Device for Supplying Oxygen to the Occupants of an Aircraft and Pressure Regulator for Such a Device

Abstract

Device for supplying oxygen to occupants of an aircraft comprising an oxygen source at a first pressure known as a high pressure, a first oxygen supply line at a second pressure known as an intermediate pressure, first means for expanding/regulating the oxygen from the source to the intermediate second pressure, to feed into the first oxygen supply line, a second oxygen supply line at a third pressure known as the low pressure, second means for expanding/regulating the oxygen from the source to the third pressure to feed into the second oxygen supply line, characterized in that the first and second expansion/regulating means are positioned within one and the same regulator.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A device for supplying oxygen to occupants of an aircraft, comprising an oxygen source at a first pressure known as a high pressure, a first oxygen supply line at a second pressure known as an intermediate pressure, first means for expanding/regulating the oxygen from the source to the second intermediate pressure, to feed the first oxygen supply line, a second oxygen supply line at a third pressure known as a low pressure, second means for expanding/regulating the oxygen from the source to the third pressure to feed the second oxygen supply line, wherein the first and second expanding/regulating means are placed within one and the same regulator. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device further comprises means for cutting off the oxygen feed to the first and/or the second oxygen supply line, such as a manual valve, and in that the means for cutting off the feed are placed within the regulator. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the means for cutting off the oxygen feed is a manual valve. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the second means for expanding/regulating the oxygen comprise an electrically controlled mechanized regulating valve. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the electrically controlled mechanized regulating valve is conformed for regulating a pressure and/or an oxygen flow into the second line according to data representative of an altitude. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the device further comprises at least one of the following sensors: altitude sensor, a sensor for measuring the oxygen pressure at the outlet of the source and upstream of the expanding/regulating means, a temperature sensor, a sensor for measuring the oxygen pressure downstream of the second expanding/regulating means, and in that at least a part of the sensor or sensors is placed within the regulator. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first expanding/regulating means comprise a pneumatic expansion valve. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the regulator is placed close to and is preferably connected directly to the oxygen source. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the regulator is connected directly to the oxygen source. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device further comprises at least one quick installation mask connected to the first oxygen supply line and at least one passenger mask connected to the second oxygen supply line. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the regulator comprises a regulating line provided with an inlet connected to the high pressure (HP) oxygen source, the first and second expanding means being placed in series on the regulating line and upstream of a low pressure outlet connected to the second oxygen supply line, and in that the regulating line comprises a branch line connected between the first and second expanding means and an outlet at the intermediate pressure, the outlet at the intermediate pressure being connected to the first oxygen supply line. 
     
     
         22 . A pressure regulator for a device supplying oxygen to occupants of an aircraft comprising, integrated in one and the same module, first and second expanding/regulating means for expanding/regulating the oxygen issuing from the high pressure oxygen source, the first expanding/regulating means being conformed for expanding the oxygen to an intermediate pressure, the second expanding/regulating means comprising electrically controlled mechanized means for regulating the pressure and/or flow rate of oxygen to a pressure known as a low pressure according to data representative of an altitude.