SAFETY DEVICE FOR VARIABLE BUOYANCY JACKETS FOR DIVING

Description

2_2024 Description of the invention entitled: “SAFETY DEVICE FOR LIFEJACKETS IT IS REHABLE FOR DIVING” in the name of: MITRANO DAMIANO Inventor: MITRANO Damiano _____________________________________________________________ Description Field of technology The present invention falls within the technological field of devices underwater safety, in particular buoyancy control systems for diving. It is an automatic device designed to integrate with buoyancy compensators (BCDs), in order to prevent ascents that exceed the safe ascent speed and potential risks associated with the decompression sickness (also known as the bends). The mechanism is based on a pneumatic principle of pressure balancing and on the ability to release excess air in the event of critical changes in depth, thus ensuring user safety. Known art In the context of underwater activities, trim management is a critical component for the safety and effectiveness of the dive; the device, The object of this invention is an innovative solution to a problem of significant relevance in this sector. The main problem addressed by the present invention concerns the need to prevent situations of uncontrolled rise that can occur following a loss of control of trim during the dive, with consequent high risks of Decompression sickness and collapsed lungs. Solutions currently available are mainly based on systems of manual emergency opening which, although functional, require a direct and timely intervention by the diver, 2_2024 which, based on experience and other determining factors, may not be always able to react appropriately in critical situations. The device comparison, compensation and automatic emergency release for life jacket variable asset (hereinafter referred to as “GAV”) aims to overcome these limitations through a mechanism that can be integrated with existing solutions, offers an automatic action of releasing excess air from the buoyancy compensator variable thus preventing uncontrolled rise without requiring intervention direct user. The device includes at least one comparison chamber, an expansion membrane, a piston valve with filling channels and emptying, an evacuation chamber equipped with a plurality of holes evacuation and discharge. The operating principle is based on balancing of the pressures between the air contained in the comparison chamber and the external one, with the comparison chamber containing a quantity of control air and the evacuation chamber that allows the release of excess air contained in the BCD air chamber. The expansion membrane plays a key role in the process of balancing pressures, reacting to pressure changes during the descent and ascent. The piston valve, with its calibrated channels, allows air to pass through and pressure to be balanced in case of activation of the device, while the evacuation chamber, through its holes, allows the expulsion of excess air. In case of ascent above a certain speed safety criticality, the limited flow rate of the drainage channel, not being sufficient to handle the evacuation of the control air contained in the chamber comparison, will cause the expansion of the air contained in the chamber comparison, will cause pressure on the expansion membrane, the opening of the piston valve and the consequent rapid release of the air contained in the BCD, interrupting the uncontrolled ascent. This solution represents a significant step forward in diving safety, offering a system automatic which reduces the risk of accidents related to the set-up and which can be 2_2024 integrated with current technologies, improving the overall experience of diving and providing an additional level of safety for divers. With regard to industrial patents, an in-depth analysis of the existing solutions to highlight the gaps that the present invention intends to address top up. US Patent 2021147048 describes a BCD for scuba diving that comprises at least one air chamber with variable volume delimited by a outer wall and an inner wall, an abdominal closure strap and a removable coupling device between the inner wall and the abdominal strap. This device includes first and second connectors respectively attached to the internal wall and to the strap, a retainer that holds the second connector with respect to the first along an axis substantially orthogonal to the belt and a half of rotation, on the aforementioned axis, of the second connector with respect to the first. Although this solution can offer a certain modularity and flexibility in the vest configuration, does not directly address the issue of ascent uncontrolled caused by a loss of trim control during the dive. The release comparison and compensation device automatic, object of the present invention, overcomes this limitation with a mechanism that acts automatically to release excess air, without request direct intervention from the diver. Patent CN211731768 (U) proposes an innovative immersion device which facilitates floating and immersion. The system includes a buoyancy-type breathing equipment and a connected respirator, a inflatable life jacket connected to the breathing equipment. In the jacket is formed by an inflatable cavity, equipped with an inflation port and a exhaust connected to the cavity, and the vest is connected to the equipment breathing through a sealed air tube. One end of the sealed air tube is connected to the breathing equipment, the other to the vest, and the door of inflation is connected to the sealed air hose. Although this system supplies air 2_2024 breathable to the diver and the possibility of inflating the jacket for a controlled floating, does not focus on the specific problem of uncontrolled ascent due to inadequate trim management. Both documents analyzed, while representing progress in the field of diving equipment, does not provide a complete solution to the problem identified in the first part of the introduction. The comparison device and self-release compensation, described in the present invention, is stands out for its ability to prevent uncontrolled ascent through a automatic mechanism that does not require the diver's intervention. This feature is essential to improve safety in diving, reducing the risk of buoyancy-related accidents especially in inexperienced divers or during training courses where uncontrolled ascent events may occur with a higher probability. In conclusion, the release comparison and compensation device automatic represents a necessary and innovative solution to address the problem of trim management in underwater activities, offering a level of superior security compared to currently available technologies. A detailed explanation of the inventive concept will follow in the subsequent sections of the document, further outlining the significant contribution of this invention to the scuba diving sector. Description of the invention This patent application for industrial invention is intended to describe and claim a system with at least one novel solution and alternative to the solutions known to date and / or to satisfy one or more perceived needs in the technique and in particular deducible from what is reported above. Consider that a buoyancy compensator is a device that assists in correction of trim (buoyancy) during a dive and is an element almost essential (considered mandatory by some diving schools) recreational) among the accessories needed for a dive. It is usually made 2_2024 like a vest, to be worn over the wetsuit, and includes some peculiar elements. It is equipped with an air chamber that extends across its entire surface, which can be inflate (with the air from the cylinder) or deflate when necessary, it is equipped with a rigid backrest to which the cylinder is attached, it is equipped with pockets suitable for contain ballast weights and is equipped with two manual safety valves, operated by a cord, usually located one on the scapular area and the other on the lumbar region. These valves are necessary when, by inflating excessively the jacket, this begins to exert a positive thrust causing an uncontrolled ascent (with serious consequences on the diver's health). their position allows for total evacuation of air regardless of the position which took over the body at that time, finding at least one of the two valves in the highest area of ​​the body (so as to avoid the formation of pockets in which air can remain trapped). The system, however, has a limit which can be identified in the need for the diver to know his position during the event above mentioned – perception not always clear during a dive, especially for the less experienced - to choose appropriately which of the two valves operate to obtain the desired effect. Furthermore, the position of the cords is known to the user of the BCD but their identification in a moment of agitation it may not always be immediate. The idea and necessity of the comparison, compensation and release device automatic emergency devices for variable trim life jackets are born from the need to create an automatic system, which can assist or replace, in its most advantageous versions, the current opening systems and manual emergency release of the air reserve of a BCD, designed to prevent the effect of loss of trim control which can result in an uncontrolled ascent controlled, which would imply a very high risk of decompression sickness (MDD) and lung collapse if the necessary actions are not implemented emergency. The objective is that the system can be integrated with accessories 2_2024 currently available, is to create an extremely simple mechanism and effective. To achieve this purpose, the inventor developed a valve which, based on a pneumatic principle, it comprises at least: • a comparison chamber; • an expansion membrane, equipped with a suspension which acts as elastic surface allowing the correct movement of said membrane; • a piston valve which, via a filling channel and a channel calibrated emptying, practiced inside the stem of the same, puts the BCD air chamber is in communication with the comparison chamber; • an evacuation chamber on the body of which there are a plurality of evacuation holes and a plurality of drain holes; • an overpressure valve to release the air contained in the reserve of the GAV upon reaching a limit pressure within said reserve; • a spring for said piston valve, suitably sized to keep the piston valve in the closed position during the normal operation of the device or until the condition under which the said piston valve must open. In other possible and further advantageous embodiments, the present invention may also include: • a possible gasket, for example but not limited to rubber type “o- ring”, designed to seal the head of the piston to prevent leaks unwanted air from the BCD chamber to the outside environment; • an emergency cord for manual opening of the device; • a possible selector that allows the choice of the behavior of said piston valve, allowing said device to behave automatic, always open or always closed; the details of said behaviors will be explained later; 2_2024 • a possible coupling system for the application of the device to current variable buoyancy compensators (GAV). The operating principle is based on the pressure variations that occur during the descent and ascent phases during a dive, and on the balance between the pressures of the air contained in the comparison chamber, hereinafter defined control air, and that contained in the BCD air chamber. The comparison chamber, whose volume is calibrated, is intended to contain the amount of control air coming from the BCD air chamber, introduced by means of the filling channel (and to a minimal extent by means of the emptying). This filling channel allows the passage of air in a single direction: only from the BCD air reserve to the comparison chamber. The air, once introduced into the comparison chamber, begins to exert a pressure on the piston valve membrane, based on the variation of its volume (which will depend on the depth). To ensure that the pressure inside the said chamber is balanced with the external one, the second channel is used, said emptying, which with its caliber will allow the air to escape with a speed that determines the safety ascent speed limit of the underwater. Beyond this limit, the flow rate of the drainage channel will no longer be able to support the flow given by the expansion of the control air, which will begin to exert a positive push on the membrane which, consequently, will move the piston valve releasing the air contained in the BCD chamber. This will immediately stop the uncontrolled ascent by re-establishing the trim of the diver. The previously mentioned problem of choosing the valve to be operated by the operator, using traditional valves currently employed, is also solved since the device acts autonomously and independently. In a more advantageous version of the invention, the thickness and / or volume consisting of the comparison chamber is drastically reduced with the addition 2_2024 of an external tank connected to said chamber via a fitting, called tank appropriately housed on the BCD. This comparison chamber is superimposed on the evacuation chamber. The latter has a support surface at the base which is designed to form the stop for the piston valve head, which is facing the GAV, direction in which the stroke occurs during the actuation of the valve itself. The chamber comparison can also present a coupling system that allows adapt the device to existing BCD coupling systems. This piston valve is equipped with two channels made inside its stem of which one, of larger section, unidirectional, called filling channel, is suitable for allow the passage of the air introduced into the BCD chamber inside said comparison chamber and the other, of lower section, bidirectional, defined emptying channel, designed to allow the external pressure to be balanced with that of the air contained within the said comparison chamber. The the section of said channels is established in such a way as to facilitate the passage of air through the filling channel, which is wider, while instead, regarding the channel of emptying, the passage of air in it occurs, without difficulty, only up to at the safe limit of ascent speed. The evacuation chamber has on its lower surface a plurality of evacuation holes (of the air contained in the BCD reserve) and on the surface vertical a plurality of exhaust holes (of the same air). The two chambers, whose external body is directly coupled, internally they are separated by expansion membrane that can be made of any material, including prefers silicone. This membrane is subjected to the pressure exerted by the air contained in the comparison chamber which opposes the pressure exerted on the head of the piston valve by the air outside the said chamber. As long as the ascent rate value is within the safety limit established (which will depend, as already mentioned, on the parameters of the teaching method chosen to disclose at the time the device is made, and on the basis of which said 2_2024 parameter is established and the present invention realized), given the bore of the emptying channel, the control air pressure, the volume of which as mentioned varies according to the variation in depth, it can be balanced with that contained in the BCD chamber, thus exerting a neutral pressure on the said membrane. When the ascent exceeds the critical speed, the the flow rate of the drainage channel will no longer be sufficient to meet the needs of expansion of the control air which will then begin to exert pressure positive on the membrane which, connected to the piston valve stem, will open the latter quickly releasing the excess air created in the chamber BCD, drastically stopping the uncontrolled ascent. There may also be an emergency cord to operate the valve manually whenever the diver deems it necessary, just like It occurs with the current manual valves already present on each BCD. A selector can be applied to the device in a further version which mechanically acts on the behavior of the piston valve in three different configurations: • automatic: the valve works autonomously according to the principles described so far; • closed: pneumatic opening is inhibited and the device behaves as a normal manual valve, allowing manual opening by means of the cord; • open: pneumatic opening is inhibited and the device is constrained in opening position; this configuration is designed to deal with any possible situation in which the manual inflation device of the BCD, (VIS - variable inflating system) has a leak or malfunction that does not allow the interruption of the air supply to the BCD reserve. An additional accessory of the device is a piezoelectric sensor to detect the valve actuation. This sensor can be connected to a wearable device such as a dive computer with 2_2024 wireless connectivity, thus providing visual and audible feedback to the operator on the device's entry into operation. Description of the figures The first figure shows the cross-section of the device body in its entirety, explaining all the elements that compose it. From above, you have the comparison chamber 1, superimposed on the membrane 2 of expansion of which one can note the curved area previously defined as suspension, designed to allow the movement of said membrane 2; continuing towards the bottom there is the evacuation chamber 3 within which the stem is located of the piston valve 4, directly connected to said membrane 2. The head of said piston valve 4, placed under the lower face of said chamber evacuation 3, in closed position, adhering to the gasket 9, prevents the escape of the air contained in the BCD chamber. Inside the said stem there is can identify two channels, one called filling channel 5, unidirectional, designed to allow the flow of air from the BCD chamber into the said comparison chamber 1 and the other, defined as emptying channel 6, suitable for allow the balancing of the control air pressure (that contained in the said comparison chamber 1) compared to the one present in the GAV chamber during depth variations. On the vertical surface of the said chamber evacuation 3 there are a plurality of drain holes 8 while on that lower there are a plurality of evacuation holes 7, all designed to allow, in case of activation of the device, the air leaks from the BCD chamber on the outside. Figure 1 also shows the pressure relief valve 15 and the push-button spring 14 for said piston valve. The second figure shows a section of the entire device identifying a external tank 10 for said comparison chamber 1, which can thus be made with a drastically reduced thickness and / or volume. A selector 11 to allow the selection of the operating configuration of the device with three different modes: open, closed or automatic. You can 2_2024 also note the 12 coupling system which allows you to adapt the device to the existing GAV municipalities. The third figure shows the device in the activated position, that is, at the moment in which the opening of the piston valve 4 occurred, overcoming the force of said spring 14. To meet the elements in the position shown in the figure there must have been an excessively rapid ascent, which will have generated an expansion of the control air such as not to allow the balancing its pressure by means of the emptying channel 6 and thus starting to exert a positive pressure on the membrane 2 which will have opened the piston valve 4 releasing the air contained in the BCD chamber which will vent outside following the indicated path. Detailed description of the invention It will be immediately apparent that numerous variations and modifications (e.g. relating to shape, dimensions, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described without leaving the scope of protection of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The present invention represents a safety device for activities of underwater equipped with a pneumatic release valve for excessive pressure positive generated by an accidental uncontrolled ascent during a dive. With reference to the first figure, the invention comprises at least one chamber comparison 1, superimposed on an evacuation chamber 3, the outer body of the two coupled directly while interposed between them to separate them, internally, there is an expansion membrane 2 equipped with a suspension that allows it the excursion in the cases described above. This evacuation chamber is equipped with a plurality of evacuation holes 7 at its base and a plurality of holes of exhaust 8 on the vertical surface. There is also a piston valve 4 housed inside said evacuation chamber 3, the head of which when in normal position abutting on a gasket 9 prevents air from escaping contained in the GAV reserve. Maintaining the said position closed 2_2024 piston valve 4, until the pressure conditions are met necessary for its opening, is guaranteed by the presence of a special spring juxtaposition 14, whose strength is such that it can be easily overcome by any possible overpressure of comparison chamber 1 compared to the external pressure, thus determining the device's entry into operation and the re-establishment of safety conditions for the diver. The safety device in question also includes a safety valve overpressure 15 aimed at releasing the air contained in the BCD reserve to reaching a limit pressure within said reserve, pre-configured in function of the construction material of said GAV. Finally, it is clear that the invention described up to now can be made subject to changes or variations that are obvious to a technician in the field, without however going beyond from the scope of protection that is provided by the appended claims.

Claims

2_2024 1. Safety device for variable trim life jackets – hereinafter defined “GAV” – for diving, suitable for use on a common BCD for prevent an uncontrolled ascent of a diver in the event of a loss of trim during a dive, said BCD being equipped with a chamber of air or air reserve capable of providing said diver with a reserve of dynamic buoyancy characterized by the fact that it includes: • a comparison chamber (1) containing a quantity of air of control to provide the air pressure parameter to be compared with the air pressure contained in the BCD reserve; • an expansion membrane (2) capable of deforming only in the event of exceeding a diver's safety ascent rate limit, this speed to be established based on the parameters indicated by the teaching choice; such exceeding of the speed limit determining a variation in volume of said control air such that it becomes it is impossible to balance the pressure of the said air with the air present in the air chamber of said BCD by means of a channel emptying (6); the deformation of said membrane (2) causing the opening of a piston valve (4); • said piston valve (4) at least equipped with: or a spring (14) designed to keep said valve at piston (4) in the closed position as long as there is inside said comparison chamber (1) no positive pressure develops compared to the external one, or a filling channel (5) of said comparison chamber (1), or an emptying channel (6) of said comparison chamber (1), said filling channel (5) having a greater flow rate than said emptying channel (6); in particular, the flow rate of said channel 2_2024 of emptying (6) being calibrated to allow the flow of air from said comparison chamber (1) outside only within said speed safety ascent limit; within this limit speed, the said valve piston (4) is in the closed position by means of the action of said push-pull spring (14), when exceeding said limit speed the opening of said piston valve (4) causing the opening of holes evacuation (7) and drain holes (8); • an evacuation chamber (3) equipped with a plurality of said holes evacuation (7) and of a plurality of said air exhaust holes (8) contained in the GAV; • an overpressure valve (15) designed to release the air contained in the BCD reserve when a limit internal pressure is reached.

2. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to the previous claim, characterized by the fact that comprehend: • a comparison chamber (1) containing a quantity of air of control to provide the air pressure parameter to be compared with the air pressure contained in the BCD reserve; • an expansion membrane (2) capable of deforming only in the event of exceeding a diver's safety ascent rate limit, this speed to be established based on the parameters indicated by the teaching choice; such exceeding of the speed limit determining a variation in volume of said control air such that it becomes it is impossible to balance the pressure of the said air with the air present in the air chamber of said BCD by means of a channel emptying (6); the deformation of said membrane (2) causing the opening of a piston valve (4); 2_2024 • said piston valve (4) equipped with a spring (14) suitable to keep said piston valve (4) in the closed position until that no reaction develops within the said comparison chamber (1) positive pressure compared to the external one, of a filling channel (5) of said comparison chamber (1), of an emptying channel (6) of said comparison chamber (1); said emptying channel (6) being equipped with a removable nozzle – spray type – able to modulate the flow rate of said emptying channel (6) to allow the choice of the desired maximum ascent speed; in particular, the flow rate of said nozzle being calibrated to allow the flow of air from said chamber for comparison (1) outside only within the said maximum ascent speed safety; within this limit speed, the piston valve (4) is located in the closed position by means of the action of the said closing spring (14), when the said limit speed is exceeded, the said valve opens piston (4) causing the opening of evacuation holes (7) and exhaust (8); • an evacuation chamber (3) equipped with a plurality of said holes evacuation (7) and of a plurality of said air exhaust holes (8) contained in the GAV; • an overpressure valve (15) designed to release the air contained in the BCD reserve when a limit internal pressure is reached.

3. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to the previous claim 2, characterized in that said nozzle, cycler type, is equipped with a programmable electric actuator, for example non-limiting via computer with an interface and an application dedicated software, said system able to choose the speed limit of safety lift without having to mechanically act on the device itself. 2_2024 4. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by made to include a gasket (9), “o-ring” type, suitable for isolating said evacuation chamber (3) when said piston valve (4) is in position closed.

5. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by made to include an emergency cord (13) for manual opening of said piston valve (4).

6. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by fact that said comparison chamber (1), said evacuation chamber (3), said piston valve (4) can be made of metallic material, for example non-limiting aluminum or its variants, titanium, steel, or in material polymeric, e.g. but not limited to ABS, PE, HDPE, PTFE, PEEK or in composite material.

7. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by fact that the base of said evacuation chamber (3) features a system of coupling (12) for applying the device to buoyancy compensators variable (GAV).

8. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the comparison chamber (1) is connected to an external tank (10) so as to reduce the thickness and / or volume of said chamber comparison (1).

9. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by 2_2024 made to include a selector (11) which acts on the functioning of said piston valve (4) allowing three different configurations: • “automatic”: the device behaves automatically, reacting to the variations in volume of the control air contained in the chamber comparison (1); • “closed”: the automatic pneumatic opening is inhibited and the device It acts like a normal manual vent, allowing operation by means of said cord (13); • “open”: the automatic pneumatic opening is inhibited and the device is constrained in the open position, this configuration is to be adopted where the BCD's manual inflation device has a leak or a malfunction.

10. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by made to include a piezoelectric sensor capable of detecting the actuation of the device, said sensor being equipped with a module wireless communication that can be interfaced with wearable devices, such as non-limiting example a dive computer, to provide the user visual and audible feedback on the device's activation.

11. Safety device for buoyancy compensators for diving, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by fact that said emptying channel (6) of said comparison chamber (1), it is made with a threaded hollow insert which allows it to be able to be replaced.