GB1093393A - Diver's breathing system - Google Patents

Abstract

1,093,393. Diver's breathing system. SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ N.V. April 5, 1965, No. 14383/65. Heading A5T. [Also in Division B7] A diver's breathing system which may be used in the means described in Specification 1,093,392, is illustrated with reference to Figure 1, and comprises a diving mask 1, at least one temporary gas storage chamber 2 (3) having at least one movable wall 14 (29) allowing the volume of the chamber(s) to vary between a maximum and minimum value, a communication 7, 8 (9), 12 (26) between the interior of the mask and the interior of the chamber(s), a gas supply line 24 and (or) a gas discharge line 38 connected to the chamber(s), a first control valve 21 in the gas supply line, a second control valve 32 in the gas discharge line, both control valves being operable by the movable wall(s), the arrangement being such that movement of the wall(s) is caused by the pressure differences outside and inside the chambers, which differences are caused by inhalation and exhalation. Preferably non-return valves 10 (11) are arranged between the mask and the chambers. In an alternative embodiment illustrated by Figure 2 (not shown), the first and second control valves are operated by a common movable wall. Other alternative embodiments are illustrated by Figures 3 and 4 (not shown), wherein the entry of gas into and the exit of gas from the mask or mouthpiece, is controlled by valves operated by membranes which at one side are under the influence of water pressure and at the other side are under the influence of pressure at the diver's mouth. The apparatus of the invention enables a diver to breath with a minimum of respiratory energy.