REGULATOR FOR IMPROVED RESPIRATORY PROTECTION WITH SCBAS

总体目标是改善在危险环境中使用自给式呼吸器的消防员和救援人员的安全和健康。具体目标是开发一种机电压力调节器，即使在剧烈活动期间也能确保SBA面部的正压力。正压对保护健康和安全至关重要，因为面罩的压力可以防止潜在的有毒气体进入环境。提出的机电压力调节器克服了传统机械调节器的缺点。三个关键的创新是：(1)重量轻，压电驱动的机电阀；(2)创新的电子控制和驱动系统，耗电量极低；(3)由压缩空气涓流驱动的发电系统，提供调节器所需的所有电力。机电阀的快速响应和宽控制范围防止过度呼吸。电子控制单元可以警告用户面罩中的压力下降。第一阶段通过制造一个概念验证调节器，并使用SCBA面罩和呼吸机在极端条件下进行测试，证明了其可行性。在第二阶段，我们将开发和演示符合所有相关NIOSH和NFPA标准的商用scba原型调节器。建议的商业应用：主要应用于消防员和危险材料工人佩戴的压力需求，正压，自给式呼吸器。该设备可以集成到新的SCBA装置中，也可以对已经在现场使用的装置进行改造。我们估计每年的潜在市场在1万到10万之间。Create与最大的SCBA制造商之一合作，将机电SCBA调节器商业化。

The overall objective is to improve the safety and health of firefighters and rescue workers who use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) in hazardous environment. The specific aim is to develop an electromechanical pressure regulator that assures positive pressure in the SBA facepiece even during strenuous activity. Positive pressure is essential to protect health and safety, because the facepiece pressure keeps out potentially poisonous gases from the environment. The proposed electromechanical pressure regulator overcomes the drawbacks of conventional, mechanical regulators. The three key innovations are: (1) a lightweight, piezoelectrically actuated, electromechanical valve, (2) an innovative electronic control and actuation system that consumes ver little power and (3) a power generating system driven by a trickle flow of compressed air that provides all the power required by the regulator. The rapid responses and wide control range of the electromechanical valve prevent over-breathing. The electronic control unit can warn the user of falling pressure in the mask. Phase I proved feasibility by fabricating a proof-of-concept regulator and testing it under extreme conditions using a SCBA facepiece and a breathing machine. In Phase II we will develop and demonstrate prototype regulators for commercial SCBAs which meet all relevant NIOSH and NFPA standards. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The primary applications is for a pressure-demand, positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus worn by firefighters and hazardous materials workers. The device can be incorporated into new SCBA units and can also be retrofit to units already in the field. We estimate the potential market to be in the range of 10,000 to 100,000 per year. Create has teamed with one of the largest manufacturers of SCBAs to commercialize the electromechanical SCBA regulator.