Abstract:
An apparatus that provides for withdrawal of the liquid contents from a closed container (14) independent of the spatial orientation thereof, is described. The liquid withdrawal apparatus includes flexible withdrawal conduits (58) disposed inside the container and in fluid flow communication with external heat exchangers (144, 146). The heat exchangers serve to transfer heat to the withdrawn liquid to thereby provide a breathable gas mixture. The pick-up end of the withdrawal conduits (58) are weighted to ensure liquid withdrawal during changes in the orientation of the container while the outlet end of the tubes (62) communicates through septa (140, 142) that ensure there is little to no communication of pressure between the inside of the container and the heat exchangers, other than the fluid flow communication path provided by the conduits themselves. A pressure differential between the inside of the container and the external heat exchangers, normally brought about by an inhalation event of the user, provides the motive force for withdrawing the liquid contents from the container through the conduits.
Abstract:
An apparatus for providing a conditioned airflow inside a microenvironment using a portion of the breathing gas supply diverted to an ejector from a breathing respirator gas stream, is described. The respirator, such as a liquified-gas type respirator, includes an endothermic heat exchanger, and the microenvironment air or ambient air or both is flowed over and contacted with the heat exchanger to condition the air by cooling and dehumidifying it. The conditioned airflow is set up by the ejector which expels a portion of the breathing gas stream into a venturi to create a low pressure zone for entraining the microenvironment air or ambient air. The conditioned airflow is then directed to the user's body to reduce user heat stress. Broadly, the air conditioning apparatus is useful with any housing for a controlled physical environment in which a person or group of people can endure surrounding inhospitable conditions.