CONTROLLED VOLUME BUOYANCY COMPENSATING DEVICE
A controlled volume buoyancy compensating device for providing the underwater control of buoyancy that is independent of changes in depth or dive position. The inventive device includes an adjustable air chamber, air source, and a demand regulator. The air chamber is a rigid shell with a volume adjustable by some means and sealed to keep water separate from air. The regulator is a two way demand regulator to provide or exhaust air at the ambient pressure and is essentially the same as a SCUBA diver's breathing regulator. The typical air source is a compressed air tank with pressure reducing valve to deliver air at about 140 psi above the ambient pressure.
The present invention relates generally to buoyancy compensators and more specifically it relates to a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device for providing the underwater control of buoyancy that is independent of changes in depth or dive position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ARTIt can be appreciated that buoyancy compensators have been in use for years. Typically, buoyancy compensators are comprised of buoyancy compensating devices (BCDs) usually made of a synthetic fabric vest with an internal inflatable rubber bladder, straps and a tank mount tray. When used in conjunction with lead weights a diver can operate valves to add or release air to adjust buoyancy between positive and negative. Also, a diver in colder water can wear a drysuit with valves to add or release air from the suit to adjust the buoyancy. Rigid tank BCDs have been designed that produce constant buoyancy by adjusting the proportion of air to water in the tank but are not in common use today. The air and buoyancy related equipment a diver currently uses are: a primary demand regulator, a back up demand regulator, an inflatable bladder buoyancy compensating device (BCD) with a power air inflator, a tank pressure and depth gauge, a weight belt, and a wet or drysuit.
The main problem with conventional buoyancy compensators is that the buoyancy produced by a given amount of air changes with the depth of the diver. Water pressure increases as you get deeper and this reduces the volume and buoyancy of air in a diver's BCD and drysuit. To maintain neutral buoyancy during a dive the diver must be attentive and make careful corrections as needed. Another problem is with the difficulty of exhausting the buoyancy producing air when the diver is in the inverted or head down position. Exhaust valves are generally located on the upper part of a BCD or drysuit, as worn by a non-inverted diver. Inability to dump excess air to the surrounding water can quickly lead to a rapid and dangerous buoyant ascent. Also, another problem is that, particularly in the case of a rigid tank BCD, the buoyancy producing air is free to move within the buoyancy chamber and produce undesirable forces when the diver moves about.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of buoyancy compensators now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new controlled volume buoyancy compensating device construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing the underwater control of buoyancy that is independent of changes in depth or dive position.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises an adjustable air chamber, air source, and a demand regulator. The air chamber is a rigid shell with a volume adjustable by some means and sealed to keep water separate from air. The regulator is a two-way demand regulator to provide or exhaust air at the ambient pressure. It is essentially the same as a SCUBA diver's breathing regulator. The typical air source is a compressed air tank with pressure reducing valve to deliver air at about 140 psi above the ambient pressure.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed here are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
An object of the present invention is to provide a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device for providing the underwater control of buoyancy that is independent of changes in depth or dive position.
Another object is to provide a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device that can produce an adjustable amount of buoyancy that remains constant at different depths for SCUBA divers and submersible equipment or vehicles.
Another object is to provide a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device that can produce an adjustable amount of buoyancy regardless of the position of a diver.
Another object is to provide a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device that can supply air to a diver's drysuit to automatically keep its buoyancy constant at any depth.
Another object is to provide a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device that will simplify the operation of buoyancy control under water.
Another object is to provide a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device that will allow a diver to move without the effects of shifting air and water in the buoyancy chamber.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSVarious other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a controlled volume buoyancy compensating device, which comprises an adjustable air chamber, air source, and a demand regulator. The air chamber is a rigid shell with a volume adjustable by some means and sealed to keep water separate from air. The regulator is a two way demand regulator to provide or exhaust air at the ambient pressure. It is essentially the same as a SCUBA diver's breathing regulator. The typical air source is a compressed air tank with pressure reducing valve to deliver air at about 140 psi above the ambient pressure. In
The air chamber is a rigid shell with a volume adjustable by some means and sealed to keep water separate from air. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The regulator is a two way demand regulator to provide or exhaust air at the ambient pressure. It is essentially the same as a SCUBA diver's breathing regulator. As shown in
As an alternative,
The typical air source is a compressed air tank with pressure reducing valve to deliver air at about 140 psi above the ambient pressure. As shown in
Alternatively, the air source can be a shared tank 10 and regulator 12 that supplies air to the other SCUBA equipment or it could be a separate tank 10 and regulator 12 that is dedicated to the task of controlling buoyancy. Also, the air source could be replaced by an air compressor on shore or on the deck of a boat that supplies the same intermediate pressure air.
The air source connects to the demand regulator 20 by a standard SCUBA intermediate pressure hose 14 with threaded connectors 13 and 15. The cylindrical air chamber 40 is mounted to the side of tank 10, which is mounted to the tray on the back of a standard buoyancy compensator 80. This allows for the gentle bend of the connecting tube 44 and rod 42 to curve over the diver's shoulder and down the front on one side. The tube 44 is firmly connected to the regulator 20 by a strong mount 32 that keeps the port 31 open and free of leaks. The bottom of the unit with the handle 60 and snap-hook 64 are anchored to a belt or the bottom of a standard BCD 80 by a ring 96 so the unit will remain close to the diver's body during all phases of the dive. The alternative diaphragm air chamber in
In operation, the diver would prepare to enter the water by first making sure the air source is on, then inflate the standard BCD 80, and then raise the adjustable handle 60 for maximum buoyancy from the air chamber. This action will ensure no air is trapped on the water side of the piston 41 (
If the diver is wearing a drysuit 88 with the exhaust check valves 95 and intake port 94 connected to regulator 20 by a hose 93 and connector 33, then the air inside the suit will remain constant during the dive. Once in the water, air is squeezed out through the check valves 95 and if more air is added it will also exit through these valves 95. As the diver descends, the check valves 95 prevent water from coming into the suit and so the air would normally be compressed. However, ambient pressure air is supplied from regulator 20 through orifice valve 34 so that the air volume and buoyancy of the suit do not change. The small hole orifice valve 34 limits the rate of air flow so that enough air is added to the suit during descents but quick arm and leg movements do not stretch the suit and fill it with excess air. With this equipment a diver can make corrections to buoyancy in any position underwater.
In this way the buoyant effect of air in the diver's lungs, buoyancy chamber, and drysuit remain constant while changing depth because they are all supplied with ambient pressure air from demand regulators, thereby making buoyancy control a minimal task underwater.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An underwater buoyancy control device for use by divers or attached to submersible equipment or vehicles, comprising;
- a rigid air chamber with a movable part fitted and sealed to keep water out of the chamber,
- a demand regulator to supply air at the ambient water pressure to the said air chamber,
- a check valve to exhaust air from the said air chamber to the surrounding water at the ambient pressure,
- a source of intermediate pressure air in the range of 140 psi above the ambient,
- a mechanical means to variably adjust the said movable part and the amount of buoyant air that the said air chamber contains.
2. The buoyancy control device defined in claim 1, where the said rigid air chamber is a cylinder and the said movable part is a piston.
3. The buoyancy control device defined in claim 1, where the said means to adjust the said movable part has a means to lock the said movable part in place by friction or mechanical engagement, after an adjustment is made and while underwater.
4. The buoyancy control device defined in claim 1, where the said means to adjust the said movable part is a connecting rod fastened to the movable part on one end and fastened at the other end to a means to make variable adjustment.
5. The buoyancy control device defined in claim 1, where the said demand regulator has a hose connector to supply ambient pressure air to other equipment.
6. The buoyancy control device defined in claim 5, where the hose connector incorporates an orifice valve to limit the flow of air from the said demand regulator.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 17, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 8, 2006
Inventor: Trevor Roseborough (Victoria)
Application Number: 11/164,315
International Classification: B63C 9/08 (20060101); B63C 11/00 (20060101);