Wagner, Nicholas Adam, authorBradley, Thomas H., advisorWilliams, John D., committee memberYoung, Peter M., committee member2007-01-032007-01-032012http://hdl.handle.net/10217/75298Powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) are a form of respiratory protection that uses a motor-coupled fan to provide filtered air to a user through a positive pressure mask. Three types of PAPR devices have been developed of which breath-responsive PAPRs are the most recent. The benefits of breath-responsive PAPRs have been identified and regulatory performance requirements have been put in place for these devices, however, no devices have been certified by any regulatory agencies. This study proposes a novel conceptual design for a breath-responsive PAPR and describes a dynamic simulation of the characteristics of this new PAPR compared to a constant flow design as exercised by a simulated breathing cycle. Additionally, this study describes a prototype of the breath-responsive concept with experimental evaluation of the prototype against regulatory requirements and conceptual design targets.born digitalmasters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.breath responsivecontrol systemPAPRPIDpowered air purifying respiratorrespiratory protectionText