Abstract: A self-contained portable personal breathing apparatus that has a casing housing a canister containing an oxygen evolving chemical. The casing is disposed inside a cover which is disposed inside a bag. The cover and the casing form a thermal insulating pocket between them, and with the cover material and the casing material, also made of thermally insulating material, a triple layer of thermal insulation is formed around the canister to protect oxygen produced therein from the heat of reaction of the chemical in the canister. A heat exchanger is situated atop the canister to further cool oxygen before inhalation, and breathing tube extends from the bag to the user for channeling exhaled breath and oxygen.

Abstract: A novel respirator including a chemical cartridge for reacting with moisture and carbon dioxide in exhaled breath to produce oxygen. The oxygen is stored in a breathing sac. The breathing sac communicates with the chemical cartridge through supporting pipes and a channel formed between the outer wall of the chemical cartridge and the inner wall of an associated container. The cartridge and its associated container are positioned on the bottom of the respirator such that the user has ready access to a spent cartridge so that it can be removed quickly and easily and replaced with a fresh cartridge.

Abstract: A closed cycle respirator includes a breathing bag, the bottom of which is in communication with a canister containing a chemical that binds carbon dioxide and water vapor and liberates oxygen. Inside the breathing bag there is a distributor that guides the regenerated respiratory air flowing up from the canister laterally in the direction of the breathing bag's side walls but keeps that air largely away from the side of the bag that lies against the chest of the wearer. The reason for directing the air through the bag in this manner is to reduce the temperature of the air before it is inhaled again.

Abstract: A ring-shape connecting member is disposed in an opening in the bottom of a breathing bag, where it is encircled and tightly engaged by an elastic sleeve secured to the bag around its opening and projecting downwardly out of the bag. A chemical cartridge is provided with an upwardly extending ring-shape flange projecting up into the elastic sleeve in sealing engagement with it, and the top of the cartridge within said flange is provided with an opening communicating with the connecting member.

Abstract: A canister provided with openings for flow of air therethrough contains a chemical that removes water vapor and carbon dioxide from that air and liberates oxygen into it. After a period of time the flow of air through the canister is reversed.

Abstract: An air-regeneration filter is provided having air regeneration agent means toward one end opening thereof and drying agent means toward an opening at the other end thereof. The direction of air flow through the filter can be chosen according to the requirement for conditioning the air to be treated as to oxygen and moisture content.

Abstract: A filter type gas mask enclosed within a carrying case and cover comprising shock absorbing means extending from a filter head within the enclosure towards inner sidewalls of said cover and said carrying case at the area where said carrying case is connected to said cover. The filter head is held firmly within the carrying case and cover and the shock absorbing means absorb shocks in all directions. The shock absorbing means include a chin support which additionally functions to prevent direct contact between the body of the user of said mask and the filter and filter head of said mask.

Abstract: A convenient, useful and efficient method and apparatus for determining the amount of alcohol contained in fuels. It is particularly useful for measuring the alcohol content of jet fuel, and is practiced by mixing a known amount of the fuel to be measured with a known amount of emulsion, the emulsion comprising a known amount of 8-Hydroxyquinoline ester of the O-vanadic acid. A resulting reaction causes a portion of the mixture to discolor, the amount of discoloration indicating the alcohol content of the fuel. This process can be performed in an apparatus comprising a tube with all of the necessary chemicals pre-mixed, thereby only requiring the addition of the fuel to be tested. Such an apparatus can be prepared in advance, sealed, and stored for a period of up to 2 years.