DE2601029A1 - DEVICE FOR GENERATING GAS AND ASSEMBLY EQUIPPED WITH IT - Google Patents

Description

Device for generating gas as well as assemblies equipped with it

The invention relates to apparatus for generating gas serving to inflate a balloon marker, a life jacket, a life raft or similar inflatable device as soon as the associated gas generating device is immersed completely or partially in water ₀

The term "gas generating chemicals" is used below to mean chemicals that react with water to generate a gas that is lighter than air. An example of chemicals suitable for this purpose is sodium borohydride with a catalyst, e.g. ₀ B ₀ anhydrous cobalt chloride, called. The use of these chemicals would produce gaseous hydrogen. «The speed of the reaction can be increased by using other catalysts»

A device according to the invention for generating gas has a reaction chamber which contains the gas generating chemistry. contains kalien the aforementioned type, also a water chamber to record participants in the reaction

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V / ater, which is actuated in water upon immersion of the device to have a valve means occur to water from the environment into the water chamber, and a Steuerbzw ₀ regulating device, which serves to close the valve means and the flow over from a larger amount of water delay the water chamber into the reaction chamber until the water chamber has received an amount of water sufficient to complete the entire desired gas generating reaction.

In this case, the valve device is expediently closed by the gas pressure that is built up in the water chamber during the gas generation reaction.

In certain embodiments of such a device if the control or regulating device has a wick or a or several narrow tubes which at least initially form essentially the only flow junction along it Water can pass from the water chamber into the reaction chamber. In these embodiments the device is ordinary designed so that it initially floats on the water in such a position that the water chamber has a higher position occupies as the reaction chamber to allow water to enter the water chamber freely under the action of gravity Reaction chamber can flow in as soon as gas generation has been started. For this purpose one could use the device ZoB. with ballast or a float or an area, which generates a relatively high lift.

According to a preferred feature of these embodiments, the water chamber and at least the one containing the chemicals, de part of the reaction chamber by one having flexible walls Section separated, the prior to the generation of larger amounts of gas in the device thereby in the collapsed state is kept that the water present in the environment exerts a pressure on the outer surfaces of this section. Through this

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the water chamber is initially removed from the reaction chamber, kept separate apart from the mentioned water flow path formed by the wick or one or more tubes will. However, as soon as the gas generated in the device reaches a pressure which is sufficient to the said section in the To overcome the collapsed state holding pressure of the surrounding water, the flexible walled portion becomes inflated to open a passage between the two chambers through which water under the action of the Gravity can flow over unhindered from the water chamber into the reaction chamber.

If a wick is used, it can be made of any flexible wick material of known type, provided that that the material is sufficiently dense to ensure, that the wick is not initially compressed by the prevailing water pressure in the area, so that the wick would not let water pass through. One can vary the density of the wick to achieve the required delay As an example of a suitable wicking material, one could use a non-woven, reinforced, porous nylon material, as it is called "3M Scotchbrite" by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company Limited is launched.

In other embodiments of the invention, the connection between the water chamber and the reaction chamber always forms a free passage which allows water to flow freely between the two chambers, but such flow of water is initially prevented by holding the device in such a position, that the water chamber occupies a lower position than the reaction chamber _o In this group of embodiments, the control device expediently has a mass that moves automatically after a predetermined period of time in order to shift the center of gravity of the device so that the device has a new position occupies

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in which the water chamber is at a higher level than the reaction chamber. Once this is done, water from the water chamber can flow unhindered into the reaction chamber.

The devices according to the invention also preferably have an overflow chamber between the reaction chamber and the connection to the device to be inflated. Since the flow path through the overflow chamber is lengthened, a longer period of time is available for the waste products produced during gas generation, during which the waste materials can settle out of the gas while flowing through the device, so that the gas is relatively free of impurities as soon as it gets to the device to be inflated. However, it is usually considered expedient to keep the overflow chamber separated from the available reaction space at least during the initial phase of the gas generation process, firstly because the reaction takes place in a smaller reaction space with a higher degree of efficiency, and secondly because then when the water inlet valve is on a. Pressure responds, in the reaction chamber the required valve closing pressure is reached the faster after the desired amount of water has been taken up by the device, the smaller the reaction chamber. It is therefore preferable to initially keep the overflow chamber separated from the other two chambers by a closing element which is. opens only in response to the fact that a pressure develops on the gas generation side of the closing member, which indicates that a pressure has been reached during the gas generation process which is sufficient to close the water inlet valve. The closing element can, for example, be "designed as a membrane which is made of a material with a corresponding bursting strength",

It is true that a device according to the invention could be provided, for example, with a bellows for certain applications, which

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could be pulled apart by hand to put water in sucking in the device and thereby the gas generation but it is usually more convenient, and therefore preferable, other facilities, in particular, for this purpose automatic or semi-automatic devices to be provided.

For example, the device could have a flexible part which spreads open automatically, for example by a spring as soon as a locking device is released, the device itself or a support or a carrier for the device. In such an embodiment, the locking device only solved when the device is immersed in mass, so that as a result of the spreading of the flexible part desired amount of water is sucked into the device. In another embodiment, the locking device be released to spread the device while it is not yet in the water, but must in In this case, the device naturally has a corresponding device, for example a water-soluble closure member that prevents the device from opening until it is immersed in water.

In a further development of these first two embodiments, the locking device could automatically be solved in that a water-soluble element is dissolved, by which the locking device is kept closed in the rest position of the device "Alternatively, this element forming the actual locking means _o In a further development of the second of Both of the mentioned embodiments could be the flexible part of the device. be replaced by a rigid component, but the device would then have to be evacuated during its manufacture.

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As an alternative to these various devices for introducing water into the device, the device could simply be designed as a rigid or semi-rigid device so that it sinks under the action of its own weight when immersed in water, with water through a correspondingly arranged opening in the device enters. This opening could, for example _, be a permanently exposed opening, or the opening could be exposed by removing a cover part either when the device is immersed or before or during the immersion.

The invention also provides an assembly to which a device according to the invention belongs, which with is connected to the device to be inflated, and according to a further feature of the invention is the overflow of gas regulated by a valve from the device into the device to be inflated.

A valve that is preferably used for this purpose includes an enclosure made of a flexible elastic material with a first section, the at least one opening has, so that gas can enter the enclosure from the device, furthermore a second section which is in the Inside the device to be inflated is housed and has at least one opening so that gas from the enclosure can escape and enter the device to be inflated, as well as two opposing wall areas, which are arranged between the openings of the first and the second section and by the pressure of the gas in the the device to be inflated are biased against each other, to form a valve that closes as a result.

The main advantage of this valve is that it has a low structural weight, so that the balloon to be inflated or the like receives maximum lift. Also sets

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this valve offers only a slight resistance to the flow of gas from the device, i.e. the valve exerts a minimal counter pressure. This latter characteristic means that the actual device can easily be designed and made of such materials, can that they are comfortably in a small space in a carrier of dimensions that are kept within reasonable limits can be packaged if it is to be carried by the user as part of his normal equipment, e.g. if a Intended use in a marker balloon for a man who has fallen overboard.

In general, the enclosure of the valve can consist of any type of rubber or another sufficiently elastic material and be designed as a tube or balloon. Although the outer shape of the enclosure is of no decisive significance, but an elongated bulbous shape and is preferably "Further, the enclosure should preferably lie slack in the relaxed state, d _o h. their two main surfaces should actually or at least almost touch each other. For example, the enclosure could be made with the help of a flat or almost flat template or the like or from two pieces of material of the same shape which are connected to one another at their outer edges «,

In a particular embodiment, the valve is made in such a way that one has a balloon-like envelope with a Opening or cutting off one end of the envelope to form the gas outlet. The two contact surfaces of the shell are then near the gas outlet by gluing, welding ,. Clamping, riveting, sewing, deforming or any other way connected to each other. The presence of such a partially formed connection between the both naturally lie against each other

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Areas of the shell leads to the fact that a stress is caused by the two elastic surfaces when the surfaces are forced apart by a gas flowing through the envelope to the device to be inflated. Once the If the gas flow is interrupted, this stress or tension causes the two surfaces to rest against each other, so that the valve by the back pressure of the gas in the device in which the valve is located, in this is held flat closed position.

The device to be inflated by the device is expediently connected to the device by a water-soluble connection connected, and there may be some means of ensuring that this connection is made to the person in the vicinity, exposure to existing water only after the device has been inflated to the required extent. At two such embodiments, the connection is z “B. initially out of contact with the water in the area held that the device is initially kept in the floating state. In one of these two embodiments, a movable mass is used to adjust the position of the device to change in the room at an appropriate point in time so that the connection is immersed in the water. In the second of these two embodiments, the device is provided with a venting device through which constantly Gas can escape, so that the device finally drops so far that the connection in the surrounding area V / ater is immersed.

A movable mass is used to establish the connection between the device and the balloon or other device to immerse in the water and / or to turn the device over, if necessary in the case of the embodiment in question is to turn the device over so that the water chamber is brought to a higher position than the reaction chamber.

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or vice versa, this mass can be attached, for example, to one end of a line which is permanently connected at its other end to a first part of the device, its central part being temporarily attached to a second part of the device _{or the like}

The mentioned temporary attachment is useful, for example, "as water-soluble compound formed, through which, when it dissolves in the water, the device is completely or is partially immersed, the aforementioned mass is released, with the result that the point of application of the Mass applied force is shifted from said second part of the device to the first part, whereupon the Device occupies the desired new position. The same procedure may be used in similar use cases can be used, e.g. to trigger the generation of flashes of light as an emergency signal or the like.

As can be seen from the introduction to the description, the term "immerse" in connection with the invention Device, unless otherwise evident from the context, both a complete and just a partial immersion of the device in water. If it is necessary to immerse the device in the surrounding water, so that the water acts on a water-soluble device associated with the device or a component of the device, the device must of course be immersed at least so far that the water-soluble Facility comes into contact with water so that it can develop the desired effect.

The invention is explained below with further details on the basis of schematic drawings of exemplary embodiments. It shows:

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Fig, 1 and 2 a longitudinal section and an external view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention, which would normally not assume the position shown, but in the one shown Is shown in a manner to make important features more clearly recognizable;

Pig. J i ⁿ an enlarged partial section through the part of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 connected to the device to be inflated;

FIGS. K to 7 each show, on a smaller scale, the device according to FIGS. 1 to 5 in different stages of operation;

8 to 15 each in longitudinal section further embodiments of devices according to the invention in certain Operational stages;

14 shows a vertical section through the last of the embodiments 8 to 13 in an operating stage reached later;

15 is an enlarged vertical section through a Device with a water-soluble compound for attaching a ballast weight to a device according to the invention Contraption; and

FIG. 16 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 1, in which the parts shown are separated from one another for the sake of clarity.

To that shown in Figo 1 and 2, designated as a whole with 6 Device includes a flexible envelope 8 in which there is a reaction chamber 10, a water chamber 12 and an overflow chamber 14 are located. The chemicals used to generate gas 16 are in a water-permeable or water-soluble

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Union bag 18 contained within the reaction chamber 10, and the bag is connected to the water chamber 12 by a wick 20.

In the device 6, the sheath 8 consists of a nylon and polyethylene coextruded film made of the material is made, which with the strength designation 7034 under the legally protected name "Synthene" from the Smith and Nephew Plastics Limited, while pouch 18 is made from a standard grade of water soluble Paper exists as it is marketed by ENAK Limited, The chemicals 16 are to those of the type mentioned in the introduction that are suitable for generating hydrogen.

When movements of the water chamber 12 are possible unhindered, the water chamber is in the manner shown in FIG. 1 expanded by a spreader spring 22 arranged in it « Furthermore, the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a non-return valve 24, which during the spreading of the water chamber 12 lets water from the environment enter the water chamber.

In FIG. 16, the three main parts of the check valve 24 are shown separately for the sake of clarity. It is an annular rubber membrane 200, a metal disc provided with openings near its edge 202 and a likewise provided with openings part 204 of the shell 8, with which the metal disc 202 cooperates. These Parts are pressed firmly together by the spring 22 to create a seal against the ingress of water therethrough to cause the openings 206 of the metal disk 202 to be covered or kept closed by the membrane 200 will,. Although the spring 22 süannt the valve 24 in his Closed position before, but determines the respective on the valve

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effective pressure difference whether the valve is in a given Moment is closed or not.

Although Pig ₀ 16 shows only two openings 206 and 208 arranged in register with one another, according to Pig. 2 expediently two diametrically opposite openings in the metal disk 202 and the part 20 ^ f- of the shell 8 formed.

According to Pig. 1 and 2, the water chamber 12 is initially separated from the overflow chamber 14 by a membrane 2.6 . In Fig. 2 a connection 28 is shown, which makes it possible to connect a device to be inflated with the aid of the device β, for example a marking balloon j50, with the overflow chamber 14. » The balloon 50 can be any known type of balloon, for example a balloon for meteorological purposes proprietary name, "Beritex", is marketed by Philips Patents Limited.

1, there is a low-pressure check valve 52 which prevents gas which has entered the balloon JO from escaping again in the direction of the overflow chamber 14. This check valve is described in _{more detail below with reference to Pig o} 3. The balloon j50 is tied to the device β by means of a line J> K , which according to Pig. J> is stored in a stationary coil 100 :. When using the device, the line is unwound from the inside of the spool, so that the line can be pulled off freely at any angle.

Furthermore, the device 6 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a Line J5Ö extending from the balloon end of the device extends to the user, not shown, as well as a

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another line 58 extending from the same end of the device extends to a ballast weight 40, which at least initially at the other end of the device 6 with the help of two lines 42 and 44, which are connected to one another by a water-soluble member 46. The water-soluble. Link 46 and the associated parts, which are only shown schematically in FIGS. 1 to 7 and certain other figures, are described in more detail below with reference to FIG. For a device with typical dimensions, i.e., about a length of about βθθmm, there may be a ballast weight 40 of about 450g, for example.

In the rest position of the device 6, in which the spring is compressed and the envelope 8 and the balloon j50 are not are inflated, the envelope and balloon are tightly rolled up and housed in a very small space in a carrier, not shown, which is used, among other things, the To keep expanding spring in the compressed state.

If the user of the device falls overboard and wants to inflate the marker balloon J> 0 in order to make his position recognizable so that he can be rescued, he opens the lid of the carrier while the device is under water, whereupon the weight 4o falls out and pulls the remaining parts of the device out of the container. As soon as the spring 22 is released by the carrier, it expands so that water from the surroundings of the device is sucked into the water chamber via the check valve 24. Fig «. 4 shows the device at this stage. In FIG. 4, the water surface is indicated by the line 48. The leash 36 attached to the inside of the carrier connected to the body of the user ensures that the device remains connected to the body of the user.

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The seawater that has entered the water chamber 12 seeps through the wick 20 quickly, for example within 5 to 7 seconds, in order to reach the reaction chamber 10. While these processes are taking place, the opposing walls of those parts of the shell 8 which delimit the reaction chamber 10 are held in firm contact with one another by the water pressure acting on the outer surfaces of the device and the gas generating process has started, the gas generated in the reaction chamber 10 causes the internal pressure in that part of the device to increase rapidly until it exceeds the pressure applied externally by the water; as soon as this happens, the walls of the reaction chamber 10 are lifted from one another, and the remaining water present in the water chamber 12 can fall unhindered into the reaction chamber 10, as is shown in FIG. In a typical apparatus, it takes about 15 seconds has been to the reaction chamber 10 inflated in this way _o Now, the apparatus has a buoyancy sufficient to make float around the device in such a position that its balloon J50 transmitting end via the water surface 48 lies.

The increased internal pressure of the device also has the effect that the check valve 24 is now kept closed, see above that no more water to support the gas generating reaction can enter the device.

In a typical embodiment that has been tried and tested in practice, about 20 s elapsed between the opening of the check valve 24 and the point in time at which the amount of water reached along the wick 20 to the reaction chamber 10 was sufficient to achieve the to cause developed gas to inflate the envelope 8 in the manner shown in FIG. This time is enough to to fill the water chamber 12 to the required extent

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When the gas generating reaction has almost reached its end, the pressure developed in the device 6 is sufficient to tear open the membrane 26 so that the gas generated during the reaction flows through the overflow chamber 14 to also inflate this part of the device and with the inflation of the Balloons J> 0 to start. As mentioned, the function of the membrane 26 is to limit the volume of the reaction chamber to the required extent, at least during the major part of the gas generation process.

An amount of gas is generated in the device which is sufficient to inflate the balloon JO to the extent required until the pressures in the balloon and the device have equalized. As soon as this happens, the check valve J> 2 closes. of the balloon, and the device picks up the pig. 6 apparent location.

While the above-described processes were taking place, the water-soluble member 46 was constantly exposed to the action of sea water; this link is designed and loaded. measure that it completely dissolves after the complete inflation of the balloon J) O, to separate the both lines 42 and 44 from each other, so that the weight can fall down 40 of FIG. ¹ J unhindered to the balloon-side end of the device 6 for Bring immersion in the water. Once the balloon-side end of the device reaches its position of FIG. 7, the seawater dissolves within a short time the water soluble compound 110, whereupon the balloon JO rises and the tether 34 unwinds, the Z _0, from about J50 has m in length to indicate the position of the device carrier. In FIG. 7, the residues of the chemicals used are indicated at 50.

Figo 8 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention

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direction, in which a significant difference from the embodiment just described is that the Take the viass chamber and the reaction chamber in an inverted position. While in the device according to FIGS. 1 to 7, the water enters the water chamber 12 from the vicinity of the device and seeps down along the wick 20 to To get to the reaction chamber 10, there is no wick in the device according to FIG. 8, but one for generating it pouch 18 containing gas serving chemicals from the reaction chamber down into the upper part of the water chamber 12, so that when the water chamber added the required amount of water via the check valve 24 has, comes with its lower end in contact with the water, whereupon the generation of gas begins. Since the Bag 18 is made of a water-soluble material, dissolves At least the part of the bag wetted with water in the water chamber 12 moves very quickly, e.g. within 2 to J5 s, so that the chemicals 16 from the bag 18 unimpeded be delivered to the water chamber and the gas generation process can take place until its conclusion.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the spring-loaded water chamber 12 of the described embodiments, which has flexible walls, is replaced by a chamber 52 with rigid walls and the check valve 22 is closed by a water-soluble plug 54, which consists of a foam-forming material, as it is placed for example under the National protected designation "Alka-Selzer" from Miles Laboratories Limited on the market _o Alternatively, one could for covering the setback-VBntils 22 using a water soluble film, for example, of the same material exists like the described connection 110 according to FIG. 7. The device 6 according to FIG. 9 is produced in such a way that the water chamber 52 contains no air, so that the water chamber after the plug 54 has been dissolved, which is normally about 2 to) s in Claim, sucks in seawater, whereupon the Vorri rect on exactly in the way in activity

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occurs, as it is with respect to the embodiments of FIGS 8 was described.

Pig. 10 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which the water chamber and the reaction chamber are formed by different sections of a rigid walled part 56, the chemicals 16 initially being arranged in the upper end section, while the lower section forms the water chamber. The ballast weight 112 is arranged in the lower portion of the part 56 "and having its bottom by a cap screw 114 connected at its upper end 6, the apparatus has an eye 116, so that the device can be connected to a buoy means of a line II8 eg _o .

The mentioned part 56 of the device β forms practically only the lower section of a larger housing 120 which, with its upper part, forms a flexible overflow chamber an envelope 14 and the marking balloon 30 to be inflated encloses. The upper and lower sections of the housing 120 are separated internally by a plate 122, which however has a central opening 124 which connects the overflow chamber 14 to the reaction chamber. According to Figo 10 is the lower end of the sheath 14 by an O-ring 126 on one Approach of the plate 122 retained, but other similar fasteners could be provided as desired.

The upper end of the housing 120 is closed by a removable cover 128, which is secured by a short cord 130 is connected to a support device 1j52 for the device. The support device 1J52 can, for example. on a light watercraft, attached to a boat or larger ship.

According to Fig. 10 there are two pipes 1j54 and 1 ^ 6, which are from

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Openings with which the plate 122 is provided near its edge lead to the lower part of the water chamber 12. The upper ends of these tubes are check valves I38 and 14O assigned so that water flows from top to bottom through the Pipes can flow. In a typical construction, the check valves can be designed as disk or ball valves be.

If the device 6 according to FIG. 10 is to be used, it will separated from the support device 1 ^ 2 and together with the lifebuoy, not shown, thrown into the water. Here the leash I30 is tensioned around the cover 128 of the housing 120 to separate so that the housing when hitting the Water is open at its top. The buoyancy of the device is such that the device is under the action their own weight begins to decrease, so that water flows into the upper end of the housing. From there it then flows Water through pipes 1 ^ 4 and 136 to the lower part of the water chamber 12o as soon as the water in the water chamber 12 so has risen far enough that it comes into contact with the chemicals 16, the generation of gas begins and the pressure rise « tion, which occurs in the now fulfilling the task of the reaction chamber 10 water chamber 12, causes the check valves 138 and 14O are closed to allow further entry of water into the lower part of the device. impede. The water chamber or the reaction chamber is of course so dimensioned that by this point in time an amount of water has entered which is sufficient to allow the gas generation process to run completely.

As soon as a predetermined pressure has built up at the end of the gas generation process or shortly before it, the The membrane 26 is torn open, whereupon the overflow chamber 14 and the marking balloon j50 are inflated in the manner described

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will. The overflow chamber has a vent opening 61 above the point at which the balloon is connected to it, through which gas can escape after the membrane 2.6 has been torn open and gas has flown into the overflow chamber Gas throughput of the opening leading to the balloon is small.

When the reaction has stopped, there is approximately the same pressure in the overflow chamber 14 as in the balloon 30, but since the check valve 32 is now closed, will the remaining gas is discharged from the overflow chamber via the opening 61 to the atmosphere until the buoyancy the device has decreased so far that the device is caused to sink by the weight 112 until the Submerges the neck of the balloon in the water. Shortly thereafter, the water-soluble compound 110 dissolves in the water.

Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of one according to the invention Device which differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 10 essentially in that the water. ' does not enter the upper end of the device in order to get from there through pipes to the lower part of the water chamber, but that the water flows directly into the water chamber from below. As with the embodiment according to Fig. 10, however, the water chamber and the reaction chamber are provided with different sections of a common part 56 rigid walls are formed, and the chemicals 142 are in accordance with Fig. 11 also initially housed in the upper portion of part 56, so that one for the gas generating reaction, Sufficient water must have been absorbed by the device before the water comes into contact with the chemicals can come and the inflow valve 144 is closed by the pressure of the gas generated.

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Pig. 12 shows a further embodiment in which an annular weight 62 is arranged in the lower part of the water chamber, so that even when the gas generation process has ended and the membrane 2.6 has been torn open, the resulting weight of the device is still sufficient to absorb the to keep water soluble compound 110 below the surface of the water. Of course, as before, this connection must be designed in such a way that it does not release the balloon JQ until a period of time has passed which is sufficient for the balloon to be completely inflated. Although the device according to FIG. 12 takes up a relatively large amount of space compared to that according to FIG. 11, it also represents an embodiment in which it is not necessary to move the device into another position during use.

13 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention which is provided with rigid walls and in which the overflow chamber and the water chamber are formed by a single chamber, and in which the reaction chamber is connected to that of the Ballast weight 40 and the end of the device facing away from the balloon j50 is arranged.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 13, the ballast weight 40 pulls the device downward in such a way that seawater enters the combined overflow and water chamber 64 via the inlet valve 18 designed as a check valve. Once an amount of water has flowed into the chamber 64 sufficient to complete the gas generating reaction, the water soluble member 46 dissolves in the water releasing the weight 40 to turn the device over and move it into that shown in FIG Location brings. As a result, the water that has entered is thrown onto the chemicals 16, so that the gas-generating reaction begins. As soon as the balloon j50 is fully inflated, a water-soluble stopper 66 or a closure member, which is in the part of the

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Device is installed, which now forms the lower part, so that more water can enter the device, to cause them to sink so far that only the buoyancy of the J5O balloon kept them floating will. This immerses the water-soluble compound 110 in the sea water so that it dissolves quickly, so that the balloon can rise as far as its tether allows, while the device continues to descend.

15 already shows this in connection with various figures mentioned link 46 in section on a larger scale.

Referring to Fig. 15, the connector 46 includes a housing & J which has an opening 68 on its underside and contains a water-soluble tablet 69 by which the leash 42 is held in place in the housing. In the tablet 69 may be Z ₀ example, be a water-soluble, releasing the gas dissolving tablet such as _o overall law from below that is protected designation "Alka-Selzer" preparation available and with a diameter of about 25 mm and a thickness of about 4.8 mm has a central opening with a diameter of about 4.8 mm. The tablet can take about 90 seconds to dissolve.

The leash 44 is attached to the housing 67. If the tablet 69 has completely dissolved, the line 42 is released, so that they emerge from the housing 67 via the opening 68, can, whereupon the weight 40 under the action of gravity on the line 58 carry out swinging movements suspended can.

In Fig. J5 preferred embodiments of the already mentioned check valve j52 and the coil 100 are shown in section on a larger scale. According to Fig. J> the non-return

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valve designed essentially as a flexible balloon. In the present case it is a balloon like him under the legally protected name "Aeriel" from the London Rubber Company Limited is marketed, and for the purposes of the invention with a stamped Hole 70 has been provided; in addition, the front and, the rear part of its wall together by a bracket 74 connected, so that the wall parts are dependent on only a very slight excess pressure on the outer surfaces of the valve balloon acts, remain in contact with each other. The shaft portions of the valve balloon 52 and the marker balloon j5O are connected by elastic rings 71 and 72 Connection piece 75 connected, which is in contact with the connector 28 is held in place by several turns of a water-soluble material, which by the elastic ring 72 and another elastic ring 75 held in place iso In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 it is at this water-soluble material around a film made of a polyvinyl acetate, as it is marketed by EtJAK Limited will; three turns of such film material with a thickness of about 0.05 mm are sufficient to achieve the desired A solution time of ^ O to 60 s can be achieved. Is another dissolution time if desired, one can of course provide a different number of turns and / or a different type of polyvinyl acetate Use sfilms.

The connecting part 28 is firmly installed with its lower end in a connecting plate 76, which in the wall of the one. Part of the shell 8 is welded, which forms the overflow chamber 14. Alternatively, the plate J6 could be glued to the cover 8 »

In addition to the connecting part 28 forming a support, the mounting plate 76 carries an annular disc 77 as

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lower of two similar disks 77 and 78, which together form the coil 100. The parts mentioned are assembled as follows: After the valve balloon J52 and the marking balloon 30 of course in the deflated state as described Were united with each other, a collapsible mandrel is placed on the lower disk 77 ^ and the line 34 is wound into a spool 79 on the mandrel. The inner end of the coiled line is attached to a brass ring 80 that sits on the neck of the balloon 30 arranged and so large that it cannot move through the elastic ring 71 therethrough. The outer end the wound I-one is attached at 81 to an upper corner of the device 6 according to FIG. 2. Then the upper Disc 78 fixed with the aid of a plurality of fastening tongues 82, which according to FIG. 3 with respect to the lower disc 77 according to be bent at the top and inside. The mandrel, not shown, is expediently designed as a flat semicircular spring which is now compressed and thereby more curved, so that they pull out through the opening of the disc 77 leaves. This completes the assembly of the coil 100 «

Expectations:

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Claims (1)

EXPECTATIONS Apparatus for generating gas, characterized by a chemical (16) of the aforesaid Reaction chamber (10) containing species, a water chamber (.12) for receiving water for reaction, valve means (24; 22j 138, 14O; 144; 18) when immersed the device (6) allows water from the vicinity of the device to enter the water chamber, as well as a control device, the closing of the valve device and the overflow of a larger amount of water from the water chamber in the reaction chamber is delayed until an amount of water has been absorbed by the water chamber, which is sufficient to the complete the desired gas generating reaction. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve device (24; 22; 144) by the pressure of the Gas is closed, which arises in the water chamber (12) during the gas generation reaction. 3ο device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized indicates that the control device includes a wick (20) or the like which, at least initially, essentially formed the only water flow path from the water chamber (12) to the reaction chamber (10) 4ο device according to claim 3, characterized in that that the device (6) floats at the beginning of its use on the water in such a position that the water chamber (12) occupies a higher position than the reaction chamber (10), in order to allow the water that has entered under the effect gravity flow freely from the water chamber to the reaction chamber once the gas generation process is in progress. 609829/0677 47 524 5ο device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized characterized in that the water chamber (12) and at least that part of the reaction chamber containing the chemicals (16). (1O) are separated from one another by a part of the device having flexible walls, which prior to production larger amounts of gas in the device due to the pressure acting on the outer surfaces of this part of the device surrounding water is kept in the collapsed state. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a connection between the water chamber (12) and the reaction chamber (10) continuously forms an obstacle-free passage for water between the two Chambers can be flown through unhindered, but that such a flow of water is initially prevented by that the device is oriented so that the water chamber occupies a lower position than the reaction chamber. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control or _e control device includes a mass or a weight (40) which automatically changes the position of the center of gravity of the device after a predetermined period of time so that the device assumes a new position in which the water chamber (12) is at a higher level than the reaction chamber (1O). 8. The device according to claim ¹ J, characterized in that the weight (4o) is attached to one end of a line (58) which is at its other end permanently with a first part of the device and at a point between its ends temporarily with a second part of the device is connected. 609829/0677 47 524 9o device according to claim 8, characterized in that that the device for temporarily securing the line is designed as a water-soluble compound (46), the when the device is completely or partially immersed in water, it dissolves causes the point of attack the force exerted by the weight (40) is displaced from the second part of the device to the first part, by the To cause device to take the desired position, 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9t, characterized by an overflow chamber (14) between the reaction chamber (1O) and a connection for a device to be inflated by the device (j> 0) , the effect of which is that the during the gas generation process arisen residues significantly more time is available to settle out of the gas while the gas flows through the device, and before it reaches the device to be inflated. 11 ο device according to claim 10, characterized in that that the overflow chamber (14) from the two chambers mentioned (10, 12) initially separated by a closure member (26) is that only opens depending on that on the Gas generating side of the closure member, there is a pressure which indicates that the gas generating process is at its end reached or almost reached. 12 _O device according to claim 11, characterized in that the closure member is designed as a membrane (26) made of a material of appropriate burst strength. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by an automatic or semi-automatic inlet device (24; 22j 138] i40j 144j 18) which can be actuated, to cause water from the environment to be drawn into the device. 609829/0677 14. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that that the device includes a flexible part (12), and that the inlet device includes this part and a device (22) include, which latter automatically auisoreizt said part when loosening a bracket. 15 · ^A device according to nspruch 14, characterized by a holder, which prevents the device automatically for expansion of the flexible portion (12) of the device from that part spread open, is immersed in water until the device, 16. The device according to claim 15 * characterized by a water-soluble member that keeps the holder closed when the device is in rest position. 17 · Device according to claim 13, characterized in that that the device has been evacuated during its manufacture and has a locking device that is only when Immersing the device in water opens. 18. The apparatus of claim 15 or 17> characterized in that at least a part of the holder or the connection element or the closing member has a water-soluble element. 19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5 * thereby characterized in that the device is designed so that it sinks in the water under the effect of its own weight, wherein water enters the device through an opening of the device. 20c device according to claim 19, characterized in that that the opening is always open. 609829/0677 47 524 21. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that that the opening is initially closed by a water-soluble element (54; 6 ^). 22. Assembly with a device according to one of Claims 1 to 21, characterized in that da. °, the device with the device to be inflated (j5O) connected is. 23. An assembly according to claim 22, characterized by a Valve (32) for regulating the transfer of gas from the device to the device to be inflated (30). 24. An assembly according to claim 23, characterized in that to the valve a sleeve (32) made of a flexible elastic Material includes a first section with at least one opening for feeding of gas from the device to the envelope, further comprising one arranged in the inflatable device (30) second section with at least one opening (70) which allows gas to pass from the envelope into the device to be inflated, scm ie two opposing wall sections that lie between the openings of the first and the second section are arranged and for the purpose of closing the valve in contact to each other by the pressure of the gas in the inflatable Facility to be biased. 25. An assembly according to claim 24, characterized in that the valve is folded flat in the relaxed state,. vjobei both of its main surfaces touch or almost touch, and that the two surfaces of the casing (32) which are in contact in the relaxed state are partially connected to one another are that the two elastic surfaces are tensioned when they are pushed apart by gas that is passed through fiO 9829/0677 47 524 the envelope flows to the inflatable device (30) so that the two surfaces come to rest on each other again when the supply of gas is stopped, so that it is the Gegenrupk of the gas in the device containing the valve to be inflated is possible, the valve or the envelope folded flat keep closed state. 26. Assembly according to one of claims 22 to 25 , characterized in that the device (JO) to be inflated by the device is connected to the device by a water-soluble compound (HO). 27. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that that the water soluble compound (HO) is initially kept out of contact with the water surrounding the device is that the device is initially kept in the floating state. 28. An assembly according to claim 27 * characterized by a their opposite movable weight or a mass (4θ), which to it serves to change the orientation of the device at a desired point in time so that the water-soluble compound (HO) is immersed in the water. 29. Assembly according to claim 27, characterized in that the device has a venting device (61), and that the constant escape of gas through the venting means causes the device to up to a Level drops at which the water-soluble compound (HO) is immersed in the water surrounding the device. 609829/0677 Blank page