Underwater Breathing Regulator Diaphragm Piston Overpressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
First stage pressure regulators for underwater breathing apparatuses face challenges with the design of pressure relief valves, which are often expensive, difficult to assemble, and prone to water ingress due to the use of small, expensive diaphragms and tubular stems requiring transverse holes.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a disk-shaped piston with an elastically deformable diaphragm forming a relief valve, where the diaphragm is sealingly clamped and features a central relief hole or eccentric holes, allowing for overpressure relief without mechanical continuity with the control stem, enhancing assembly and reducing the risk of water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tubular stem with transverse hole is used for pressure relief, then overpressure relief is achieved, but assembly becomes more difficult and water ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief function is extracted from the tubular stem structure and implemented through a separate check valve mechanism positioned at the end of the stem, eliminating the need for transverse holes in the stem while maintaining overpressure relief capability
Solution Approach 2:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the balance chamber and ambient exposed chamber, serving as the pressure relief mechanism without requiring modifications to the stem structure itself
2Reliability
If a small pressure relief valve is used, then overpressure relief is achieved, but cost increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is integrated with the force transfer stem structure, merging the pressure relief function with the existing mechanical components rather than using a separate small valve assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The force transfer stem serves multiple functions: transmitting force from the movable walls to the regulating valve element and providing the structure for the check valve to relieve overpressure, eliminating the need for dedicated separate components
3Force
If a tubular stem with transverse hole is used, then force transfer is achieved, but water ingress into the low pressure gas chamber becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse hole communication path is removed from the force transfer stem, eliminating the potential water ingress route while maintaining the stem's force transfer capability through its solid structure
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve acts as an intermediary that allows pressure equalization and overpressure relief without creating a continuous open pathway that could allow water ingress, as it only opens under overpressure conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design improves the ease of assembly, reduces costs, and effectively relieves overpressure while maintaining a secure seal, preventing water ingress into the low pressure gas chamber, thus ensuring reliable operation of the breathing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable diaphragm, which overlies the side of the piston facing toward the ambient exposed chamber and forms with said piston a diaphragm relief valve
Implementation Method 2
said first and said second movable walls being mechanically and rigidly interconnected by stem which is designed to transfer the force exerted on said movable walls
Implementation Method 3
a check valve being provided, for relieving the overpressure in the compensation chamber, between said compensation chamber and said ambient exposed chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A first stage pressure regulator for a two-stage underwater breathing apparatus, comprises a second movable wall (16, 18) for separating a balance chamber (10) from an ambient exposed chamber (17) . The second movable wall is formed by a disk-shaped piston (16) which is slideably and non sealingly guided along the peripheral walls that delimit the balance chamber (10), and by an elastically deformable diaphragm (18), which overlies the side of the piston (16) facing forward the ambient exposed chamber (17) . The elastically deformable diaphragm (18) forms with said piston (16) a diaphragm type pressure relief valve (20, 318).