MINIATURE ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCE TO ENHANCE SCBA SAFETY

自给式呼吸器（SCBAs）的安全性可以通过车载电源显著提高。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，价格昂贵，而且需要经常更换。我们建议开发一种创新的自供电系统，其中微型发电机使用小型涡轮发电机将储存在SCBA压缩空气中的机械能转换为电能。创新是(1)一个小型，高速，高效的涡轮机，制造成本低廉，和(2)控制方案，使涡轮发电机运行不浪费任何呼吸空气。在第一阶段，我们将通过以下方式来证明微型发电机的可行性：(1)建立和测试一台模拟发电机和控制系统，该系统可以从压缩空气中产生原型功率水平；(2)为原型SCBA设计发电机和电力系统。在第二阶段，我们将开发低成本的制造方法，建造和测试一个空气动力发电机的原型，最后建造和测试一个带有主动安全系统的自供电SCBA。建议的商业应用：空气动力发电机的主要市场将包括消防员、救援人员和危险材料工人，他们需要具有改进安全功能的scba。该设备可以集成到新的scba中，也可以改造到已经在现场使用的设备中。我们估计潜在市场在每年1万到10万台之间。Creare与SBAs的一家领先制造商合作，将这种空气动力发电机商业化。

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.