Breathing apparatus for diving

Abstract

Breathing apparatus for diving comprising one or more air tanks (5), a mouthpiece (1), an electronic control unit (7), a set of valves (2), and a counterlung (6). The control unit (7) is configured to open and close the valves so that the exhaled air is stored and extracted from the counterlung (6) at least once before being discarded. Preferably, the number of times depends on the depth.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Scuba diving respirator

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to a respirator usable in diving or scuba diving, comprising a simpler breathing system and requiring less specific materials.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Ambient air contains approximately 21% oxygen. A person can breathe slightly less than 6 liters of air. When exhaled, 5% of the oxygen is lost, which is used by the body, leaving 16% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide.

[0007] As you dive, the volume of air your lungs can hold remains the same, but the density of the air increases according to Boyle's Law. Thus, at a depth of about 10 meters, you use twice as much air (by mass) as at the surface. However, the amount of oxygen used is the same. Therefore, at 10 meters, the amount of oxygen in the exhaled air is approximately 18.5%. If this air is exhaled into the water, a significant amount of oxygen is wasted.

[0008] The use of rebreathers for scuba diving that allow the user to breathe the same air multiple times is known in the prior art. They utilize a system called a "rebreather" that recirculates the air to increase autonomy and was developed in the 19th century by Henry A. Fleuss. This system uses a chemical compound, caustic potash, which captures CO2. In addition, more oxygen is gradually introduced into the air, and in some models, a diluent gas such as helium is also added.

[0009] This system is complex and requires reagents that have their own problems.

[0010] The applicant is unaware of any device that could be considered similar to the invention, or that proposes a solution to the same technical problems.

[0011] 1

[0012] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention consists of a diving respirator according to the claims.

[0014] The diving respirator comprises one or more air tanks, a mouthpiece, an electronic control unit, a set of valves, and a counter-lung. The user draws air through the mouthpiece from the tank. The control unit is configured to open and close the valves so that exhaled air is stored and drawn from the counter-lung at least once before being discarded below a certain depth.

[0015] The number of times the air goes to the counter-lung will preferably be a function of the depth, for which the control unit must be connected to a depth sensor.

[0016] The control unit can also be configured to combine air from the counterlung and the reservoirs with each breath by partially opening the valves. For example, some of the air from the reservoirs can be stored in an intermediate chamber that is filled with each cycle and emptied along with the counterlung. The size of this intermediate chamber determines how much air is renewed. Excess exhaled air is discarded.

[0017] Other specific achievements will be discussed later with the support of the figures.

[0018] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The following figures are included for a better understanding of the invention.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a respirator according to the invention, at the beginning of the cycle.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the above respirator when the user exhales for the first time.

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the previous respirator when the user inhales for the second time.

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the respirator prior to the end of the cycle.

[0024] 2

[0025] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a respirator according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0026] MODES OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

[0027] Next, a brief description is given of one way of carrying out the invention, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

[0028] The breathing apparatus, or respirator, shown in the figure consists of a mouthpiece (1) with a set of electronically controlled valves (2) that allow the user to communicate with one or more reservoirs (5) and with a counter-lung (6). A pressure sensor or a flow sensor (10) indicates whether the user is inhaling or exhaling in order to open the corresponding valves in the valve set (2).

[0029] The valve assembly (2) is designed to send the inhaled air to the counter-lung (6) and collect it from that counter-lung (6) to deliver it to the user a certain number of times or steps. After that number of steps, the air is expelled to the outside and the user receives fresh air from the reservoir (5).

[0030] For cycle control, the valves are connected to a control unit (7), which can be the diver's watch. The control unit (7) detects how many times they have been opened and decides which one should be opened in the next step.

[0031] The number of steps before air is released depends on the depth, since, as explained earlier, it affects the amount of oxygen remaining after each breath. To monitor this, the control unit (7) will be connected to a depth sensor.

[0032] (8), usually a pressure gauge. A CO2 or oxygen sensor can also be installed.

[0033] (9) To break the cycle and draw in fresh air if a problem is detected. A flow sensor

[0034] (10) can detect when it expires and expires to open the corresponding valves (2).

[0035] That is, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the different steps that make up the cycle are as follows. In Figure 1, the user inhales air from the reservoir (5). In Figure 2, the used air is sent to the counter-lung (6). From there, it is taken in Figure 3. Once the required number of steps is completed, it is expelled as shown in Figure 4. In this case, the step formed by the stages in Figures 2 and 3 is repeated several times.

[0036] 3

[0037] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) The valve set (2) may be either individual valves or a combination of four-way valves or distributors.

[0038] The system has pressure gauges, non-return valves, flow sensors and other equipment commonly found in ventilators and rebreathers to check its operation.

[0039] Another embodiment of the invention is by placing the counter-lung (6) between the reservoir (5) and the valve assembly (2) (Figure 5), without altering the operation of the invention. In this embodiment, when the user needs to inhale more air than is contained in the counter-lung (6), it is supplied through the same route and from the reservoir (5) as if in open circuit (normal scuba diving). The demand for more air from the reservoir (5) occurs automatically, as the pressure drops due to suction in the counter-lung (6). Exactly the same occurs when the cycle begins and the system is empty.

[0040] The inlet to the counter-lung (6) from the reservoir (5) will have a regulating valve to prevent the counter-lung (6) from receiving air from the reservoir (5) except under defined conditions. For example, a valve that can only open if the pressure difference exceeds a pre-calculated value.

[0041] Additionally, the system requires standard first and second stages, as used in diving, for on-demand gas delivery from the tank, depending on the depth (pressure). In other words, these stages ensure that the correct volume of gas is supplied according to the pressure.

[0042] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIMS 1- Diving respirator, comprising one or more air tanks (5), a mouthpiece (1), an electronic control unit (7), a set of valves (2) and a counter-lung (6), characterized in that the control unit (7) is configured to open and close the valves so that the exhaled air is stored and extracted from the counter-lung (6) at least once prior to its disposal. 2- Diving respirator, according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (7) is connected to a depth sensor (8) and is configured to send air to the counter-lung (6) a number of times depending on the depth. 3- Diving respirator, according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (7) is configured to combine air from the counter-lung (6) and from the tanks (5) in each breath. 4- Diving respirator, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a flow sensor (10) configured to detect whether the user is exhaling or inhaling. REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)

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