Safety device for scuba diving

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air supply safety device in connection with SCUBA diving, for diving equipment comprising at least one air pressure tank (1), a tank valve device (2), air supply means (5) and an a breathing regulator (4), wherein said air supply means (5) and said breathing regulator (4) are connected to said tank valve device (2), which tank valve device (2) when opened is arranged to supply air from said air pressure tank (1) via said supply means (5) to said breathing regulator (4) characterised in that said tank valve device (2) includes a tank supply actuator (20) that is controlled by an actuation mechanism (21) that automatically opens said tank valve device (2) when applied to water pressure above a preset water pressure value (PO).

Description

[0001] SAFETY DEVICE FOR SCUBA DIVING

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a safety device in connection with SCUBA diving, in which the diver is equipped with diving equipment comprising at least one air pressure tank, a valve device connected to the pressure tank and arranged to supply air from said pressure tank to a breathing regulator.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] In skin diving with dive tanks, so called SCUBA diving (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus), the diver is provided with air from pressure tanks that he carries with him during the dive. For obvious reasons it is extremely important that the diving takes place in an appropriate way in order for accidents not to occur. Throughout the years, many appliances have been developed in order to prevent accidents in connection with diving. One example is the inflatable diving jacket carried by the diver, which helps him to control buoyancy, and which is used in combination with weights in order to help the diver to descend. Examples of other appliances are tables and portable dive computers that help the divers to plan diving in order not to having to surface quickly because air is running out e.g. The diving equipment itself has also developed and has been provided with devices that aim to prevent accidents. Most of these devices have the object of sensing any problems arising or to facilitate for the diver during a dive, e.g. FR 2741853, EP 034569, US 4,176,418, US 5,746,543 , US 6,666,623, US 5,560,738 and from US 8,037, 755 there is known a system that may achieve an automated ascent up to surface if the diver stops breathing, in situations in which normal safety systems would not detect the emergency.

[0006] BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved safety device in connection with SCUBA diving. This is achieved by an air supply safety device as defined in the appended claims.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, a diver that would otherwise risk drowning will automatically be supplied with air from the pressure tank, independent from having opened the tank valve or not. Moreover, also connected safety devices operated by air from the pressure tank will automatically be supplied with air from the pressure tank. Hence, a significant improvement of safety may be achieved.According one aspect of the invention, the air supply safety device is preferably actuated when the diver is at or below a preset depth on water, e.g. 1- 2, preferably 1,5 meter, by means of the air supply safety device comprising a pressure sensing means that detects the diver's depth D. Preferably most components or indeed all components of the air supply safety devices are operated by pressure, partly water pressure and partly gas tank pressure, wherein thanks to the invention gas pressure may always be available from the pressure tank. Accordingly, a very reliable safety arrangement can be provided.

[0009] Additional aspects of the invention are clear from the additional dependent claims and from the description.

[0010] In addition to this, the safety method and the safety device according to the invention should also contribute to the achievement of one, some or preferably most of the objects listed below:

[0011] • That the safety device can be installed on existing diving equipment, and

[0012] • that the safety device can be moved from one set of diving equipment to another,

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawing figures, of which:

[0015] Fig. 1 schematically shows aa exemplary set of diving equipment,

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flowchart over the valve device according to the invention, and

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a valve device according accoring to an embodiment of the invention,

[0018] Fig. 4a) is a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of a magnetic valve according to the invention in a closed state,

[0019] Fig. 4b) is a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of a magnetic valve according to the invention in an open state,

[0020] Fig 5a) is a schematic perspective view of the magnetic valve of figure 4a) in a closed state.

[0021] Fig 5b) is a schematic perspective view of the magnetic valve of figure 4b) in an open state.Fig. 6a) is a schematic cross-section of a second embodiment of a magnetic valve according to the invention in a closed state,

[0022] Fig. 6b) is a schematic cross-section of a second embodiment of a magnetic valve according to the invention in an open state,

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary set of diving equipment used in connection with SCUBA diving. The equipment comprises at least one pressure tank 1, for breathing gas, called “air” in the following, a tank valve device 2 connected to the pressure tank and arranged to supply air from said pressure tank via a first flexible tube 5 to a breathing regulator 4. The tank valve device 2 may also arranged to supply air from the pressure tank to a so-called diving jacket 6. The diving jacket 6, which is inflatable, is carried by the diver and it is used to control his buoyancy. The diving jacket 6 may be supplied with air via a second flexible tube 7 from the pressure tank. The diving equipment may further comprise a connection housing 8 including an actuator that is arranged to be in communication with said valve device 2 in order to initiate inflation of the diving jacket 6 if a hazardous situation is detected / sensed, e.g. as described in US 8,037,755.

[0025] Suitably, the actuator may be connected with the tank valve device 2 by means of a separate connection to said housing, preferably a flexible connection, that allows for a certain pliability, e.g. for the purpose of preventing impacts or knocks from resulting in large forces on the connection.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flowchart presenting the basic principles of an embodiment of an air supply safety device included in a valve device of a pressure tank 1, according to the invention. The air supply safety device comprises a handle housing 22 that has the function of a traditional handle. There are two valve units 20, 29. One traditional valve unit 29 that is operated by the handle / housing 22, i.e. including a threaded valve member 220 that by means of rotation of the housing 22 and thereby the threads (on it and a matching hole of a sleeve 291 of the neck body 290 of the pressure tank) will move in and out, respectively, and thereby valve seal 221 to either seal a first outlet passage 23 or open it, thereby either blocking connection with the tank outlet 26 or connecting the tank outlet 26 with the first outlet passage 23, i.e. leading into the connection housing 8 via a final passage 25.

[0027] The other valve unit 20 is more correctly seen as a tank supply actuator, since it has the function of safeguarding supply of air automatically, even if the handle 22 haserroneously not been opened. Hereinafter it will be called the tank supply actuator 20. The tank supply actuator 20 is advantageously mounted within the handle housing 22, as exemplified in Fig. 3 The tank supply actuator 20 is operated by a valve actuation mechanism 21, which preferably includes a valve actuating magnet 411 (see Fig 3), that may provide compactness, such that both the tank supply actuator 20 and the valve actuation mechanism 21 may be fitted within the handle housing 22. Preferably the valve actuating magnet is a neodymium or other rare-earth magnet.

[0028] The tank supply actuator 20 is dependent on being activated by the valve actuation mechanism 21 to open up a connection 24 for supply of air to the connection housing 8. As an assembly these may be called “Auto Air”, which is indicated n Fig. 2 by dotted lines. The activation is achieved by means of actuator pressure PO, normally ambient water pressure acting via one or more opening 28, wherein the water pressure above a preset level PO (e.g. in the range of 1-2 bar) will activate the valve actuation mechanism 21. This preset level is preferably equivalent to a depth of water of 1-2 metres so that the tank supply actuator will activate when the diver leaves the surface and starts to descend but will not activate when the diver is on the surface and the actuator is only a few cm below the surface. The activation will cause the tank supply actuator 20 to open, providing connection between an inlet line 27 and a second outlet passage 24, which preferably is joined with the first outlet passage 23, such that they have a common outlet passage 25 leading to the valve device outlet 292 (see Fig 3). Hence, when the tank supply actuator 20 is activated it will connect the inner channel 27 with the second outlet passage 24 and automatically supply air to the diver’s regulator.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3 both the tank supply actuator 20 and the valve actuation mechanism 21 may be fitted within the outer part of the handle housing 22, e.g. enabling a traditional positioning of the traditional valve unit 29, i.e. fitted adjacent the inner part of the handle housing 22. Preferably the seal 221 of the traditional valve unit 29 has an opening (preferably centrally) that provides connection with an inner channel 27 (preferably centrally) which connects the tank supply 26 with the tank supply actuator 20. As mentioned above, the tank supply actuator 20 is dependent on being activated by the valve actuation mechanism 21 to open up connection with the connection housing 8, which is achieved via a second outlet passage 24, that preferably is joined with the first outlet passage 23, such that they have a common outlet passage leading to the valve device outlet 292.Activation is achieved by means of the valve actuation mechanism 21when its valve actuating magnet 411 is moved a predetermined distance inwards into the handle housing 22. The valve actuating magnet 411 is attached to an inner side of a diaphragm 200 that is positioned near the outer end of the handle housing 22. The outer side of the diaphragm 200 is in connection with the ambient surrounding, e.g. via passages 28 in an end wall of a valve actuation mechanism housing. Hence, when moving down into water the diaphragm 200 will exposed to the water pressure, and consequently flex inwards. When a predetermined depth / pressure PO is reached the diaphragm 200 will have flexed sufficiently to have its valve actuating magnet 411 causing a valve seat magnet 415 to open up the tank supply actuator 20, which will be described more in detail below in Figs. 4a to 6b. Preferably the valve seat magnet is a neodymium or other rare-earth magnet.

[0030] As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment according to the invention the actuation mechanism 21 includes a valve actuating magnet 411 cooperating with a valve seal magnet 415 (see Figs. 4-6), which may enable a significant reduction of size of a safety device arrangement, e.g. including a tank supply actuator 20 and a valve actuation mechanism 21, to only 30% or less compared to a purely mechanical valve. Moreover, there are other advantages compared to a valve using only mechanical means, e.g. eliminating friction and hysteresis existing in valves using only mechanical means, e.g. requiring a plurality of sliding seals, which may make specific operations / functions unreliable and subject to errors and wear. Hence, not only is more compactness achieved but also improved reliability.

[0031] Fig. 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b show schematically the working principles of a hereinafter called magnetic valve, wherein Figs, a) show the valve in a non-activated state, i.e. no pressure is acting on the upper surface of the diaphragm 200, and Figs, b) show the valve in an activated state according to a schematic embodiment of the present invention which may provide the above mentioned advantages. In this example a diaphragm 200 is used to operate the valve but any other means for operating the actuating magnet 411 may be used, for example a piston-like element sliding in a cylindrical cavity (however this would require a sealing ring and would have more friction and hysteresis than a diaphragm). As is evident the tank supply actuator 20, described above, basically uses the same principle, i.e. magnetic force, to open a pathway for supplying tank pressure air 26 to the tank air outlet 292 (see Fig 3) when the actuating force on the diaphragm 200 exceeds a predetermined force, e.g. by water pressure acting on the diaphragm 200. Hence, many of the details described below areprincipally included within the tank supply actuator 20 that is shown as a unit in Fig. 3. Further, it is to be noted that in contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, figures 4-6 show an embodiment where the valve seal magnet 415 moves transversally in relation to the valve actuating magnet 411, whereas in Fig 3 there is indicated an embodiment where the two magnates move forth and back along a common axis of operation.

[0032] However, the basic principle is the same, i.e. use of magnetic force and it is evident that transversal movement or movement along a common axis belong to the same basic principle of the invention.

[0033] The magnetic valve comprises an actuating magnet 411, which in this example is connected to, and operable by, the diaphragm 200 by means of an valve actuating member 208, wherein preferably the valve actuating member 208 includes an attachment member 203, which is integral with the diaphragm 200 and that enables positioning of the actuating magnet 411 at a distance X away from the surface of the diaphragm 200, e.g. X preferably being in the range of 0.2 mm to 10.0 mm (preferably from 1.0 to 5 mm) below the lower surface of the diaphragm 200, to arrange for having the actuating magnet 411 being movable within a guidance channel 427. Preferably this is partly achieved by using a very small magnet 411, e.g. having a volume less than 20 mm3, and / or by using a cylindrical shape (e.g. a diameter less than 10 mm, more preferred less than 7 mm, preferably 5 mm or less and a thick ness which is less than or equal to 5 mm, more preferably less than 4 mm and even more preferably 2 mm or less) such that the walls of the magnet may be appropriately adapted to a guidance channel 427 in the form of a bore. Preferably the actuating magnet is suspended from the diaphragm 200 so that it hangs freely and never comes in contact with the walls of the guidance channel, thereby preventing friction from arising and removing a potential source of hysteresis.

[0034] Further, there is shown a valve seal magnet 415 operatively connected to, e.g. attached to or close to, a valve seal 417 covering an inlet port / valve seat 419 of a valve chamber 421. The valve seal 417 may be a resilient pad or flap or the like which covers the opening in the inlet port 419 in the valve-closed position and thereby prevents the passage of fluid through the inlet port 419 to the outlet port 429 via the valve chamber 421. It is to be noted that the valve chamber 421 may be embodied in the form of an end of the channel 24, thereby existing as an integral part of the channel 24 and avoiding the need for any distinct outlet port 429. The valve seal magnet 415 and valve seal 417 are mounted on a resilient arm, or a rotatable arm 422 which is rotatable around a pivot axis 423 and biased by the arm itself being resilient or any suitable biasing means such as aspring 424, towards a valve closed position where the valve seal 417 covers and seals the inlet port 419. The diaphragm 200 is arranged to move the actuating magnet 411 in a first direction DI closer towards the valve seal magnet 415 when the diaphragm 200 is depressed, by the operator or by water pressure if the button is immersed in water. The valve seal magnet 415 and valve seal 417 are arranged to be able to move in a second direction D2 from the valve-closed position to a valve-open position. The second direction in this example of a magnetic valve is curved and is an arc of a circle C centred on the pivot axis 423. The radius of this circle is equal to the distance between the pivot axis 423 and centre of port 419. Preferably the magnets 411, 415 have their respective N / S poles positioned such that a repelling force will occur. This may be achieved by having their N / S poles in parallel planes with the same poles, i.e. north / north or south / south, positioned to face each other when in line, or (as shown in Fig 4a)-5b) by having the actuator magnet 411 with its poles in a vertical plane and the valve seal magnet 415 with its poles in a horizontal plane and then having the same poles closest to each other, e.g. S / S as shown in Figs 4a, 4b. Further, it is preferred to have the longitudinal axis of the first direction DI and the longitudinal axis of the second direction D2 to intersect at the position where the force between the magnets 411, 415 is at its highest when the diaphragm 200 is fully depressed. This ensures that the valve is fully open when the diaphragm 200 is fully depressed.

[0035] In the closed position the magnetic force interaction between the actuating magnet 411 and the valve seal magnet 415 is too low to cause any relative movement between these magnets. However, as the diaphragm is moved in the first direction DI under the influence of water pressure or an operator pushing on the button, the distance between the actuating magnet 411 and valve seal magnet 415 decreases and the interaction between their magnetic fields gives rise to a magnetic force which cause them to be repelled by each other. Lateral movement of the actuating magnet 411 away from the valve seal magnet 415 is constrained by the wall 425 of a guidance channel 427 so that substantially only the valve seal magnet 415 is moved laterally by the interaction between the magnetic fields. Once this magnetic force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force holding the valve seal 417 in place, the valve seal 417 will move out of contact with the inlet port 419, thereby opening the normally closed inlet port 419.

[0036] In fig. 4b), 5b) and 6b) the valve seal has been moved to the right due to the valve seal magnet 415 being repelled by the actuating magnet 411 as it moves closer to the valve seal magnet 415, thereby allowing the tank pressure 26 to pass to the valve chamber 421 via valve inlet port 419 and then onwards to an outlet port 429 that leads to the outletchannel 24 (see Figs. 2 and 3). In this example of a magnetic actuator, there is no physical contact between the actuator magnet and the valve seal magnet so the moving parts of the valve sealing mechanism comprising the valve seal 417, rotatable arm 422 and any biasing means 424 are entirely contained within the valve chamber 421, thereby avoiding the need for any further sealing means. Thus, there are no seals needed between the moving parts except the valve seal 417 itself and there are no O-rings in the magnetic actuator. This reduces the number of moving parts and seals, leading to reduced friction and reduced hysteresis.

[0037] As already described above the diaphragm 200 forms a flexible seal over an airtight actuator air chamber 201 which contains a known volume of air A at a starting atmospheric pressure ATM. This air is compressed by the diaphragm 200 when it is being depressed and resists the depressing of the diaphragm 200. The actuating pressure PO that needs to be applied to the diaphragm 200 before the actuator magnet 411 is sufficiently close to the valve seal magnet 415 to open the valve seal 417 can be set by appropriate choice of the volume of air in the actuator air chamber 427 and the desired distance Y (preferably the distance Y is kept as small as possible to minimize the size of the magnet actuator, and preferably should be less than or equal to 3 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 2.5 millimeters, even more preferably less than or equal to 2.0 mm, yet more preferably less than or equal to 1.5 mm and greater than or equal to 1.0 mm.) that the actuator magnet 411 must move in order to act on the valve magnet 415 to move the valve seal 417 off the inlet port 419. Preferably the pressure is set to correspond to a depth of water which is sufficiently high enough to prevent accidental activation and sufficiently low enough that it activates the once a diver descends below the water surface. The tank supply connection 20 remains activated as long as the diaphragm 200 is depressed, either by the user or by the water pressure. A suitable pressure preferably corresponds to a depth between 1.0 and 2.0 metres of water (approximately 10-20 Kpa), more preferably to a depth between 1.25 and 1.75 m (approximately 12.5 Kpa and 17.5 Kpa) and most preferably between 1.4 and 1.6 metres (approximately 14.0 Kpa to 16.0 KPa), for example 1.5 metres (15 Kpa).

[0038] In the second embodiment of a magnetic valve shown schematically in figures 6a) and 6b), the valve seal magnet 415 and valve seal 417 may be arranged to move in a substantially straight line D2 so that the second direction may be a substantially straight line, with a longitudinal axis which optionally is substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and which is in a direction away from the actuating magnet 411.In the above examples of a magnetic actuator a diaphragm is used to operate the magnetic valve in order to provide automatic actuation when the device reaches a predetermined water depth, but if this automatic operation is not required then any other moving means for moving an actuating magnet may be used, for example a simple push button or pull toggle with releasable locking means to hold the moving means into the on or off / open or closed positions.

[0039] While the magnetic valve has been illustrated with examples in which the valve seal is arranged to seal the inlet port 419 to a valve chamber, it is possible for the valve seal to be arranged to seal the outlet port 429 instead or, if required, valve seals can be provided on both the inlet port 419 and the outlet port 429.

[0040] While the magnetic valve has been illustrated with examples in which the valve seal is biased into the port-closed position and movement to the port-open position is achieved by movement of the actuating magnet towards the valve magnet, it is also possible to arrange for the valve seal to be held in the port-closed position by the proximity of the actuating magnet to the valve magnet, and the valve seal to be moved to the port-open position when the actuating magnet is moved away from the valve magnet.

[0041] It is evident for the skilled person that the functionality that has been described above may be achieved in various manners. Accordingly, many variations may be made to the exact design of this arrangement.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An air supply safety device in connection with SCUBA diving, for diving equipment comprising at least one air pressure tank (1), a tank valve device (2), air supply means (5) and an a breathing regulator (4), wherein said air supply means (5) and said breathing regulator (4) are connected to said tank valve device (2), which tank valve device (2) when opened is arranged to supply air from said air pressure tank (1) via said supply means (5) to said breathing regulator (4) characteri sed in that said tank valve device (2) includes a tank supply actuator (20) that is controlled by an actuation mechanism (21) that automatically opens said tank valve device (2) when subjected to ambient pressure above a preset pressure value (PO).

2. An air supply safety device according to claim 1, characteri sed in that said actuation mechanism (21) includes a valve actuating magnet (411) and that said tank supply actuator (20) includes a valve seal magnet (415).

3. An air supply safety device according to claim 1 or 2, characteri sed in that said valve device (2) includes a rotatable outer housing (22) and that said tank valve opening actuator (20) and actuation mechanism (21) are positioned within said housing (22).

4. An air supply safety device according to claim 3, characteri sed in that valve device (2) includes a second valve device (29), which preferably includes a valve seal (221) operated by means of threads in operation with said housing (22).

5. An air supply safety device according to claim 1, characteri sed by said tank supply actuator (20) comprising a valve chamber (421) with,an inlet port (419) for receiving a fluid;an outlet port (429) for outputting the fluid; andat least one valve seal (417) movable between a port-closed position for sealing at least one of the ports (419, 429) and a port-open position for opening at least one of the ports (419, 429),and said actuation mechanism (21) comprising, a valve actuating magnet (411) arranged outside said valve chamber (421) wherein movement of the valve seal (417) between a port-closed position to a port-open position is controllable by said valve actuating magnet (411), wherein a movable valve seal magnet (415) is provided within the valve chamber (421) and operatively connected to said valve seal (417) wherein movement of the valve seal (417) between a port-closed position to a port-open position iscontrollable by magnetic interaction between said valve actuating magnet (411) and said valve seal magnet (415).

6. An air safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that said valve actuating magnet (411) is movable within a guidance channel (427) that is hermetically sealed from said valve chamber (421) and that at least one end of said guidance channel (427) is positioned adjacent said valve chamber (421).

7. An air safety device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said magnetic interaction is provided by means of repelling forces between said actuating magnet (411) and said valve magnet (415), or that said magnetic interaction is provided by means of attracting forces between said actuating magnet (411) and said valve magnet (415).

8. An air safety device according to claim 7, characterized in that the movement of said valve magnet (415) occurs along a common axis that is common with the movement of said actuating magnet (411).

9. An air safety device according to claim 7, characterized in that the movement of said valve magnet (415) occurs laterally compared to the movement of said actuating magnet (4H).

10. An air safety device according to any of claims 5-9, characterized in that the valve seal (417) and valve seal magnet (415) are arranged on a rotatable arm (422) contained within the valve chamber (421).

11. An air safety device according to any of claims 5-10, characterized in that the at least one valve seal (417) is biased into a port-closed position by biasing means or by magnetic interaction between said actuating magnet (411) and said valve seal magnet (415).

12. An air safety device according to any of claims 5-10, characterized in that the at least one valve seal (417) is biased into a port-open position by biasing means or by magnetic interaction between said actuating magnet (411) and said valve seal magnet (415).

13. An air safety device according to any of claims 5-12, characterized in that at least one of said actuating magnet (411) and said valve seal magnet (415) is a neodymium magnet.

14. An air safety device according to any of claims 5-13, characterized in that said actuating magnet (411) and said valve seal magnet (415) are arranged to repel each other in the port-open position or to repel each other in the port-closed position.

15. An air safety device according to any of claims 2-14, characterized in that said actuating magnet is connected to a diaphragm.

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