MINIATURE ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCE TO ENHANCE SCBA SAFETY

自给式呼吸器(SCBA)的安全性可以通过车载电力显著提高。电力的关键需求包括无线电接收器、面罩压力传感器、机电气流调节器、危险化学品探测器和报警器以及遇险信标。电池只能提供有限的电力，它们很昂贵，而且需要经常更换。我们建议开发一种创新的自我供电系统，在该系统中，微型发电机利用小型涡轮交流发电机将储存在SCBA压缩空气中的机械能转换为电能。这些创新是(1)制造成本低的微型、高速、高效的涡轮机，以及(2)使涡轮交流发电机能够在不浪费任何呼吸空气的情况下运行的控制方案。在第一阶段，我们将通过(1)建立和测试从压缩空气中产生原型功率电平的模型发电机和控制系统，以及(2)为原型SCBA设计发电机、发电机和电气系统来证明微型发电机的可行性。在第二阶段，我们将开发低成本的制造方法，建造并测试一台气动发电机的原型，最后建造并测试一台具有主动安全系统的自供电SCBA。拟议的商业应用：气动发电机的主要市场将由消防员、救援人员和需要改进安全功能的SCBA的危险材料工人组成。该设备可以安装到新的SCBA中，也可以改装到已经在现场使用的设备上。我们估计潜在市场在每年10,000到10,000台之间。Creare已经与SBA的一家领先制造商合作，将这种气动发电机商业化。

The safety of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) can be significantly enhanced by on-board electric power. Critical needs for electric power include radio receivers, face-mask pressure sensors, electromechanical air-flow regulators, hazardous chemical detectors and alarms, and distress beacons. Batteries only provide limited power, they are expensive, and they require frequent replacement. We propose to develop an innovative self-powered system in which a miniature generator converts the mechanical energy stored in the SCBA's compressed air into electric power using a small turboalternator. The innovations are (1) a miniature, high- speed, efficient turbine that is inexpensive to manufacture, and (2) a control scheme that enables the turboalternator to operate without wasting any breathing air. In Phase I we will prove the feasibility of the miniature power generator by (1) building and testing a mock-up generator and control system that produces prototypical power levels from compressed air, and (2) designing the generator the generator and electrical systems for a prototypical SCBA. In Phase II we will develop low-cost, manufacturing methods, build and test a prototype air-powered electric generator, and finally build and test a self-powered SCBA with active safety systems. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The primary market for the air powered generator will consist of firefighters, rescue workers, and hazardous materials workers who need SCBAs with improved safety features. The device can be incorporated into new SCBAs and also retrofit to units already in the fields. We estimate the potential market to be in the range of 10,000 to 100,000 units per year. Creare has teamed with one of the leading manufacturers of SBAs to commercialize the air-powered generator.