Air filtration system including a helmet assembly

Abstract

An air filtration system and a helmet for use in the air filtration system are disclosed and utilized to filter air between a head and body of a user and an external environment. The air filtration system and helmet include inner and outer shells that define an air flow channel for channeling air about the user. A fan module is mounted between the inner and outer shells and a scroll housing is mounted adjacent the fan module. The scroll housing includes an air inlet for drawing air into the air filtration system and helmet, and at least one air outlet to distribute air flow to the air flow channel. The helmet includes air exits at front and rear sections that are in fluid communication with the air flow channel and the air outlet or outlets. The air filtration system includes a gown operating as a filter for filtering the air.

1 - 107 . (canceled)  
   
   
       108 . A method for maintaining a constant volume of air flowing into an air filtration system during the entire use of the air filtration system, the air filtration system including a helmet assembly adapted to be mounted on a head of a user and a gown for covering the helmet assembly, wherein the helmet assembly of the air filtration system includes a fan, motor, and power supply, said method comprising the steps of: 
 selectively activating and deactivating the power supply at a first activation rate to distribute a required voltage to the motor thereby establishing a rotational speed for the fan that correlates to the constant volume of air flowing into the air filtration system;    monitoring the back electromotive force of the motor of the helmet assembly to determine the rotational speed of the fan and when the rotational speed of the fan has stabilized for a predetermined period of time;    monitoring the voltage of the power supply after the rotational speed of the fan has stabilized for the predetermined period of time; and    selectively activating and deactivating the power supply at a second activation rate as the monitored voltage of the power supply decreases thereby sustaining the required voltage being distributed to the motor such that the constant volume of air flowing into the air filtration system is maintained.    
   
   
       109 - 116 . Cancelled