Life Support Equip. Questions

[WhaleDriver]

Would anyone here be able to answer some questions about Life Support equipment, in particular the Combat Edge system?

This is for a research/design project, and therefore its some pretty detailed stuff I'm looking for. If anyone has knowledge of this system, or could refer me to someone, that would be a huge help.

Thanks

 

[Mud Eagle]

Which parts of the system? There are a number of us here who fly with the ol' COMbined Advanced Technology Enhanced-Design G Ensemble every day, so ask away.

 

[WhaleDriver]

Thanks Mud Eagle.

In particular, I'm looking at the pressure generation system for the bladder in the rear of the helmet.

How is pressure supplied to this bladder? Is it from the same source as the G suit? Also is it a constant pressure to which it is inflated, or does it vary with G's? How is pressure relieved in the bladder?

Now the nats-assed stuff. I'm looking for numbers on the air supplied to the bladder, such as:

1) Pressure generated
2) Flow rate of air during inflation

I know these are pretty detailed questions, and by no means do I mean to take up to much of your time, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, my thesis work looks at an "alternate use" for this airflow, in case you're curious.

Thanks

 

[Mud Eagle]

Air for the helmet bladder comes from a tube that runs right into the oxygen hose on the MBU-20/P mask. The tube comes out the left side (from the wearer's perspective) of the hose, then runs up the base of the left side of the helmet. So, the air is coming from the oxygen regulator and NOT from the pneumatic anti-G valve that inflates the G-suit.

That means that the bladder is only being filled when the oxygen regulator is on PB-G (pressure breathing for G) and when the jet is under enough G (more than +4G). I think it is a constant pressure, but to be honest I don't know for sure.

There is no outflow valve to the helmet bladder as far as I can tell...I'm guessing that as soon as the pressure in the mask hose drops, then the bladder deflates.

 

[WhaleDriver]

Thanks for the info.

It looks like the pressure from the PB-G system is lower than required.

Does anyone know similar information about the Combat Edge vest?