect to the surrounding is lower than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The individual equipment for use when taking action in a noxious atmosphere comprises a pressure suit having a flexible garment (10) and a helmet (12) provided with a transparent visor and including a self-contained breathing apparatus for supplying breathing gas from a gas supply. The face is separated from the garment by a neck gasket (16). The supply (24) is connected to a breathing circuit that opens out into the helmet via a regulator (48) to maintain the volume around the face at a pressure higher than that in the garment. The equipment also includes a face mask (52) having a valve for breathing in from the helmet and pipework for breathing out directly to the outside via rated non-return means.

Abstract: A head equipment comprises a component such as a helmet connectable to the head of a wearer and movable by the wearer in a limited field, with at least five degrees of freedom. It comprises an arm constituted by articulated segments giving the component at least five degrees of freedom with respect to the fixed structure and linking the component to a fixed structure.

Abstract: An individual breathing equipment comprises a head covering provided with a neck joint defining a space which is separated from the outside all around the head and a mask for isolating the respiratory tract. The mask is provided with a breath-in valve and with a breath-out valve exhausting directly to the atmosphere. The breathable gas feed circuit opens into the space defined by the head covering. The outlet of the feed circuit and the outlet of the breath-in valve for taking air from said space are so located that the breathable gas ventilates the head before reaching the breath-in valve. A buffer volume is placed upstream of the opening into said space, defined by a breastplate.

Abstract: A helmet sight comprises a collimator for projection of the image of a sighting graticule into the ocular field of the wearer of the helmet and sensors for measurement of the angular position of the helmet with respect to a structure, such as the cockpit of an aircraft. The collimator for projection gives the graticule a position whose angular deviation .DELTA.a, .DELTA.b with respect to a reference orientation linked to the helmet has remained an increasing function of the angular displacements of the helmet with respect to the reference structure.

Abstract: An energy apparatus for supplying breathable gas in an aircraft has a source of pressurized breathable gas and a feed pipe for feeding gas to the feed regulators of individual emergency equipments. The apparatus includes a test system for checking proper operation without consuming pressurized gas. The system includes an atmospheric air compressor having its outlet in communication with the feed pipe via a two-positioned selector constituted so that at rest it connects the source (generally oxygen under pressure) to the pipe and separates the pipe from the compressor, and when in a position to which it is brought on receiving compressed gas from the compressor, it separates the pipe from the supply.

Abstract: The device is for connecting the shell or face piece of an oral nasal breathing mask of a fighter pilot to a helmet. It comprises two fasteners each placed on one side of a median vertical plane of the helmet and one at least of which is provided with a quick fastening and unfastening attachment device. Each fastener is formed as a link rigid in the vertical direction and non-extensible, arranged to allow rotational movement of the mask with respect to the helmet about a direction perpendicular to the direction of the link and substantially parallel to said median vertical plane.

Abstract: The regulator is suitable for use in a breathing apparatus, particularly for aircraft, whose oxygen source consists of an open loop generator delivering oxygen-rich air under a low and variable overpressure. It comprises a respiratory gas inlet and an outlet for connection to a breathing mask. Communication between the inlet and outlet is controlled by at least two main piloted valves located in parallel flow relation and subjected to the pressure prevailing in a same control chamber. The control chamber is continuously connected to the inlet by a restriction and it is connected to the outlet by a pilot valve controlled by the pressure at the outlet. The restriction is preferably variable responsive to the inlet pressure.

Abstract: A protective breathing equipment for a crew member of an aircraft comprises a demand regulator supplied with pressurized oxygen and with dilution air taken from the living space of the crew. The regulator is connected to a breathing mask for the crew member. A protective hood supplied with filtered ventilation air is provided for location over the head of the crew member. The regulator has a housing containing the regulating mechanisms and an intake for dilution air and is surrounded by a case defining a protective space about the housing. The space is fed with filtered air under an overpressure of the same order as that which prevails in the hood.

Abstract: A combined inhalation/exhalation valve for use on a breathing mask for high altitude flights comprises a housing carried by the mask and connectable to a demand regulator. A one-part diaphragm located in the housing controls gas flow. The diaphragm has a cup whose bottom wall is provided with a radial lip seal cooperating with an exhalation seat. The cup is annular. It defines a tore-shaped chamber subjected to the compensation pressure, e.g. to the pressure which prevails in the exhalation line of the regulator connected to the valve. The bottom wall of the cup is further provided with a lip constituting the movable element of an inhalation valve.

Abstract: The quick attachment device for the harness of a piece of equipment, which can be used to attach an oxygen mask to an aviator's helmet, comprises a receiver member adapted to receive a bayonet member securely connected to the harness. The bayonet member cooperates with the receiver member via locking means which can be retracted by pulling on a control plate which is carried by the bayonet member and can slide thereon. The bayonet member is formed by a solid blade bearing a rack engaging with retractable locking fingers provided on the receiver member and the control plate comprises notches which have the same pitch as those of the rack, and whose profile is such that they displace the resilient fingers out of the rack when the control plate is pulled, in the direction corresponding to the withdrawal of the bayonet member, from the abutment position into which it is resiliently urged.

Abstract: The device, which can be used to protect the pilots of high performance aircraft against the effect of accelerations, comprises a garment having at least trousers having pockets and a control member which supplies the pockets with compressed gas when the downwardly directed acceleration of the body exceeds a predetermined threshold. The control member is adapted to establish in the trouser pockets an overpressure from a positive acceleration threshold (BC), in accordance with a substantially linear law of variation from an origin (A) corresponding to a negative acceleration. The action of the compressed gas can be supplemented by that of a liquid contained in the pockets and also subjected to the pressure of the gas.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in an aircraft wheel tire comprises a stationary housing and a shaft connected to the wheel. A unit slidably connected to the shaft has a surface cooperating with a pair of bellows coaxial to the shaft to define a pressure chamber. A passage in the shaft communicates the pressure chamber and the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating gas flow cycles comprises a housing defining a chamber (80) provided with gas functions and a passage (76) for connection with an equipment to be tested. A unit movable in the housing throttles the passage. The position of the unit (75) is controlled by electrical signals received from a control unit. Sensors supply electrical signals representative of the position of the mobile assembly and of the pressure. The junctions are provided for connection with gas sources at different pneumatic pressures through solenoid valves.