US3820537A - Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) - Google Patents

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) Download PDF

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Publication number
US3820537A
US3820537A US00263319A US26331972A US3820537A US 3820537 A US3820537 A US 3820537A US 00263319 A US00263319 A US 00263319A US 26331972 A US26331972 A US 26331972A US 3820537 A US3820537 A US 3820537A
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United States
Prior art keywords
conduit
gas
gas supply
inhalation
diver
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00263319A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Almqvist
I Botos
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AGA AB
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AGA AB
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/18—Air supply
    • B63C11/22—Air supply carried by diver
    • B63C11/24—Air supply carried by diver in closed circulation

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An emergency self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) for supplementing a divers normal gas supply system and adapted to be switched on in response to failure of the gas feed from the normal system.
  • This emergency unit comprises an auxiliary source of gas connected through a normally closed outlet valve to a through-flow storage provided with the inhalation and exhalation conduits extending to the divers helmet.
  • the outlet valve of the auxiliary source of gas will open causing the contents of gas under pressure in said source to be emptied into said through-flow storage, thereby forming a closed breathing circuit comprising the through-flow storage, the inhalation and exhalation conduits and the divers helmet.
  • the inhalation conduit has a gas purifier inserted in it.
  • the present invention relates to a divers breathing apparatus including a helmet and comprising an auxiliary source of gas which, through a valve, can be connected to the divers inhalation conduit on the divers helmet.
  • Prior-art breathing apparatuses of this kind usually employ an open-circuit system in which the exhalation gas is allowed to discharge freely into the ambient water.
  • Such units therefore, require relatively large, and thus heavy, auxiliary gas sources to afford for the diver, after switching on the emergency unit, sufficient time to get back to his base.
  • these units are impractical and uneconomical in use, since the breathing gas employed in this case contains the expensive rare-gas helium which thus will get lost.
  • One object of the present invention resides in the provision of a less bulky and light-weight emergency breathing apparatus having sufficient capacity to afford for the diver sufficient time to get back to his base or to be rescued by another diver.
  • a further object is the provision of an emergency breathing apparatus of the kind stated which will enable a maximum of utilization and recovery of the limited quantity of breathing gas available.
  • the breathing apparatus being characterized in that said valve normally closing off the auxiliary source of gas is connected into a con-- duit extending from the auxiliary source of gas to a through-flow storage which is connected to the divers helmet through inhalation and exhalation conduits, respectively, in such a way that, upon failure of the normal supply of breathing gas, said through-flowstorage is arranged to be filled with gas; from said auxiliary source of gas which is arranged to discharge through the through-flow storage in response to the opening of said valve, thereby closing a breathing circuit which includes a gas purifier inserted in the inhalation conduit.
  • the diver will dispose of an easily carriable emergency breathing unit, since the unit need only consist of a small gas container which will only contain a sufficient quantity of gas under pressure to fill the through-flow storage space.
  • the through-flow storage space in the form of a bellows, one will obtain an advantageous regulator for the breathing-gas pressure in dependence on the momentary depth level of the diver.
  • the through-flow storage is designed as a bellows
  • a particularly suitable constructional form of the emergency source of breathing gas' may be employed, in that the latter may then be constituted by a collapsible container disposed within the bellows.
  • a flexible oxygen storage will be obtained which will vary in capacity according to the diving depth.
  • the surrounding bellows will normally be supplied with gas from the normal gas supply system, the feed from which is dependent on the divers momentary diving depth, the collapsible container will control the gas quantity fed into the bellows.
  • the emergency source of gas i.e., the collapsible container
  • the space confined within the collapsible container will be communicated with the space existing between the wall of the bellows and the collapsible container.
  • said disconnecting device comprises two oppositely connected non-return valves inserted in each connecting conduit from the normal gas supply system and adapted to be activated in response to the disconnecting operation.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the emergency breathing apparatus according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows the emergency breathing apparatus of FIG. 1 as connected to an external gas supply system which is connected to the divers breathing equipment;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is an elementary diagram illustrating a practical realization of the operation of connecting up the emergency breathing apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the principles basic of the breathing appara-
  • the breathing apparatus or unit may be employed as a completely selfcontained breathing gas system, its intended primary purpose, however, is to be utilized for supplementing another gas supply system adapted normally to supply breathing gas to the diver.
  • the breathing apparatus is shown connected to an external gas supply system by a supply or feed conduit 3 and a return conduit 4.
  • the bellows 1 is common to the external gas supply system 3, 4 and the emergency breathing unit.
  • the emergency breathing unit similarly to that described in connection with FIG. 1, comprises an auxiliary source of gas 5 connected to the bellows 1 through a valve 6, as well as a gas purifier 9.
  • This gas purifier 9 is inserted into a branch conduit 10 which can be connected between the exhalation conduit 8 and bellows l by actuating a valve 11.
  • the breathing equipment of FIG. 2 further comprises disconnecting devices 13, 14 for separating the external gas supply system 3, 4 upon taking the emergency unit into use. These disconnectors 13, 14 as well as the valves 6, 11 are operable by a tripping member 12.
  • the emergency breathing unit is intended to be employable within a relatively large range of depths, such as between 30 and 230 meters, for example.
  • the diver When carrying out such diving missions, the diver usually has available a diving base or station disposed at a certain depth level and carrying said external gas supply system 3, 4.
  • the auxiliary gas source 5 is filled with a correspondingly composed gas mixture, being, for instance, pure oxygen, oxygenhelium or the like.
  • the capacity of the breathing apparatus or unit must be sufficient to afford for the diver a time of respite enough long, about 10 minutes, to enable him to return to the diving base, from which the diver can move away to a limited extent.
  • the diver may be estimated to consume about 2 liters of oxygen per minute and to exhale about 1.7 liters carbon dioxide per minute. Departing from these values, it results that the emergency breathing unit must be capable of supplying liters of oxygen and of collecting 17 liters of carbon dioxide.
  • the utilization of the emergency breathing unit is limited to a period of time of only 10 minutes, it has been found possible, without endangering the divers health, at the beginning of said period to supplymetered gas at an oxygen partial pressure of about 2 atm. absolute pressure, which is then reduced progressively as the oxygen is consumed. It is essential that the average oxygen pressure cannot exceed 1.5 atm. abs. pressure during a minor portion of the time period, prefera- 6 With the data thus specified, the following oxygen concentrations would be proper for the gas contained in the bellows 1 forming part of the emergency breathing unit:
  • the auxiliary gas source 5 when predetermining the contents of the auxiliary gas source 5, it is necessary to take into account the depth level of the diving base or station, so that the gas mixture will be of the proper composition and so that the oxygen partial pressure will not exceed its allowable maximum value.
  • This allowable maximum value of the oxygen partial pressure is determined by the maximum diving depth attainable by the diver from the diving base or station when the latter is disposed at a certain depth level.
  • the following table specifies the oxygen content required to be supplied by the auxiliary gas source 5 at thee beginning of the period of utilization of the emergency breathing apparatus when the base or station is disposed at the depths specified and provided the maximum value of the diving depth is 30 meters below the depth level of said base or station.
  • the auxiliary source of gas 5 will have to be filled with a gas mixture containing 14 percent of oxygen when the diving base or station is at a depth level of meters.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a modified emergency breathing apparatus or unit according to the invention. It corresponds largely to the unit illustrated in FIG. 2, but is provided with an auxiliary source of gas 5 disposed within the bellows 1.
  • This auxiliary gas source 5 in the present case, is constituted by a collapsible container 15, the interior of which can be communicated with the space confined by the bellows l by a valve 17 inserted into a conduit 16.
  • the valve 17 also is operable by the tripping member 12, in common with the other valves 11 and disconnecting devices 13, 14. Owing to this collapsible container 15 disposed within the bellows l, a supply of oxygen (constant quantity) is obtained which is allowed to vary in volume or capacity according to the diving depth.
  • the oxygen volume When diving to a depth of 230 meters, the oxygen volume will have to be 0.8 liter to correspond to an oxygen concentration of 8 percent. At a depth of 30 meters, the oxygen will expand so as to occupy 5 liters of the total capacity of the bellows 1, which corresponds to the maximated oxygen concentration for this depth.
  • the tripping member is shown in the form of a pivoting handle 12 which is disposed within convenient reach for the diver on his breathing gas equipment.
  • the pivoting handle is adapted to actuate a lever having one portion extending down to the disconnectors 13, 14.
  • Each disconnector 13 and 14, respectively, comprises an emergency interrupter and 21, respectively, and a pair of oppositely connected non-return valves 18, 19 to prevent water ingress into the two interrupted conduit portions.
  • the other end of the lever actuated by the pivotable handle 12 is connected to a multi-functional valve device 23 adapted, in response to an actuation of handle 12 from its normal position shown for supplying breathing gas from the external gas supply system through conduits 3, 4, to disconnect the communication with these conduits 3,4 and to connect the inhalation and exhalation conduits 7 and 8, respectively, into a closed circuit including the gas purifier 9, and to open the communication between the auxiliary source of gas 5 and bellows 1.
  • a multi-functional valve device 23 adapted, in response to an actuation of handle 12 from its normal position shown for supplying breathing gas from the external gas supply system through conduits 3, 4, to disconnect the communication with these conduits 3,4 and to connect the inhalation and exhalation conduits 7 and 8, respectively, into a closed circuit including the gas purifier 9, and to open the communication between the auxiliary source of gas 5 and bellows 1.
  • Breathing apparatus for deep diving comprising:
  • quick release connecting means normally connecting said inhalation conduit and a feed conduit of said external gas supply means and normally connecting said exhalation conduit and a return conduit of said external gas supply system
  • a second branch conduit comprising a first, normally closed valve connecting said storage and said exhalation conduit
  • conduit means comprising a second, normally closed valve for connecting said gas source and said storage
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 including a gas purifier inserted in said second branch conduit.
  • auxiliary gas source is in the form of a collapsable container disposed within the interior of said bellows.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manually operated means is arranged, by means of a lever thereof, to actuate said quick release connecting means and a multi-functional valve adapted, firstly to change or switch over the connection of the inhalation and exhalation conduits, respectively from the external gas supply system to the auxiliary gas supply circuit, secondly to open said second branch conduit, and, thirdly, to open the conduit between the auxiliary gas source and the storage.
  • auxiliary gas source contains a gaseous mixture of a pressure and a composition such as to cause the average oxygen partial pressure of the gas supplied to the diver to be 1.5 atm. abs., this average oxygen partial pressure being exceeded for a brief initial period of time only, whereas the maximum oxygen partial pressure is 2.0 atm. abs., and the initial period of time is one third of the total period of use.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
US00263319A 1971-06-22 1972-06-15 Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) Expired - Lifetime US3820537A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE08120/71A SE360048B (de) 1971-06-22 1971-06-22

Publications (1)

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US3820537A true US3820537A (en) 1974-06-28

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US00263319A Expired - Lifetime US3820537A (en) 1971-06-22 1972-06-15 Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba)

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US (1) US3820537A (de)
DE (1) DE2230602C3 (de)
FR (1) FR2143202B1 (de)
SE (1) SE360048B (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4056098A (en) * 1975-01-17 1977-11-01 Etat Francais Respiratory apparatus for free underwater diver
US4454878A (en) * 1982-01-26 1984-06-19 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Oxygen accumulator for constant partial pressure semi-closed breathing apparatus
WO1998054051A1 (en) 1997-05-29 1998-12-03 Aquavit, Inc. Reserve air for underwater diving and mounting bracket for air tank
US20030188744A1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2003-10-09 Deas Alexander Roger Automatic control system for rebreather
US20030188745A1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2003-10-09 Deas Alexander Roger Self-contained underwater re-breathing apparatus

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2608546C3 (de) * 1975-03-03 1981-05-07 Shelby, William Barney, Elizabeth Nord, Südaustralien Tauchgerät mit geschlossenem Kreislauf
SE402569B (sv) * 1976-11-09 1978-07-10 Aga Ab Anordning vid en andningsapparat for dykare
US4793340A (en) * 1985-09-18 1988-12-27 Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S. Breathing system for divers
DE102009060839A1 (de) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-31 Tauchtechnik Schmitt Gmbh Kreislaufgerät
CN107054585B (zh) * 2017-05-16 2023-05-16 昆明五威科工贸有限公司 一种具有人机分离保护功能的水下启动调速控制器

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4056098A (en) * 1975-01-17 1977-11-01 Etat Francais Respiratory apparatus for free underwater diver
US4454878A (en) * 1982-01-26 1984-06-19 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Oxygen accumulator for constant partial pressure semi-closed breathing apparatus
WO1998054051A1 (en) 1997-05-29 1998-12-03 Aquavit, Inc. Reserve air for underwater diving and mounting bracket for air tank
US6070577A (en) * 1997-05-29 2000-06-06 Troup; Jan M. Reserve air for underwater diving
US20030188744A1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2003-10-09 Deas Alexander Roger Automatic control system for rebreather
US20030188745A1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2003-10-09 Deas Alexander Roger Self-contained underwater re-breathing apparatus
US6817359B2 (en) * 2000-10-31 2004-11-16 Alexander Roger Deas Self-contained underwater re-breathing apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE360048B (de) 1973-09-17
FR2143202A1 (de) 1973-02-02
DE2230602B2 (de) 1974-12-05
FR2143202B1 (de) 1973-07-13
DE2230602A1 (de) 1972-12-28
DE2230602C3 (de) 1980-01-31

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