Apparatus and method for self contained breathing

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to a self-contained breathing apparatus, and more particularly, to a self-contained breathing apparatus that uses extraction and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between a perfluorocarbon and water in which the apparatus is immersed. Embodiments include a water-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber; an air-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber; and a circulation pump, where the circulation pump is configured to circulate perfluorocarbon between the water-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber and the air-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber, where the perfluorocarbon becomes oxygen rich in response to passing through the water-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber, and where the perfluorocarbon becomes oxygen depleted in response to passing through the air-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 070,580, filed on Aug. 26, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD[0002]An example embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a self-contained breathing apparatus, and more particularly, to a self-contained breathing apparatus that uses extraction and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between a perfluorocarbon and water in which the apparatus is immersed.BACKGROUND[0003]The ability to breathe underwater has been instrumental in a variety of fields from diving exploration of the sea floor for commercial, scientific, and recreational to military use for strategic deployment of troops. Conventional underwater breathing apparatuses involve bulky, high-pressure oxygen tanks that have limited capacity thereby limiting range and depth of use. Further, underwater breathing using oxygen tanks produc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a self-contained breathing apparatus that uses perfluorocarbon and water to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The apparatus includes a water-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber and an air-to-perfluorocarbon exchange chamber, which circulate perfluorocarbon between the two chambers using a circulation pump. The apparatus can be used in a variety of applications, such as in a submarine environment or in a space suit. The technical effects of the patent include improved oxygen concentration and reduced carbon dioxide levels in the breathing apparatus, as well as improved performance and reliability.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional underwater breathing apparatuses involve bulky, high-pressure oxygen tanks that have limited capacity thereby limiting range and depth of use.

Further, underwater breathing using oxygen tanks produces air bubbles from exhaled breaths that can pose issues in various circumstances.

For example, air bubbles exhaled from a diver can attract unwanted attention from both predators and human surveillance.

Further, for recreational or scientific divers, air bubbles can affect the behavior of sea life around the diver.

In exploration, exhaled air bubbles can fill an enclosed structure that is being explored by a diver, potentially disturbing the structure.

Breathing underwater for indefinite periods without a tether to a surface vessel has long been the subject of science fiction and fantasy, with no realistic solution available.

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