Abstract: A heat exchanger for providing thermal energy transfer between a first flow along a first flowpath and a second flow along a second flowpath has a plate bank having a plurality of plates, each plate having: a first face and a second face opposite the first face; a leading edge along the second flowpath and a trailing edge along the second flowpath; a proximal edge having at least one inlet port along the first flowpath and at least one outlet port along the first flowpath; and at least one passageway along the first flowpath. An inlet manifold has at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port. An outlet manifold has at least one outlet port and at least one inlet port. The first flowpath passes from the at least one inlet port of the inlet manifold, through the at least one passageway of each of the plurality of plates, and through the at least one outlet port of the outlet manifold.

Abstract: An electronic controller (16) controls the operation of an electrochemical oxygen generating system (14) producing a desired gas. The product gas is fed to a storage unit (12) or a regulator (28) and pulsing valve (28) controlling the gas flow to a user. A two-stage system (180) combines a low pressure 100 and a high pressure (150) gas generating subsystems. The low pressure subsystem (100) uses IMAT's (106) to pump oxygen from ambient air to generate a low-pressure. The high pressure subsystem (150) uses IMAT's (160) to pump oxygen to high-pressure oxygen storage devices (194).

Abstract: A gas generating system (S) has a plurality of product gas generating modules (18) each of which comprises a plurality of molecular sieve beds (bed 1, bed 2) generating a product gas acting in a repetitive cycle with each cycle having a period of the cycle with peak product gas flow (106). A manifold (52) combines the product gas from the plurality of modules (18). The processor (58) generates a control signal that is communicated to the gas generating modules (18) such that the peak product gas flow period (106) of the repetitive cycle of the modules (18) is adjusted in response to the control signal. The processor (58) causes the peak period (106) for the modules (18) to be timed across the repetitive cycles in a controlled distribution.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (E) for systems having a heat generating furnace (F) includes at least one heat exchanging arm (10) formed from an inner (12) and an outer (14) concentric tube with an inner (16) and outer (18) passageway separated by a common wall (20). The inner concentric tube (12) has a first end (22) with a fluid flow outlet (24) for discharging an exhaust fluid (26) and a second end (28) with a fluid flow inlet (30) for receiving an input (32) of the exhaust fluid. The outer concentric tube (14) has a first end (34) with a fluid flow (36) inlet for receiving an input of an intake (38) fluid flow and a second end (40) with a fluid flow outlet (42) for discharging the intake fluid (38). The exhaust fluid (26) flows through the inner concentric tube (12) in a direction substantially opposite to the intake fluid flow (38) through the heat exchanger arm (10).

Abstract: An attachment system (601) for maintaining a passageway (603) of a tube (605) in axial alignment with a passageway (607) through a housing (609) includes a spring (611) having an exterior edge (613) and an interior area (615) passing the tube (605). The housing (609) has an exterior mating surface (404) around the passageway (607). A mating end (402) of the tube (605) abuts against the mating surface (404). A spring retainer (617) apart from mating surface (404) restrains the movement of the spring (611) away from the mating surface (404). A tubular coupler (619) in proximity to the mating end (402) restricts the movement of the mating end (402) toward the interior area (615) of the spring (605).

Abstract: A controller system for a molecular sieve device controls a product gas generated by n molecular sieve beds for separating a gas from an input gas supply. A valve assembly with n states has an input receiving the input gas and n outlets. Each valve state in a first position creates an open passageway from the input of the slide valve to an outlet. Transitioning a valve from the first to a second position creates a variable amount of restriction in the flow of gas between the input and a selected outlet.

Abstract: An anti-G system is used to combat the push-pull effect experienced by airmen during and after a transition from a period of low or negative G force levels to high G force levels. The anti-G system includes an anti-G controller configured to receive signals indicative of airman acceleration and anti-G garment pressure. The anti-G controller is coupled to a valve controller controlling fill and vent valves controlling the pressure level in the anti-G garment. As the anti-G controller receives acceleration signals indicating G force levels over time, the controller calculates whether the anti-G garment pressure should be increased or decreased and transmits signals to the valve controller to increase or decrease anti-G garment pressure. Increasing the anti-G garment pressure compensates for the airman's loss of tolerance to high G levels immediately after exposure to a period of low or negative G levels.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ceramic oxygen generating modules, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling a duty cycle for each of a plurality of ceramic oxygen generating modules in a modular ceramic oxygen generating system.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices for separating oxygen from more complex gasses such as air which contains oxygen, and delivering the separated-oxygen at an elevated pressure for use immediately, or for storage and use later. More particularly, the invention relates to solid state electrochemical devices for separating oxygen from more complex gasses to produce the desired oxygen and delivering the oxygen at elevated pressures up to and exceeding 2000 psig.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring gaseous oxygen concentration that includes an oxygen sensor for providing an electrical sensor signal that varies as a function of oxygen concentration at the sensor. Processor circuitry compares oxygen concentration indicated by the sensor signal to at least one threshold level, and indicates when such oxygen concentration at the sensor departs from such threshold concentration level. The apparatus is calibrated by exposing the sensor to a calibration gas having an oxygen concentration equal to the desired threshold concentration level, and storing in the processor circuitry electrical indicia indicative of operating characteristics of the sensor at such threshold oxygen concentration level.

Abstract: An oxygen partial pressure controller regulates the oxygen partial pressure (PPO.sub.2) of the product gas of a pressure swing adsorption oxygen enriching system by means of a bleed valve which increases gas flow through the adsorptive system thereby decreasing the PPO.sub.2 of the product gas. The controller includes a solenoid valve which permits the bleed valve to function when the adsorption system pressure and PPO.sub.2 is high.

Abstract: An oxygen partial pressure controller regulates the oxygen partial pressure (PPO.sub.2) of the product gas of a pressure swing adsorption oxygen enriching system by means of a bleed valve which increases gas flow through the adsorptive system thereby decreasing the PPO.sub.2 of the product gas. The controller includes a solenoid valve which permits the bleed valve to function when the adsorption system pressure and PPO.sub.2 is high. An aneroid controls the product gas flow as a function of altitude when the bleed valve is permitted to function.

Abstract: An A.C. motor is connected into a transistor bridge which includes a small current sensing resistor. The bridge is operated to supply alternating half cycles of current to the motor and resistor. The voltage drop across the resistor is compared in a comparator with a reference voltage which is equal to a fixed voltage minus a percentage of the bridge D.C. supply voltage. When the voltage drop across the resistor exceeds the reference voltage a gate means is closed to render the bridge transistors non-conductive.

Abstract: A spirometer includes an expansible chamber of the piston type fitted with an indicia strip. The indicia comprise two columns of alternating light and dark bars. The columns are offset from one another by one-half the thickness of a bar and are respectively viewed by two photodetectors which generate signals which are shifted 90.degree. from one another as the columns pass through their respective fields of view. The signals are continuously sampled as digital words and consecutive words are compared to determine whether a counter should be incremented or decremented by one or two counts.

Abstract: A piezoelectrical transducer for providing an altimeter with vibratory motion to attenuate the effect of static friction on the movement of a gear train responding to an altitude responsive aneroid.