FR2537538A1 - INDIVIDUAL UNDERWATER DIVING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO AN INDIVIDUAL SCUBA DIVING APPARATUS. THE DEVICE INCLUDES BOTH AN MR RESPIRATORY MODULE AND AN MP PROPELLER MODULE, WHICH MODULES ARE SEPARABLE, THE PROPELLER MODULE CAN BE EXPANDED AT ANY TIME. THE APPARATUS CONSTITUTES AN AUTONOMOUS PROPULSION AND RESPIRATION APPARATUS, WITH A WEIGHT AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE WEIGHT OF A USUAL "BI-STEEL" SCAPPER WHILE KEEPING RESPIRATORY AUTONOMY AT LEAST EQUAL TO THIS SCAPPER. THE INVENTION APPLIES IN A GENERAL WAY TO NAUTICAL EQUIPMENT.

Description

The present invention relates to a device

individual scuba diving.

  We know the propulsive gear in the shape of

torpedo pulling divers.

  Although they are of simple and reliable design and construction, these machines are maneuvered "at arm's length" which has the following significant disadvantages: unavailability of the arms; hindering visibility (position of the machine in the field,

  propeller flow); a non-instinctive displacement of the plun-

  geur; the machine being held at arm's length, it is the orienta-

  In addition, the propellant being in positive flotation, as soon as the diver abandons it he is obliged to keep it at the bottom by any means, in order to be able to recover it later; -:: t O; This is a prerequisite for these disadvantages, and is aimed at an innovative underwater diving apparatus characterized in that it includes both means of propulsion and means of breathing, so that it constitutes an autonomous apparatus of propulsion and respiration. The technique of composite materials has been used for the evolution of many areas, including compressed gas cylinders consisting of an inner shell of light alloy reinforced by an external winding

fiberglass for example.

  This technique makes it possible to obtain a very resistant air storage vessel (the operating pressure can be, for example, 300 bar instead of the 200 bar currently used with steel bottles) and a

significant weight saving.

  The invention further develops the application of the technique of composite materials to compressed gas cylinders in addition to saving weight,

  a saving in the external volume of bottles for

  to reconcile, on the same underwater diving apparatus

  the existence of means of respiration and means

propulsion.

  The apparatus according to the invention comprises a breathing module and a propellant module separable at will, the propellant module can be released without changing the weight / volume balance.

  In addition, some elements of these modules may

  can be advantageously provided in the extension of each other without affecting the overall length of the device. In any case, the organization of all the two modules is provided so that its overall size is reconcilable with satisfactory diving performance, its weight remaining at most equal to the weight of a common diving suit called "bi-steel" all keeping a

  respiratory autonomy at least equal to that of this

  phandre. The invention aims more particularly but not exclusively, bottles made from a metal core, preferably aluminum alloy, the Sme being shrunk by means of a stratification by

  filament winding, fiberglass or fiberglass

  bone, depending on the desired level of performance.

  Other features and benefits of the

  present invention will emerge from the description which will

  follow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view, from above, of this same apparatus;

  Figure 3 is a longitudinal view of

nal;

  FIG. 4 shows two half-sections

  lines A-A and B-B of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus according to the invention, along the line CC of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a manual control of the motor of the propulsion module, the interior elements to this command being also shown; Figures 7, 8 and 9 show the control disposed on the hand of the plunger, so as to enable action by the thumb of the hand, following a movement in the plane of the profile of the hand; and

  Figures 10, 11 and 12 show the displacement

  under the water of a diver equipped with an indi-

  vidual diving underwater according to the invention.

  In the embodiment shown, an apparatus according to the invention comprises two modules that can be separated at will: A respiratory module (MR) comprising a cradle (1), a backsplash (2) and two air bottles

  (3) received in two sockets (1 A) fixed to the cradle.

  A propulsion module (MP), comprising a motor (4) with a propeller (4 A) and its fairing (5) i a container

  (6) for an autonomous source of electrical energy (bat-

  batteries) and a standalone control (7)

(Figures 6 to 9).

  The container (6) is double and advantageously

  in the extension of the sockets (l A) Such an arrangement makes the hands free and does not change the

dive habits.

  It preserves the safety of the diver, the

  propulsion module (MP) can be dropped at will, -

  without modification of the weight / volume balance, by a rod release control (8) whose spouts (8 A) can come to wear on ears (8 B) located on

  the periphery of the double container (6).

  The propulsion module is floated

  positive in order to be recoverable.

  The cradle (1) preferably made of a material of low density and high mechanical strength, for example according to the technique-lightened thermoplastics, comprises elements enabling it to ensure

several functions.

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  Sleeves (9) of this cradle in which are slipped the necks of the bottles allow to maintain

these in their center distance.

  A tenon (10) of the cradle is intended to fit into a mortise (11) made in a connecting bridge

  (12) connecting the two sockets (l A) for receiving the

  dilles and S 'is immobilized by a screw (13).

  The cradle carries, in addition, a latch (14) articulated against a spring (15) and on which is locked a hook (16) of the fairing (5) of the propulsion module which finds its place between the two sockets (1 A) and against the cradle (1) The cradle shows a depression (17) enabling the hook (16) of the sliding fairing to be engaged or released in this cradle.

depression.

  The release of the hook (16) means the

  the propulsion module (MP) the latch (14) actuated in this case against its spring (15) also producing a thrust of the rods (8) on the ears

(8 B) of the container (6) -.

  The diver can therefore, if necessary, release the propellant module without changing its flotation balance. The use of the breathing module (MR)

  only one is thus possible in diving.

  On its opposite side to the engine fairing, the cradle (1) shows a ballast compartment (l B) for adjusting the floatation of the apparatus so as to be very slightly negative at full load (eg downhill

  additional bottles on a given place).

  The cradle includes, moreover, a handful

  port (18) and connecting elements with the backrest-

  support (2) which is in two parts.

  The two parts of the backrest-support support the apparatus by means of five adjustable straps so as to be adjusted and to limit its displacement on the diver's back Two straps of shoulders (height adjustment on the bust), two crotch straps for pulling down and a belt-strap

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  ensuring the connection of the previous four and stability

transverse of the device.

  The volume of the battery container (6) with two bodies, is calculated so that the ensexble of batteries is S in positive flotation It is also preferably achieved by the technique of lightened thermoplastics; An aluminum alloy cover (19) and an O-ring seal (20) seal on a span

  metal (21) overmolded in each body of the container.

  A rod (22) made of stainless steel locks.

  A double penetration of the surfaces (21) of the bodies of the battery container (6 Y in circular grooves (23) formed in the caps of the sockets (1 A) for receiving the bottles, ensures the centering and the guiding

modules.

  As described above, the latch (14) ensures the unlocking of the two modules, by means of the linkages

drop (8).

  The low voltage electric motor (4) coupled

  to a gearbox, ensures a slow rotation of the propeller.

  An electronic regulation is associated with it, in order to

  bet on consumption (clipping peaks power absorbed at startup, regulation of the distributed voltage,

  safety in case of propeller lock).

  The fairing (5) of the propeller motor (4) (4 A) is preferably made according to the same technology as the cradle (1). It comprises a protective grid (5 A) of the propeller, a reserve of flotation ( equal to the weight of the engine) and two stabilizing flaps (24) These are intended to make the tractive effort and the center of gravity of the diver concur, and to combat the

  torque created by the direction of rotation of the propeller.

  The fins are also involved in maintaining the engine-propeller assembly inside the fairing

which is preferably circular.

  The fastening motor fairing (5) -

  double container of batteries (6) is made by quarter-turn locking of a lock (26) on a bearing (27)

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prisoner of the container (6).

  The latch <26) rotates around a tube

  intermediate (28) segment which ensures the sealing and passage of the electrical connection between batteries, motor and control O This connection also serves as a link

  electric to operate the charging of the batteries.

  The passage of the electrical connection is also

  provided by a channel (29) of the double container (6) and a channel (30) of the shroud (5) A well (31) connects the channel (30) to the engine and this well is practiced in a

  spacer (32) for main engine support.

  The batteries (33) held between two housings (34) are contained in the two bodies of the container (6) The dry accumulators constituting the batteries are preferably nickel-cadmium type, with extra thin plates The choice of this type of accumulators is made because of, in particular, their sealing characteristics, total absence of maintenance, stability

  the discharge voltage, even at high speed,

  high overload capacity, excellent performance from -400 C to + 500 C, resistance to shock and vibration, modularity of components for power supply and duration

of life.

  The overall capacity is calculated for a duration of 1 h 30, corresponding to the use of a bottle

  2.4 m 3, the most commonly used by divers.

  Given the power absorbed by the engine, the overall battery capacity is designed to continuously cover the breathing range, including the decompression stops, and without the use

of the security reserve.

  The control (7), whose connecting wire (35) ends at (36) at the end of the channel (30) of the shroud (5) is formed by an overmolding elastomer (37) of a contactor of the type deformable thin layer (38> It ensures the supply of a coil of a monostable relay

  power (not shown) powering the motor.

  The overmolding (37) has the general shape of a portion of a loop which is completed by a band

  (39) preferably with pressure attachment means (40).

  The entire loop may be arranged around the hand of the plunger so that the thumb can act on the contactor, not following the natural movement of grip, but following a movement in the plane of the profile of the hand, this especially to avoid

  any untimely command of a clenching hand invoked

tarily.

  This command, by pressing the thumb in the

  the profile of the hand, allows for a vol-

  silenced by the other fingers closing towards the palm.

  The command is preferably used by the other hand than the usual hand (left hand for right-handed, right hand for left-handed) so as to

  leave the most skilled hand free.

  The individual scuba-diving apparatus according to the invention thus has the following advantages: hand availability; simplification of movement under water; same diving habit; instinctive displacement (Figures 11 and 12);

  respiratory autonomy comparable to

  existing dies; diver safety in all phases

Diving.

  space and weight as small as possible comparable to a "bi-steel" self-contained breathing apparatus; autonomous control of energy storage and renewal of the air and energy by the user;

  construction adapted to the marine environment.

  Finally, it should be understood that the present invention has only been described and shown as a preferred example and that it will be possible to provide

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  equivalences in its constituent elements without,

  however, depart from the scope of the invention.

  These as well as anything else equal,

  the number of bottles can vary according to the use

  one, two or more.

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Claims (14)

  1 individual underwater diving apparatus characterized in that it comprises, at the same time, means of propulsion (MP) and means of breathing (MR) and in that it constitutes an autonomous device of propulsion and breathing , of a weight not exceeding the weight of a   the usual "bi-steel" scuba gear while keeping an automatic   breathing capacity at least equal to this suit.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized   risd in that it comprises a respiratory module (MR) and a propellant module (MP), which modules are separable, the propulsion module can be dropped at will without   change in weight / volume balance.   Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized   risd in that certain elements (6) of the propulsion module   (MP) are planned in the extension of other el 1-   (A) of the Respiratory Module (MR) without compromising the overall length of the device.   Apparatus according to any one of   1 to 3, characterized in that the breathing module   atire (DI) comprises at least one cradle (1) and sockets 12 A) for receiving bottles (3) and in that the propulsion unit (HP) comprises a motor (4) with a propeller (4 A) and its cartenage (5) and a container (6) for an autonomous source of electrical energy O, which container can come in the extension of said receiving sockets (1 A) of bottleso Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that stabilizing fins (24) of the engine fairing make it possible to combine the traction force and the center of gravity of the plunger and to combat the torque created by the direction of rotation of the propeller.   Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 5, characterized in that the cradle carries an articulated latch (14) serving to lock a hook (16) of the propulsion module (v L), the release of the hook signifying the release of said propulsion module   Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized   in that complementary release means (8) are also actuated by releasing the hook (16)   to act as a push on the container (6).   8 Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the release means are constituted by rods (8) whose spouts (8 A) come to bear on the   periphery of the two-body container (6).   Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 8, characterized in that double penetration means (21) and (23) disposed between the container (6) and the receiving sockets (1 A) of the bottles provide   centering and guiding the two modules (MR) and (MP).   o Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 9, characterized in that a latch (26) secures the motor fairing (5) and the container (6) 1 Io Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that a central tube (28) ensures being chéitd and the passage of the electrical connections between batteries, engine and control O said lock (26) can turn around said central tube.   O Apparatus according to any one of   1 to 11, characterized in that the bottles (3) are made of composite materials and preferably from an aluminum alloy core with   by means of filament winding stratification.   Apparatus according to claims 1 to 12,   characterized in that the container (6) sealingly holds (lid 19 with seal 20) batteries (33)   dry accumulators of the nickelscadmium type.   Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 13, characterized in that the motor is controlled by overmolding (37) a deformable type switch (38), said overmoulding having the general shape of a loop portion completed by a band (39). ) with fastening means (40), the whole of the loop being able to be arranged around the hand of the plunger so that the thumb can act on the next contactor   a movement in the plane of the profile of the hand.   Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 14, characterized in that the cradle also has a ballast compartment (1B) for adjusting the floatation of the apparatus.   Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 15, characterized in that the cradle further comprises a carrying handle (18) and elements   connecting with a backsplash (2).   Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 16, characterized in that the cradle (1)   comprises sleeves (9) for receiving the collars of the   dies and a tenon (10) for fitting into a mortise (11) made in a linking bridge (12) connecting the two sockets (1 A).   Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 17, characterized in that the cradle (1), the engine fairing (5), the bushes (l A) and the container (6) are made of a material of low density and high mechanical strength.   19 Apparatus according to any one of the   1 to 18, characterized in that everything else being equal, the number of bottles may be variable   following the use, one, two or more.