US 12,390,671 B2
Method and apparatus for providing air flow
Nishank R. Patel, Appleton, WI (US); Eric Sommers, Appleton, WI (US); and Joseph C. Schneider, Menasha, WI (US)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/162,271.
Application 18/162,271 is a continuation of application No. 16/721,969, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, granted, now 11,596,815.
Application 16/721,969 is a continuation of application No. 15/229,396, filed on Aug. 5, 2016, granted, now 10,512,798, issued on Dec. 24, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0181940 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A62B 18/00 (2006.01); A61F 9/06 (2006.01); A62B 7/10 (2006.01); A62B 9/00 (2006.01); A62B 17/00 (2006.01); F24F 11/30 (2018.01); F24F 11/77 (2018.01); F24F 110/10 (2018.01); F24F 110/50 (2018.01); A42B 3/28 (2006.01)
CPC A62B 18/006 (2013.01) [A61F 9/068 (2013.01); A62B 7/10 (2013.01); A62B 9/003 (2013.01); A62B 9/006 (2013.01); A62B 17/00 (2013.01); A42B 3/286 (2013.01); F24F 11/30 (2018.01); F24F 11/77 (2018.01); F24F 2110/10 (2018.01); F24F 2110/50 (2018.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A respirator configured to provide air to a protective device, comprising:
a filter configured to filter the air;
a blower fan configured to provide continuous air flow at variable speeds;
an air duct configured to direct air from the blower fan to an exhaust location, the blower fan configured to blow air through the air duct;
a blower controller configured to:
control the blower fan to automatically adjust an airflow speed of the blower fan to a plurality of airflow speeds over a plurality of different time periods, the plurality of airflow speeds being within an airflow speed range, by changing from a first airflow speed of the plurality of airflow speeds to a second airflow speed of the plurality of airflow speeds at a variable airflow change rate.