Abstract: An oxygen breathing apparatus for protection of aircraft passengers against aircraft depressurization has a pressurized oxygen storage and a distribution unit operated responsive to loss of pressurization at high altitude for feeding a pipe with pressurized oxygen from the storage. The passenger masks have a face cover which is formed with an inwardly directed circumferential flexible sealing lip and are each connected to the pipe by a flexible hose having a metering orifice. The distribution unit delivers pressurized oxygen under a pressure which increases up to a first value which is reached when loss of pressurization occurs immediately under a predetermined altitude (about 40,000 ft) and has a second value, of about two times the first value as long as the altitude exceeds the predetermined value. In a modification, the second pressure is delivered for a given period, typically about 3 mn.

Abstract: Apparatus for gauging high pressure gas in particular for the supply of oxygen gas on board on aircraft, the apparatus being associated with a gas tank or with a plurality of gas tanks having their outlets interconnected, the apparatus being wherein each individual tank is provided both with a pressure regulator connected to a common outlet duct, and with a pressure sensor producing a signal proportional to the pressure in the, or each, tank, with the or each, pressure sensor being connected to a calculation and storage unit suitable for determining the content of each individual tank on the basis of the signal associated therewith and taking account of the coefficient of compressibility of the gas contained in each individual tank on the basis of data stored in the storage unit for different values of pressure, and consequently deducing the overall available content, the calculation unit further including a readout for displaying the overall available content.

Abstract: A device for manual or automatic opening of an aircraft safety equipment box includes a pin fixed to the box door, a pivotable hook engageable with the pin, and a resilient return assembly associated with the hook. The return assembly has a main spring urging the hook to a disengaged position and a locking lever pivoted about the same axis as the hook. In its locked position the lever abuts and holds the same part of the main spring as holds the hook in its engaged position. In the release position the lever frees the main spring to drive the hook to disengage it from the pin. The return assembly further has a secondary spring for returning the lever to its release position and the hook to its engaged position. The return assembly includes a release plate locking the lever in its locked position. Displacement of the plate causes the hook to disengage from the pin.

Abstract: Equipment for providing protection against drowning, in particular for use by the driver of a motorized water vessel, the equipment comprising:a supply (110) of air under pressure, feeding a regulating pressure expander (130, 140);a face mask (210) including a breathe-in valve (211) and a breathe-out valve (212); andswitch means (160) for selectively connecting the breathe-in valve of the face mask either to the regulating pressure expander or else to the atmopshere, said switch means being constituted by an electrically controlled valve permanently powered via a safety inertia switch, such that the breathe-in valve of the face mask is connected to the surrounding air so long as the electrically controlled valve is fed with electricity, and that in the event of the inertia switch interrupting the supply of electricity to the electricity controlled valve, because of the vessel being subjected to a shock, the breathe-in valve of the face mask is immediately switched to the regulating pressure expander.

Abstract: A device for half-opening the door of a box containing safety equipment such as oxygen masks, said device enabling said door to be held in a partially open position for inspection purposes without releasing the safety equipment, said device being constituted by a half-opening member hinged to said door about a transverse axis, said half-opening member having an operating portion on one side of said axis and a latching portion on the other side of said axis, said operating portion, when in a normal position, closing an associated opening through said door, and said latching portion, when in an inspection position, co-operating with a latching member fixed inside said box.