ON-SHORE PRESSURE HELMET

Abstract

A valve includes an inlet to allow gas to enter the valve; an overpressure system to provide an overpressure; and a reclaim outlet to allow gas from the valve to exit the valve. Optionally, the reclaim outlet can connect to a reclaim system or a dump system which can be used for recovering the gas flowing through the valve.

Description

BACKGROUND

In dry toxic or undesirable atmospheres, for example, in the tunneling and life support industry, workers need a breathing apparatus to ensure that they don't breathe in the atmosphere. To ensure safety, this breathing apparatus is typically built to have an overpressure. Thus, if a leak were to occur, the overpressure in the helmet would force the gas inside the helmet out and prevent the toxic atmosphere from entering the worker's helmet.

In performing operations far underground, workers are often supplied with a mixture of Helium and Oxygen, known as “Heliox” and/or a mixture of Helium, Oxygen and Nitrogen, known as a “Trimix.” These mixtures are provided to the helmets of the workers, and the exhaled gas is let out into the outside surroundings.

Overpressure helmets are common in the diving industry. Examples of such diving pressure helmets and reclaim valves for diving helmets can be found in DE-A-20 2012 003542, EP-A-2522570, EP-A-1500586, U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,017 and DE-A-21 17392. DE-A-20 2012 003542 specifically discloses an overpressure valve for a diving helmet or diving mask. EP-A-2522570 discloses a regulator valve for a diver. The regulator valve is connected to a reclaim system that can reclaim gas exhaled by the diver. Additionally, the regulator is also connected to an exhaust valve which allows for the exhaust of exhaled gas to the external environment. The exhaust valve is connected to the regulator through a conduit, and for use, the exhaust valve must be opened and a separate shut-off valve for the reclaim conduit must be closed. Thus, a plurality of valves at different locations must be used and properly switched to an open or closed condition (respectively) to change from one exhaust system to the other.

SUMMARY

A valve includes an inlet to allow gas to enter the valve; an overpressure system to provide an overpressure; and a reclaim outlet to allow gas from the valve to exit the valve.

Such a valve allows for reclaiming of a significant portion of gases from the valve while maintaining an overpressure, allowing for use in environments where overpressure is desired or required.

According to an embodiment, the valve further comprises a local atmosphere outlet to allow gas from the valve to exit to a local atmosphere; and a switch to control whether gas entering the valve exits through the reclaim outlet or through the local atmosphere outlet.

The switch and local atmosphere outlet allows the valve to be adaptable and flexible for use in a variety of situations. The ability to easily switch between the local atmosphere outlet and reclaim outlet also provides an element of redundancy in the system, which promotes safety.

According to an embodiment, the overpressure system comprises a spring.

According to an embodiment, the switch is activated manually.

According to an embodiment, the switch is located on an outside of the valve.

According to an embodiment, the overpressure system provides an overpressure of about 0.5 cm to about 8 cm water height.

According to an embodiment, the overpressure system provides an overpressure of about 0.6 cm to about 5 cm water height.

According to an embodiment, the overpressure system provides an overpressure of about 2 cm water height.

According to an embodiment, the valve further comprises a valve housing.

According to an embodiment, the valve further comprises a connection portion to connect the valve to a helmet. Optionally, the connection portion comprises threads.

According to an embodiment, the valve is a part of an overpressure helmet.

According to an embodiment, the reclaim outlet connects to a reclaim system or a dump system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a reclaim valve includes forming a valve with an inlet to allow gas to enter the valve and a reclaim outlet to allow gas in the valve to exit the valve; and forming an overpressure system within the valve.

According to an embodiment, the method further comprises forming a local atmosphere outlet to allow gas from the valve to exit to a local atmosphere; and forming a switch to control whether gas in the valve exits through the reclaim outlet or through the local atmosphere outlet.

According to an embodiment, the gas exits the reclaim outlet into a reclaim system or into a dump system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example overpressure helmet in use.

FIG. 2a shows a front view of a reclaim valve.

FIG. 2b shows a side view of the reclaim valve of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 2c shows an exploded view of the reclaim valve of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 2d shows a cross-sectional view of the reclaim valve of FIG. 2a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example overpressure helmet 10 in use in a pressurized environment 11, and includes overpressure reclaim valve 12, first and second supply lines 14, reclaim line 16 and regulator 18. Pressurized environment 11 can be, for example, an underground drilling environment.

First supply line 14 and second supply line 14 connect to overpressure helmet 10 to supply the user with breathable gas through helmet 10. Overpressure helmet 10 also provides a pressure within helmet 10 higher than the pressure outside helmet, for example, 2 cm water column, to ensure that no gas from pressurized environment 11 enters into helmet 10 if a leak were to occur. In some embodiments, the overpressure can be anywhere from about 0.5 cm to about 8 cm water height, or about 0.6 cm to about 5 cm water height.

Reclaim line 16 connects to overpressure helmet 10 at overpressure reclaim valve 12. Overpressure reclaim valve 12 receives exhaled gas from user, and can permit the exhaled gas within valve to exit valve through reclaim line 16 or can permit the exhaled gas within valve 12 to exit overpressure valve 12 to pressurized environment 11.

Reclaim line 16 connects to regulator 18, and then to a reclaim or dump system (not shown) which may be able to filter, clean and/or remix the breathing mixture for the user. This system could be located close to the user at the pressurized environment 11, or could be located far from the user above ground, where space is more freely available. The system could be a normal reclaim installation or facility, a worker breathing gas reclaim installation or facility, or an outside vent or dump installation or facility. Regulator 18 can be used as a safety measure to step down the pressure from the helmet 10 to the pressure necessary to bring the exhaled gas outside.

FIG. 2a shows a front view of overpressure reclaim valve 12, FIG. 2b shows a side view of overpressure reclaim valve 12, FIG. 2c shows an exploded view of overpressure reclaim valve 12, and FIG. 2d shows a cross-sectional view of overpressure reclaim valve 12.

Overpressure reclaim valve 12 includes inlet 19, reclaim outlet 20, local atmosphere outlet 22, switch 24, housing 26, spring 28 with ball 30, bushings 32, exhaust valve 34, chamber 35, threaded ring 36, diaphragm 38, cover 40 with local atmosphere outlets 22 and clamp valve cover 42 with fastener 44. Switch 24 components include threaded ring 46, switch ring 48, spacer 50, and socket 52. Reclaim outlet 20 includes coupling hose 54, o-ring 56, valve exhalation 58, spring 60, spring seat 62, circlip 64, and safety plate 66 with fastener 68.

Housing 26 can be a universal type of housing, allowing connection to many different types of helmets 10. Housing 26 can include a connection portion 25, which can include threads for connecting to helmet 10. Switch 24 sits near the inlet 19 of valve 12, and controls whether gas in valve 12 will exit reclaim outlet 20 or will exit local atmosphere outlet 22. Switch 24 controls this by allowing for a partial rotation of switch ring 48 using socket 52. This rotation can be done manually by the user.

Exhaust valve 34 sits within housing 26, and controls the pressure in helmet 10 (see FIG. 1) in conjunction with spring 28 and ball 30. The force on spring 28 controls the extent of overpressure inside helmet 10.

During use, exhaust valve 34 can move within housing 26, allowing exhaled gas entering valve through inlet 19 to flow to chamber 35 when the overpressure is overcome. When switch 24 is set so that gas can exit reclaim outlet 20, exhaust valve 34 moves upward to allow gas into chamber 35. Diaphragm 38 is also flexed upwards, and these movements cause other movements, for example, tilt or rotation, in reclaim outlet 20 components, allowing the gas from chamber 35 to flow out reclaim outlet 20, where it will enter reclaim line 16 (see FIG. 1).

When switch 24 is set so that gas exits local atmosphere outlet 22, local atmosphere outlet 22 is aligned with holes in cover 40. Thus, once exhaled gas enters valve 12 through inlet 19, the alignment of holes of outlet 22 in switch ring 48 with holes in cover 40 allow gas to exit into the local atmosphere outside of helmet 10.

Overpressure reclaim valve 12 allows for gas to be reclaimed in situations where an overpressure is required, such as in dry toxicities or an overpressure atmosphere. Typically, past reclaim valves were only able to work in situations where the pressure inside the helmet is equal to the pressure outside the helmet in the local atmosphere, and would not be able to function properly with or maintain an overpressure in helmet 10. Gases used in the performance of operations far underground can include expensive mixtures of Helium with Oxygen and sometimes Nitrogen. As Helium is very expensive and difficult to obtain in some parts of the world, the ability to reclaim and reuse the gas can be very valuable. A reclaim system such as the one shown in FIG. 1, through the use of overpressure reclaim valve 12, can result in the saving and reuse of about 60%-90% of gases used during an operation.

Additionally, the use of overpressure reclaim valve 12 with a gas reclaim system can allow workers to remain at a job site far underground longer. In past systems, workers would have to return to the surface for new breathable gases frequently. As this return often required decompressing, it was very time-consuming. Through the use of overpressure reclaim valve 12 that can maintain an overpressure during operation, gas can be reclaimed, cleaned and reused, eliminating or lessening the need to return to the surface for additional breathable gases.

Switch 24 of overpressure reclaim valve 12 allows the gas in valve 12 to exit either through reclaim outlet 20 or through local atmosphere outlet 22, making valve 12 adaptable and safe for use in many different situations. This can allow the user to easily change from one outlet to the other, and can ensure that any malfunction or issues in reclaim system, regulator 18, or reclaim line 16 would not endanger the user of overpressure helmet 10.

By making overpressure reclaim valve 12 compact with a standard outer housing 26, overpressure reclaim valve 12 can work with standard overpressure helmets currently on the market. This can eliminate the need to replace an entire overpressure helmet 10 when desiring to reclaim gas used.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A valve comprising:

an inlet to allow gas to enter the valve;

an overpressure system to provide an overpressure; and

a reclaim outlet to allow gas from the valve to exit the valve.

2. The valve of claim 1, and further comprising:

a local atmosphere outlet to allow gas from the valve to exit to a local atmosphere; and

a switch to control whether gas entering the valve exits through the reclaim outlet or through the local atmosphere outlet.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the overpressure system comprises a spring.

4. The valve of claim 2, wherein the switch is activated manually.

5. The valve of any claim 2, wherein the switch is located on an outside of the valve.

6. The valve of claim 1, wherein the overpressure system provides an overpressure of about 0.5 cm to about 8 cm water height.

7. The valve of claim 1, wherein the overpressure system provides an overpressure of about 0.6 cm to about 5 cm water height.

8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the overpressure system provides an overpressure of about 2 cm water height.

9. The valve of claim 1, and further comprising a valve housing.

10. The valve of claim 1, and further comprising a connection portion to connect the valve to a helmet.

11. The valve of claim 10, wherein the connection portion comprises threads.

12. The valve of claim 1, wherein the reclaim outlet connects to a reclaim system or a dump system.

13. An overpressure helmet comprising a valve comprising:

an inlet to allow gas to enter the valve;

an overpressure system to provide an overpressure;

a first outlet connecting to a reclaim system or a dump system;

a second outlet connecting to a local atmosphere; and

a switch to guide gas in the valve to the first outlet or the second outlet.

14. A method of manufacturing a reclaim valve, the method comprising:

forming a valve with an inlet to allow gas to enter the valve and a reclaim outlet to allow gas in the valve to exit the valve; and

forming an overpressure system within the valve.

15. The method of claim 14, and further comprising:

forming a local atmosphere outlet to allow gas from the valve to exit to a local atmosphere; and

forming a switch to control whether gas in the valve exits through the reclaim outlet or through the local atmosphere outlet.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the gas exits the reclaim outlet into a reclaim system or a dump system.