Respirator flow control apparatus and method

Abstract

A respirator has a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator. An air flow control system for the respirator has an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator, a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit, and a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator. The valve actuator is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.

1 . An air flow control system for a respirator which has a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator, the control system comprising:
 an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator;   a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit; and   a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator that is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.   
   
   
       2 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the conduit is separable from the shell. 
   
   
       3 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the air delivery conduit comprises a first conduit of a plurality of air delivery conduits within the shell of the respirator. 
   
   
       4 . The air flow control system of  claim 3  wherein the amount of air flow through the first conduit defines the amount of air flow through at least a second conduit of the plurality of air delivery conduits. 
   
   
       5 . The air flow control system of  claim 3  wherein each air delivery conduit receives air flow from a common air flow inlet. 
   
   
       6 . The air flow control system of  claim 3  wherein each air delivery conduit has a separate air flow outlet. 
   
   
       7 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the air delivery conduit is shape stable. 
   
   
       8 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the shell of the respirator and the air delivery conduit are shape stable. 
   
   
       9 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the shell of the respirator is non-shape stable. 
   
   
       10 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the air delivery conduit has an air flow inlet end extending out of the shell of the respirator, wherein the air delivery conduit has a plurality of air flow outlets within the shell of the respirator, and wherein the valve member is movable relative to a first set of one or more of the openings to vary the effective air flow size of each of the openings of the first set of openings. 
   
   
       11 . The air flow control system of  claim 10  wherein no more than 50% of the air flowing through the air delivery conduit is allowed to flow through the first set of one or more openings. 
   
   
       12 . The air flow control system of  claim 10  wherein the first set of one or more openings is disposed on a side of the air delivery conduit facing toward a head of the user. 
   
   
       13 . The air flow control system of  claim 10  wherein the first set of one or more openings is disposed on a side of the air delivery conduit facing away from a head of the user. 
   
   
       14 . The air flow control system of  claim 10  wherein the first set of one or more openings is disposed to direct air flowing therethrough across a portion of a head of the user. 
   
   
       15 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the valve member is slidable relative to the air delivery conduit. 
   
   
       16 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the valve member is rotatable relative to the air delivery conduit. 
   
   
       17 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the valve actuator is slidable relative to the shell of the respirator. 
   
   
       18 . The air flow control system of  claim 1  wherein the valve actuator is rotatable relative to the shell of the respirator. 
   
   
       19 . The air flow control system of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 a controller within the shell coupled to the valve member, wherein the controller causes movement of the valve member in response to a signal generated by the valve actuator from outside of the shell.   
   
   
       20 . A method for controlling air flow within a respirator comprises:
 forcing air through an air delivery conduit within a shell of the respirator, wherein the shell defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator; and   manipulating an actuator outside of and adjacent to the shell, by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator, to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the manipulating step comprises rotating the actuator relative to the shell of the respirator. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the manipulating step comprises sliding the actuator relative to the shell of the respirator. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the forcing step comprises forcing air through a plurality of air delivery conduits within the shell of the respirator. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the forcing step comprises providing air for each air delivery conduit from a common air flow inlet. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the manipulating step comprises varying the amount of air flow through at least two of the air delivery conduits controlled. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the manipulating step comprises the actuator providing a signal to a moveable valve member that is in the shell. 
   
   
       27 . A respirator comprising:
 a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator, wherein the shell includes a visor portion to permit a user wearing the respirator to see through the visor portion of the shell;   a plurality of air delivery conduits within the shell of the respirator;   a valve within at least one of the air delivery conduits to vary the amount of air flow therethrough; and   a valve actuator for controlling the valve, wherein the valve actuator is outside the shell of the respirator and is capable of manipulation by a user of the respirator while the user is wearing the respirator.