CN101184535A

CN101184535A - Exhalation valve for use in an underwater breathing device

Info

Publication number: CN101184535A
Application number: CNA2006800176977A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马克·约翰逊
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-21
Filing date: 2006-05-19
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Also published as: RU2362934C1; CN101180482A

Abstract

An underwater breathing device, such as a snorkel, may include an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve is configured to produce positive end-expiratory pressure in the airway of a user of the underwater breathing device in order to reduce the overall work of underwater breathing. The exhalation valve includes a plate defining an exhalation port. The exhalation valve also includes a flexible membrane that is sealable against a surface of the plate and is sized and positioned to be capable of sealing the exhalation port. The flexible membrane is configured to have a sealed position in which the flexible membrane seals the exhalation port such that substantially no exhaled air escapes the snorkel. The flexible membrane is also configured to have an unsealed position in which exhaled air escapes the snorkel.

Description

Be used in the outlet valve in the underwater breathing apparatus

The cross reference of related application

Application number the unknown, exercise question that the application requires to submit on May 18th, 2006 are the priority of U.S.'s application for a patent for invention of " ExhalationValve For Use In An Underwater Breathing Device ".The application number that the application also requires on May 21st, 2005 to submit to is 60/683,477, exercise question is the priority and the rights and interests of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of " Valves; Baffles; Shortened Snorkels; Stealth Snorkels, Snorkel EquipmentCombined with Scuba Equipment ".The application number that the application also requires on October 19th, 2005 to submit to is 60/728,193, and exercise question is the priority and the rights and interests of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of " SnorkelValve ".The full content of these applications clearly is herein incorporated by quoting.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to a kind of underwater breathing apparatus, relates in particular to the outlet valve that is used in the underwater breathing apparatus, and this outlet valve is configured to produce end-expiratory positive pressure in user's air flue.

Background technology

After even user's mouth and/or nose are submerged in the water, underwater breathing apparatus also can make the user continue to breathe.Some underwater breathing apparatus, for example aqualung and aqualung breathing equipment, being configured to provides air for flooding underwater user from compressed air container.Other underwater breathing apparatus, for example traditional snort mast, being configured to provides air for the user from atmosphere.

Traditional snort mast mainly comprises corrugated hose, can suck air from atmosphere via this corrugated hose.Corrugated hose typically is configured to have two ends.One end of snort mast is used to remain on the water surface.The other end of snort mast is used to be submerged in the underwater.The end that is used to flood underwater intake line generally includes be difficult to articulate (mouth piece).Especially, the part that the user will be difficult to articulate is inserted into him in the mouth, thereby produces sealing between user's air flue and corrugated hose.The user is submerged in his mouth and being difficult to articulate under water then, and the other end with corrugated hose remains on the water surface simultaneously, thereby still can suck atmospheric air when making the user in being submerged in water.Simultaneously, corrugated hose can so that the user at the mouth that does not destroy the user and under the situation of the sealing between being difficult to articulate the mouth by the user exhale.Usually, discharge snort mast by the air that the user breathes out by corrugated hose, and suck atmospheric air by this identical corrugated hose user.

The problem that the user runs into when using traditional snort mast is: the hydraulic pressure on every side that is submerged in wherein owing to the user makes fatigue strength increase.Normal air-breathing and exhale, the user need expend muscle power and make his lung inflation and exhaust.Yet when the user was submerged in the water, the hydraulic pressure around user's the lung forced the user to need the more at ordinary times muscle power of consumption rate to make his lung inflation, and makes the user need the few at ordinary times muscle power of consumption rate to make his lung exhaust.This expiration that reduces muscle power trends towards making the user to exhale quickly than usual, thereby has reduced each time interval that increases between muscle power air-breathing, thereby causes more frequent air-breathing.More frequent air-breathingly cause the user than normal air-breathing and tired quickly when exhaling, because the less and atelectatic possibility of lung volume that works, to cause expiratory dyspnea, thereby and this will cause further that the lung decline makes that lung can not complete expansion.

Another problem that may run into when the user uses traditional snort mast is: the water that exists in the corrugated hose owing to snort mast causes expiratory dyspnea.Water can enter into traditional snort mast by the one or both ends of corrugated hose sometimes.When these water accumulate in the position that the path of the air in water and the corrugated hose interferes and/or user when sucking water, will cause expiratory dyspnea.In addition, during air-breathing and/or expiration, when air process water, the existence of water can cause chaotic gurgle or bubbling noise in the corrugated hose of snort mast.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, need a kind of underwater breathing apparatus that can eliminate or reduce some or all the problems referred to above.

A scheme according to the present invention provides a kind of outlet valve that can be used in the underwater breathing apparatus.This outlet valve is configured to produce end-expiratory positive pressure in the user's of breathing equipment under water the air flue potentially, to reduce the amount of work of underwater breathing.This outlet valve can comprise: plate, it limits at least one accent and exhalation vents.Described at least one accent and this exhalation vents are oppositely arranged.This outlet valve also comprises: flexible membrane, its surface against this plate is sealable, and the size of this flexible membrane and position are set to seal this exhalation vents.This flexible membrane can be configured to have sealing station, and when the sealing position, this flexible membrane seals this exhalation vents so that there is not air to flow basically between described at least one accent and this exhalation vents.This flexible membrane also can be configured to have unsealed position, and when this unsealed position, this this exhalation vents of flexible membrane blow-by is so that air can flow between described at least one accent and this exhalation vents.

The outlet valve of another program also can comprise plate according to the present invention, this plate be approximate rigidity and for approximate plate-like.In addition, the exhalation vents of the plate of outlet valve can be oval-shaped or lachrymal.In addition, the flexible membrane of outlet valve can comprise hinged region, and this hinged region is arranged as this exhalation vents is divided into both sides, so that when this flexible membrane was crooked along this hinged region, a side of this exhalation vents was unsealed, and the opposite side of this exhalation vents is to keep sealing.And the plate of outlet valve and/or flexible membrane can have the projection (nub) that is placed between this plate and this flexible membrane.

Another scheme according to the present invention provides a kind of underwater breathing apparatus, produces end-expiratory positive pressure in the user's that it is configured at this underwater breathing apparatus the air flue.In the user's of this underwater breathing apparatus air flue, produce the amount of work that end-expiratory positive pressure can reduce underwater breathing.This underwater breathing apparatus can comprise chamber and valve.This chamber can comprise first opening and second opening.This chamber is constructed so that working as air is inhaled in this chamber by this first opening, when limiting described air simultaneously and overflowing by this first opening, the free path that does not leave this chamber makes described air discharge this underwater breathing apparatus by this path, thereby the air of breathing out produces breath pressure in this chamber.This valve is used to limit the air-flow between this chamber and this second opening.This valve comprises plate and flexible membrane.This plate limits at least one accent and exhalation vents.Described at least one accent and this exhalation vents are oppositely arranged.This second opening can comprise described at least one accent and this exhalation vents.This flexible membrane is sealable against the surface of this plate, and the size of this flexible membrane and position are set to seal this exhalation vents.This flexible membrane is constructed so that the opening force that comprises any breath pressure in this chamber along this valve of first direction bias voltage, and makes closing force along this valve of second direction bias voltage, and this first direction is approximate opposite with this second direction.This flexible membrane comprises closing position, and in this closing position, this flexible membrane seals this exhalation vents so that there is not air to discharge in this chamber by this exhalation vents basically.When this opening force during smaller or equal to this closing force, this flexible membrane is arranged at this closing position.This flexible membrane also comprises the enable possition, and in this enable possition, this this exhalation vents of flexible membrane blow-by is so that air discharges in this chamber by this exhalation vents; When this opening force during greater than this closing force, this flexible membrane is arranged at this enable possition.

The underwater breathing apparatus of a scheme more according to the present invention comprises and is connected in being difficult to articulate of this first opening.In addition, this underwater breathing apparatus also comprises the expiration pipeline that is connected in this exhalation vents.In addition, this underwater breathing apparatus also can comprise the expiration pipeline of separating by barrier film, and this barrier film is separated out first pipeline and second pipeline.When the size of this second pipeline and position were configured such that this underwater breathing apparatus of proper use, any this ducted water of exhaling that enters trended towards accumulating in this second pipeline.In addition, this flexible membrane also comprises hinged region, this hinged region is alignd with this barrier film so that when this flexible membrane is crooked along this hinged region, this first pipeline be unsealed and this second pipeline for keeping sealing.In addition, thus be used to make this flexible membrane to make this flexible membrane crooked less than being used to so that this first pipeline and this second pipeline are all opened required opening force at the crooked required opening force of this first pipeline of only opening of the hinged region of this flexible membrane.In addition, when at least a portion of this underwater breathing apparatus is submerged in the water, the hydraulic pressure around this closing force comprises.In addition, this opening force comprises also that by the power that tension force produced that is connected in the elastic webbing on this flexible membrane this elastic webbing is basically along this this flexible membrane of first direction bias voltage.In addition, the tension force of this elastic webbing and the opening force that produced can manually be regulated.

A scheme provides a kind of underwater breathing apparatus again according to the present invention, produces end-expiratory positive pressure in the user's that it is configured at this underwater breathing apparatus the air flue.End-expiratory positive pressure in this user's the air flue can reduce the amount of work of underwater breathing.This underwater breathing apparatus comprises chamber and valve.This chamber comprises first opening and second opening.This chamber is constructed so that preferably working as air is inhaled in this chamber by this first opening, when limiting described air simultaneously and overflowing by this first opening, the free path that does not leave this chamber makes described air discharge this underwater breathing apparatus by this path, thereby the air of breathing out produces breath pressure in this chamber.This valve is used to limit the air-flow between this chamber and this second opening.This valve can be constructed so that any breath pressure in this chamber along this valve of first direction bias voltage, and makes buffer brake along this valve of second direction bias voltage.This first direction is approximate opposite with this second direction.This valve can have closing position, in this closing position, does not have air to discharge in this chamber by this second opening basically.When any breath pressure in this chamber during smaller or equal to this buffer brake, this valve is arranged at this closing position.This valve also has the enable possition, and in this enable possition, at least some air discharge in this chamber by this second opening.When any breath pressure in this chamber during greater than this buffer brake, this valve is arranged at this enable possition.

The underwater breathing apparatus of a scheme more according to the present invention comprises and is connected in being difficult to articulate of this first opening.In addition, this underwater breathing apparatus also comprises the expiration pipeline that is connected in this second opening.In addition, when at least a portion of this underwater breathing apparatus was submerged in the water, this buffer brake also comprised hydraulic pressure on every side.In addition, this buffer brake also can comprise the power of one or more springs.In addition, underwater breathing apparatus also can comprise the chamber with the 3rd opening, herein, and the air-flow between further restricted room of valve and the 3rd opening.This valve also comprises the purification position, purifies the position at this, and at least some air discharge in the chamber via second opening and the 3rd opening.When any breath pressure in the chamber during significantly greater than buffer brake, this valve can be arranged at and purify the position.

These and other scheme, feature and advantage of the present invention will become clearer from following DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED.

Description of drawings

Accompanying drawing comprises the figure of preferred embodiment, further to illustrate above-mentioned and other scheme, advantage and feature of the present invention.It will be appreciated that these accompanying drawings only are used for describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention rather than being used for limiting the scope of the invention.By using accompanying drawing more specifically and to describe and to explain the present invention in detail, in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1A is the front view of the snort mast after the exemplary assembling;

Figure 1B is the decomposition front view of the snort mast of Figure 1A;

Fig. 2 A is the air-breathing lid of snort mast of Figure 1A and Figure 1B and the top perspective view of inlet valve diaphragm member, and air-breathing lid and inlet valve diaphragm spare form inlet valve together.

Fig. 2 B is the sectional elevation of air-breathing lid of the snort mast of Figure 1A and Figure 1B, the figure shows the inlet valve that is positioned at enable possition (for example occurring in intake period);

Fig. 2 C is the sectional elevation of air-breathing lid of the snort mast of Figure 1A and Figure 1B, the figure shows the inlet valve that is positioned at closing position (for example occur in keep breathing or exhale during);

Fig. 3 A is the person in charge of the snort mast among Figure 1A and Figure 1B and the sectional elevation of dependency structure thereof;

Fig. 3 B shows the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 A, in the exhaust tube approach should be responsible among the figure, and is installed on this person in charge's the exhaust tube top installed part;

Fig. 3 C shows the person in charge's of the snort mast among Figure 1A and Figure 1B the oval cross section of lower end;

Fig. 3 D is the person in charge of snort mast of Figure 1A and Figure 1B and the cross-sectional view of dependency structure thereof;

Fig. 4 A is the side view of flexible steel in flat section tubing with ribbing of the snort mast of Figure 1A and Figure 1B;

Fig. 4 B is the sectional view of the tube connector shown in Fig. 4 A;

Fig. 5 A is the outlet valve/purge valve assembly with the joint of being difficult to articulate, decomposition of the snort mast among Figure 1A and Figure 1B and the decomposition side view that purifies lid;

Fig. 5 B is the exploded perspective view of outlet valve/purge valve assembly;

Fig. 5 C is the exploded cross section views of outlet valve/purge valve assembly;

Fig. 5 D shows the vertical view of this outlet valve/purge valve assembly;

Fig. 5 E shows the cross-sectional view behind this outlet valve/purge valve assembly stacked;

Fig. 6 A is the cross-sectional view of the joint when outlet valve is in the close position;

Fig. 6 B is the cross-sectional view of the joint when outlet valve is in the enable possition in normal the expiration;

Fig. 6 C is the sectional view of the joint when the fast purification mouth is opened in the expiration cleansing phase;

Fig. 7 A is the sectional view of alternative outlet valve/purge valve device, and this illustrates compressible Z-shaped wall.This folded wall has otch in the bottom, and the outside of this folded wall is closed except this folded wall is expanded fully in purification run.

Fig. 7 B is the sectional view that is similar to Fig. 7 A, the figure shows that outlet valve is in the enable possition and situation that purge valve is in the close position;

Fig. 7 C is the sectional view that is similar to Fig. 7 A, the figure shows the situation that outlet valve and purge valve all are in the enable possition;

Fig. 8 is the cross-sectional view of another alternative outlet valve/purge valve device, the figure shows the dome structure and the outside exhaust tube of locating that can vertically move;

Fig. 9 is the cross-sectional view of joint, and this joint contains outlet valve, and is suitable for being installed on the tube connector, and is installed to subsequently on the similar devices such as adjuster of exhalation vents or aqualung;

Figure 10 A is the sectional view of the alternative outlet valve structure that is in the close position;

Figure 10 B is that the outlet valve of Figure 10 A is constructed the sectional view when being in the enable possition;

Figure 11 A is the side view that can be used for the flexible membrane in the outlet valve structure of Figure 10 A;

Figure 11 B is the top perspective view of the flexible membrane of Figure 11 A;

Figure 11 C is the cross-sectional view that can be used for the plate-like rigid member in the outlet valve structure of Figure 10 A;

Figure 11 D is the upward view of the plate-like rigid member among Figure 11 C;

Figure 12 A is the sectional view of another the alternative outlet valve structure of valve when being in the close position;

Figure 12 B is the sectional view of the outlet valve structure among Figure 12 A of valve when being in the part enable possition;

Figure 12 C is the sectional view of the outlet valve among Figure 12 A of valve when being in full open position;

Figure 13 A is the side view of the flexible membrane in the outlet valve structure that can be used among Figure 12 A-Figure 12 C;

Figure 13 B is the top perspective view of the flexible membrane of Figure 13 A;

Figure 13 C is the cross-sectional side view that can be used for the plate-like rigid member of the outlet valve structure among Figure 12 A-Figure 12 C;

Figure 13 D is the upward view of the plate-like rigid member among Figure 13 C; And

Figure 14 is the cross-sectional view of exemplary tension force protrusion.

The specific embodiment

The application relates generally to a kind of outlet valve that is used in the underwater breathing apparatus.This outlet valve is configured to produce end-expiratory positive pressure in the user's of breathing equipment under water the air flue.Yet principle of the present invention is not limited to underwater breathing apparatus.Be understandable that, under inspiration of the present disclosure, can be successfully used to associated, as to produce end-expiratory positive pressure in need air flue any device the user in this disclosed structure.

In addition, this outlet valve for convenience of description, term for example " top ", " end ", " preceding ", " back ", " left side " reaches the direction that " right side " is used for describing accompanying drawing, and described accompanying drawing needn't be drawn in proportion.Yet, be understandable that: the present invention under water breathing equipment or comprise various angles, side and or even other device of putting upside down in be positioned at various desired positions.The outlet valve that is used for underwater breathing apparatus will be described in detail belows.

As described below and as shown in the drawing, outlet valve can be used in the device relevant with underwater breathing apparatus, for example the adjuster of aqualung or aqualung or snort mast.For example, outlet valve can be associated with the inlet valve of snort mast, and perhaps outlet valve also can combine with inlet valve.No matter this snort mast only comprises that a corrugated hose still comprises aspirating air pipe and expiration pipeline, and this outlet valve can place the top or the bottom of the corrugated hose of this snort mast.This outlet valve is configured to open usually when the user of snort mast exhales, so that the air of breathing out is discharged this snort mast.When the user of snort mast does not exhale (for example when air-breathing or between breathing time), this outlet valve is configured to closed usually.Breather pipe comprises under the situation of aspirating air pipe and expiration pipeline under water, and closed outlet valve can prevent to turn back to aspirating air pipe from the air that the expiration pipeline is breathed out, thereby guides the air of (channeling) exhalation by suitable exhaust tube.

Refer now to Figure 1A and Figure 1B, it discloses a kind of exemplary snort mast 1.Normally, snort mast 1 is convenient to through aspirating air pipe air is drawn into being difficult to articulate of user, and is convenient to from being difficult to articulate expiration is discharged to expiration pipeline (air from this expiration pipeline discharge water under breather pipe).This snort mast 1 comprises inlet valve and outlet valve.This snort mast 1 also comprises purge valve, the part-structure of this purge valve and the shared purge valve of outlet valve.Snort mast 1 in use, the unidirectional inlet valve that flow into of atmospheric air, and arrive air-breathing being difficult to articulate of user through aspirating air pipe.Then, flow through outlet valve and the expiration pipeline of flowing through (exhale from this expiration pipeline discharge water under breather pipe) of user's air of breathing out subsequently.The air of breathing out also can be discharged snort mast 1 through purge valve.Be about inlet valve, aspirating air pipe below, be difficult to articulate, the detailed description of the exemplary configurations of outlet valve, expiration pipeline and purge valve.

Snort mast 1 comprises a plurality of primary structural components, described primary structural component comprises air-breathing lid 7, be responsible for 13, tube connector 19, be difficult to articulate 54, joint 22, expiration pipeline 48 and the clarifier-tank 27 of inclusion cavity 23.Purify and to cover 50 lower ends that are positioned at snort mast 1.Corrugated hose outlet 16 is near the upper end of being responsible for 13, and the air of exhalation is discharged snort mast 1 from this corrugated hose outlet 16 usually.

In more detail, air-breathing lid 7, inlet valve tabula spare 10, the person in charge 13, tube connector 19 and joint 22 are disclosed among Figure 1B.The black box 6 of combination comprises containment member 30, the non-yielding prop dish 36 of combination and the film 40 that spirals, the black box 6 of this combination is used for installing flexibly the driving part of this outlet valve, and the driving part of this outlet valve is the functional part of black box 6 of combination, and acts on against the sealing ring 47 of exhaust tube bottom installed part 44.As shown in the figure, exhaust tube 48 is installed to the top of this structure.This exhaust tube 48 is by way of the center lumen of this snort mast 1, until the upper end of this exhaust tube 48 by be folded in be responsible for 13 and the air intake duct installing stopper 49 of hollow between install.Exhaust tube bottom installed part 44 is connected to joint 22 by supporting structure 46, and this supporting structure 46 is similar to the spoke that extends outwardly into external margin when seeing from the top down.Therefore, this supporting structure 46 can not stop fluid/air to pass this supporting structure (promptly from top to bottom) and flow.Purification is covered 50 and is screwed in the black box 6 that thereby protection is made up on the joint 22, and the film 40 that spirals of sealing assembly 6 is connected between this two structure and (purifies between lid and the joint) like this.Importantly, joint 22 inclusion cavities 23, in this chamber 23, the combination by inlet valve and outlet valve keeps breath pressure.The part bottom in the chamber 23 in the joint 22 is called clarifier-tank 27, will at first assemble the water that splashes/overflow here.

Fig. 2 A shows air-breathing lid 7, some penetrating vias 8 and inlet valve diaphragm spare 10, and above-mentioned parts form inlet valve together.This inlet valve diaphragm spare 10 has groove 12 (this groove has optional local thickness), this groove 12 is by the diameter of this diaphragm spare 10, and the center of this groove 12 is by being shown in centre bore 11 places that inlet valve anchoring piece 9 among Fig. 2 B and Fig. 2 C is anchored at this inlet valve diaphragm spare 10.

Fig. 2 B shows the cross-sectional view of the shape after the distortion of air-breathing lid 7 and inlet valve diaphragm spare 10, wherein shows the situation when valve is in the enable possition when air-breathing.All inhaled airs are through the penetrating via 8 of air-breathing lid 7 and enter into snort mast 1.Therefore can think that this air-breathing lid is first member of aspirating air pipe.Inlet valve diaphragm spare 10 has very big flexibility and easy deformation, so that any distribution of the airway resistance in the aspirating air pipe all can minimize.Diameter by diaphragm spare 10, the optional groove 12 of segment thickness makes this valve can be used as more effective butterfly valve.In addition, the size of air-breathing lid 7 is made as and makes penetrating via 8 can be incorporated in this zone, thereby even similarly can make the distribution at the situation downtake resistance of fast inspiratory flow rate still can minimize.There is shown the internal thread 55 of air-breathing lid 7, the respective threads on this internal thread 55 and the person in charge 13 as shown in Fig. 3 A is complementary.

Fig. 2 C and Fig. 2 category-B seemingly, but Fig. 2 C shows the inlet valve diaphragm spare 10 that is in flat shape when not air-breathing.When not having barometric gradient (pressure gradient) when acting on this valve, this inlet valve diaphragm spare 10 little by little is flat naturally, so that closed sound minimizes, if valve is not straight, then closed sound will appear, till valve is by powerful closure.Then, when exhaling, because the pressure (being shown among Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C) that acts on the outlet valve of bottom of snort mast 1 propagates this snort mast 1 in, providing clossing pressure to this inlet valve, so this valve maintenance closure closely.As long as this snort mast 1 is at normal use location normal orientation (that is, inlet valve is higher than outlet valve), and the user is not air-breathing at full tilt, and this pressure just is enough to anti-sealing and enters in the snort mast 1 by air-breathing lid 7.

Fig. 3 A shows the cross-sectional view of the person in charge 13 and dependency structure thereof.Air-breathing lid 7 is installed to this person in charge's 13 top by the coupling of the external screw thread 56 on this air-breathing internal thread that covers 55 and the person in charge 13.The representative structure of inlet valve is shown among above-mentioned Fig. 2 B and Fig. 2 C.The centre gangway of being responsible for 14 is directly accepted the suction air from inlet valve, thereby becomes second building blocks of function of this aspirating air pipe, and wherein aspirating air pipe is defined as the netted pipe and the structure of other hollow, flows through subsequently by this aspirating air pipe inhaled air.Exhaust tube top installed part 15 be responsible for 13 integrally formedly, and this exhaust tube top installed part is provided with circular outer wall, the upper end of exhaust tube 48 is resisted against this outer wall, and inserts and puts by the air intake duct installing stopper 49 of hollow.The air that this design has been eliminated between expiration pipeline 48 potential, snort mast 1 and the aspirating air pipe effectively leaks, otherwise when expiration pipeline 48 passes through the wall of these aspirating air pipes, air leaks will become problem.Expiration pipe outlet 16 is the openings that are positioned on the aspirating air pipe, and by this opening, expiration pipeline 48 leaves this snort mast 1.Hydrodynamic drag when the person in charge 13 lower end has elliptic cross-section 17 with minimizing swimming, and this person in charge's 13 upper end transition is that circular cross section is so that air-breathing lid 7 can carry out the screw thread installation.Be complementary to make by a plurality of ribs on being responsible for 57 and groove 58 on the tube connector and be responsible for 13 lower end and be installed on the flexible tube connector 19.

Fig. 3 B shows the circular cross-section 18 of the person in charge 13 upper end, and Fig. 3 C shows the elliptic cross-section 17 of the person in charge 13 lower end.Fig. 3 D is identical with Fig. 3 A, but the approach that also shows among this Fig. 3 D is responsible for 13 exhaust tube 48.

Fig. 4 A is the side view of flexible steel in flat section tubing 19 with ribbing.External fin 21 provides radial support for this tube connector, and it is flexible and flexible that this tube connector 19 is become.When using this snort mast 1, if when particularly using other diving equipment simultaneously, the flexible of this tube connector 19 can improve comfortableness.

Fig. 4 B is the cross-sectional view of elastic connecting pipe 19 (also being shown among Fig. 4 A) with ribbing.Show the centre gangway 20 of this tube connector now, this centre gangway 20 is as the 3rd building blocks of function of aspirating air pipe.Also show a plurality of grooves 59 of the bottom of a plurality of grooves 58 on top of tube connector 19 and tube connector 19 at this, a plurality of grooves 58 on described top are complementary with corresponding a plurality of ribs 57 (being shown in Fig. 3 A) of being responsible on 13, and a plurality of grooves 59 of described bottom and a plurality of ribs 60 (being shown in Fig. 5 A) on the joint 22 are complementary.

Fig. 5 A is the decomposition side view of joint 22 and dependency structure thereof.Especially, be formed with three installed parts on the joint 22, also, have on it a plurality of connection ribs 60 tube connector installed part 24, have on it a plurality of connection ribs 61 the installed part 25 of being difficult to articulate, with and on have the purification lid installed part 29 of external screw thread 64.

The chamber 23 that joint 22 contains a little volume, this chamber receives the suction air from the centre gangway 20 (being shown in Fig. 4 B) of tube connector 19, therefore becomes the 4th building blocks of function of aspirating air pipe.In other embodiments, this chamber is not the building blocks of function of aspirating air pipe yet.This chamber 23 receives from being difficult to articulate 54 exhalation air.This chamber 23 is pressurized during exhaling, and functionally provides buffer brake to user's air flue.The lower area in described chamber 23 is especially as clarifier-tank 27, thereby makes any water of catching at first accumulate in this.

Also ccontaining functional outlet valve of joint 22 and purge valve.In a preferred embodiment, shared three structural members of these two valves, the black box 6 that described three structural members are put together and are called combination simply.The structure of this assembly illustrates in Fig. 6 A form with preferred embodiment in Fig. 6 C, and the example of the alternative embodiment of outlet valve and purge valve is shown in respectively among Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 simultaneously.

At snap close installed part place joint 22, that be used for exhaust tube bottom installed part 44 (being shown in Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C), exhaust tube bottom installed part 44 is connected on the joint 22 statically by the supporting structure 46 of its spoke and wheel rim shape.Exhaust tube bottom installed part 44 also is provided with the sealing ring 47 that is used for outlet valve in addition.This exhaust tube bottom installed part 44 23 is directed to exhaust tube 48 (being also referred to as expiration pipeline 48) with the air of breathing out from the chamber.Outlet valve comprises each member and the sealing ring 47 of the black box 6 of combination, and above-mentioned every member will be described in Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C in more detail.

Fig. 5 A also shows the purification lid 50 that is screwed on the joint 22 on corresponding installed part.The purification lid 50 that illustrates has a plurality of purification lid perforation 52, and described perforation 52 can make hydraulic pressure act on the outlet valve, and the water that makes the process purge valve purify is discharged.Fig. 5 B is the exploded perspective view of the black box 6 of combination.This assembly comprises containment member 30, non-yielding prop dish 36 and the flexibility of the silicon rubber combination film 40 that spirals.

The containment member 30 of the combination of one (one-part) structure is provided with outlet valve containment member 31 and purge valve containment member 32.In a preferred embodiment, outlet valve containment member 31 is dome-type, thereby when overflowing through outlet valve along with exhalation air stream when small unlatching only, can open discharge currents very lentamente, and can reduce vibration.Also can adopt other similarly can play the shape of damping effect, comprise tear drop shape or taper.The purge valve containment member 32 of adjacency has damping rib 33 especially, described damping rib 33 from the downside of this purge valve containment member 32 with all lengths, radially protrude, and described damping rib 33 is used to reduce or eliminate buzz, otherwise when purifying this buzz can take place.The containment member 30 of combination also has around the link slot 34 at its middle part, can be fixedly attached on this non-yielding prop dish 36 by this link slot 34.Hollow region 35 makes the containment member 30 of this combination can be to be compressed so that the purpose of assembling, and provides installing port for optional spring 68 (Fig. 6 A), if need improve in the future, this spring 68 can further limit airway pressure 65.

Non-yielding prop dish 36 has following multiple function: the containment member 30 of supporting combination, sealing member 30 make outlet valve containment member 31 form stable sealing (being shown in Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C) by sealing ring 7; Provide wide surface, the required EPAP 65 (being shown among Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C) around acting on against this surface in this snort mast 1 of hydraulic pressure 66 (being shown among Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C) balance; Supporting purge valve containment member 32 is so that the maintenance of the sealing surfaces of sealing member and this non-yielding prop dish is approaching; And level and smooth rigid surface is provided, purge valve containment member 32 is salable against this surface.Thereby except reach at airway pressure 65 enough limiting value open initiatively purification run with fast purification during, fast purification passage 39 in the non-yielding prop dish 36 passes through purge valve containment member 32 and closure, thereby has utilized the higher EPAP 65 that remains in the snort mast 1 fully.The centre bore 37 of non-yielding prop dish 36 supports the containment member 30 of this combination at link slot 34 places of the containment member of described combination.Can install on the central anchor firmware 41 that is connected to the flexible film 40 that spirals by the external slot 38 of non-yielding prop dish 36.

The film 40 that spirals is flexible circuluses, and this structure has the cross section that spirals so that the containment member 30 of non-yielding prop dish 36 and combination can move axially.This function makes outlet valve containment member 31 suitably open and closed its sealing against sealing ring 7 (being shown among Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C), thereby hydraulic pressure 66 is regulated user's the immersion expiration speed and the speed of exhaling under water around utilizing.The film 40 that spirals has to be used for fixing the central anchor firmware 41 that is connected to non-yielding prop dish 36 and to be used for fixing to be installed to by the film connector slot 28 of spiraling (belonging to the joint 22 that is shown in separately among Fig. 6 A) and the film that spirals accordingly and purifies the peripheral anchoring piece 42 that cover in the space that groove 51 (belong to the purification that is shown in separately among Fig. 6 A and cover 50) limits.The screw thread installed part that is installed to the purification lid 50 on the joint 22 gently pushes this periphery anchoring piece 42, and this will help producing sealing preventing that water from entering snort mast 1, and helps to lock and purify the screw thread that covers installed part 29.

Fig. 5 C is the cross-sectional view of parts shown in Fig. 5 B.Fig. 5 D is the vertical view of the black box 6 of the combination that parts constituted shown in Fig. 5 B.Fig. 5 E is the cross-sectional view of the black box 6 of the combination that parts constituted shown in Fig. 5 C.

Fig. 6 A is the cross-sectional view of the joint 22 of outlet valve when being in the close position.Be shown in greater detail among Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B with multinomial member identical among this figure.Be noted that the airway pressure 65 that acts on the user on the black box 6 of combination from the top is not enough to overcome the inside extruding force that hydraulic pressure 66 on every side produces from the bottom.Therefore, outlet valve containment member 33 is against sealing ring 7 and closely closed, and can prevent the exhalation of air-flow.The non-yielding prop dish 36 of shape of cross section and the upper end that is positioned at its axial stroke of film 40 of spiraling is suitable mutually.Also show optional mechanical spring 68 among the figure, this spring 68 can be used for further limiting the buffer brake of exhaling and being reached.

Fig. 6 B is the cross-sectional view of the joint 22 of outlet valve when being in the enable possition.This figure is similar to Fig. 6 A, but normal expiration state has been shown in this Fig. 6 B, in this state, hydraulic pressure 66 around user's airway pressure 65 has surpassed, thereby on the black box 6 of combination, apply pure downward power, thus with outlet valve containment member 31 from it against sealing ring 7 sealing station remove.Airflow arrows 67 shows through chamber 23, passes outlet valve and enter into the direction of the air-flow of exhaust tube 48, air-flow from exhaust tube 48 punishment roads transmission to discharge snort mast 1.The shape of cross section of film 40 of spiraling is suitable mutually with the non-yielding prop dish 36 near the lower end of its axial stroke.

Fig. 6 C is the cross-sectional view of the joint 22 of purge valve when being in the enable possition.Be noted that, surpassed the pressure that is used for normal expiration owing to be used to purify required airway pressure 65, so outlet valve also be in the enable possition.With Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B, the description of being carried out referring to reference Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B about the description of multinomial member shown in this Fig.Be noted that purge valve containment member 32 separates from non-yielding prop dish 36, make that therefore the contents in the snort mast 1 can be discharged through fast purification passage 39.The bias voltage of purge valve containment member 32 is used for its shape of closed mold pressing, so that airway pressure 65 is obviously greater than hydraulic pressure 66 on every side, thereby makes purge valve containment member 32 produce displacement from non-yielding prop Pan66Chu.Shape of cross section and the non-yielding prop dish 36 bottom that is positioned at its axial stroke of film 40 of spiraling is suitable mutually.

Fig. 7 A is the sectional view of the alternate embodiments of snort mast 1, and snort mast 1 usefulness of this embodiment is molded as one flexible rubber parts, and promptly flexible seal member 69, has replaced three parts of the black box 6 of combination.For this reason, joint 75, purify cover 76 and exhaust tube bottom installed part 77 all carried out improvement with applicable to this alternate embodiment.Flexible sealing component 69 has the containment member anchoring piece 70 along its circumference, and sealing member anchoring spare is in the mode similar in appearance to the periphery anchoring piece 42 of aforementioned preferred embodiments, this member is fixed to joint 75 and purifies cover on 76.This flexible sealing component 69 also has O-ring top part 73, and the function of these parts 73 is identical with the function of the outlet valve containment member 31 of aforementioned preferred embodiments.Non-yielding prop dish 36 in the preferred embodiment is saved.Optionally stiffening ring 74 can place the darker burst of folded wall 71, with the mechanical support that is used to add.The a series of little purification otch 72 of the outside burst by folded wall 71 makes purification run convenient more, because the molded shape of this wall and the extruding force of ambient water, this folded wall 71 remains closed, be enough to expand fully folded wall 71 until airway pressure 65, purify otch 72 thereby open these in the mode that is similar to duckbill valve.

Fig. 7 B is the alternate embodiment of Fig. 7 A, and this there is shown the situation of the normal expiration identical with preferred embodiment among Fig. 6 B, and in this case, airway pressure 65 enough is used for exhaling, but is not enough to be used for the fast purification operation.Sealing dome 73 separates with the exhaust tube sealing ring 47 of the air that makes exhalation (shown in airflow arrows 75) discharge snort mast 1.

Fig. 7 C is the alternate embodiments of Fig. 7 A, and this there is shown and the identical purification run situation of preferred embodiment among Fig. 6 C, and in this case, airway pressure 65 surpasses the limiting pressure that is used to purify.Purify otch 72 and be arranged in lower, outside (or other flexibilities) folded wall 71 for silicon rubber this moment significantly.Described purification otch 72 is opened so that good detergent power to be provided by enough pressure, still generally, remains closed at purification otch described in the normal expiration activity.

Fig. 8 has disclosed another embodiment of snort mast 1, the feature of this embodiment is that tangible improvement has been carried out in butt joint 78, similarly, this joint 78 comprises the chamber 80 that is used for buffer brake, and has exhalation vents 83 near the bottom of snort mast 1, and outside exhaust tube installed part 84 and outside exhaust tube.Seal cup 81 provides the motor element of the buffer brake that is used for required end-expiratory positive pressure, and the sealing cup moves coaxially and supports by the seal cup rigid support.When the airway pressure in the chamber 65 can overcome on every side hydraulic pressure 66, seal cup 81 separated from O-ring seals 82, and this makes air overflow in the space of top of periphery of seal cup 81, is discharged in the outside exhaust tube 86 by outside exhaust tube installed part 85 then.Sliding seal 87 helps to keep the drying in the snort mast.

Fig. 9 is the cross-sectional view of the closing structure of outlet valve, and the closing structure of this outlet valve improves, thereby can be connected to by the air hose of the no axle collar (non-collapsible) on the exhalation vents on the adjuster of typical aqualung.Because function of the present invention is the expiration speed of regulating the aqualung scuba diver, therefore the present invention's this moment becomes a kind of " expiration adjuster " that is used for aqualung diving purpose in fact.The comfort level that depends on the user, this device can be worn to the height of user's mouth or chest.Compare with preferred embodiment (be shown in Fig. 5 A to 5D and Fig. 6 A in Fig. 6 C), the joint 88 in this alternate embodiments has shortened, so this joint is applicable to aqualung or aqualung purpose.In addition, preferably, being difficult to articulate of the snort mast 1 among this embodiment 25 can be saved, and this is owing to for aqualung, be difficult to articulate not necessarily.Be connected to by tube connector 94 from the exhalation vents of the adjuster of independent aqualung on ribbing 90 the tube connector installed part 89.Exhaust tube 92 shortens significantly, and expiration pipe outlet 95 has been moved on the joint 88.Importantly, chamber 93 continues to serve as the buffer brake chamber, to improve breath pressure described herein.Fig. 9 also comprises outlet valve shown in Fig. 6 B and dependency structure thereof, and described outlet valve is applicable on the exhalation vents of the adjuster that is installed to aqualung or aqualung equipment.Exhaust tube 48 among Fig. 9 has shortened significantly and has drawn from joint 22 through the sidewall of joint 22.

Shown in Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B, snort mast 100 comprises alternative outlet valve structure.This snort mast 100 is configured to comprise the identical parts of the parts a plurality of and snort mast 1 shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B, and described parts comprise inlet valve, the person in charge, tube connector and are difficult to articulate.Although described parts are understandable that not shown in Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B snort mast 100 is configured to work with the parts that are in the appropriate location one shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B.This snort mast 100 comprises aspirating air pipe 102.The outside of aspirating air pipe 102 comprises rib 104, and shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B, the tube connector and the person in charge can be connected on the described rib.Air enters air intake duct by inlet valve, and as other place is described herein, this inlet valve is a check valve, that is, can only allow air to flow in the aspirating air pipe 102, but can not flow out this aspirating air pipe 102.Air enters by this one-way sucting valve after the aspirating air pipe 102, and described air enters chamber 106 and can be sucked by the user by first opening 108 subsequently.Be difficult to articulate and be connected to first opening 108 by using rib 110, thereby be convenient to the air-breathing and expiration of user.After first opening, 108 suction air, the user can pass through these first opening, 108 exhalation air subsequently, and described air turns back in the chamber 106.Because air enters into aspirating air pipe 102 by check valve, the air in the chamber of therefore breathing out can not be discharged this snort mast 100 by aspirating air pipe 102.On the contrary, the air accumulation of this exhalation in chamber 106, thereby in chamber 106, produce breath pressure.

This exemplary snort mast 100 also comprises valve plate 120 and flexible membrane 130, and this valve plate 120 and flexible membrane 130 have formed outlet valve together.Valve plate 120 comprises exhalation vents 132.Valve plate 120 also comprises two accents 134 (shown in Figure 11 D).Flexible membrane 130 is connected to the edge of valve plate 120, shown in Figure 10 A, when flexible membrane 130 is in the close position, in order to sealing exhalation vents 132.

Accent 134 is arranged on the position relative with exhalation vents 132.In this paper and claims, phrase " at least one accent that is oppositely arranged with exhalation vents " is defined as: exhalation vents is arranged at a side of this valve plate 120 basically, and described at least one accent then is arranged at another side of this valve plate 120 basically.This definition also comprises following implication: the situation shown in Figure 11 D and Figure 13 D for example, wherein accent and exhalation vents are overlapped, so that accent partly surrounds exhalation vents, but this definition does not comprise following implication: accent surrounds or approximate exhalation vents, for example situation shown in the non-yielding prop dish 36 among Fig. 5 B and Fig. 5 D of surrounding.This definition makes flexible membrane 130 little by little peel off from the valve plate 120 that is positioned at these flexible membrane 130 1 sides, and this flexible membrane 130 is located immediately at the below of accent.

Also disclose expiration pipeline bottom installed part 122 among Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B, this installed part 122 has formed the part of expiration pipeline 128.Exhaust tube 124 is connected to this expiration pipeline bottom installed part 122 at rib 126 places.

When snort mast 100 was submerged in the water, the hydraulic pressure of the water around the snort mast 100 will promote flexible membrane 130 was resisted against on the valve plate 120 it, seals exhalation vents 132 thus.When the user exhaled in chamber 106, the breath pressure that accumulates in the chamber 106 produced opening force 140, and described opening force 140 acts on the flexible membrane 130 by the accent 134 of valve plate 120.Described opening force 140 is along first direction bias voltage flexible membrane 130.Simultaneously, the hydraulic pressure of the water around the snort mast 100 is as closing force 150, and described closing force 150 is along second direction bias voltage flexible membrane 130.The first direction of opening force 140 is approximate opposite with the second direction of closing force 150.

Shown in Figure 10 A, when closing force 150 during more than or equal to opening force 140, flexible membrane 130 sealing exhalation vents 132 are not so that there is air to discharge from chamber 106 by exhalation vents 132 basically.Yet shown in Figure 10 B, when opening force 140 surpassed closing force 150, the air 142 that flexible membrane 130 is opened exhalation vents 132 and exhalation was discharged in the expiration pipeline 128 in chamber 106.In case the air 142 of breathing out arrives expiration pipeline 128, the air 142 of exhalation just discharges from snort mast 100.

Shown in Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B, flexible membrane 130 comprises projection 138 alternatively, described protruding 138 is integrally formed in flexible membrane 130 and be used to suppress to be resisted against valve plate 120 and the impact of closed flexible membrane 130, is resisted against the noise that valve plate 120 is produced when closed thereby reduce flexible membrane 130.Shown in Figure 11 C and Figure 11 D, valve plate 120 comprises alternatively that also a plurality of protruding 136, described protruding 136 is integrally formed in valve plate 120, and has and projection 138 the approximately uniform function of function.The exhalation vents 132 of valve plate 120 also forms teardrop shaped alternatively so that the size of the unsealing of exhalation vents 132 part is at first very little, and when flexible membrane 130 when valve plate 120 is peeled off, unsealing size partly becomes big gradually.Figure 11 D discloses two accents 134 that are defined in the valve plate 120, also can only be provided with an accent, or be provided with plural accent.

Shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 C, snort mast 200 comprises another alternative outlet valve structure.Except valve plate 120 and flexible membrane 130 by different valve plate 160 with different flexible membranes 180 replaces, this snort mast 200 is identical with the snort mast 100 shown in Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B.Air with similar in appearance to the mode by snort mast 100 by this snort mast 200, and the air of breathing out also is collected in the chamber 106, thus chamber 106 in the generation breath pressure.

This exemplary snort mast 200 also comprises valve plate 160 and flexible membrane 180, and this valve plate 160 and flexible membrane 180 form outlet valve together.This valve plate 160 comprises exhalation vents, and this exhalation vents is divided into exhalation vents 170 that is positioned at the top and the exhalation vents 172 that is positioned at the below.Shown in Figure 13 D, this valve plate also comprises three accents 166.Flexible membrane 180 is connected in the edge of valve plate 160, and shown in Figure 12 A, when flexible membrane 180 was in the close position, this flexible membrane 180 was in order to the exhalation vents 170 of sealing top and the exhalation vents 172 of below.Also show expiration pipeline bottom installed part 162 among Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, this installed part 162 forms the part of expiration pipeline 128.This expiration pipeline bottom installed part 162 is separated by barrier film 168, thereby forms the pipeline 174 corresponding to the top of the exhalation vents 170 of top, and corresponding to the pipeline 176 of the below of the exhalation vents 172 of below.Exhaust tube 124 is connected on the expiration pipeline bottom installed part 162 at rib 164 places.The size of the pipeline 176 of below and position are arranged so that when using this snort mast 200 any water that enters in the expiration pipeline 128 trends towards collecting in the pipeline 176 of below.Similarly, when water when the inner surface of expiration pipeline 128 is assembled, will trend towards along inner surface to dirty and be pooled in the pipeline 176 of below.Therefore, the pipeline 176 of below is used to collect the water that enters in the expiration pipeline 128.

When snort mast 200 was submerged in the water, the hydraulic pressure of the water around this snort mast 200 will promote flexible membrane 180 was resisted against on the valve plate 120 it, thus the exhalation vents 170 of sealing top and the exhalation vents 172 of below.When the user exhaled in chamber 106, the breath pressure that accumulates in the chamber 106 produced opening force 140, and described opening force 140 acts on the flexible membrane 180 by the accent 166 of valve plate 160.This opening force 140 is along this flexible membrane 180 of first direction bias voltage.Simultaneously, the hydraulic pressure of the water around this snort mast 200 is as closing force 150, and described closing force 150 is along second direction bias voltage flexible membrane 180.The first direction of opening force 140 is approximate opposite with the second direction of closing force 150.

Shown in Figure 12 A, when closing force 150 during, flexible membrane 180 sealing exhalation vents 132, so that there is not air 106 to discharge from the chamber basically by exhalation vents 132 more than or equal to opening force 140.Yet shown in Figure 12 B, when opening force 140 surpassed closing force 150, flexible membrane 180 no longer seal the exhalation vents 170 of top, and the air 142 of exhalation is discharged in the chamber 106 in the pipeline 174 of top of expiration pipeline 128.In case the air 142 of breathing out arrives expiration pipeline 128, the air 142 of this exhalation just discharges from this snort mast 200.

Flexible membrane 180 comprises hinged region 182.This hinged region 182 can be by making this flexible membrane 180 hinged region 182 than thinner being integrally formed in this flexible membrane 180 in zone around this hinged region.When being assembled into snort mast 200, this hinged region 182 is alignd with this barrier film 168, thereby makes that the pipeline 174 of top be unsealed when flexible membrane 180 is crooked along hinged region 182 (shown in Figure 12 B), and pipeline 176 maintenances of below seal.Be used to make flexible membrane 180 at the opening force 140 of hinged region 182 places bending less than the opening force that is used to make flexible membrane 180 bendings, thereby shown in Figure 12 C, can make the exhalation vents 170 of top and the exhalation vents 172 of below all open.

Be used to open the required less opening force of the exhalation vents 170 of top and be used to open the user that the official post of the required big opening force of the exhalation vents 172 of below must this snort mast 200 and can normally exhale, and the exhalation vents 172 of below need not to seal by the exhalation vents 170 of top.Because any water that enters into expiration pipeline 128 trends towards collecting in the pipeline 176 of below, so this performance of the outlet valve of snort mast 200 makes the user exhale in the path with the exhalation air of small amount of liquid (discharge snort mast).This characteristic of outlet valve also makes the user periodically and wittingly than under normal circumstances more effectively exhaling, thus make opening force enough greatly so that the exhalation vents 172 of the exhalation vents 170 of top and below all open.When this happens, the pipeline 176 interior any liquid that are collected in the below will be forced in the expiration pipeline 128, and leave snort mast 200 by the air of effectively breathing out, thereby remove the undesired liquid in the expiration pipeline 128.

Shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 C and Figure 13 A-Figure 13 B, flexible membrane 180 comprises

projection

184 and 186 alternatively, and described projection is formed in the flexible membrane 180, and is used to suppress the impact of flexible membrane 180 against valve plate 160 closures the time.This inhibitory action has reduced the noise that flexible membrane 180 is produced when closed against valve plate 160.More particularly, projection 184 is sized and configured to and makes this projection contact this barrier film 168, thereby the exhalation vents 172 that is resisted against the below when flexible membrane 180 is and closed and when sealing, and this projection 184 can be by being out of shape the impact that absorbs closed action slightly.It is littler than not being provided with at protruding 184 o'clock that this impact absorption makes noise.Projection 186 is similar to the above with respect to the effect of the inwall of the exhalation vents 170 of top.

Shown in Figure 13 C and Figure 13 D, although the exhalation vents 172 of exhalation vents of top 170 and below forms oval-shaped opening together in valve plate 160,, also can form other shaped aperture.Figure 13 D discloses three accents 166 that are defined on the valve plate 160.The function of described three accents 166 can be realized by single accent or plural accent.

As shown in figure 14, the snort mast 200 with outlet valve of adjustable tension comprises protrusion 202 and tub 204, and elastic webbing 206 can be on this tub.Elastic webbing 206 is connected on the flexible membrane 208.The 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of flexible membrane 202 is similar to flexible membrane 130 shown in Figure 10 A-Figure 13 D and 180 26S Proteasome Structure and Function, or is similar to other flexible membrane disclosed herein.Elastic webbing 206 keeps approximately perpendicular to flexible membrane 208 by the side in hole 210.

When direction of protrusion 202 conversions, elastic webbing 206 produces the tension force of elastic webbing 206 thus around tub 204 rotations.Because elastic webbing 206 is connected on the flexible membrane 208, thus the tension force of elastic webbing 206 along with snort mast 200 in the approximately uniform direction bias voltage of the direction flexible membrane 208 of breath pressure, therefore form the opening force 140 that acts on the flexible membrane 208.Therefore, when the tension force of elastic webbing 206 increased, the breath pressure that is used to open flexible membrane 208 reduced.On the contrary, when protrusion 202 was transformed into rightabout, elastic webbing 206 launched from tub 204, reduces the tension force of elastic webbing 206 thus, and reduces to act on the power 140 on the flexible membrane 208.Therefore, snort mast 200 comprises protrusion 200, and this protrusion 200 makes the tension force that the user can manual adjustments flexible membrane 208.

Although the present invention is described with the form of certain preferred embodiment, other embodiment in the scope of the invention also is conspicuous to those skilled in the art.Therefore, scope of the present invention is only defined by appending claims.

Claims

1. an outlet valve that is used in the underwater breathing apparatus produces end-expiratory positive pressure in the user's that this outlet valve is configured at this underwater breathing apparatus the air flue, and to reduce the amount of work of underwater breathing, this outlet valve comprises:

Plate, it limits at least one accent and exhalation vents, and described at least one accent and this exhalation vents are oppositely arranged; And

Flexible membrane, it is sealably against the surface of this plate, and the size of this flexible membrane and position be set to seal this exhalation vents, and this flexible membrane comprises:

Sealing station, in the sealing position, this flexible membrane seals this exhalation vents so that there is not air to flow basically between described at least one accent and this exhalation vents; And

Unsealed position, in this unsealed position, this this exhalation vents of flexible membrane blow-by is so that air can flow between described at least one accent and this exhalation vents.

2. outlet valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein this plate be approximate rigidity and be approximate plate-like.

3. outlet valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein this exhalation vents is oval-shaped or lachrymal.

4. outlet valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein this flexible membrane also comprises hinged region, and this hinged region is arranged as this exhalation vents is divided into both sides, so that when this flexible membrane is crooked along this hinged region, one side of this exhalation vents can become unsealed, and the opposite side of this exhalation vents keeps sealing.

5. outlet valve as claimed in claim 1 also comprises at least one projection, and described projection is placed between this plate and this flexible membrane, and is formed on this plate and/or this flexible membrane.

6. a underwater breathing apparatus produces end-expiratory positive pressure in the user's that it is configured at this underwater breathing apparatus the air flue, and to reduce the amount of work of underwater breathing, this underwater breathing apparatus comprises:

The chamber, it comprises first opening and second opening, this chamber is constructed so that working as air is inhaled in this chamber by this first opening, when limiting described air simultaneously and overflowing by this first opening, do not make described air discharge free path this underwater breathing apparatus, that leave this chamber, thereby the air of breathing out produce breath pressure in this chamber; And

Valve, it is used to limit the air-flow between this chamber and this second opening, and this valve comprises:

Plate, it limits at least one accent and exhalation vents, and described at least one accent and this exhalation vents are oppositely arranged, and described at least one accent and this exhalation vents limit this second opening; And

Flexible membrane, it is sealably against the surface of this plate, and the size of this flexible membrane and position are set to seal this exhalation vents, this flexible membrane is constructed so that the opening force that comprises any breath pressure in this chamber is along this valve of first direction bias voltage, and make closing force along this valve of second direction bias voltage, this first direction is approximate opposite with this second direction, and this flexible membrane comprises:

Closing position, in this closing position, this flexible membrane seals this exhalation vents so that there is not air to discharge in this chamber by this exhalation vents basically; When this opening force during smaller or equal to this closing force, this flexible membrane is arranged at this closing position;

The enable possition, in this enable possition, this this exhalation vents of flexible membrane blow-by is so that air discharges in this chamber by this exhalation vents; When this opening force during greater than this closing force, this flexible membrane is arranged at this enable possition.

7. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 also comprises being connected in being difficult to articulate of this first opening.

8. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 also comprises the expiration pipeline that is connected in this exhalation vents.

9. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein should separate by barrier film by the expiration pipeline, this barrier film is separated out first pipeline and second pipeline, when the size of this second pipeline and position were configured such that this underwater breathing apparatus of proper use, any this ducted water of exhaling that enters trended towards accumulating in this second pipeline.

10. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein this flexible membrane also comprises hinged region, this hinged region is alignd with this barrier film, so that when this flexible membrane was crooked along this hinged region, this first pipeline can become unsealed, and this second pipeline keeps sealing.

11. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, thereby wherein be used to make this flexible membrane to make this flexible membrane crooked less than being used to so that this first pipeline and this second pipeline are all opened required opening force at the crooked required opening force of this first pipeline of only opening of the hinged region of this flexible membrane.

12. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein when at least a portion of this underwater breathing apparatus was submerged in the water, this closing force comprised hydraulic pressure on every side.

13. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein this opening force also comprises by the power that tension force produced that is connected in the elastic webbing on this flexible membrane, and this elastic webbing is basically along this this flexible membrane of first direction bias voltage.

14. underwater breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tension force of this elastic webbing and the opening force that produced can manually be regulated.