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Underwater breathing apparatus

Underwater breathing apparatus description/claims

The instant invention relates generally to the field of underwater breathing devices and in particular to a battery powered air compressor and motor housed in a combination pressure reserve tank providing a stable air delivery apparatus for swimmers.

Scuba diving provides a diver with the ability to breathe underwater for an extended period of time by use of independent breathing equipment. Scuba, which is an acronym for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus” requires the diver to carry a compressed air tank on their back while exploring or working underwater. Buoyancy of the breathing apparatus is regulated by the construction of the equipment and the salinity of the water. Further adjustment is by use of dive belts and a buoyancy compensator.

While buoyancy of scuba equipment may be compensated in the water, the weight and bulk size of all the gear limits scuba diving to more athletic individuals capable of carrying such a load. Known attempts to lessen this burden and allow others to enjoy spending time beneath the water, include the use of a swimmer tethered to a floatation device that is carrying the compressed air tanks used in scuba diving.

So as to minimize or eliminate the need for carrying compressed tanks, a portable air compressor is also known to be used. In such an application, an air compressor is powered by a self contained power source thereby eliminating the need for larger high pressure compressed air tank.

Unfortunately, the use of an air compressor may harm an individual if they are not properly operated or if water conditions are problematic. For instance, a gas powered engine is capable of operating an air compressor thereby providing pressurized air to one or more divers. The engine fuel, and air compressor is placed on a float that remains buoyant above the surface of the water. This equipment must remain close to the surface of the water to provide stability to the float, but be placed high enough to prevent damage from adverse sea conditions.

As with any internal combustion engine, the engine creates an exhaust, which under certain conditions, may be drawn into the air makeup to the swimmer. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that if consumed by the swimmer can quickly cause the swimmer to become disoriented or poisoned. A swimmer would have no warning of carbon monoxide poisoning as the air is drawn directly into the mouth, by passing the sense of smell. In addition, even if such devices are safe they are not designed for a salt-water environment and can quickly deteriorate.

Protection of a gasoline engine from a salt environment is difficult due to the common metals used in mass production which are known to rust quickly when exposed to a salt environment. In addition, because the diving takes place close to shore, the breathing apparatus is susceptible to wave action, and could be swamped or otherwise rendered unusable should the device be tipped over. A boat passing close to a floating breathing apparatus can easily create a wave that would cause such a device to be swamped or be sprayed with saltwater. Further, a gasoline powered engine cannot be easily cycled so the use of an air reservoir is not practical. However, without an air reservoir, loss of the engine operation can cause immediate loss of air leaving the diver to surface immediately. If the diver is fairly deep, surfacing very quickly can cause death.

Snorkeling involves substantially less sophistication than scuba diving. Unlike scuba diving, where the diver carries all equipment necessary, snorkeling requires the swimmer to stay near the surface as no air is supplied under pressure. In snorkeling, the swimmer has the ability to draw air directly from a snorkel tube while swimming not more than a couple of feet beneath the surface of the water. The area to be addressed is a hybrid area that takes advantages of both scuba diving and snorkeling. A scuba diver has the ability to dive over 100 feet beneath the surface of the water having to carry heavy tanks, whereas a snorkel swimmer can only dive a couple of feet beneath the water but is not encumbered by the carrying of compressed air tanks.

Electric driven portable diving devices have many known problems. Batteries, air compressors, and pressure tanks are heavy, bulky and often inefficient. The electric compressors are typically heavy and if they are exposed to salt water, subject to corrosion. Enclosing of an electric generator may protect it from corrosion but the enclosure traps heat which leads to substantial heat problems including early failure of the assembly.

Prior art shows pressure controls that vent off excess air pressure or turn the compressor on and off to diver demand, without charging adequate size air tanks. These methods are inefficient or require large compressors to supply adequate demand for peak inhale demands of one or more divers. The larger compressors required for these methods are heavy, expensive and less efficient than a smaller compressor with adequate reserve tank. Attempts have been made at cooling the cylinder, valve assembly and cylinder head to improve compressor output and efficiency. Also dramatic changes have been made in batteries and motors.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,631 discloses an underwater diving system which consists of a compressed air tank that is placed in a floating raft. The improvement to scuba conventional equipment being that the air tank is not attached to the diver. However, as with scuba diving there is a finite limit to the amount of time a diver can use a tank due to the quantity of air stored.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,545 discloses an underwater breathing device that employs a battery powered air compressor. This device allows a diver to swim a few feet beneath the surface of the water as the air compressor operates as a non-positive displacement compressor.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,849 discloses an underwater breathing apparatus employing battery powered air compressor mounted on top of a floatation device. With the compressor positioned above the surface of the water, it is susceptible to wave action. To maintain stability, the compressor is mounted as close to the surface of the water as practical, limiting the use of the apparatus to instances where wave action will not cause the apparatus to tip over or be swamped.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,416 is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,849 wherein a container is partially submerged and used to house an air compressor. The housing for the air compressor has slots which allow water to enter the container for cooling purposes. This device employs an inflatable floatation tube to support a combination of two containers housing a compressor mounted in a lower container and a battery mounted in an upper container. The lower container is open allowing water to submerge the compressors.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,493 is an underwater breathing apparatus contained in a circular container having an outward projecting flange. A separate pressure tank can be coupled to the breathing apparatus to provide reserve air should an air compressor discontinue operation. When the apparatus is out off the water, handles may be attached to each end and the apparatus can be pulled by the handles allowing the container to roll like a barrel. This apparatus attempts to address stability by having a container that can roll in the waves. However, the use of the separate air tank that secures to the first housing like a train makes the apparatus more complex in operation. Further, barrel rolling a housing on dry land is not acceptable in most instances, especially across the surface of a boat deck, and could loosen the compressor fittings.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,680 is a floating device holding an air compressor for use in providing air to a diver. The compressor is located above a floatation device so as to keep the compressor above the surface of the water.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,013 discloses a portable underwater breathing apparatus, which consists of a gasoline engine for use in driving an air compressor. The engine is placed within a container having an inlet for the fresh air and exit port for exhaust gases. Despite the safety aspects incorporated into such a device, the operation requires a qualified person due to the amount of maintenance required for an internal combustion engine, and the risk of accident due to the place of fuel in a closed container.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,578 discloses an underwater breathing apparatus having a battery powered air compressor. This device is placed within a water tight compartment in a housing preferably worn by the swimmer. In operation the unit produces compressed air while the diver is in close proximity with the surface of the water. When the swimmer goes beneath the surface the compressor stops and the swimmer breathes the air from a storage reservoir through a regulator. The reservoir is designed to provide several minutes of air to the swimmer while under water.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,483 discloses a self contained diving unit that employs a compressed air tank connected by a flexible air tube to a snorkel/breathing regulator. This device includes an apparatus for operating a compressor for refilling a compressed air tank when the external air in tank is above the surface of the water and to allow interruption of the refilling of the compressed air tank when the external air supply is submerged.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,976 discloses an underwater breathing device which consists of a floating waterproof vessel having a battery operated air pump. The pump draws air through a vertical extension tube to the swimmer beneath the water. The device allows for extended breathing underwater but fails to provide a secure air source. This device is based upon a minimal capacity electric air pump with the purpose of avoiding a conventional rigid air storage tank. If the battery loses power then the diver is immediately shut off of air. Further, there are no means for stabilizing the vessel in the water making is susceptible to adverse wave action.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,530 discloses an underwater breathing apparatus based upon floating air tank that can be filled with either a manual or electric pump. The teaching limits the device to a finite air supply.

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