GB1307002A - Breathing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1307002 Underwater breathing apparatus WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP 18 May 1970 [12 June 1969] 23936/70 Heading A5T An underwater breathing apparatus adapted to be supported on a diver's back, has mounted thereto a breathing gas supply comprising breathing bags 73, 74, means for admitting the gas to the bags and means to communicate between the breathing bags and the diver and is characterized in that the appaartus has an outer protective shell 10 which supports and covers it and a flexible body-conforming structure 12 adjacent the diver's body, the breathing bags 73, 74 being disposed directly adjacent the flexible structure 12 and their center of buoyancy coinciding with the center of gravity of the equipment. The body conforming structure 12 is releasably connected to portions 17 which are laced to the shell 10. Disconnecting and folding back of structure 12 reveals the equipment supported in the shell 10. The apparatus is supported on the divers back through a strap 56 carried by arms 35, 35', and a soft pad 70 which is attached to the flexible structure 12. The load is transmitted to the pad 70 via an exhaust valve (98), Fig. 6 (not shown), whose hemispherical upper surface mates with a receiving member (140) attached to the shell 10. Gas is supplied to the apparatus by an umbilical 80, Fig. 5, joined by a quick disconnect device 82 and leading via filter 84, check valve 86 and metering orifice 89 to the inhalation bag 73. The bag has a purge valve 100 and in the event of damage to the bags gas may be diverted directly to a mask 96. An emergency gas supply 109, 110 is provided which may be used as the primary supply for shallow dives. Failure of the gas supply is shown by indicator 91 and the diver then switches over to the emergency supply by activating valve 117. This operation may be automatic. Gas is transferred between the exhalation bag 74 and inhalation bag 73 via a carbon dioxide absorber 59. System pressure is regulated by the exhaust valve 98 which is connected to the exhalation bag 74. The apparatus may be stored on a wall hook (181, 182) Figs. 13, 14 (not shown) which engages a bracket (177, 178) which also serves as a carrying handle. The hook (181, 182) is mounted at a height to allow the diver to back into the apparatus when putting it on. The apparatus has waist straps 50, 51 and shoulder straps 31, 32. When in position the breathing bags 73, 74 are substantially coextensive with the divers lungs (150), Fig. 8 (not shown).