101 |
Liquid cooled space suit chest band pump |
US51462965 |
1965-12-17 |
US3366060A |
1968-01-30 |
JENNINGS DAVID C |
|
102 |
Moon capsule suit |
US10366461 |
1961-04-17 |
US3139622A |
1964-07-07 |
OTTO SCHUELLER |
|
103 |
Cooling garment |
US14084361 |
1961-09-26 |
US3079765A |
1963-03-05 |
LE VANTINE ALLAN D |
|
104 |
Spacesuit sizing and tension relief bearing |
US211401 |
1998-12-15 |
US6158050A |
2000-12-12 |
Robert R. MacKendrick |
An assembly (100) for adjusting the size of a spacesuit and/or for relieving tension applied to the spacesuit is provided in which first and second members (102,104) slide relative to one another along a longitudinal axis (106) to vary the assembly's length. The members (102,104) define a first region (116) which is internal to both members and which changes in volume as the length of the assembly is varied and a second region (118) which is external to the first member (102) and internal to the second member (104) and which also changes in volume as the length of the assembly is varied. The first and second regions (116,118) are connected to one another by a gas conducting path (120). These regions (116,118) have sealed cross-sectional areas which are substantially equal to one another. In this way, pressurization of the spacesuit produces no net sliding motion of the first and second members (102,104) along the longitudinal axis (106). In addition, the members (102,104) can move relative to one another without changing the sealed internal volume of the spacesuit. Preferably, the first and second members (102,104) can rotate relative to one another about the longitudinal axis (106), whereby the assembly (100) can serve as a bearing for the spacesuit. |
105 |
Pneumatic cuff seal for spacesuit |
US143151 |
1998-08-28 |
US6006355A |
1999-12-28 |
Kevin James Abts |
A cuff seal for a spacesuit includes a rigid base member and a flexible seal member disposed within the base member. The seal member comprises a hinge portion and a contact portion extending therefrom. The contact portion is capable of flexing about the hinge portion and can be placed in pressure sealing contact with a blood supplied tissue, such as a wrist area, due to a gas pressure within the spacesuit. |
106 |
Mechanical counter pressure glove for spacesuit |
US143041 |
1998-08-28 |
US6000059A |
1999-12-14 |
Kevin James Abts |
A mechanical counter pressure glove includes an elastic supportive material and a plurality of pre-pressurized bladders in the supportive material. At least one of the bladders is configured to match a configuration of a palm of a hand. The bladders may also be configured to match other parts of the hand, such as the dorsum and fingers. Each of the bladders is pre-pressurized to match a tissue pressure in the user's hand prior to the glove being worn. Thereby, the bladders are self contained and omit the need for a constant available supply of gas pressure from an external source. |
107 |
Suitlock docking mechanism |
US730917 |
1996-09-30 |
US5697108A |
1997-12-16 |
Philip Culbertson, Jr. |
An environmental protective suit used for hazardous clean-up or space applications includes a suitlock docking mechanism that allows for easy egress and ingress of a crew member between a sealed vessel and a possibly contaminated environment. The suitlock docking mechanism comprises a single actuator that controls latches which, in turn, respectfully control rack and pinion assemblies that allow for easy removal and attachment of a life support equipment enclosure shell to the environmental protective suit or to the vehicle from which the operator performs his/her duties. |
108 |
Bearing for a pressurized protective suit |
US483387 |
1995-06-07 |
US5599110A |
1997-02-04 |
Robert R. MacKendrick |
A pressure sealing bearing (13) for use in a protective environmental suit (10) is provided. The bearing employs inner and outer races (44,54) composed of a light weight, relatively weak material, such as a plastic or aluminum alloy. To provide long wear and adequate strength, the bearing includes contoured race wires (46,48,56,58) and an interlock mechanism (72,74). The ends of inner race wire 48 are designed to butt against one another to control the deformation due to compression of the inner race (44) when pressure is applied to the bearing. The ends of outer race wire 56 include interlocking hooks (82,84) which control the deformation due to tension of the outer race (54). In this way, the bearings achieve the performance of all stainless steel bearings while providing weight reductions of at least 60%. |
109 |
Pilot's ensemble with integrated threat protection |
US785522 |
1991-10-31 |
US5245993A |
1993-09-21 |
Michael B. McGrady; Michael W. Wright |
A pilot's ensemble provides protection against cold water immersion and hostile threats, such as chemical and biological agents, while minimizing bulk and weight of the ensemble and impacts to and burdens on the pilot. The ensemble includes a garment (40) having an outer shell (14) impermeable to liquids and gases and a lining (58) bonded to an inner surface of a torso portion of the shell (14). Air is supplied to the lining (58) through a ventilation port (42) to control body temperature. Ensemble headgear includes a helmet (76) with upper and lower pairs of mounting members (78, 80, 82, 84). A permeable hood (70) is worn under the helmet (76) and has chemical vapor absorbing neck portions. A breathing mask (92) is removably attachable to the lower pair of mounting members (82, 84). Goggles (96) are removably attachable to the upper pair (78, 80). The goggles (96) seal the ocular cavity of the pilot and overlap the mask (92) and hood (70) to completely cover the pilot's face. A passageway (86) in the helmet (76) routes inflowing air to the goggles (96) to prevent fogging and maintain pressurization of the ocular cavity to prevent inboard leakage. Elements of the ensemble are selectively doffable in flight. |
110 |
Fireman suit |
US801410 |
1991-12-02 |
US5163183A |
1992-11-17 |
Peggy V. Smith |
A fireman suit formed as a fire-resistant shell includes a torso portion formed with a medial longitudinally aligned zipper and a rear pleated portion arranged parallel and longitudinally aligned with the zipper directed through a rear surface of the torso portion. Each leg tube includes an accordion pleated leg conduit portion and a groin pleated accordion portion, with each arm tube including an accordion pleated elbow portion medially of each arm. A pouch container is arranged for mounting relative to the forward surface of the torso portion of the suit. |
111 |
Acceleration protection ensemble and method |
US717383 |
1991-06-19 |
US5153938A |
1992-10-13 |
William L. Epperson |
An acceleration protection ensemble protects a person aboard an aircraft from the effects of acceleration. One embodiment comprises a liquid impervious cavity having a flexible interior layer that presses against the body. The cavity substantially covers the person's shins, front thighs, chest and back, and behind the knees, and leaves the buttocks, arms, and rear calves, and thighs substantially uncovered. Hydrostatic pressure within the cavity is restrained by a exterior restraining layer of flexible indistensible material. Substantially all of the cavity is positioned between the body and the restraining layer. The restraining layer substantially covers the buttocks, and rear calves and thighs to provide a pressure panel against body parts not covered by the cavity. The filled cavity hydrostatically presses body parts under it and tensions the pressure panels to press body parts underlying the panels. Booties having liquid impervious cavities with a flexible interior layer that substantially covers and presses against the upper foot, the ankles, and the arch, are connected to the body covering cavity to transfer hydrostatic pressure therebetween. A capacitance reservoir with a reclosable outlet fits about the neck and is connected with the main cavity. The restaining layer covers the reservoir. The restraint layer has an assembly to expand its girth. Elastic sleeves and gloves are provided.An alternative cavity additionally leaves uncovered the area approximately over the scapulas. Another alternative cavity substantially covers the lower back and spinal column. The reservoir is connected by cavity strips to the cavity section that covers the abdomen, while the chest area above the xiphoid level is substantially uncovered. The buttocks, arms, upper back and shoulders, and rear calves and thighs are uncovered. All cavities have suitable openings for liquid filling and emptying. |
112 |
Breathing apparatus mouthpiece |
US340250 |
1989-04-19 |
US5127398A |
1992-07-07 |
William C. Stone |
A breathing apparatus mouthpiece which is reversibly switchable between an open circuit and a closed circuit system by rotating a special valve in the mouthpiece. The breathing apparatus mouthpiece is compact, lightweight, easy to operate and has low breathing resistance. |
113 |
Space suit cooling apparatus |
US593599 |
1990-10-04 |
US5092129A |
1992-03-03 |
Stephen A. Bayes; George J. Roebelen, Jr. |
Apparatus for removing heat energy of a cooling medium passing from a space suit liquid cooling garment includes a heat sink assembly for absorbing and rejecting the heat energy and a heat transfer means for transferring the heat energy of the cooling medium to the heat sink assembly. The heat transfer means, which is comprised of an array of thermoelectric modules, regulates the quantity of heat energy transferred from the cooling medium to the heat sink assembly. The heat sink assembly includes a material which isothermally changes phase while absorbing heat energy. |
114 |
Multi-purpose jerkin |
US522500 |
1990-05-10 |
US5072727A |
1991-12-17 |
Armand J. Aronne |
A multi-purpose protective garment is provided for aviators and astronauts. The garment includes inflatable pads which selectively exert pressure on the chest and abdominal areas of the wearer to counteract the effects of high altitude and high G forces which have detrimental effects upon an aviator. The garment includes an integral harness for easily attaching a hollowed backpack frame which not only contains a stored parachute but serves as an oxygen bottle for inflation of the pads as well as providing an emergency oxygen supply for the wearer. |
115 |
Pressurized spacesuit fitted with variable pressure gloves for improved
dexterity |
US337331 |
1989-04-13 |
US4965886A |
1990-10-30 |
Wubbo Ockels |
The present invention relates to a pressurized suit (10) fitted with elastic gloves (1) and co-operating with respective devices (20) for reducing the pressure (P.sub.M) inside each glove relative to the pressure (P.sub.C) inside the suit (10) in order to increase manual dexterity of the astronaut. Each device includes an inflatable elastic cuff (30) which is disposed between the glove (1) and the remainder of the suit (10) together with means for pressurizing the cuff (30), said means being constituted by a micro-pump (40) which sucks air from inside the glove (1) and delivers it into the deformable chamber (31) of the cuff (30), together with a control valve (50a) for controlling the pressure (P.sub.j) inside the cuff (30). The invention is applicable to extra-vehicular activity (EVA). |
116 |
Don/Doff support stand for use with rear entry space suits |
US221472 |
1988-07-19 |
US4887749A |
1989-12-19 |
Joseph J. Kosmo; Terry O. Tri; William E. Spenny; Philip R. West |
A don/doff support stand for use with rear entry space suits is disclosed. The support stand is designed for use in one-g environments; however, certain features of the stand can be used on future space-craft, lunar or planetary bases. The present invention has a retainer which receives a protruding lug fixed on the torso section of the space suit. When the lug is locked in the retainer, the space suit is held in a generally upright position. In a one-g environment a portable ladder is positioned adjacent to the rear entry of the space suit supported by the stand. The astronaut climbs up the ladder and grasps a hand bar assembly positioned above the rear entry. The astronaut then slips his legs through the open rear entry and down into the abdominal portion of the suit. The astronaut then lowers himself fully into the suit. The portable ladder is then removed and the astronaut can close the rear entry door. The lug is then disengaged from the retainer and the astronaut is free to engage in training exercises in the suit. When suit use is over, the astronaut returns to the stand and inserts the lug into the retainer. A technician repositions the ladder. The astronaut opens the rear entry door, grasps the hand bar assembly and does a chin-up to extricate himself from the suit. The astronaut climbs down the movable ladder while the suit is supported by the stand. |
117 |
Elbow and knee joint for hard space suits |
US684190 |
1984-12-20 |
US4598427A |
1986-07-08 |
Hubert C. Vykukal |
An elbow or knee joint for a hard space suit or similar usage is formed of three serially-connected rigid sections which have truncated spherical configurations. The ends of each section form solid geometric angles, and the sections are interconnected by hermetically-sealed ball bearings. The outer two sections are fixed together for rotation in a direction opposite to rotation of the center section. A preferred means to make the outer sections track each other in rotation comprises a rotatable continuous bead chain which engages sockets circumferentially spaced on the facing sides of the outer races of the bearings. The joint has a single pivot point and the bearing axes are always contained in a single plane for any articulation of the joint. Thus flexure of the joint simulates the coplanar flexure of the knee or elbow and is not susceptible to lockup. |
118 |
Shoulder and hip joint for hard space suits |
US684192 |
1984-12-20 |
US4594734A |
1986-06-17 |
Hubert C. Vykukal |
For use in hard space units and the like, shoulder and hip joints comprising three serially-connected truncated spherical sections, the ends of which converge. Ball bearings between the sections permit relative rotation. The proximal end of the first section is connected to the torso covering by a ball bearing and the distal end of the outermost section is connected to the elbow or thigh covering by a ball bearing. The sections are equi-angular and this alleviates lockup, the condition where the distal end of the joint leaves the plane in which the user is attempting to flex. The axes of rotation of the bearings and the bearing mid-planes are arranged to intersect in a particular manner that provides the joint with a minimum envelope. In one embodiment, the races of the bearing between the innermost section and the second section is partially within the inner race of the bearing between the torso and the innermost spherical section further to reduce bulk. |
119 |
Pelvic stabilizer |
US294906 |
1981-08-21 |
US4434793A |
1984-03-06 |
Charles A. Willits |
The invention described relates to a device which is especially useful in a substantially weightless environment. The particular device provides a means for fixing or stabilizing the pelvis of the user with respect to controls or equipment operated by the user in a substantially weightless condition. The apparatus permits both arms to be free for providing working movements in combination with the torso of the user. |
120 |
Cooling system for removing metabolic heat from an hermetically sealed
spacesuit |
US753978 |
1976-12-23 |
US4095593A |
1978-06-20 |
Bruce W. Webbon; Hubert C. Vykukal; Bill A. Williams |
An improved cooling and ventilating system for removing metabolic heat, waste gases and water vapor generated by a wearer of an hermetically sealed spacesuit. The cooling system is characterized by a body suit having a first circuit for simultaneously establishing a cooling flow of water through the thorax and head sections of the body suit including circulation patches mounted in the thorax section and head section of the body suit, a second circuit for discharging a flow of gas throughout the spacesuit and a disconnect unit for coupling the circuits with a life support system externally related to the spacesuit. |