Venting device for pressurized space suit helmet to eliminate vomit expelled by crewme

Gran, A. A.

Lang, R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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(NASA CR OW TPAX OR AD NUMBER) (CATEGORY) 
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I, 
VEMT'IMG DEVICE FOR PRESSURIZED SPACE SUIT HELMET 
2 Sheets-Sheet P 
BY 
A B S r n C T  OF rnE ~~~~~~~~~~ 
A venting device comprising a fixture mounted in the 
faceplate of a crewman's helmet for use with a pressurized 
space suit, wherein the device incorporates valve means 
providing controlled venting of the helmet in the oral- 
nasal area and incorporating a collapsible duct or funnel 
pasitionable between a collapsed stowed condition ad- 
jacent the faceplate and an operating position in which 
it projects into abutment with the mouth of the crewman 
for elimination of vomitus expelled by the crewman. 
The invention described herein was made in the per- 
formance of work under a NASA contract and is sub- 
ject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568 
(72 Stat. 435; 42 U.S.C. 2457). 
This invention relates to venting devices for a pres- 
surized space suit helmet, and more particularly to a 
venting or scavenging system for use in such application 
in order principally to provide for eliminating vomitus 
from inside the helmet during pressurized space suit 
operation under zero or very low gravity conditions. 
The device may also provide a purge mode as well as 
a feed mode of operation, as will appear hereinafter. 
It is a principal purpose of the invention to provide 
a device of the foregoing character which is mountable 
in the usual faceplate of a pressurized space suit helmet 
in such manner as to be in optimum position for ready 
use when needed by the wearer, but which at the same 
time introduces as little obstruction to the wearer's view 
and as little encumberance to his mobility as possible. 
To this end, the device of the invention is capable of 
being stowed in non-operating position from which it 
may be moved easily and rapidly by the wearer to as- 
sume an operative position. Such operative position may 
provide simply for venting or purging the interior of 
the helmet and space suit, for a feeding mode or for 
vomitus elimination. Provision is made for collecting 
vomitus externally in a disposable receiver while allow- 
ing concurrent pass-through of oxygen or other gases 
IC occur. 
The device, in brief, comprises a fixture which is 
sealed directly in the faceplate of the helmet, being 
mounted in an aperture formed therein for the purpose, 
in juxtaposition to the mouth of the wearer. This fixture 
incorporates a port and valve means for closing the port 
to control communication between the atmosphere within 
the helmet and space suit, and the ambient atmosphere 
to which the wearer is exposed. A mouthpiece is secured 
to the aforesaid fixture inside the helmet in communica- 
tion with the aforesaid port. This mouthpiece takes the 
form of a collapsible funnel or similar duct which is mov- 
able between an operative position, in which it is fully 
extended to abut against the mouth of the wearer, and 
a stowed or collapsed position immediately adjacent the 
inner surface of the faceplate of the helmet. Control 
means interconnecting the mouthpiece and the valve is 
operable by the user to move the mouthpiece auto- 
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matically from its stowed position when the valve is in 
its port-closing position to the extended or operative posi- 
tion when the valve is moved to its port-opening position. 
A gas-permeable pouch is detachably secured to the ex- 
terior of the venting device to 'communicate with the 
port thereof and to receive and collect vomitus expelled 
through the port. In the event that it is merely desired 
to purge the atmosphere within the helmet, the valve has 
provision for introducing a restriction in the port to limit 
the out flow, in which condition the pouch or porous bag 
may or may not be attached to  the device. In still another 
mode of operation, the valve may include provision for 
a setting to allow direct introduction through the port of 
feeding means, such as a tube, for introducing food into 
the mouth of the crewman, 
The invention is illustrated by a typical embodiment 
of the venting device for a pressurized space suit helmet 
shown in the accompanying drawings, in which 
FIG. 1 is a view of a pressurized space suit helmet in 
position on the head of the crewman, in which the novel 
venting device is incorporated; 
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the venting 
device on an enlarged scale and in somewhat greater 
detail; 
FIG. 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the device 
shown in FIG. 2; 
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the valve or port control disc 
of the device seen in FIG. 3; 
FIG. 5 is a view similar to that in FIG. 3 but showing 
the venting device with the port disc in a different posi- 
tion; and 
FIG. 6 is a similar view with the port disc in position 
to  close the port completely and fully retract the col- 
lapsible mouthpiece. 
As seen in FIG. 1, a helmet of the type used in 
connection with a pressurized space suit incorporates a 
transparent faceplate 12 on which the venting device 14 
of the present invention is mounted. The device is shown 
in its operative position for receiving vomitus expelled 
from the mouth of the person wearing the helmet. The 
venting device itself is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 
and includes a generally funnel-like mouthpiece 16, a 
disposable gas-permeable pouch 18 and a valve housing 
20 interconnecting the two and supporting the device in 
a suitable aperture 22 provided in the faceplate 12 to 
which it is sealed. 
Pouch E8 comprises a semiporous, gas-permeable sack 
closed at one end and having a mouth adapted to  be 
secured, a? by a snap ring 19, to a portion of the valve 
housing 20. 
The mouthpiece of the venting device is a funnel-type 
unit which is made of pliable material supported by a 
light spiral compressian spring so as to  form a bellows 
collapsible downwardly toward the faceplate 12, as seen 
best in FIG. 6. By reason of the spring, the mouthpiece 
normally assumes the projecting position illustrated in 
FIGS. 1 and 2 so that it is abutted against the mouth of 
the wearer. 
The mouthpiece is collapsed against the normal bias 
of its bellows spring by two or more retracting cables 24 
secured to the outer end of the mouthpiece and passing 
through eyelet guides 25 in valve housing 20. 
Lip 26 of the mouthpiece is formed with a stiff ring 
covered by suitably soft, resilient protective material to 
prevent injury to the wearer. The mouthpiece is also pro- 
vided at its outer end with a flapper valve assembly com- 
prising a plurality of segmental finger 28 of rubber-like 
resilient material, each of which is secured adjacent lip 
26 of the mouthpiece and projects inwardly toward the 
center, forming a check valve to retard return flow from 
the mouthpiece. 
Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 3, venting 
device 14 comprises an assembly of a supporting plate vomitus receiving pouch 18 is shown attached to  the as- 
32 and a removable retaining ring 34 which together form sembly in this illustration, obviously it shall not be for 
housing 30 of the unit. In addition, the unit includes purge operation. In this condition, the device permits a 
B port disc 36 which is received in a well 38 formed in controlled out-flow of gas from the oral-nasal area of 
the exterior surface of plate 32, port disc 36 being re- the helmet into the ambient atmosphere. In order to con- 
tained in the well by peripherally overhanging flanges trol this, the purge port is so sized that the suit pressure 
of retaining ring 34. An elastic disc 40 is positioned be- can be maintained by the ventilating system, yet suffi- 
tween port disc 36 and the adjacent face of support plate cient gas out-flow is permitted to remove carbon dioxide, 
3% to form a seal at the junction, and disc 36 is further etc., expelled by the crewman. The design of the unit 
provided with O-ring seals 42 on either face near the pe- lo is such that for the purge mode of operation, the mouth- 
riphery of the disc, one being disposed between the disc piece is partially extended, bringing it closer to the oral- 
and support plate 32, the other between the disc and nasal area when purging and carbon dioxide removal is 
retaining ring 34. The arrangement hermetically seals most required. The arrangement has the added benefit 
the periphery of the disc but permits it to be rotated that, if necessary, the user can place his mouth against 
relative to the housing, as will be further described pres- 15 the mouthpiece 16 more effectively to expel the noxious 
ently. carbon dioxide from the space suit. The crewman st 
Support plate 32 is formed with a suitable port 44 the purging mode simply by returning the port disc 
which communicates with the inner end of mouthpiece to the closed position by means of the access handle 
16. A similar port 45 i s  formed in the resilient disc 40 If the user requires the vomitus operation or mode 
and is held in registery with the first port by cementing 20 of the device, he attaches the vomitus bag k8 to the 
or otherwise securing the disc to the outer face of the valve assembly by means of snap ring 19. He then ro- 
support plate 32. tates the valve handle 58 to the vomitus position, which 
As seen best in FIG. 4, ~ r t  disc 36 is formed with at  the same time allows the mouthpiece automatically to 
a series of ports 46, 48, and 50 designated, respectively, assume its extended position under the urging of the 
for vomitus removal, purge, and feed modes of opera- 26 spring-loaded bellows. In this 
tion. Port disc 36 is also provided on its inner face with tion illustrated in FIG. 3, pu 
a raised annular rib 52 on the surface of the disc which alignment with the ports in 
is imperforate within the periphery of rib 52. The fore- the user no longer requires the vomitus device, h 
going ports and annular rib are all surrounded by an returns the valve handle to the closed position which at  
annular flange forming a drum 54 on the inner face of 30 the same time winds mouthpiece retraction cables 
the disc. onto the retraction dru thereby retracting the mouth- 
On its outer face, disc 36 is formed with a collar 56 piece so that it will n an obstruction. The vomitus 
(see FIG. 3).  As here shown, collar 56 encircles all bag with its contents may then be removed from the 
three of ports 46, 41 and 50 but could as well encircle valve assembly. 
only the purge port 46 since it serves as means for at- 36 What is claimed is: 
taching the pouch 18 which is needed only in the vomitus 1. In a pressurized space suit helmet having a face- 
removal mode of operation. Port disc 36 is provided plate, a venting device, means mounting said venting 
with means, in this instance a handle 58, to permit rota- device in said faceplate in juxtaposition to  the mouth of 
tion of the disc by the crewman. the wearer, said venting device having a mouthpiece ac- 
As Seen in FIG. 3, port disc 36 is rotatively positioned 4O cessible to the wearer, a housing for s u p p h g  said 
lo align vomitus port 46 with the registering ports 44, device in the faceplate and having a port for communicat- 
45 in the support plate 3% and resilient disc 4@, respec- ing said mouthpiece with the ambient atmosphere, valve 
tively. As seen in FIG. 5, disc 36 has been rotated to means associated with said housing to  open and close 
z position aligning purge port 48 with the ports 44, 45 in said port and a gas-permeable much having a mouth 
the housing. In similar manner, the alignment of feed 45 and means detachably securing the mouth on the ex- 
port 5@ with ports 44, 45 may be accomplished. And terior of said device to enclose the outlet of said port. 
finally as seen in PIG. 6, disc 36 has been rotated to  2. A venting device as defined in claim I, wherein said 
the fully closed position of the device, wherein the an- valve means comprises a member having a port therein for 
nular rib 52 is brought into registry with ports 44, 45, registry with said port in said housing, said member 
thereby sealing off the passage through the device. 50 being shiftable from a first position in which said ports 
I$ will be further noted that in moving the port disc are in registry, thereby venting the interior of the helmet 
from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in to ambient outside atmosphere, to a second position 
FIG. 5 and finally to that shown in FIG. 6 ,  the retraction wherein said ports are out of registry, thereby blocking 
cables 24, which are secured at their inner ends to drum the venting of said helmet, said shiftable member having 
54 of the plate, are drawn in as they are wound around 55 at least one additional port and being shiftable to positions 
the drum, thereby collapsing the bellows-type mouthpiece intermediate said first and second positions to align said 
against the faceplate 92 of the helmet. additional ports with the port in said housing. 
In order to secure proper alignment of the ports in 3. A venting device as defined in claim I, wherein 
the various angularly rotated positions of the port disc said mouthpiece is a collapsible funnel means securing 
36, suitable detent means, such as a spring and ball detent 80 the smaller end of said collapsible funnel to  the inner 
58, may be used to cooperate with depressions formed side of said housing and surrounding the port therein, said 
in the periphery of the disc, effecting quick and positive funnel being movable from an extended position, in which 
alignment in the several possible positions. A suitable it projects inwardly of the face plate of the helmet toward 
stop pin (not shown) may also be provided to limit the the mouth of the wearer, to a collapsed position immedi- 
rotation of the port disc only to the extent permitted by 65 a y adjacent said housing. 
&e length of the retraction cable 24. . A venting device as defined in claim 3, wherein 
The venting device is particularly suitable for the said valve means comprises a member having a port there- 
vomitus removal and purging modes of operation which in for registry with the port in said housing, said member 
are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5,  respectively, of the being shiftable from a first position in which said ports 
drawings. Operation of the device is very simple. Assum- 70 are in registry, thereby venting the interior of the helmeE 
inp that the device is in an initial closed condition as illus- to ambient atmosphere, to  a second position wherein said 
lrated in FIG. 6, when the crewman requires purging he ports are out of registry, thereby blocking the venting 
simply rotates the port disc by means of handle 38 to the of said helmet, and means operably interconnecting said 
purge position shown in FIG. 5 which aligns the purge shiftable member and said collapsible funnel, whereby 
gort 48 with the ports in the valve housing. Although the 75 said funnel is collapsed when said shiftable member is 
3,473,165 
moved to port-closing positi and said funnel is extended with an upstanding annul ib on its face adjacent said 
when said shiftable member is moved to port-opening resilient disc, said plate being rotatable to a position to 
position. cause said rib to register with and compress said resilient 
5. A venting device as defined in claim 4, wherein said disc peripherally of the port therein to form a seal there- 
shiftable member is a circular plate and said housing with. 
includes means for sealingly supporting said plate for 9. A venting device as defined in claim 2, wherein said 
rotation between said port-opening and port-closing posi- shiftable member is a circular platq and said housing in- 
tions. cludes means for rotatably supporting said plate for ru- 
6. A venting device as defined in claim 5, wherein tation between said port-opening and port-closing posi- 
said funnel is normally biased to extended position, a 10 tions. 
drum on the interior surface of said circular plate, at least 10. A venting device as defined in claim 9, wherein the 
two flexible cables secured at one end to said drum and several ports in said circular plate are each of a different 
at its other end to the outer end of said funnel, and guide size and $11 except one are smaller than the port in said 
means in said housing through which said flexible cable housing. 
passes as it winds on and uwinds from the drum with I5 1 . A venting device as defined in claim 8, wherein 
rotation of said circular plate. said mouthpiece is provided with a plurality of resilient 
7. A venting device as defined in claim 5, wherein segmental fingers, means securing each of said resilient 
said housing means for rotatably supporting said circular segmented fingers to the lip of the mouthpiece, said 
plate comprises a circular well formed in the exterior face resilient segmented fingers projecting inwardly to the 
of said housing within which said plate is received, and 20 center thereof to form a flapper valve resisting return 
a retaining flange, means detachably mounting said retain- flow from the mouthpiece. 
ing flange on said housing to peripherally overlie said 
plale in s2id well and retain the latter therein, and periph- 
era1 sealing means between said housing, plate and flange 
to hermetically seal said plate to said housing while per- " 2,344,920 3/1944 Maggi _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  2-9 
mitting relative rotation to occur between them. 3,067,425 12/1962 Colley _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  2-6 
1. A venting device as defined in claim 7, which in- 3,359,568 12/1967 Kothe _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  2 4  
dudes a resilient compressible disc, means securing said 
resilient, compressible disc to said housing and disposed 30 JAMES R. BOLER, Primary Examiner 
between it and said circular plate, said disc having an 
port in said housing, and said circular plate is formed 
UNITED STATES PATENTS 
aperture therein conforming to and in registry with the U.S. c1. X.R. 
2-2.1; 128-142.7 


Venting device for pressurized space suit helmet Patent

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