US 12,390,669 B2
Regulator assembly for an aircrew breathing mask
Jérémy Jacotey, Moissy-Cramayel (FR); Didier Lamourette, Moissy-Cramayel (FR); and Serge Moreira, Moissy-Cramayel (FR)
Assigned to SAFRAN AEROTECHNICS, Plaisir (FR)
Appl. No. 17/783,575
Filed by SAFRAN AEROTECHNICS, Plaisir (FR)
PCT Filed Dec. 8, 2020, PCT No. PCT/FR2020/052343
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 8, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/116596, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 17, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 19306605 (EP), filed on Dec. 9, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0010959 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A62B 7/14 (2006.01); A62B 7/02 (2006.01); A62B 9/02 (2006.01)
CPC A62B 7/14 (2013.01) [A62B 7/02 (2013.01); A62B 9/02 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control unit for an aircraft crew member's breathing mask, said unit comprising:
a support,
a mode-selection knob mounted on the support and configured to pivot with respect to an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being arranged perpendicular to said support, the mode-selection knob having a bottom extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a peripheral rim, the selection knob being pivotal between at least a first position, a second position and a third position,
a controller configured to be supplied from a source of breathing gas and to supply a breathing cavity with the breathing gas in at least the following three modes of operation:
when the mode-selection knob is in the first position, the controller supplies the breathing cavity as long as the pressure in the breathing cavity is not higher than a first pressure relative to the ambient pressure,
when the mode-selection knob is in the second position, the controller supplies the breathing cavity as long as the pressure in the breathing cavity is not higher than a second pressure relative to the ambient pressure, the first pressure being higher than the second pressure, and
when the mode-selection knob is in the third position, the controller supplies the breathing cavity with breathing gas diluted with air,
wherein the control unit further comprises at least one locking/unlocking system configured to lock and to unlock the rotation of the mode-selection knob towards the third position, the locking/unlocking system comprising an operating member configured to be pivoted between a position locking the rotation of the mode-selection knob such that rotation of the mode-selection knob between the first and second positions is allowed, but rotation to the third position is blocked, and a position unlocking the rotation of the mode-selection knob such that the rotation to the third position is allowed.