DIVE COBALT BLUE, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120192868 | GAS ASSISTED RE-BREATHING DEVICE - A gas assisted re-breathing device is disclosed for life support of individuals venturing into harsh environments, particularly the underwater environment, which results in reduced work of breathing. Similar to prior art re-breathers, hoses connect a mouthpiece to direct the flow of breathing gas in a loop like fashion, passing in and out of a flexible gas storage container and a CO2 scrubbing device prior to re-breathing. Disclosed is a pressurized gas assisted re-breathing device, driven by pressurized gas, actuated by the breathing pressure local to the mouthpiece, that acts to move the flexible gas storage container on behalf of the individual and a loop seal valve that is forcibly shut during assisted breathing, which seals the assisted breathing loop to prevent premature venting of breathing gas to the surrounding environment, unless the assisted breathing loop is full, whereupon the loop seal valve opens to allow excess breathing gas to escape into the surrounding environment through forcible exhalation by the individual through one or more conventional one way valves that prevent backflow from the surrounding environment back into the loop. This device significantly reduces work of breathing without unwanted breathing gas loss and further facilitates additional safety features that would otherwise not be practical due to the resultant increase in work of breathing. | 08-02-2012 |
20120192866 | CONSTANT MASS OXYGEN ADDITION INDEPENDENT OF AMBIENT PRESSURE - A constant mass oxygen addition device for use with a re-breathing apparatus is disclosed for use by individuals venturing into harsh environments, particularly the underwater environment, that remains unaffected by ambient pressure changes. This constant mass oxygen addition device comprises an intermediate chamber which is first pressurized with regulated pressure gas containing oxygen to a set value greater than ambient pressure and then subsequently vented to ambient pressure. This defines one constant mass dosing cycle. Multiple constant mass dosing cycles are repeated sequentially on a periodic basis sufficient to replace metabolic oxygen used by the individual and can be controlled either electronically or preferentially independent of electronics and linked to the respiratory rate of the diver. If desired, adjustment of the delivered oxygen mass for each cycle is accomplished by mechanically adjusting the volume of the intermediate chamber or by altering the regulation pressure of the connected oxygen supply. | 08-02-2012 |
20120192618 | CO2 MEASUREMENT IN HIGH RELATIVE HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS - A CO2 measuring device for use in a high humidity environment typically found in re-breathing apparatus, especially underwater re-breathing apparatus, that allows commonly available CO2 gas detectors to function properly and further provides for remote, continuous and/or quantitative sensing of CO2. Under normal conditions found inside re-breathers, a 100% relative humidity condensing environment exists that prevents the use of commercially available CO2 detectors which typically require relative humidity to be less than about 90 to 95% for proper operation. A venturi mixing device is disclosed that is driven by pressurized makeup gases routinely added into the re-breathing loop, acting to draw and mix with a portion of the moisture laden gas from the re-breather environment, creating a combined gas mixture with relative humidity well within the operating range of commercially available CO2 detectors. CO2 measurements can advantageously be corrected by the venturi mixing proportions to gain a quantitative analysis of CO2 levels present in the pre-sampled 100% relative humidity condensing environment. The excess drive energy provided by the pressurized makeup gas allows for longer sampling lines that can be advantageously placed adjacent to the mouth of the re-breathing individual allowing CO2 measurement from a remote location and when drive gas is constantly applied, further allowing for continuous measurement of CO2. | 08-02-2012 |