Combined digital depth control and rate of ascent control device for scubadiving

Abstract

A combined digital depth control and rate of ascent control device to be used by scuba divers. The device would automatically prevent the diver from exceeding a predetermined depth and prevent the diver from ascending at an excessively high rate. The device comprises a sealed housing attachable to the apparatus so as to be submerged in the water with the diver. The housing has an inlet connectable to the pressurized gas tank, an outlet connected to the inflatable buoyancy jacket, a control passageway between the inlet and outlet, being automatically displaced to open the passageway upon sensing the predetermined depth.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001] The present invention relates to a device to be used in SCUBA (derived from "Self-Contained Underwater-Breathing Apparatus") diving apparatus, and particularly to digital device which automatically prevents the diver using it, from exceeding a predetermined depth, and a rate of ascent control to prevent the diver from ascending at an excessively high rate which may be harmful to the diver.[0002] SCUBA diving apparatus generally includes a buoyancy compensator attachable to the diver to enable the diver to operate at any desired depth. In one type of such diving apparatus, the buoyancy compensator is an inflatable device, e.g., a jacket or vest worn by the diver or a pillow attached to the diver, such that the change in volume of the buoyancy compensator changes the buoyancy of the diver. Another type of buoyancy compensator includes a constant volume tank into which water is admitted or expelled to change the buoyancy of the diver. In both...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide SCUBA divers with a device which minimizes the foregoing dangers.

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided SCUBA diving apparatus comprising: a buoyancy compensator attachable to a diver, and a combined digital depth control and a rate of ascent control device for sensing the depth, and rate of ascent of the diver and for automatically increasing the buoyancy of the buoyancy compensator when the diver is submerged at a predetermined depth in the water, or when the rate of ascent exceeds a predetermined value to thereby prevent the diver from exceeding the predetermined depth.

[0010] It will thus be seen that apparatus constructed in accordance with the foregoing features automatically prevents the diver from ascending at a rate exceeding a predetermined value which might be harmful to the diver. Thus, as soon as this predetermined rate of ascent is sensed, the interior of the inflatable buoyancy compensator is automatically vented to the outside water, thereby immediately decreasing the rate of ascent.

Problems solved by technology

In both types of devices, there is a danger that the diver may unwillingly exceed a predetermined depth such as to result in a serious danger to the divers health or safety.

However, in such apparatus, there is a danger that the diver may unwillingly ascend at an unduly high rate such as may cause the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood, a disorder called "bends", which can be extremely painful and even fatal.

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