EP0922631A1 - Unterwasseratmungsgerät für mittlere- und grössere Tiefen, mit halbgeschlossenem Kreislauf - Google Patents

Unterwasseratmungsgerät für mittlere- und grössere Tiefen, mit halbgeschlossenem Kreislauf Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0922631A1
EP0922631A1 EP97830577A EP97830577A EP0922631A1 EP 0922631 A1 EP0922631 A1 EP 0922631A1 EP 97830577 A EP97830577 A EP 97830577A EP 97830577 A EP97830577 A EP 97830577A EP 0922631 A1 EP0922631 A1 EP 0922631A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plenum chamber
expandible
semi
closed circuit
breathing gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97830577A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Claudio Beux
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP97830577A priority Critical patent/EP0922631A1/de
Publication of EP0922631A1 publication Critical patent/EP0922631A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/18—Air supply
    • B63C11/22—Air supply carried by diver
    • B63C11/24—Air supply carried by diver in closed circulation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a semi-closed circuit, underwater breathing apparatus for medium and great depths, for instance from zero up to 120-130 meters.
  • Semi-closed circuit underwater breathing apparatus for medium and great depths for divers including a source of breathing gas, a plenum chamber bag usually located on the back of the diver and a soda-lime filter, are known in the art.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement for a semi-closed circuit underwater breathing apparatus of the above mentioned kind.
  • a semi-closed circuit underwater breathing apparatus comprising a source of breathing gas connected through a delivery pressure regulator to an expandible plenum chamber having a pair of rigid walls; said plenum chamber being connected in a semi-closed circuit including a soda-lime filter and an inhalation/exhaust mouthpiece for the diver arranged in a known way; said expandible plenum chamber being in mechanical coupling with a discharge valve towards the environment for discharging a surplus of breathing gas in the exhaling circuit following an excessive expansion caused by an increase of the pressure of the breathing gas within said expandible plenum chamber during normal breathing; there being also provided means with an automatic control for the adjustment of the flow of breathing gas towards said plenum chamber as a function of the environment pressure (water-head), and manual control means associated to said automatic control means for increasing the flow of breathing gas towards said expandible plenum chamber for counteracting a possible "collapsing" of said expandible plenum chamber in the case of a fast increase of the environment pressure (water head
  • the breathing apparatus includes a portion of tubing 1 connected to a conventional mouthpiece (not shown).
  • the portion of tubing 1 is connected by means of the portions 2, 8 to one-way valves 3, 9 that allow the passage of inspiration/exhalation gases in the direction of the arrows F1, F2, respectively.
  • tubing 2' branches into a conduit 5 that leads to the expandible plenum-chamber 4 and to a tubing portion 6 that leads to the outlet side of a conventional soda-lime filter 7.
  • conduit 8', 8'' are connected by means of a conduit 10 to a one-way valve 11 that allows the passage of surplus gas in the direction of the arrow F3 towards a conduit 12 that opens towards the environment (water).
  • the valve 11 is controlled, for example, by means of a flexible cable 14 that crosses sealingly a flexible sealing member 13 and is fastened to a wall 15 of the expandible plenum chamber 4 realized as a bellows 15', 16'.
  • the arrangement is such so that in the case of an excessive expansion of the expandible plenum chamber 4, a portion of the breathing gas is discharged towards the environment through the valve 11 actuated by the cable 14, in order to maintain the correct volume of the expandible plenum chamber 4.
  • the operation of the flexible cable 14 is controlled by the combined action of the walls 15, 16 of the expandible plenum-chamber 4. As it can be seen from figure 1, one end of cable 14 is fastened in 14' to the wall 15, and the part of the cable 14 extending beyond the sealing member passes over a pulley 14'' fastened with means not shown to the wall 16 of the plenum chamber 4.
  • figure 2 there is shown by way of example a detail of the expandible plenum chamber 4.
  • the plenum chamber 4 is defined by two rigid walls or shells 15, 16 and by bellows walls 15', 16'.
  • a structure is realized, by means of which the rigid walls 15, 16 can move substantially parallel each other.
  • the structure 18, 19, 20 is duplicated in order to constitute a parallelogram structure well known per se .
  • the by-pass device includes a body 40 whereon a shaft 41 is arranged, provided with a push-button 42 for a manual actuation, the purpose of which will be discussed below. Between the body 40 and the shaft 41 there is provided a membrane 43 for separating the environment (water) and the breathing gas at the interior of the body 40.
  • the shaft 41 extends in 44 into the chamber 45 for actuating a pin or conical shutter 46 against a counter-acting spring 47 for controlling the inflow of breathing gas introduced by the connection piece 48 connected to a conventional pressure regulator fed by a container of pressurized breathing gas, such as a cylinder.
  • connection piece 48 Between the connection piece 48 and the chamber upstream of the pin 46, there is provided a conduit 49 that leads to one or several selectable flow-restricting nozzles 50 for restricting the flow of breathing gas (only one shown).
  • the flow-restricting nozzles 50 are connected with a conduit 51 to the connection piece 33 corresponding to the connection piece 33 shown in figures 1 and 2.
  • connection piece 33 is connected to the conduit 53 that opens on the gas side of the membrane 43.
  • the increase of the environment pressure may lead to the "collapse" of the plenum chamber 4.
  • the diver by pushing the push button 42 performs a forced by-pass of the flow-restriction nozzle or nozzles 50 restoring the correct average expansion of the expandible plenum chamber 4.
  • valve 11 of figure 1 In the event of an excessive expansion of the plenum chamber 4, the valve 11 of figure 1 will operate, as above discussed, restoring the correct situation.
  • the modified embodiment of the breathing apparatus includes a part 101 to which a conventional mouthpiece (not shown) is connected.
  • the part 101 cooperates with one-way valves 102 and 110 that allow the passage of breathing gas during breathing in the direction of the arrows F101 and F110.
  • a conduit 103 Downstream of the unidirectional valve 102 there is provided a conduit 103 that branches in 103' and 104, respectively, that allow the breathing gas to reach a conventional soda-lime filter 105, and in the condition of complete filling of the circuit, the breathing gas reaches through the conduit 104 a one-way valve 119 and a discharge opening 106 that in the condition of maximum expansion of the plenum chamber 109 is opened by the sealing member 122 and that operates as a shutter for the discharge opening 106, allowing the elimination towards the environment (water) of the surplus breathing gas through the outlet 120.
  • the outlet side of the soda-lime filter 105 is connected to a conduit 107 that is branched in 108, 107' that allows the breathing gas to arrive both to the plenum chamber 109 and to the one-way valve 110 cooperating with the part 101 associated to the mouthpiece (not shown).
  • the breathing gas has a bi-directional flow as indicated by arrows F103, F104 according to the inhalation/exhalation action of the lungs of the diver (see figures 5 and 6).
  • the continuous-flow feed of breathing gas that arrives to the plenum chamber 109 is provided by the conduit 111 that is connected to a flow-restriction nozzle located downstream of a pressure regulator, not shown in the drawings because well known to a person skilled in the art.
  • the flow-rate of breathing gas will be adjusted to allow the correct uptake of oxygen for the needs of the diver.
  • valve 113 Downstream of the conduit 112 that is connected upstream of the pressure regulator, by-passing the flow-restriction nozzle, (not shown) there is connected a valve 113 for the compensation of the volume of the plenum chamber 109.
  • the valve 113 is actuated by a push-button member 114, that in turn is operated by one of the rigid walls of the plenum chamber 109: in the embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7, by the rigid wall 116.
  • the plenum chamber 109 would be subject to a collapse, preventing a normal volumetric breathing by the diver.
  • the collapse of the plenum chamber 109 causes (see figure 6) the actuation of the push-button 114 by the wall 116 of the plenum chamber, opening the volume compensation valve 113 that through the outlet 115 feeds breathing gas into the plenum chamber 109, restoring almost immediately the correct volume of the plenum chamber 109, and the correct situation of the whole breathing circuit.
  • a partial collapse of the plenum chamber 109 causes a decrease of the tension on the flexible cable 121 causing the closure of the passage 106.
  • the flexible membrane 122/shutter 106 is provided for a double purpose, firstly for avoiding that the breathed gas, i.e. the gas that is produced by the diver during exhaling, may arrive directly to the plenum chamber 109, by-passing the soda-lime filter 105 (see figures 5 and 6), and secondly, to open and to close the opening 120 at the right time.
  • the part of breathed gas that comes out of the discharge opening 106, without passing through the soda-lime filter 105 is the part of breathing gas more saturated with CO 2 and more depleted of O 2 .
  • the expandible plenum chamber 109 comprises two rigid walls 116, 117 and a bellows 118.
  • a movable parallelogram structure is fastened, that is linked to the rigid walls 116 and 117 in 131 and 132, and movably in 125 in cooperation with the slot 128.
  • This structure is also hinged in 133 between the stabilizing bar 126 and the half-bar 127.
  • This structure is duplicated by means of the cross-bars 129 and 130 so as to constitute an articulated parallelogram as one can see in figure 8.
  • the structure above disclosed allows a parallel motion of the rigid walls 116, 117.
  • the maximum expansion of the plenum chamber 109 is controlled both by the bellows 118 and by the flexible cable 121.
  • the plenum chamber 109 is preferably arranged over the breast of the diver in correspondence of the "center of gravity" of the lungs, thus avoiding in such way the pressure gradient that usually occurs when an expandible plenum chamber is arranged on the back of a diver.
  • the diver can keep under control by sight or with his hands the degree of expansion of the expandible plenum chamber. This would be impossible if the plenum chamber were located on the back.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
EP97830577A 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Unterwasseratmungsgerät für mittlere- und grössere Tiefen, mit halbgeschlossenem Kreislauf Withdrawn EP0922631A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97830577A EP0922631A1 (de) 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Unterwasseratmungsgerät für mittlere- und grössere Tiefen, mit halbgeschlossenem Kreislauf

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97830577A EP0922631A1 (de) 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Unterwasseratmungsgerät für mittlere- und grössere Tiefen, mit halbgeschlossenem Kreislauf

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0922631A1 true EP0922631A1 (de) 1999-06-16

Family

ID=8230849

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97830577A Withdrawn EP0922631A1 (de) 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Unterwasseratmungsgerät für mittlere- und grössere Tiefen, mit halbgeschlossenem Kreislauf

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0922631A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006041304A1 (en) * 2004-09-27 2006-04-20 Ottestad Breathing Systems As A portable breathing apparatus for divers
CN110723253A (zh) * 2019-10-31 2020-01-24 广船国际有限公司 一种防倒灌装置及船舶

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2931357A (en) * 1955-08-25 1960-04-05 Arborelius Mans Mansson Breathing apparatus for submarine use with a storing sac and with controlling means for the gas supply
GB862984A (en) * 1956-07-23 1961-03-15 Drager Otto H Improvements in or relating to breathing apparatus for underwater use
US3316905A (en) * 1964-04-24 1967-05-02 Henry W Seeler Variable volume rebreathing bag for scuba system
FR1479578A (fr) * 1966-04-04 1967-05-05 Shell Int Research Système respiratoire pour plongeur
FR1538953A (fr) * 1962-12-07 1968-09-13 Appareil respiratoire pour plongées profondes
FR1550305A (de) * 1967-11-06 1968-12-20
US5619987A (en) * 1991-09-24 1997-04-15 Grand Bleu International, Inc. Semi-closed rebreathing apparatus with water removing pump

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2931357A (en) * 1955-08-25 1960-04-05 Arborelius Mans Mansson Breathing apparatus for submarine use with a storing sac and with controlling means for the gas supply
GB862984A (en) * 1956-07-23 1961-03-15 Drager Otto H Improvements in or relating to breathing apparatus for underwater use
FR1538953A (fr) * 1962-12-07 1968-09-13 Appareil respiratoire pour plongées profondes
US3316905A (en) * 1964-04-24 1967-05-02 Henry W Seeler Variable volume rebreathing bag for scuba system
FR1479578A (fr) * 1966-04-04 1967-05-05 Shell Int Research Système respiratoire pour plongeur
FR1550305A (de) * 1967-11-06 1968-12-20
US5619987A (en) * 1991-09-24 1997-04-15 Grand Bleu International, Inc. Semi-closed rebreathing apparatus with water removing pump

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006041304A1 (en) * 2004-09-27 2006-04-20 Ottestad Breathing Systems As A portable breathing apparatus for divers
CN110723253A (zh) * 2019-10-31 2020-01-24 广船国际有限公司 一种防倒灌装置及船舶

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