EP0861188A1

EP0861188A1 - Self-contained diving equipment

Info

Publication number: EP0861188A1
Application number: EP96937965A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alain Ronjat
Original assignee: New Scaph Tech SA
Current assignee: New Scaph Tech SA
Priority date: 1995-11-24
Filing date: 1996-11-25
Publication date: 1998-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-25
Also published as: ES2174115T3; WO1997019848A1; EP0861188B1; DE69619686D1; AU7559096A; US6170483B1; CH691053A5; DE69619686T2; JP2000500716A; ATE214015T1

Abstract

Self-contained diving equipment comprising means (10) for refilling a compressed air tank (40) connected via a flexible air tube (1) to a snorkel and a breathing nozzle (70). The refilling means are deactivated when underwater, and an external air intake (61) is connected via a tube to the nozzle to feed air directly from the surface (10) when the swimmer is not underwater. The equipment further comprises a moisture removal device (20) and a filter (21) between the compressor (13) and the tank (40), as well as means (30) for controlling the activation and deactivation of the refilling means.

Description

Scuba diving gear

The present invention is in the field of equipment for temporarily staying underwater and relates more particularly to autonomous diving equipment.

To allow a swimmer to examine the seabed, we have long had the idea of using a tube connecting his nose or mouth to the open air. Tubas or schnorkels are known, for example, one end of which is integral with a mouthpiece and the other end of which comprises a bent tube, the opening of which can be blocked by a ping-pong ball when this end passes at the water. The swimmer then moves into apnea, that is to say that he stops breathing, and his stay underwater is limited by his pulmonary capacity, because he can no longer feed himself with air.

On the other hand, there are known diving equipment making it possible to supply the diver with compressed air bottles, which have the disadvantage of a significant weight and the obligation to refill the bottles in a specialized station.

The present invention proposes to combine these two types of equipment to allow a swimmer to move indifferently either on the surface or at a shallow depth, while breathing continuously in the same way, thanks to a nozzle allowing the air supply, as the swimmer is either on the surface of the water or submerged. When the swimmer is moving on the surface, means for recharging a compressed air tank are provided in order to increase the duration of the observation in immersion, the weight of the equipment remaining limited. The proposed equipment allows swimmers, vacationers to navigate safely in the water after a very simple initiation to learn the operation of the device. They will be able to learn about underwater life without having to obtain a diving certificate beforehand. The apparatus according to the invention is therefore particularly simple and, moreover, without danger, since it includes a limiter which interferes with breathing as soon as a predetermined depth is reached.

According to the invention the autonomous diving apparatus comprising a compressed air tank connected by a flexible air duct to a respiratory nozzle, at least one outside air intake connected by a conduit to the respiratory nozzle and ensuring the direct intake of surface air when it is not submerged, an injector provided with means for opening or closing the air duct coming from the tank and means for closing or opening the duct from the outside air intake, means for recharging the compressed air tank, capable of supplying the tank when the plunger is on the surface and of interrupting the supply during immersion, and by means for controlling the starting and stopping of said recharging.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a depth limiter associated with a depth sensor. Preferably, all of these components are held on the user's back by means of a vest or suspenders which may also include an enclosure capable of being inflated if necessary to reassemble the swimmer. In one embodiment, the means for recharging the reservoir comprise a motor powered by batteries and driving a compressor connected to an outside air intake. One can provide a device for eva¬ cuation of humidity between the compressor and the tank as well as an activated carbon filter.

The control means include a humidity detector making it possible to check whether the compressor is in the water so that it has good cooling. The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example an embodiment of the object of the present invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the main components of an autonomous apparatus according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross section of a device for evacuating moisture and an activated carbon filter,

FIG. 3 is a section through an air pressure sensor, the piston of which is associated with a variable resistance and the measurement information of which is returned to an order,

FIG. 4 is a section through a depth sensor, the piston of which is associated with a variable resistance as well as with a depth limiter and the measurement information of which is returned to an order, FIG. 5 is a section of a schnorkel comprising the air intake necessary for the plunger as well as the air intake necessary for the compressor, and

- Figure 6 is a section of the mouthpiece comprising all of the breathing part in immersion and the air intake necessary for breathing on the surface itself and its surface-immersion converter.

In the drawing of FIG. 1, the components grouped in the rectangle 10 constitute means for recharging with compressed air, taking in the outside air through the duct 1 coming from the schnorkel 12.

As a variant, the conduit 11 can be directly connected to a reserve of compressed air independent of the swimmer and thus making it possible to recharge the reservoir 40 using a bottle.

The compressed air passes successively through a moisture evacuation device 20 and a carbon filter 21, before being introduced into a tank 40. At the outlet of the tank, the pressurized air passes through a pressure sensor 30 as well as a depth sensor associated with a depth limiter 50, before arriving by a flexible tube 51 at the respiratory nozzle 70, which can also receive surface air directly by a flexible tube 61 leading to a schnorkel 12.

The means 10 for recharging with compressed air comprise a schnorkel 12 bringing the air taken from the surface to a compressor 13 actuated by a motor 14 supplied by a group of removable batteries 15. The air is compressed to 12 bars and exits through the conduit 11 to the moisture removal device 20 and the activated carbon filter 21. Control means 16 are further subjected to a humidity detector 18, respectively integral with the compressor 13, so that it is in the water when the engine controlled by the control 16 is started.

The start-up is done only when the assembly is immersed and the aqueous connection between the electrodes maintains a closed contact (information sent to control 16).

The device 20 for evacuating humidity and filtering 21 is shown in FIG. 2 and makes it possible to recover the condensation emitted by the temperature difference between the compressor 13 (which is around 60 ° C.) and the aquatic environment. (about 20 ° C). This device provides the user with dry air free from impurities which are harmful to breathing. It comprises a container 22 which can be removed from a cover 23 constituting a support. The cover 23 makes it possible to connect the conduit 11 to a bent inlet passage 24 provided with spray holes 25 in its lower part. The cover also supports a bent outlet passage 26 comprising suction holes 27. This outlet passage passes through an activated carbon filter 28 secured to a plug 29 and ensuring the filtration of impurities. Dry air comes out through line 21 to the pressure sensor 30 (Fig. 1). The pressure sensor 30 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3 is placed as a bypass on the conduit 21 of FIG. 1, which opens in an enclosure 32 containing a piston 33 displaceable against one of a spring 34. When the air arriving via the conduit 21 moves the piston as far down as possible, the piston rod 35 drives the variable resistor 36, the information of which triggers stopping the compressor 13 by means of the control 16 shown in FIG. 1

When the plunger uses air in immersion and the pressure decreases in the enclosure 32, the piston rises and the rod 35 causing the variable resistance 36, the information of which activates a buzzer 93 via the control 16 , shown in Figure 1, to notify the diver that he is on the reserve

In fact, when the pressure is insufficient, the piston 33 is held back by the spring 34 which is calibrated at 0.8 bar. As soon as the pressure rises, the piston moves linearly to a maximum pressure of 12 bars, the value at which it cuts the compressor by means of control 16.

The enclosure 40 constitutes the air reservoir carried by the plunger.

The depth sensor associated with the depth limiter 50 is designed to prevent a neophyte from going down to levels requiring the observation of decompression stops as well as problems of pulmonary overpressure at the time of the ascent and it is intended to limit the use of the apparatus above a depth of approximately 5 meters. As shown in Figure 4, this limiter comprises a piston 52 disposed in an enclosure 53 and having an opening 54 on the outside. The piston is held back by the spring 55 which is calibrated at 0.5 bar. The piston 52 comprises a strut 56 shown in the drawing substantially at the level of the conduits 41 and 51, position in which the air easily passes through the limiter. At a pressure above 1.5 bar, the piston continues to descend, gradually closing the passage between the conduits 41 and 51 The piston is limited in its stroke by the mechanical stop 57, in a position ensuring a reduced passage of air between the conduits 41 and 51 The plunger has difficulty breathing and knows that it is sufficient to go back above the maximum authorized depth In addition, the piston rod 58 drives the variable resistance 60, the information of which is sent to the control 16 in order to process and record the profile of the immersion. The control 16 triggers a buzzer or an audible alarm 93.

The schnorkel 12 shown in FIG. 5 is constituted by a cylindrical enclosure 62 for closing the conduit 61, enclosure comprising passages 63 ensuring the air intake on the outside. The enclosure 62 contains a mobile float 64 provided, in its upper part, with a seal 65 intended to close the openings 66 for connection to the conduit 61 and, in its lower part, with a buoyancy ring 67, for example in cork. The position shown in the drawing is that where the outside air passes through the conduit 61 through the passages 63 and the openings 66. A valve 68 seals the conduit 61 in the immersion mode. A tube 69 ensures the supply of air to the compressor.

When diving, the float 64 closes the openings 66 and during immersion, it is the hydrostatic pressure acting on the surface of the assembly 64 which keeps the assembly in the closed position.

The respiratory endpiece 70 is shown in section in FIG. 6. The enclosure 71 is provided with the following elements: a first endpiece 72 allowing the connection of the duct 51 bringing the air coming from the reservoir 40, a second nozzle 73 for the connection of the conduit 61 directly bringing the surface air entering the schnorkel 12, a respiratory mouth 74, an exhalation valve 75, a hydrostatic membrane 76 displaceable under the action of pressure in the opening 77 and a pusher 78 for manually purging the enclosure. All these components being perfectly known to those skilled in the art, their assembly will not be described in detail here.

The displacement of the hydrostatic membrane 76 acts on an injector 81, 82, 83 and 85 which is, as already mentioned, provided with means for opening or closing the conduits 72 and 73. More specifically, in the embodiment represented in the figure 5, the injector consists of a rod 81 having a spherical end 82 and a frustoconical end 83, the rod 81 passing through a cylindrical cage 84 which also receives a spring 85.

When the plunger is on the surface, the injector is in the position shown in the drawing, the compressed air arriving through the conduit 51 pushes the frustoconical end 83 which rests on the upper part of the cylindrical cage 84, closing the first nozzle 72 and consequently the conduit 51. At the surface, the plunger receives directly through the conduit 61 the atmospheric air passing through the snorkel 12, air which it can breathe through the respiratory mouth 74. At the expiration , the plunger evacuates the gas through the exhalation valve 75.

In immersion mode, the schnorkel 12 closes and when the plunger breathes, it causes a depression in the enclosure 71. The hydrostatic membrane 76 moves inward, pushing the spherical end 82 upward, which causes a displacement of the rod 81 and consequently of the frustoconical end 83, which opens the passage in one end piece 72 for connection to the conduit 41, bringing the air coming from the reservoir 40. The compressed air arriving in the enclosure 71 pushes the membrane 76 downwards and, under the action of the spring 85, the injector returns to the position shown in the drawing. We are in a situation of enslavement and hydrostatic balance.

A conduit 86 passing through the enclosure 71 takes outside air from the schnorkel 12 and sends it to the compressor 13 through the conduit 1.

As already mentioned, the majority of the components described are held on the back of the user thanks to a vest or suspenders, not shown in the drawing, with the exception of the end piece 70 and the schnorkel, the conduits 51 and 1 being constituted by flexible tubes. In addition, the vest may include an enclosure capable of being inflated by means of a carbon dioxide cartridge for reassembling the plunger. As a variant, provision can be made to inflate this kind of buoy automatically when the air pressure of the reservoir drops below a predetermined threshold.

Returning to the general view of FIG. 1, it will also be noted the presence of the acoustic signal transmitter 93, actuated by the control 16 receiving the information from the sensor 30 when the pressure of the compressed air decreases, and the information of the depth sensor 50 when the swimmer is operating below the predetermined depth threshold. It will also be recalled that the humidity detector 18 mentioned previously comprises electrodes which, when they are in water, close a contact, authorizing the starting of the motor 14 only when the assembly is immersed.

Claims

1. Self-contained diving apparatus comprising a compressed air tank (40) connected by a flexible air duct (51) to a respiratory nozzle (70), at least one outside air intake (61) connected by a duct to the respiratory nozzle and ensuring direct admission of the surface air when it is not submerged, characterized by means (10) for recharging the compressed air tank, capable of supplying the tank when the plunger is on the surface and interrupting the supply during immersion, and by means (16) for controlling the starting and stopping of said recharging and by an injector (81, 82, 83 and 85) provided with means for opening or closing the air duct coming from the tank and means for closing or opening the air duct coming from the outside air intake.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, charac¬ terized in that said recharging means (10) comprise a motor (14) powered by batteries (15) and driving a compressor (13) connected to an outside air intake (1).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, carac¬ terized by a moisture removal device (20) and a carbon filter disposed between the compressor and the tank (40).

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, charac¬ terized in that said control means (30) com¬ carry a piston (33) having an axis (35) and a resistance variable (36) subjected to the action of said axis and capable of controlling said motor (14) by means of the control (16).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, charac- terized in that said control means (30) also comprises at least one humidity detector (18).

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, carac¬ terized in that it comprises a depth limiter associated with the depth sensor (50) and adapted to give information to the control (16) and to limit the respiratory flow during exceeding the preset depth.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, carac¬ terized in that it comprises at least one transmitter of acoustic alarm signals (93).

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, carac¬ terized in that it comprises a support vest for its components or a chassis comprising suspenders.