FR3010695A1 - BREATHABLE GAS SUPPLY DEVICE FOR UNDERWATER DIVE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for supplying breathable gas for practicing scuba diving, comprising a connecting body (7) which is fixed on a nozzle (3) at the outlet of a bottle block (1). of compressed breathing gas for producing a distribution of this compressed gas, characterized in that two expansion systems (6a, 6p) are integrated inside the same connection and distribution body (7): - the first expansion system (6p) is the first main expansion stage intended for the carrier plunger of the bottle block (1), the body (7) comprising a first outlet connection (8p) for receiving the "on demand" mouth expander (9p) of said carrier plunger, and the second detent system (6a) is a first assist stage, the body (7) comprising a second output connection (8a) for receiving another "on demand" oral expander (9a). rescue.

Description

Breathing Gas Supply Device for Underwater Diving Description Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a breathing gas supply device for scuba diving. It concerns the technical field of regulators for scuba diving cylinder blocks. State of the art Currently, according to the standards in force, breathing gas supply devices for diving must be able to be used for the breathing of a single diver, up to 50 meters maximum depth. This feed device comprises an expander which is mounted on the outlet of a bottle block (consisting of one or more bottles and the corresponding valve) in which breathable gas (air, Nitrox, ...) is stored under high pressure, of the order of 200 bar to 300 bar. This expander is what is generally called the first expansion stage and it supplies, with a relative average pressure of the order of 8 bars to 10 bars above ambient pressure, a second expansion stage, called "on demand". », Available to the diver, in the shape of an oral regulator.

The regulator of the first stage generally comprises a detent mechanism associated with a connecting body which is connected to the bottle by means of a tie-down lashing, or screw connection, standardized, and it is this body which comprises a medium pressure outlet for the second stage and one to four other medium pressure outlets, to supply accessories such as a stabilization vest, a dry suit, etc .... It is also common to find on the bottle block an arrangement that allows to connect additional equipment to assist a second diver. This assistance is generally done in two ways: - either directly via a second regulator, in the case of the use of a bottle block which is equipped with a two-outlet tap; and in this case, this assistance can be carried out up to a depth of 50 meters; - Or via a second second floor, commonly called "octopus" stage, when using a bottle block which is equipped with a single-outlet valve, which octopus stage is connected directly to a complementary outlet medium pressure of first stage of relaxation; but, in this case, the use of a second second emergency stage in assistance will always be limited, according to the relevant standards, to a maximum depth of 30 meters and to water with a temperature greater than 10 ° C. To go beyond these limits, one needs a particular high-end equipment, of a high price level, that is to say a specific material which was the object of additional tests with a view to an approval for a given upper depth and possibly for use in water with a temperature below 10 ° C; these specific tests and this material are expensive.

This restriction on the depth of use of a second support stage connected to the first stage of a plunger is justified by the problems that may arise when it is used beyond the depth of 30 meters. The current equipment may indeed be the seat of serious malfunctions due to the simultaneous use by two divers, breathable gas under medium pressure. This joint use of the same regulator by two divers can generate icing phenomena in the expansion system; this icing is caused by the peaks of flow when the breathing cycles are interfering and are in phase. In addition, when the diver moves in cold water (temperature <10 ° C), it may appear icing at the trigger mechanism of the expansion systems. This phenomenon generally occurs when the main trigger system is used by the diver and the octopus stage is simultaneously used to supply accessories (stabilization vest, dry suit, etc.).

These incidents are obviously a source of stress for divers. The invention aims to remedy this state of affairs. In particular, an object of the invention is to solve, in all circumstances, the problems encountered with the current equipment and especially when one is brought to assist another diver. Another object of the invention is to allow any diver to have equipment approved for operation without restrictions as to the depth and temperature, that is to say that it is usable under the same conditions as those enjoyed by the diver wearing the bottle block. Yet another object of the invention is to provide additional safety in the case where the bottle block is provided with a single outlet valve. A further object of the invention is to provide a device for feeding which avoids, or at least limit, the risks of icing in cold water diving configuration (<10 ° C).

Disclosure of the invention. The solution proposed by the invention is a device for supplying breathing gas for practicing scuba diving, comprising a connecting body which is fixed on a nozzle at the outlet of a bottle of compressed breathable gas for perform a distribution of this compressed gas. This device is remarkable in that two expansion systems are integrated within the same connecting body and distribution: - the first expansion system is the first main stage of relaxation for the plunger-holder of the bottle block, the body comprising a first output connection for receiving the "on-demand" mouth-pressure regulator of said carrier plunger, and the second expansion system is a first assistance stage, the body including a second output connection for receiving another oral expander "On demand" relief. The connecting body is now arranged to serve as a support and seat for two systems of relaxation, a principal and a assistance, thus adopting for all the relaxation of the first stage (main and assistance), the equivalent of a "2 in 1" type material. Other advantageous features of the invention are listed below. Each of these features can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable features defined above, which remarkable features are not indispensable as such to the resolution of the technical problems that the following features propose to solve: - The second expansion system preferably has the same homologation as the first expansion system. - The body may comprise a conduit whose proximal end is intended to be connected to the mouth of the outlet of the bottle block, which conduit is arranged to distribute the compressed breathable gas to each of the expansion systems and its section corresponds to at least to the sum of the sections of the gas inlet pipes in the expansion chamber of each expansion system. - The expansion systems used can be identical, with a piston or diaphragm expansion mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the expansion systems used may be different, one of these systems having a piston expansion mechanism, the other having a membrane expansion mechanism. - The expansion systems can be arranged in opposition to the body, on the same axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the compressed breathing gas distribution duct from the bottle block. - The main detent system may comprise a locating means, and / or a polarizer, so as to position it upward when said device is installed on the bottle block. - The body is preferably in the form of a cylinder whose axis corresponds to that of the relaxation mechanisms of the expansion systems. - In an alternative embodiment, the expansion systems can be arranged in tandem in the body, on two parallel axes and offset from each other, which axes are perpendicular to the axis of the compressed breathing gas distribution duct from the bottle block. - The body can group, in addition to the main output connection and the assist output connection, the medium pressure output (s) for the accessory supply (s) and at least one high pressure output for the control pressure in the bottle.

Description of the figures. Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: FIG. 1 represents, schematically, a bottle block equipped with the feed device according to the invention, the connecting and dispensing body of which is shown partially in section and stowed on the outlet of said bottle block by means of a stirrup; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the feed device according to the invention, with a stow tie; FIG. 3 shows, in more detail, an embodiment of the feed device according to the invention, with its two expansion systems which are arranged in opposition to the connection and distribution body, which body is shown in section with sections respectively passing through the high-pressure outlet and a medium-pressure outlet; FIG. 4 shows, in a more detailed manner, another embodiment of the feed device according to the invention, with its two expansion systems that are arranged in tandem on the connecting body and distribution. Preferred embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 shows underwater diving equipment that includes a bottle block 1, shown partially, which bottle is filled with compressed breathable gas whose pressure can reach 300 bar. The bottle block 1 comprises a bottle on which is screwed a valve 2 and, beyond the latter, a valve head 3 on which is fixed the feed device 4, object of the invention.

In Figure 1, the feed device 4 is stowed on the tip 3 by means of a stirrup 5. It can also be stowed, as indicated below, by means of a screw connection. This feed device 4 is in fact what is commonly called the first expansion stage and its particularity, according to the invention, is to comprise two expansion systems 6p, 6a associated and integrated into the same expansion block, or body 7 This body 7 which is common to the two expansion systems 6p, 6a is connected to the end piece 3 by the stirrup 5 (or by a screw connection) and is arranged to act as a distributor for distributing the compressed breathable gas. from the bottle block 1 in said expansion systems 6p, 6a. The body 7 can therefore be called a common connection and distribution body; for simplicity, in the following description, it will simply be referred to as "body" with the reference 7. These expansion systems are marked 6p for the principal, that is to say the one serving the diver carrying the bottle block 1, and 6a for assistance; their function is to reduce the pressure of the breathable gas from the cylinder block 1 and bring it to an average pressure of the order of 8 bar to 10 bar relative. It is under this pressure 8 bar to 10 bar relative that the breathable gas is available at several outlet connections 8p, 8a which are arranged on the body 7 and in particular the outlets on which each second stage oral valve is connected. in Figures 1 and 2, the body 7 comprises a first output connection 8p receiving the mouth expander 9p "at the request" of the plunger-carrier of the bottle block 1, and a second connection 8a outlet, arranged for example to the right or left of the body 7, and receiving the mouth valve 9a "on demand" relief. These regulators 9p and 9a form the second relaxation stages. The main expansion system 6p, when associated with a given second expansion stage, is designed to be homologated to a depth of 50 meters. The second expansion system 6a has the same homologation as the first expansion system 6p. In other words, the relaxation system 6a makes it possible to meet the same respiratory or ventilatory, normative (defined joule per liter of gas breathed by the diver), at a depth of 50 meters, and for the same second stage of relaxation, than those obtained with the main trigger system 6p. In this way, the rescued diver using the assistance regulator 9a, has a homologated equipment, usable under the same conditions as those enjoyed by the diver who wears the bottle block 1 and who uses the main regulator 9p. A high pressure outlet 11 may also be provided on the body 7 for the connection of a control pressure gauge, for example, not shown, or any other device for controlling the pressure in the bottle 1. The high-pressure outlet 11 is in communication with a conduit 12 which is arranged in the body 7. This conduit 12 receives the pressurized gas from the bottle block 1 by the nozzle 3 and it also distributes it to the expansion systems 6p and 6a via tubing 13p and 13a. These pipes 13p and 13a open respectively into expansion chambers 14p and 14a which are arranged in the body 7.30. The duct 12 has a section which is chosen to sufficiently supply each expansion system 6p, 6a; its section corresponds at least to the sum of the sections of the tubes 13p and 13a which feed the relaxation chambers. By way of illustrative example only, the pipes 13p and 13a may have a section of about 3 mm 2 each in the case of a piston expansion mechanism, and a section of about 7.5 mm 2 each in the case of a membrane expansion mechanism. The hose 10 connected to the second output connection 8a can be used to supply not the assisting expander 9a (which is no longer installed), but accessories of the type stabilizing vest or waterproof garment, for example. The Applicant has been able to note that in evolution in cold water (temperature <10 ° C.), the resistance to icing phenomena at the level of the expansion mechanism of each of the expansion systems 8p and 8a, was significantly increased, at the simultaneous operation of both said expansion systems. The two expansion systems 6p, 6a are preferably arranged in opposition, on either side of the body 7, which body 7 is of cylindrical shape, for example, and the assembly is centered on an axis which passes through the pipes 13p and 13a, which axis is perpendicular to the axis of the conduit 12, providing a certain symmetry to the feeder 4 as it also appears in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the appearance of a feeder 4 which mounts on the end piece 3 of the bottle block 1 by means of a screw-type connection. This feed device comprises the body 7 and, arranged on either side, the covers 16 of the expansion systems 6. The body 7 has a cylindrical shape which extends with the covers 16.

The body 7 has several peripheral outputs 8p, 8a for supplying the second expansion stage 9p of the plunger, that of the assistance 9a and for -10- supplying one or more accessories such as a stabilization vest, not shown. This body 7 may also include a marker, such as the arrow 17, which indicates a high pressure outlet 11 for the connection of a pressure gauge, for example.

For reasons of convenience, the feed device 4 may comprise locating means (for example a color code: the assisting relaxation system 6a, called "octopus", generally being in yellow) and / or a polarizer which allows to position at the top the output 8p on which is connected the second expansion stage 9p for the main plunger. FIG. 3 shows the feed device 4 with sections showing the arrangement of the outlets 8p, 8a and 11. Thus, the outlet 11 for the high-pressure gas and its connection to the central duct 12 can be found through a pipe 18.

There is also the outlet 8p which is connected directly to the expansion chamber 14a of the expansion system 6a. This expansion system 6a and the expansion system 6p each comprise an identical trigger mechanism, which consists of a piston 19, which piston 19 is housed and guided in the cover 16 to play a valve 20 on its seat holding account of the gas pressure in the bottle block 1, the force of the spring which is interposed between said piston and the body 7, and the pressure which results from the operational depth of the plunger. The seat of the valve 20 is none other than the end of the pipe 13p or 13a, depending on whether it is, respectively, the main trigger system 6p or that of the assistance 6a. It is also conceivable to use expansion systems 6p, 6a which each comprise a membrane-like expansion mechanism. It is also possible to envisage using different expansion systems 6p, 6a, one of these systems having a piston expansion mechanism, the other having a membrane expansion mechanism.

In an alternative embodiment, it is conceivable to accommodate and guide the piston 19 in a specific arrangement of the body 7, the hood 16 simply to close this arrangement.

The body 7 is essentially cylindrical and the assembly constituted by said body 7 and the covers 16 which enclose the expansion mechanisms, is aligned on the same axis which is preferably perpendicular to the axis of the duct 12, but which may optionally be inclined by report to the latter.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, the body 7 may be arranged to accommodate the expansion systems 6 in a tandem arrangement, rather than opposition. The expansion systems 6p, 6a are then arranged on two parallel axes and offset from each other, which axes are perpendicular to the axis of the duct 12. More particularly, the duct 12 serves two supply pipes chambers which relaxation are longitudinally offset on the body 7. This particular arrangement of the feed device may have certain advantages, in particular a simplification of manufacture and assembly in the case where the expansion mechanisms of the systems 6p and 6a are diaphragms .

The arrangement of the various elements and / or means of the device according to the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any case, it will be understood that various modifications can be made to these elements and / or means without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for supplying breathable gas for practicing scuba diving, comprising a connecting body (7) which attaches to a nozzle (3) at the outlet of a bottle block (1) of compressed breathable gas for performing a distribution of this compressed gas, characterized in that two expansion systems (6a, 6p) are integrated inside the same connection and distribution body (7): - the first expansion system (6p) is the first main expansion stage for the plunger of the bottle block (1), the body (7) comprising a first outlet connection (8p) for receiving the oral expansion valve (9p) "at the request" of said plunger, - and the second detent system (6a) is a first assist stage, the body (7) including a second output connection (8a) for receiving another on-demand "emergency" mouth expander (9a). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second expansion system (6a) has the same homologation as the first expansion system (6p). 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the body (7) comprises a conduit (12) whose proximal end is intended to be connected to the tip (3) of the outlet of the bottle block (1), which duct (12) is arranged to distribute the compressed breathable gas to each of the expansion systems (6p, 6a) and its section corresponds at least to the sum of the sections of the inlet pipes (13p, 13a ) gas in the expansion chamber (14p, 14a) of each expansion system.30-13- 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the expansion systems (6p, 6a) used are identical, with a piston or diaphragm expansion mechanism. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the expansion systems (6p, 6a) used are different, one of these systems having a piston expansion mechanism, the other having a mechanism of membrane relaxation. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the expansion systems (6p, 6a) are arranged in opposition to the body (7), on the same axis which is perpendicular or inclined to the axis of the duct (12) for dispensing the compressed breathable gas from the bottle block (1). 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the main expansion system (6p) comprises a locating means, and / or a polarizer, so as to position it upwards when said device is installed on the bottle block ( 1). 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (7) is in the form of a cylinder whose axis corresponds to that of the expansion mechanisms of the expansion systems (6p, 6a). 9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the expansion systems (6p, 6a) are arranged in tandem in the body (7), on two parallel axes and offset from each other , which axes are perpendicular to the axis of the duct (12) for delivering compressed breathable gas from the bottle block (1). 10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the body (7) includes, in addition to the main output connection (8p) -14- and the assistance output connection (8a). ), the medium pressure outlet (s) for the accessory supply (s) and at least one high pressure outlet (11) for controlling the pressure in the bottle (1).