Sera Stars proposed innovation is to integrate the AVOX Systems Patented mask design: Design of face piece seal and supporting structure that distributes force on a wearer's face which is the subject of U.S. Patent Number 6,629,531, issued 7 October, 2003. This face-piece technology, referred to as the High Performance Oxygen Mask (HPM), design can be simply and seamlessly integrated into existing oxygen systems, improving the mask design to resolve complaints and eliminate pilot pain and discomfort and therefore significantly increase pilots discipline in properly wearing the mask. HPM face-piece design utilizes state of the art by integrating new mask design with modern manufacturing processes. By utilizing modern molding processes the soft face seal can be over-molded onto the mask frame, allowing for far greater control of the human/mask interface than the two-part legacy designs where as soft face-seals are held in place with a separate hard shell frame, such as on the old MBU-5/P, MBU-20/P and MBU-23/P mask design. Furthermore, by utilizing Liquid Injection Molding (LIM) processes, complex shapes of the face-piece and its over molding on the plastic shell can be controlled.
Benefit: There are several commercialization possibilities for the High Performance Oxygen Mask beyond the requirement for the subject Navy Aircraft. This mask technology is quite specific to the military users who are wearing helmets however, a comfortable and high performing mask face-piece could also be utilized in commercial and General Aviation. Other applications in additions to the Navy F/A-18F/A-18, JSF/F-35, T-6, and T-45 include all users of MBU-20/P and MBU-23/P masks who are experiencing the same issues. This will include all helmet/ mask users including NAVY E-2, USAF aircraft such as JSF, F-22, F-16, F-18, F-15, T-6, Future T-X, Load masters on C-130 and C-17, and C-5, All helmet wearing crew on the AC-130 and MC-130, B-1, B-2, B-52, B-21 bomber crews etc. Additional markets for this mask will also include NATO Allies and Foreign Military Services for use on their fixed wing and fighter jet aircraft. As rotor craft are now flying at elevations of 15,000-20,000 ft. this mask can be utilized as part of the Rotary Wing oxygen system for NAVY V-22 and the Army Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms such as the Bell V-280 Valor and the Sikorsky SB-1 Defiant. Parachutist Oxygen system for HALO/ HAHO is also an application where the HPM mask has been tested by NATIC for high altitude jumps and found to provide exceptional performance and stability at terminal velocity. CBRN systems for Fixed wing and fighter jets require a Pressure breathing/high Gz oxygen mask. The HPM mask underwent substantial testing as part of the JSAM- FW Fixed Wing CBRN solution. The new JSAM-JSF CBRN system utilize the MBU-20/P face-piece and will encounter the same fit and user pain issues. The HPM retrofit face piece can provide comfort, performance and eliminate the pain experienced when wearing this CBRN system.
Keywords: Seamlessly integrates into existing oxygen systems, Seamlessly integrates into existing oxygen systems, Increase pilots discipline and comfort in properly wearing the mask, hypoxia, High Performance Oxygen Mask Face-piece, Physiological Sensors wearable technology, Retrofit face-piece CBRN solution, Oxygen Mask Comfort Improvement Project
