235 results about "Snorkel diving" patented technology

Embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus and methods for underwater voice communication between a diver and an underwater electronic device. In many embodiments, the system includes a dive computer which generates audio signals corresponding to spoken messages and a mouthpiece apparatus having an acoustic transducer that conducts sound via conduction through the diver's teeth and skull to the cochlea so as to allow the diver to hear the messages and other sounds and a microphone for sensing the diver's voice. The mouthpiece is adapted to be easily attached to portions of a SCUBA or other underwater breathing apparatus. It may also be attached or integral to a snorkel or similar apparatus.

The present invention provides for the operation of a downhole flow control device using a snorkel tube.

Apparatus for dispensing a flowable substance, e.g., a fluid, has a housing with an indicating chamber, an outlet and two fluid paths from a container, one of the fluid paths to the indicating chamber and the other fluid path to the outlet. The indicating chamber may have indicia identifying, in real time, an amount of fluid that has flowed through the outlet. A shroud-cap may close the outlet and obscure the indicating chamber. Each fluid path includes a respective metered inlet. All the metered inlets are substantially identical in size and shape. Some disclosed shapes reduce surface tension for more accurate readings. A snorkel tube may extend into a container to supply makeup air into the container as fluid is dispensed. An indicating spout for flexible containers is vented to only the exterior of the flexible container.

The present invention is directed to a dispenser for dispensing foam employing a rigid container. The dispenser includes a rigid container, a pump, a method of venting air into the container and a housing. The rigid container has an interior wherein soap is received therein. The pump is attached to the bottom of the rigid container and is adapted to mix the soap with air and produce a foam. The container is either provided with an aperture so that air may be vented into the container or a snorkel is attached to the pump and extends between the pump and the top of the container such that air is vented into the container. The rigid container, the pump and the venting means are insertable into the housing and a lever in the housing operably engages the pump.

An air cleaner device for a vehicle is provided with an air cleaner body containing an air cleaner element and a snorkel connected to the air cleaner body to introduce the outside air into the air cleaner body. The snorkel extends forward of the vehicle past a side of a cylinder portion which projects upward from an engine, and a front end of the snorkel opens between right and left seats of the vehicle. With this configuration, even if the air cleaner body of the air cleaner device should be flooded, it is difficult for water to enter into the interior. Further, it is difficult for the air cleaner body to be influenced by heat, and difficult for dust to get into the air cleaner body.

A navigation system is provided for use by a snorkeler. A GPS signal receiving antenna (31) is coupled to the snorkeler in a substantially fixed spatial relationship and communicates with a display (41) to provide the snorkeler with navigational information. In the illustrative embodiment, the GPS signal receiving antenna (31) is attached to the breathing tube (23) of the diver's snorkel (20) and communicates with the display (41) of a handheld GPS receiver (40) housed in a waterproof case (50). The GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving antenna (31) are conveyed to the handheld GPS receiver (40) via a GPS re-transmitting antenna (35) housed in the same waterproof case (50). An externally operable pushbutton (56) allows the snorkeler to switch between multiple screens presented on the display (41) to guide him through the snorkeling site.

A snorkel has an inhalation tube and a check valve near a mouthpiece which allows air to flow toward the mouthpiece, and a float valve which closes the inhalation tube. An exhalation tube has a second check valve also located near the mouthpiece which only allows air to flow into the exhalation tube. The snorkel has a purge valve positioned below the mouthpiece. A further check valve is positioned between the inhalation tube and the exhalation tube to allow air or water in the exhalation tube to pass to the inhalation tube placed as close to the first check valve as possible. The exhalation tube outlet orifice may be closed by a simple gravity actuated valve which will float open during a dive. Alternatively the exhalation tube outlet orifice may be closed by a float valve.

A method and apparatus for sterilization in which items to be sterilized are placed in an impervious sealable package and the sterilization process is carried out within the package. The apparatus (10) includes a cabinet (18) in which a package (P) preferably with a carrier (11) located within, can be positioned. A snorkel (17) is inserted into the package (P) and via connector (23) vacuum, pressure and sterilant can be applied to the interior of the package (P). A sealing arrangement (14b, 22b) can seal the package closed after the sterilization process has been completed.

A self-propelled, robotic power generating system remains submerged in deep water areas, tethered within steady-state, generally unidirectional sea currents in non-tidal areas for the continuous production of turbine-generated electricity that is transmittable by multipurpose undersea power cable to onshore electric grids. System aspects include a shore-to-system communication means to remotely manage all system functions; a sea current intake consisting of a cone-like, retractable current amplifier to significantly increase the energy density of the currents passing through the amplifier to the turbine; a self propulsion means to move the system to maintain a desirable location within a prescribed area that may be subject to meandering currents; a snorkel-like vertical air conduit for ballast control; a seawater pumping means for ballast control; a retractable marine wildlife protector to cover the sea current intake; and a remotely retractable anchor means to maintain the generating system in a target position for extended time periods.

The invention provides an underwater detection robot. The underwater detection robot comprises a robot body. A detection bin, a steering control bin, a buoyancy adjustment bin, a gravity center adjustment bin, a power source bin and a control bin are formed in the robot body. Distance measurement sonar and foresight sonar which are used for scanning the surroundings are arranged in the detection bin. A control system is arranged in the control bin, can receive signals sent out from the distance measurement sonar and the foresight sonar and controls the robot body to conduct an obstacle avoiding action. By the adoption of the underwater detection robot, the functions of underwater navigation, snorkeling, rotation, constant gliding and autonomous obstacle avoidance can be integrated, and the underwater detection robot has the beneficial effects of being small in energy consumption, large in voyage, good in safety, high in survival coefficient, stable in performance, low in noise, flexible in action, long in duration time and the like.

An inlet valve apparatus for use with a snorkel comprises a snorkel cap having an air inlet and an air outlet. An air passageway connects the air inlet and the air outlet in fluid communication one with the other. A buoyant float valve is movable between an open position whereat air can pass from the air inlet to the air outlet and a closed position whereat air and water are precluded from passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The inlet valve apparatus is mounted onto the top end of a snorkel such that the air outlet is in fluid communication with the snorkel. A related valve system comprises a flexible hose member, a floating member, and a diverter valve apparatus that is mounted onto the top end of a snorkel such that its air outlet is in fluid communication with the snorkel.

A buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler. An elongated buoyant mattress is provided for buoyantly supporting the body weight of a snorkeler positioned thereatop in a prone position. A viewing hole formed transversely entirely through the mattress and entirely open therethrough is adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of said mattress for receiving a face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler while the snorkeler is supported in water in the prone position atop the mattress. The viewing hole is unobstructed to water entering therein through the open lower end thereof which, in combination with the thickness and buoyancy of the mattress places the viewing lens of the face mask below the surface of the water within the hole, providing the snorkeler with an unobstructed underwater view through the face mask.

The invention relates to a combined type oscillation floater wave energy power generation device which comprises a power generation system and a fixing system. The fixing system comprises a snorkeling body, a fixing frame and a working platform, wherein the fixing frame is fixedly connected to the top of the snorkeling body, and the working platform is arranged on the top of the fixing frame. The power generation system comprises floaters, a hydraulic motor and four identical hydraulic transmission mechanisms and an electric generator, wherein each hydraulic transmission mechanism is arranged among three guide rods on each corner of the fixing frame. The floaters are arranged on the four corners of the fixing frame, each corner of the fixing frame is provided with three guide rods to be movably connected with the corresponding floater, and the guide rods are sleeved with the floaters. The hydraulic motor is arranged on the working platform. Each hydraulic transmission mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder, an oil pipe and an oil tank, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is located above the corresponding floater, the sleeve end of the hydraulic cylinder is fixedly connected to the corresponding three guide rods through a triangular frame, and a piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is fixedly connected with the corresponding floater through a fixing disc. The combined type oscillation floater wave energy power generation device can output relatively-stable electric energy and is slightly affected by wave impact.

A blender with an air intake snorkel where the snorkel extends away from a motor housing provided by the blender is provided. The snorkel includes an air intake opening, an outlet opening, and a conduit fluidly connecting the intake and outlet openings. In one preferred embodiment, the snorkel includes a cap connected to the snorkel wherein the cap partially obstructs access to the intake opening in order to prevent contamination of the conduit. The outlet opening fluidly communicates with an inlet aperture provided by the motor housing. In use, an electric motor contained by the housing actuates a fan. The fan pulls air through the intake opening, conduit, and outlet opening. The air enters the housing via the inlet aperture where it acts to cool the electric motor. In one preferred embodiment, the appliance is a blender and the motor housing comprises a blender base that is installed on a countertop or in-counter (i.e., a portion of the blender extends into or through the plane defined by a countertop). The air intake snorkel reduces contamination of the interior of the appliance, provides efficient airflow for motor cooling, and reduces the re-circulation of warm appliance exhaust air into the motor housing.

The invention relates to a method and a device for improving the circulating flow of a single-jet refining furnace. A steel ladle holding molten steel is arranged under a suction nozzle of the single-jet refining furnace; the suction nozzle of the single-jet refining furnace extends to the molten steel; the molten steel flows through a vacuum chamber by the suction nozzle; the device is characterized in that the periphery of the suction nozzle of the single-jet refining furnace is provided with at least one set of traveling wave magnetic field generators; a mounting position of the traveling wave magnetic field generator exceeds the molten steel level; the traveling wave magnetic field generator can produce an electromagnetic force consistent with the circulating direction of the molten steel; and the electromagnetic force and gas together drive the molten steel to circularly flow, thereby increasing the circulating flow of the molten steel. The periphery of the suction nozzle of the single-jet refining furnace is provided with the magnetic field generator; when the molten steel is refined, the magnetic field generator is started so as to generate the electromagnetic force consistent with the flowing direction of the molten steel close to the suction nozzle, thereby increasing the circulating flow of the molten steel and achieving the aims of shortening the refining treatment time and improving the refining treatment efficiency.

A natural air ventilation system for vehicle cabin comprising a scoop provided to a front side of the cabin and one or more air ducts connected to said scoop to allow outside air into the cabin, an exit vent at the rear wall of the said cabin, the exit vent of rear wall connected by duct means to a snorkel having a matching vent to form tight air passage, the snorkel outlet is connected to an intake manifold of an engine through an air fitter such that when the engine is running intake air to said manifold includes a portion of air of cabin space through the said exit vent of cabin and a portion of outside air through an opening on the snorkel.

Disclosed is an apparatus and methods for a plurality of users to work and/or play underwater with a supply of breathable air. The breathable air is taken from the atmosphere above the surface of the water. The air is sent to one or two submerged users. The apparatus and its components are enclosed in a water resistant enclosure encapsulated by an inner tube which floats on the surface of the water. The apparatus provides breathable air to one or two users from a flexible air supply line, which runs from the apparatus to each submerged user. The air pumps of the apparatus push a constant flow of breathable air to each user. Each user inhales air from the apparatus with a mouth piece that is connected to the air supply line which is connected to the air pumps. Equipment such as regulators, tanks or reservoirs are not needed. The apparatus is powered by a dry cell battery and does not require fuel to operate.

A snorkel light-emitting device comprising a light-emitting unit, a float, an inner cap, a circuit board, an upper cap and a button. The light-emitting device is fastened to a topmost portion of a snorkel tube. When a user is diving, the light-emitting device is entirely out of the water, and is so constructed to be absolutely watertight.

The invention relates to the field of metallurgy, in particular to a single pipe style multifunctional vacuum refining system and a method thereof. Aiming at the problems that when DH, VD, RH and single snorkel refining furnaces are used for steelmaking, the refining efficiency is low and a whole furnace steel scrapping risk exists in a smelting process, the invention provides the single pipe style multifunctional vacuum refining system and the method thereof based on metallurgical kinetics theoretical calculation. An argon blowing device is arranged around a single dip pipe, and argon blowing bubble size and amount and argon blowing time are adjusted and controlled, so the refining efficiency is improved, the service life of the dip pipe is prolonged, and the potential scrapping risk of ladle water caused by the fault or low efficiency of the argon blowing device when argon is blown at the bottom or only at one side is eliminated.

Embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus and methods for underwater voice communication by a diver to other divers and surface ships. In many embodiments, the system includes a mouthpiece voice communication apparatus having a microphone for sensing the diver's voice and an acoustic transducer that conducts sound via conduction through the diver's teeth and skull to the cochlea so as to allow the diver to hear sounds. The mouthpiece is adapted to be easily attached to portions of a SCUBA or other underwater breathing apparatus. It may also be attached to or integral with a snorkel or similar apparatus.