DE2028625A1 - Underwater breathing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

PATBNTANWAtT DIPL. ing. R. WOODS

S9 A UG H B URG

W. Λ83

Augsburg, June 9, 1970

Westinghouse Electric Corporation, 3 Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, V. St-. A.

Underwatered device

The invention relates generally to breathing apparatus and, more particularly, to an underwater breathing apparatus disclosed by is carried on the back of a diver and is provided with a breathing gas supply device, which latter a device for initiating

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Breathing gas in appropriate breathing bags as well as a facility to connect the diver with these breathing bags.

When working underwater it is necessary that as much of that is available to the diver as possible standing total energy is preserved, so that this Energy can be made fully usable for a specific task. The diver is not supposed to be precious Having to spend energy dealing with their equipment and their surroundings. With underwater breathing apparatus for example, which have breathing bags, the buoyancy of the breathing bag acts when the The diver is in the swimming position, on one point in connection with that on another point acting weight of certain pieces of equipment in such a way that a restoring torque is generated against which the diver has to fight. Great inhalation and exhalation efforts must be avoided and, in general In other words, "diving equipment must be so comfortable that that a backlash of the diver is avoided.

In many diving equipment, the island parts are on a flat plate made of metal or from one

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attached to other rigid material and sometimes surrounded by a specially shaped envelope. That The resulting package is pleasing in terms of aesthetics Respect. However, the diver's back is not a flat plane and when using the diving equipment in a few tens of meters of water are aesthetic considerations for the diver because of the inconvenience and the resulting instability of little concern. These are known diving equipments Breathing bag placed in relation to the diver's chick at the top of the inside of the package and in connection has been used with an exhaust valve which determines the pressure of the breathing gas in the system. These Type of arrangement of the individual parts of the diving equipment leads to a system which is so sensitive to the diving position that the pressure is more uncomfortable for the diver Way changes greatly.

In another known embodiment has you tried the outer contour of the holding arrangement to conform to the normal curvature of a particular human back. However, the problem arises here that the normal curvature of the back for a given person

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represents an abnormal curvature for another person, so that "with the difference in height and build different people the diving device for another person for whom the diving device has been designed, is of limited use.

The object of the invention is to be achieved, an underwater breathing apparatus of the type set out at the beginning to be improved in such a way that it is comfortable to wear, adapts to the shape of every back and does not wear out in any diving position Restoring torque generated.

In terms of the solution to this problem, the invention includes an underwater breathing apparatus, which of is carried on the back of a diver and is provided with a breathing gas supply device, which latter a device for introducing breathing gas into appropriate breathing bags and a device to connect the diver to this breath bag E. has and which is characterized according to the invention by an outer protective shell which- the Equipment of the device carries and protects and which on its inside near the body

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the diver has a pliable body shape of the diver's fitting part, with the breathing bag in close proximity to the body shape matching part are arranged.

The invention is described below with reference to a preferred embodiment of FIG Invention described in more detail, which is shown as an example in the accompanying drawings, which show in detail:

Figs. 1 and 2 each in side or

Front view of a preferred embodiment the invention,

Fig. 3 is a section along the

Line HI-III in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4- in front view as in

2 shows the interior of the device according to the invention, with the lower surface raised,

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5 schematically shows a flow

Diagram of the particular breathing system shown in Fig. 4-

6 shows a detail of the in

Fig. 1 shown device according to the invention, with part of the apparatus shown broken away so that an exhaust valve and a sensor is visible in the operating position,

Fig. 7 is the same view as

in Fig. 6, but with the valve and the transducer separated from each other,

Fig. 8 a diver, w-alcher that

partly in section

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provided device according to the invention,

9 shows an equivalent force scheme

for the operating situation shown in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a view of the neck of a

Diver, the contact surfaces of the invention Device are visible,

i. ^f ic · 11 a section along the line

XI-XI in Fig. 8,

Fir. Λ2 the device according to the invention

with a hanging device,

Fi-. 13 a lifting hook, and

Fir. 14 the type of storage of the

inventive device when not in use '..

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In Fig. 1 a breathing apparatus is shown which has a fairly hard, inflexible outer protective shell and, as can be better seen in Figure 2, a fairly soft, pliable, body-conforming lower surface which is connected to the shell 10. The shell 10 can be made of molded or molded plastic or fiberglass and the lower surface 12 made of soft material, such as nylon. It is clear that the materials mentioned are given by way of example only should serve.

The lower surface 12 is releasable with the shell 10 ' by means of mutually complementary fastening means, such as zippers 1 ^, connected, so that the internal parts of the device are accessible. A portion 17 of the lower surface 12 is on one edge of the shell attached. The fastening means are shown in FIG. 1 as a lacing 19. Part 17 carries one half of the zipper, while the other half is attached to the edge of the lower surface 12.

The upper part of the lower surface 12 is attached to a transverse strip 22, the ends of which at points 24 with the shell are connected, so that when the tear ^ - closures l'J are open, the lower surface 12 over the

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upper part of the shell 10 can be folded, whereby the inner parts of the device are accessible via connections 25 and 26 a connection between the diving device and a diver can be established.

Support means, which are used to attach the device to the diver, have shoulder straps 27 or which are attached to the upper part of the shell 10 and each provided with adjustment parts 31 and 32, respectively. The lower ends of the shoulder straps 27 and 28 are each detachably connected to arm assemblies 35 and 35 ', respectively. which latter are provided as rigid, protruding parts on one side on the lower part of the shell 10 are. A typical arm assembly, such as arm assembly 35 shown in FIG fixed part 37, which is attached to the shell 10, and a movable part 38, which is shown in the engaged position. The movable part 38 can, however, for example Storage of the device when not in use, can be pivoted from the engaged position by pressing against the Force of a spring 40 pressed and thus to each other complementary locking surfaces 43 and 44 from each other be released so that the part 38 around a pin 45

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is pivotable around inward. Belts 50 or 51, which are connected to the arm assemblies 35 'and 35, respectively, are wrapped around the diver's waist and are can be connected to one another by means of a buckle 54.

An adjustable strap 56 is each with the Arm assemblies 35 and 35 'connected and forms a stress-absorbing surface, which will be discussed below is described in more detail. The relative position of the belt 56 can be seen better from the illustration in FIG. 3, which shows a section along the line III-III in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 3, the arm assemblies 35 and 35 ', which are connected to the shell 10 and protrude therefrom, each form attachment points for the belt 56, which are at a certain distance from the shell 10 so that the between these two Points νβτ ^ μίβΜβ Belt 56 prevents parts of the equipment, such as a canister 59 ₉ containing carbon dioxide absorbent, from hitting the diver and also serves as a force distribution device, which ensures the correct adjustment of the belts 27, 28 ₉ 50 when wearing the device and fc-i and 51 up

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occurring pressure forces distributed.

It has already been mentioned that the movable part 38 of the arm assembly 35 for the storage of the Device is pivotable. In Pig. 3 is the Hichtgebrauehslago the parts 38 and 38 'indicated by dash-dotted lines.

The device shown in FIG. 2 has various individual parts of a respiratory system which are connected to the shell IO. Such an individual part is the canister ^l y) containing a carbon dioxide absorption means, which is arranged in the lowest part of the shell 10 and is held there by holding means, for example by an elastic rope 6 ^, the ends of which are each attached to the shell 10. The canister ^l y _: } is by means of connection couplings 6? and 68, which can be easily detached from the canister if necessary, connected to breathing bags, which are described below. Although the lower surface 12 can be attached to the shell in such a way that it extends from the upper part of the shell and its lower part, it is more advantageous if Ue only extends as far as the canister 59, so that; dev canister without loosening the fastening of the

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area 12 is accessible or operable.

The belt 56 contacts the diver in the vicinity of the diver's cross and is a load-transferring device Another interface is formed in the upper part of the diver's back. To adapt of the device to a wide range of disparities in shape or size of divers Advantage, though not absolutely necessary, if the contact area in the upper part of the diver's back is quite small and is between the shoulder blades of the diver is located. A contact plate 70 arranged on the outside of the lower surface 12, which consists, for example, of soft rubber, forms a further load transmission surface in addition to the belt 56. Extends behind the touch panel 70 up to the shell 10 a device for spacing and power transmission.

In summary, it can be said that when the device is on the diver's back and the straps 50 and 51 and the shoulder straps 27 and 28 are attached, although the shell 10 is tightly attached to the back of the diver is used, but not on this one

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wearing. The shell 10 is thus at a certain distance held and the outline of the shell 10 thus adapts to the shape of most divers.

The forces that the device close to the diver draw on, are transferred or received through two contact surfaces. The size and location of these contact areas also ensures that the device will fit most divers.

When the straps are tightened, the spacing and load transfer means which is arranged behind and extends up to the shell 10, a compressive force on the contact plate 70 transfer. A compressive force is also transmitted through the arm assemblies 35 and 35 'and through the belt transferred to a contact surface near the diver's cross.

Behind the lower surface 12 there is a multitude of individual parts that are used in a breathing system. Pig ... 4. shows a view of the invention Device in which the lower surface 12 is folded up in such a way that a view of its interior is possible

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is. The suspension elements that the various straps have are not shown. The device has a Breathing bag assembly, which consists of an inhalation bag 73 and an exhalation bag 74, the are connected to the lower surface 12 or with this form a common part. In their operating position, the breathing bags .73 and 74 are very close to the back of the diver and extend over substantially the same area as the diver's lungs. Small protruding parts 77 and 78 are connected to the terminals and 68 of the canister 59 connected-

Within the shell 10 and held thereon, various gas line circuit items are one Arranged breathing system, which are shown schematically in Fig. 5, the latter in the following reference is taken.

When working in deep water, the diver will from a remote supply source via a cord 80 which has a quick release connector has, supplied with a breathing gas. The gas is cleaned one last time by means of a filter 84 and through a Check valve 86 and a gas measuring orifice to

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an inlet 85 of the inhalation bag 73. The output pressure of the check valve 86 is from a Switching indicator 91 scanned, which indicates to the diver that gas is being supplied via the umbilical cord 80.

The gas introduced into the inhalation bag is inhaled by the diver via a breathing tube 9 ^ which is connected to the inhalation bag as well as to a mouth and nose mask 96 and to the exhalation bag 74. After each breathing process, the gas in the exhalation bag Tk is introduced through the canister 59 containing a carbon dioxide absorbent and then back into the inhalation bag so that it can be inhaled again. In a semi-closed system in which breathing bags are used, there is an outlet valve which keeps the pressure in the breathing system in which the diver is breathing at a certain value which is greater than the ambient pressure at the outlet valve. The outlet valve 98 is connected to the exhalation bag 7k and, with regard to its local position, is preferably arranged between the breathing bags 73 and 7 ^ in the immediate vicinity of the diver's back.

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When the diver uses a large amount of gas in order to Would like to initiate cleaning in the breathing bag, he can operate a cleaning valve 100, which the gas the umbilical cord 80 enters the inhalation bag 73 via a regulator 102 and via a one-way check valve 103 permitted. In the event that the breathing bag leaks in an accident and is therefore out of service an emergency regulator 105 is provided, which can be actuated by actuating a regulator control 106, whereby the device works like a breathing system of a conventional type, in which an open circuit is supplied remotely.

In the event that the umbilical cord 80 is accidentally cut off is, an emergency gas supply is provided in the form of gas bottles 109 and 110, which, if a Valve 117 is open, gas is introduced through a regulator 112 and via a gas measuring orifice 114 into the inhalation bag 73. When the umbilical cord 80 cut off is, the pressure on the switchover indicator 91 drops and the diver is indicated by the fact that the valve 117 must operate. Alternatively, the actuation of the valve 117 can also be carried out automatically by means of a pressure-dependent one. Control device are made. The gas from the

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Supply bottles 109 and 110 can be supplied to the inhalation bag 73 in large quantities via the path, which has the check valve 119 and the cleaning valve 100. When working in shallow water the gas supply bottles 109 and 110 can serve as the primary gas supply. However, they serve as in context with work in great water depth already mentioned, otherwise as an emergency gas supply, which the diver has several Allow breaths and thereby enable him to take a to return to the protective atmosphere of an underwater chamber or apartment.

The gas supply bottles 109 and 110 could be at also serve as the primary gas supply in a closed breathing system when working in great water depths. In this case, only as much oxygen is added to a helium breathing gas as corresponding to a partial pressure measurement an oxygen sensor (not shown) is required.

In addition to the gas supply bottles 109 and 110 and The canister 59 contains the various individual parts of the gas line circuit shown schematically within the shell 10 in FIG. 4 according to FIG. 5. The gas supply

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bottles 109 and 110 are secured by means of metal strips 122 supported, which are attached to the shell 10. In the event that the valve 117 can be actuated by the diver, a rod 124 is provided, which extends up to lower part of the shell and which © at the end with a button 125 is provided which is operated by the diver ) becomes »Another pole 127 runs on top of the other Side of the shell and can be depressed for the purpose of actuating the cleaning valve 100 by the diver will.

When the breathing bags are inflated ₉ in the order of magnitude of 8 liters 6as _{9 there} is a positive buoyancy force, which acts on a center of buoyancy that is located between the breathing bags. ^ The various parts of the gas line circuit are arranged near the breathing bag and the weight of these parts has a common center point, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the center of buoyancy certain swimming positions.

When the lower surface 12 is brought into operating position

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is, the valve is fitted I ¹ IO in a receiver 98, which is so secured to the shell 10 so that it forms together with the valve 98 a up to the lower surface 12 extending from the shell assembly for spacing and load transfer. In Fig. 6 a side view of part of the device according to the invention is shown broken away so that the interlocking connection between the valve 98 and the sensor ΙΊΟ can be seen. The valve 98 is arranged on the inside of the lower surface 12 between the breathing bags, of which the latter the inhalation bag 73 is shown. The touch plate 70 is arranged on the outside of the lower surface 12, with the valve 98 and the touch plate 70 being connected to one another by fasteners 1 ^ 2 and with a part of the lower surface 12 located between the two. The valve pick-up 1 * 10 is cup-shaped and connected to the shell 10 by fastening means IM. The upper part of the valve 98 forms a valve cover 1 * 17, the surface of which is partially hemispherical, so that a limited rotational movement within the transducer I ¹ IO is possible.

This rotatable connection allows the loading

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contact plate 70, although there is a great variety different shaped diver's back contours, lies flat in its operating position and also ensures that the touch plate 70 is in the correct operating position remains even if the shell 10 is slightly displaced while being carried. Although a feathered one Outlet valve can be used, it is advantageous to provide a valve in the breathing system, its setting changes as a function of the positional orientation in the manner already proposed. If such a valve is provided, it is desirable that the valve axis remains directed to a reference point which is within of the diver is located. The rotatable connection of the Valve 98 with the transducer l40 ensures this position and at the same time forms a force-transmitting arrangement from the shell to the diver's back a load transfer surface formed by the touch plate 70.

In Fig. 7, the lower surface 12 is released and pulled to the side with respect to the shell 10, so that the Valve 98 and the transducer 140 are visible in one position are in which they do not interlock. The up

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taker 14O is shown cup-shaped, but it is It is clear that a different shape can also be used to achieve the same sensor function.

Fig. 8 shows a diver wearing a helmet in the position of a breaststroke, the shell being shown broken away so that the arrangement of the Device can be seen on the diver's back. The breathing bag assembly of which the inspiratory bag 73 is shown extends on the back of the diver downwards and covers the same area like the diver's lungs 150. The large number of individual parts is supported by the shell 10. the Shell 10 does not rest on the diver's back and the pressure load that the shell exerts when the straps are tightened (Fig. 2) is generated is transmitted to the diver at two contact surfaces, one of which is through the touch panel 70 and the other is fixed by the belt 56. This support arrangement allows a free and unimpeded movement of the breathing bags.

Fig. 9 shows a load or force diagram, which the device according to the invention shown in FIG

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symbolized. A rigid bridge beam 15 **, which bearing a load 156 is at one end by a Support part 159 and carried at the other end by a hinge part, the latter being the attachment of the assembly differently shaped surfaces, such as surface l62, are permitted. The bridge beam 15 ** is in With respect to the surface 162 held at a certain distance and a flexible bellows 1β5 can within the by the bridge beam 15 ^ and the surface 162 included Expand and contract area freely. There is between the diagram in FIG. 9 and the device according to the invention the following analogy:

Bridge beam support part 159

Support part 160 surface 162

Load 156 flexible bellows I65

Bowl 10

Arm assemblies 35 »35 'and strap 56

Sensor l40 and valve 98

Lower surface 12 and back of the diver

Individual gas pipe circuit parts. Breathing bags 73 and 74.

The combined weight of the various parts of the gas pipeline circuit is represented by an arrow W. The up

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The breathing bag is symbolized by an arrow B. By distributing the individual parts of the gas pipeline circuit in the vicinity of the breathing bag the weight W can be made approximately colinear with respect to B so that undesirable force pairs are avoided, which would try to bring the diver into a vertical position turn. The burden 156 does not necessarily represent represents or does not necessarily have the gas supply bottles 109 and 110 or the canister 59, since these Individual parts can float approximately neutrally in water.

In the illustrated embodiment of the inventive Device there is a load transfer surface on the upper part of the diver's back. This contact surface is preferably located between the Diver's shoulder blades 169. Another burden The transfer area touches the lower part of the back of the diver, such as the touch area near the diver's cross. The interface 171 is formed by the belt 56, which is flexible and can adapt to countless body shapes. the

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Contact surface 168 is quite small, so that the entire device is worn by the diver on two contact surfaces ¹ which are the same for all body shapes of divers that occur.

Pig. 11 shows a section length of the line XI-XI in Fig. 8, the arm assemblies 35 and 35 * in are in the swiveled-out position and, together with the belt 56, prevent compressive forces from acting on a concentrated area on the diver's back, since these compressive forces are transmitted to a distributed contact surface (surface 171 in Fig. 10).

There is a hanging device to support the diver when putting on and taking off the diving equipment provided, which is shown for example in FIGS. On the back of the shell 10, two eyelets 1-7 and 178 are attached, which also can be used as a handle for the device. The eyelets 177 and 178 fit with protruding parts 181 and "One hook I83 cusaaaten, which one at the appropriate height attached to part 185 of a building. The diving equipment is as shown in FIG. 11

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hung on the hook 183 so that the diver can put his back on it and put on the equipment, whereupon it is lifted off the hook I83. In the same After using the device, the diver stands up with his back to the hook I83 and hangs the eyelets 177 and I78 on the protruding parts I81 and and loosen the various straps, whereupon the lower surface can be loosened for maintenance work on the device can.

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Claims (12)

Claims I Λ J Underwater breathing apparatus, which is carried on the back by a diver and is provided with a breathing gas supply device, the latter having a device for introducing breathing gas into corresponding breathing bags and a device for connecting the diver to these breathing bags, characterized by an outer protective shell ( 10), which carries and protects equipment parts (59, 109, 110, 140) of the device and which has a flexible part (12) which adapts to the body shape of the diver on its inside near the body of the diver, the breathing bag ( 73, 74) are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the part that adapts to the body shape. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that mutually complementary fastening means (14), which on the edges of the protective shell (10) and on the Edges of the body shape adapting part (12) are arranged, a separation of the protective shell and allow the body shape adapting part so that - 26 0 0 * 851/1 BU the inside of the protective shell is accessible. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the breathing bag (73 »74) covers the area of the Cover the diver's lungs. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the breathing bag (73 »with the part (12) which adapts to the body shape are connected and can be moved together with this. 5- device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the breathing bag (73t 7 * 0 an inhalation bag (73) and an exhalation bag (7 * 0 have and that an outlet valve (98), which is located between the two breathing bags, with the exhalation bag connected is. « 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, which a large number of τοη gas pipeline circuit single parts has, characterized gektnaeeichnet that the Gaeleitungskreie items (82, 84-, 86, 89 »91, 100, 102, 103, 105, 106, 117, 119) arranged within the protective shell (10) and are held on this. - 27 -. '■■■■■ 009851/1814 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a force-transmitting, rotatable coupling between the protective shell (10) and the part (12) which adapts to the body shape is arranged, this coupling having a valve body (14-7) with, a partially hemispherical surface and a sensor (140), v / which part of the Valve body with the hemispherical surface receives such that a limited rotational movement possible between the valve body and the transducer 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that that the sensor (140) is attached (144) to the protective shell (10) and that the valve body (147) has an outlet valve arrangement (98) forms which, together with the device for introducing breathing gas into the breathing bag (73> 74 ·) is connected. 9 · Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the breathing bag (73, 74) is partly from the Body shape-matching part (12) are formed and that the outlet valve assembly (147 or 98) then in the Sensor (140) is stored when the body shape - 28 009851 / 15U- matching part is connected to the protective shell (10) j and then separated from the transducer when the body shape not adapting part with the protective shell connected is. 10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that on the outside of the the body shape adapting part (12) in the vicinity of the upper part (168) of the back of the rope keeper or in near the shoulder blades (I69) a soft one Contact plate (70) is arranged and that the valve body (147 or 98) in such a way with this contact plate is connected that a part of the body shape-adapting part is located between these two parts. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that with the protective shell (10) two arm assemblies (35, 35 ') are connected, which such are adjustable so that they protrude from the protective shell, and which are each connected to a strap (50, 50 ') which can be fastened to the body of the diver. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the apparatus has yet another load transmission - 29 009851/1514 has device which is connected to the protective shell (10) and extends from this to the part (12) that adapts to the body shape and touches the back of the rope between his shoulder blades, this contact point touching the one load transfer surface on the one that adapts to the body shape part is _s further that a different load transfer means (56) is connected to the protective shell and another load transfer surface (171) forms ₉ wherein the one and the other load transmission means are arranged such that one load transmitting surface dan upper part of the back of the diver and the other Load transfer surface contacts the lower part of the diver's back near the diver's cross. 13 · Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that on the protective shell (10) a suspension device (177, 178) is attached, by means of which the device on a corresponding hook (18I, 182, I83) can be suspended, the suspension device being the Has the shape of at least one handle. 009851/1514 Blank page