Combined rebreather bail out valve and loop volume valve

• Main Author: ALEXANDER ROGER DEAS
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.08.2010
• Subjects: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; FIRE-FIGHTING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; RELATED EQUIPMENT; SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; TRANSPORTING

A device that combines the function of a rebreather bail out valve and loop volume valve, also known as an automatic dilutent valve, using a single pressure or flow regulator, with preferred embodiments providing a bipolar or tripolar action. The device can provide an automatic loop shut off capability. The device comprises a rebreather mouthpiece 15, a rebreather inhale 3 and exhale 9 port with a one way valve 5, 11 on each port, a pneumatic demand valve 23, a means 13 to close off the rebreather inhale port and a means to adjust the cracking pressure of the demand valve. The cracking pressure adjustment means comprises means to change the diaphragm 27 active area, or the leverage ratio of the diaphragm to valve seat pressures, or the valve seat spring 21 tension or compression, or the orifice of the demand valve seat, synchronously with closing off or opening the rebreather inhale port.