valve (figs. 7-1 and 7-2). Opening the handwheel
operated valve assembly releases the contents of the
cylinder. The handwheel has four 5/15-inch diameter
holes for the attachment of remote operation
equipment, if needed.
The valve is equipped with a fusible metal safety
plug and a safety disc to release the contents of the
cylinder if the pressure becomes excessive because of
high temperature. The safety plug is filled with a fusible
metal designed to melt at temperatures ranging from
208F to 220F (97.8C to 104.5C).
The cylinder and valve assembly is connected to
the oxygen tubing by soldering the tubing to a coupling
nose and securing the nose to the valve outlet with a
coupling nut.
4. DISC WASHER
1. SELF-OPENING
The self-opening (automatic) oxygen cylinder
5. SPRING NEST
HIGH-PRESSURE OXYGEN
6. SPRING
VALVE ASSEMBLY
valve is automatically opened when it is connected to
7. ASSEMBLY CHECK
2. SAFETY PLUG ASSEMBLY
the oxygen line. The use of this type of valve permits
3. SAFETY DISC
Figure 7-2.--Self-opening oxygen cylinder valve.
remote location of the oxygen cylinder to places less
vulnerable during combat and more readily accessible
for servicing.
Regulators
The success or failure of high-altitude flight
depends primarily on the proper functioning of the
oxygen breathing regulator. Acting as a metering
device, the regulator is the heart of the oxygen system.
To perform successfully in an aircraft system, a
regulator must deliver the life-supporting oxygen in the
quantities demanded throughout its entire range of
operation.
Although personnel of the Aircrew Survival
Equipmentman (PR) rating are primarily responsible
for maintenance of regulators, the AME is responsible
for performing operational checks in the aircraft and for
10. BUSHING
1. CYLINDER
removal and installation. In other words, the AME
11. GASKET, BUSHING
2. LABELINSTRUCTION
12. CAP, SPINDLE
ON WALTER KIDDE
removes a malfunctioning regulator from the aircraft
13. SPRING
CYLINDERS
and delivers it to the shop where the PR determines the
14. SEAT, VALVE
3. HANDGRIPS
trouble and makes the necessary repairs. When the
15. PLUG, SAFETY
4. HANDWHEEL
trouble is corrected, the AME reinstalls the regulator in
16. DISC, SAFETY
5. NUT, HANDWHEEL
the aircraft.
17. WASHER, SAFETY DISC
6. WASHER, LOCK
18. CAP, OUTLET
EXTENSION TEETH,
19. WASHER, OUTLET CAP
BRONZE, NO. 10
Tubing
20. BODY, VALVE
7. CAPS, VALVE
21. NUT, COUPLING
8. STEM, UPPER
Two types of tubing are used in aircraft oxygen
22. NOSE, COUPLING
9. DIAPHRAGM (SET OF 3)
systems. Low-pressure aluminum alloy tubing is used
Figure 7-1.--Gaseous oxygen cylinder and handwheel valve
in lines carrying pressures up to 450 psi. High-pressure
assembly.
7-5
