U.S. patent application number 10/141071 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-28 for transportable collective protection system.
Invention is credited to Brown, Louis.
Application Number | 20020177399 10/141071 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4164348 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020177399 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown, Louis |
November 28, 2002 |
Transportable collective protection system
Abstract
A modulator transportable collective protection system for the
decontamination and containment of personnel in a toxic free area.
A contamination containment area is provided through which
personnel are decontaminated prior to entering the toxic free area.
The migration of contaminants is prevented by causing a purge of
clean filtered air from the toxic free area to the contamination
control area and to the exterior environment. A blower and filter
unit provides air to the toxic free area to maintain an over
pressure therein, ensuring that all entry to the toxic free area is
through a flow of clean air.
Inventors: |
Brown, Louis; (North Bay,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Baker McLachlen
Station D
P.O Box 2780
Ottawa
ON
K1P 5W8
CA
|
Family ID: |
4164348 |
Appl. No.: |
10/141071 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10141071 |
May 9, 2002 |
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09437337 |
Nov 10, 1999 |
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6390110 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/187 ;
600/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/286 20130101;
E04H 1/1277 20130101; E04H 15/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/187 ;
600/21 |
International
Class: |
F24F 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 8, 1999 |
CA |
2,285,748 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of maintaining a toxic free area comprising: sealing
said area from contaminants, providing a source of filtered
pressurized air, pressurizing said area with pressurized air from
said source at a pressure above atmospheric, allowing access to
said area only through a contamination control area, and flowing
air from said toxic free area to said contamination control area.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/437,337 filed Nov. 10, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to transportable collective
protection systems for decontamination of personnel, and provision
of toxic-free areas where injured or infected people can be
retained safe from further exposure to nuclear, biological, or
chemical hazards (NBC).
[0003] Such systems are required for both military and civilian
applications. They should be readily transportable by land or air,
and capable of being quickly set up with a minimum of personnel,
either in contaminated or toxic-free locations. Such systems must
come complete with their own power supplies, air filter equipment,
air conditioning, lighting, plumbing, and be capable of transport
to required sites by aircraft or ground vehicles.
[0004] Performance specifications for such systems require a high
standard of materials and design to meet operational requirements
in a variety of environments, to safeguard personnel from lethal
hazards. This molecular collective protection system must be
capable of providing relief from psychological and physiological
stresses during sustained operations in a contaminated environment
due to the wearing of full Individual Protection Equipment (IPE).
The system provides the ability to process contaminated personnel
through a Contamination Control Area (CCA) into a Toxic Free Area
(TFA), as defined in NATO standards, consistent with service
decontamination and contamination control procedures.
RELEVANT PRIOR ART
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,953 granted Nov. 24, 1987 to Anderson
discloses a light-weight expandable shelter providing protection
against chemical, biological agents and nuclear fallout. The
shelter has a frame of U-shaped ribs spaced and held parallel by a
series of reinforcing members. A cover of flexible material
resistant to chemical and biological agents is attached to the
frame. An airlock is provided at one end of the shelter, through
which access can be gained to the shelter. A blower and filter
pressurizes the shelter and airlock. Such a shelter is of limited
usefulness for personnel protection. Injured or non-ambulatory
personnel cannot be passed through the airlock, and the shelter is
not capable of modular expansion to provide different areas for
specialized activities. This shelter requires numerous personnel to
erect it and considerable time for erection to be completed.
Disassembling the shelter would also be slow and labor
intensive.
[0006] Healey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,597 issued Jan. 31, 1989
discloses a decontamination shelter consisting of a series of small
rooms, each large enough for an individual to disrobe, shower and
dress. Each room is separated from the adjacent room by a narrow
corridor with a door at one end leading into the corridor from a
first room and a door at the opposite end of the corridor giving
access to the adjacent room, the corridors being for isolation
between rooms.
[0007] Canadian Patent 2,080,498 issued Mar. 19, 1996, and its U.S.
counterpart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,991 issued Jul. 24, 1994, disclose
a method of establishing and maintaining in sealed tents, an
environment which is independent from its surroundings. Filtered
air is used to pressurize the tent, and recycled air from the tent
is mixed with filtered outside air, when an air pressure is
reached, which is higher than a predetermined air pressure. The
patent does not disclose entrance and exit details of the tent
which impact on the maintenance of pressure within the sealed tent,
nor does it address the problems of moving personnel from a
contaminated environment to a sealed space, while decontaminating
personnel and equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention overcomes all of the limitations of
the prior art by providing a transportable collective protection
system, which is modular and capable of assembly and operation in
both contaminated and toxic free environments, and which permits
the decontamination of personnel and equipment in a contamination
containment area (CCA), prior to entry into the toxic free area
(TFA). The migration of contaminants from the CCA to the TFA is
prevented by complete decontamination in the CCA, followed by
transfer of decontaminated personnel and equipment to the TFA,
while maintaining an over-pressure in the TFA causing a purge of
clean filtered air from the shelter through the CCA. The
over-pressure is maintained by a blower and filter unit which draws
in external air, filters it to remove contaminants, and pressurizes
the TFA and CCA to a pressure sufficient to inflate the system to a
self supporting state and to purge the CCA and any other minor
leakage through closures. Separate electrical generating equipment
provides power to run the blower and filter unit as well provides
power for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and operation of
internal equipment, including fresh water and waste water
systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the accompanying drawings,
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a collective protection system in
accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exterior view of the system of FIG. 1 with the
outer tent partially removed;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view of a compound of collective protection
units, with the outer tents removed;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an end view of the outer decontamination area of
the collective protection system of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative arrangement of units
showing the personnel movement and counter air flow of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a toxic control and decontamination
unit;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a three section 120 man sleeping
and eating facility, which can also be used for a four bed
operating room, fifteen bed field hospital;
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates the alternative use of the collective
protection system in a contaminated area and at the edge of a
contaminated area where the system provides an entry/exit to the
area;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a contamination control area as
part of a collective protection system;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the toxic free area TFA, with
auxiliary equipment attached, and
[0020] FIG. 12 is a plan and elevation view of a personnel
flow-through shower in a collective protection system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown in plan view a
collective protection system 10 consisting of an entrance 11 into a
Contamination Control Area (CCA) 12, coupled through an air lock 13
to a Toxic Free Area 14, connected to a Generator 15 and NBC filter
and fan unit 16. A second exit 17 is connected to the CCA 12. The
CCA 12, TFA 14, entrance 11, airlock 13, and exit 17 which form the
inner liner of the system are constructed of an air tight plastic
with welded seams and are connected together by zippers joining the
components. Preferably, the plastic material of the liner is a
chemical resistant composite consisting of a High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE) woven material, laminated to a barrier film and
coated on both sides with low density polyethylene LDPE films. UV
inhibitors and flame resistant additives are added to provide for
long term outdoor exposure and a degree of fire resistance. The
outer shell of the system 10 (not shown on FIG. 1) is mounted on a
standard modular tent frame consisting of A frames and purlins of
aluminum, the outer shell being a similar HDPE weave, laminated to
a barrier film and coated on both sides with LDPE. The exterior
surface is treated with a coating dyed Desert Tan or Olive Drab, as
required. By increasing the weight of the outer cover it is
possible to provide protection from shrapnel. Examples of inner
liner and outer shell materials are shown in tables 1, 2 and 3.
1TABLE 1 Chemical Resistant Inner Liner High density polyethylene
weave laminated to a barrier film and coated on both sides with low
density polyethylene Property Unit Values Test Method Construction
Tapes/in Warp 9.1 ASTM D3775 Tapes/in Weft 8.9 Unit Weight oz/yrd2
6.6 ASTM D3775 Tensile Grab lbf Warp 178 ASTM D1682-64 Strength lbf
Weft 202 Tear Strength lbf Warp 27 ASTM D2261-71 *(tongue) lbf Weft
34 ASTM D2261-71 Coating Thickness mil Natural 1.5 ASTM D1777 MOD
mil Natural 1.5 Flammability Pass NFPA 701 L Barrier film is
laminated to HDPE woven scrum and then coated on both sides with
DDPE, UV inhibitors and flame resistant additives are added to
provide for long term outdoor exposure and a degree of fire
resistance. These values are typical and are not intended as
limiting specifications.
[0022]
2TABLE 2 Chemical Resistant Outer Cover (Light Weight) High density
polyethylene weave laminated to a barrier film and coated on both
sides with low density polyethylene Property Unit Values Test
Method Construction Tapes/in Warp 10.2 ASTM D3775 Tapes/in Weft
10.4 Unit Weight oz/yrd2 7.3 ASTM D3775 Tensile Grab lbf Warp 225
ASTM D1682-64 Strength lbf Weft 208 Tear Strength lbf Warp 40 ASTM
D2261-71 *(tongue) lbf Weft 62 ASTM D2261-71 Coating mil Desert Tan
1.6 ASTM D1777 MOD Thickness Olive Drab Mil Desert Tan 1.6 Olive
Drab Flammability NFPA 701 L Barrier film is laminated to HDPE
woven scrum and then coated on both sides with DDPE, UV inhibitors
and flame resistant additives are added to provide for long term
outdoor exposure and a degree of fire resistance. These values are
typical and are not intended as limiting specifications.
[0023]
3TABLE 3 Chemical Resistant Outer Cover (Heavy Weight) High density
polyethylene weave laminated to a barrier film and coated on both
sides with low density polyethylene Property Unit Values Test
Method Construction Tapes/in Warp 16 ASTM D3775 Tapes/in Weft 16
Unit Weight oz/yrd2 10 ASTM D3775 Tensile Grab lbf Warp 371 ASTM
D1682-64 Strength lbf Weft 360 Tear Strength lbf Warp 116 ASTM
D2261-71 *(tongue) lbf Weft 118 ASTM D2261-71 Coating mil Desert
Tan 1.6 ASTM D1777 MOD Thickness Olive Drab Mil Desert Tan 1.6
Olive Drab Flammability NFPA 701 L *Includes force to shift tapes -
Tear may be crosswise to direction of force. Barrier film is
laminated to HDPE woven scrum and then coated on both sides with
DDPE, UV inhibitors and flame resistant additives are added to
provide for long term outdoor exposure and a degree of fire
resistance. These values are typical and are not intended as
limiting specifications.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the standard modular tent frame 20, with
the inner liner 21 inside the frame 20, and an outer shell 22
draped over the frame 20, and held in place by conventional means,
including securing the outer shell to the ground around the
perimeter of the system. The outer tent chemical cover may
optionally be colored with a suitable camouflage pattern, if
required by the location and use of the system.
[0025] The illustration of FIG. 3 clearly shows a plurality of
interconnected systems with the outer shells removed. The standard
modular tent frames clearly may be seen, together with the inner
liners positioned within the frames, and with looped tabs extending
from the inner liners to the frames.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view from the left end of FIG. 1 showing the
entrance 11 and the CCA 12. The outer decontamination area is
external to the entrance, but beneath the outer shell.
Decontaminant containing pans are provided at this location for
removing toxic material from personnel and equipment prior entry
into the entrance 11 to the CCA 12. The preferred decontaminant
used is RSDL, which can be applied to individual protective
equipment (IPE), weapons, other equipment, human skin and wounds,
without damage, and with instant neutralization of toxic NBC
material.
[0027] All components of the system may be mounted on a trailer for
ground transportation, or a pallet for air transport, which
facilitates the rapid movement of systems to locations requiring
the systems.
[0028] It will be appreciated by those familiar with the difficulty
of providing a toxic free area (TFA), that each module of the
system is a sealed unit, having a floor, walls and ceiling welded
and/or sewn together forming a sealed volume, which may be
connected to other modules by zipper connections, having minimal
leakage. The important feature is that there is a flow of air
through the system toward the source of contamination, and that
decontamination occurs principally at the downstream end of the air
flow. There is an over pressure maintained in the TFA which ensures
that all air flow is toward the source of contamination, as doors
are opened and closed, and that nothing is permitted into the TFA
that has not been through the CCA. It will be noticed that the
zippers 31 of FIG. 4 which comprise the opening into the exit 11,
are configured to minimize the escape of air during entry into the
CCA 12. By opening the zippers in the doors a limited amount, the
flow of air through the CCA 12 can be regulated. Vents are also
included in the end walls of the CCA 12 which may be adjusted to
ensure adequate flow of air through the CCA 12, and to maintain an
over pressure in the TFA.
[0029] A typical system of the invention includes on a pellet:
[0030] one 10 KV 60 Hz generator fixed to the pallet;
[0031] NBC filter system providing a minimum of 300 cfm. And
capable of filtering and maintaining an over pressure in three
inter-connected units at one time;
[0032] an independent air conditioning/heating unit for independent
climate control up to three complete connected liner units, each
measuring 14 ft..times.24 ft. by 6 ft. minimum clearance.
[0033] Each liner unit comes with sub-floor, inner floor, emergency
repair kit, two replaceable doors all inner support apparatus and
an extendible storage or toilet facility. All units come complete
with basic electrical hook up system of 110/220 v plug-ins, basic
lighting, remote controls and gauges for generator, filter, and
AC/heater units.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a specialized application for
biological/radiological showers, illustrating the counter flow of
personnel and air flow to maintain the TFA free of contaminants. It
will be appreciated that the view of FIG. 5 omits the outer shell
for clarity, it being understood that all systems will include such
a shell mounted on a standard modular tent frame.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternate arrangement of units,
with air flow from right to left in the view and personnel flow
from left to right, counter the air flow.
[0036] FIG. 7 is an alternative arrangement which can provide
sleeping and eating facilities for 120 men, or can be used for a
four bed operating room/15 bed ward field hospital. The shaded
areas 40 represent the typical form of barrier which could be
erected around such a facility for security, and to prevent direct
penetrating fire of hostile forces from striking the system. As
illustrated the outer shell of the system extends over all units of
the system, and the TFA at the right hand end of the system is
composed of three units joined together, and supplied with water
and sanitary facilities from water bladder 41 connected to a water
heater 42 on the trailer, connected to shower and toilet unit
43.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a complex of systems, each provided with
its own power and air flow equipment, and providing a CCA and TFA
for each system, which is contained within an outer shell
independent from each other. Such an arrangement is desirable for
certain military applications.
[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates two possible environmental locations for
systems. The upper view shows a typical setup in a toxic
environment, whereas the lower view illustrates a setup at the
boundary of a toxic area, where a dirty/clean line has been
established and personnel are passed through the system between the
contaminated area and the clean or non-contaminated area.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the CCA of a system, where a
liquid/vapor hazard is provided under the cover of the outer shell,
a liquid hazard decontamination area inside the CCA, connected to a
vapor hazard decontamination area also within the CCA, but isolated
from the liquid hazard area, and connected by an airlock to the
TFA.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a detail of the facilities coupled to the TFA as
illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a detail of a system in which the CCA consists of
a plurality of showers, and personnel flow is left to right and air
flow is right to left. Dependent upon the nature of the hazard,
such a CCA may be adequate to deal with detoxifying personnel, on
their way to the toxic free area (TFA).
[0042] Many other configurations of the system are possible, the
principle to be observed is that the air flow is counter to the
personnel flow and that there be a CCA prior to a TFA for personnel
movement. Preferably the inner liner is erected by inflation inside
a standard modular tent frame and an outer shell is mounted over
the frame. Preferably the system is transportable either on a
pallet or a trailer with all electrical and air flow systems
included with the system.
* * * * *