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(11) | EP 1 114 769 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Safety system for two-stage distributors for underwater breathing apparatus |
| (57) Safety system for two-stage distributors for underwater breathing apparatus, characterized
in that on the output of the bottle or bottles (1) containing the breathable gas two
first-stage reducers (4, 6) are mounted in parallel, one of the low-pressure outputs
(7, 8) of said reducers being connected respectively to a main distributor and to
an auxiliary distributor, and two other low-pressure outputs (11, 12) of said first-stage
reducers (4, 6) being connected one to the other with a bridge. |
[0001] The object of the present invention is a safety system for two-stage distributors for underwater breathing apparatus.
[0002] In order to achieve the maximum level of underwater safety there are two redundant systems: one consists of a distributor provided with the so-called "octopus", that is to say, a first stage is provided, to which a second main stage and a second auxiliary stage are constantly connected. Said second auxiliary stage is mainly used as an emergency distributor to be eventually connected to the diving companion if the latter has got no more air, and this constitutes 90% of its use, or it can be used by the user himself, if the main distributor is not working properly.
[0003] A second redundant system provides for the use of a second complete system consisting of two first stages, each connected to a bottle with a double connection, each equipped with its own second-stage distributor, so that, even if the first stage is not working properly, there is a complete distributor which can work, thus overcoming the disadvantage of the octopus-based system, said disadvantage being that in case of breakdown of the first stage the two second stages are both put out of order.
[0004] In the latest integrated jackets the presence of a second complete distributor would involve the presence of an additional intake, thus eliminating most of the advantages of said integrated systems.
[0005] The present invention, therefore, mainly aims at providing a redundant safety system for two-stage distributors for underwater breathing apparatus, which combines the safety of the two-distributor system to the convenience of the integrated system.
[0006] Moreover, the present invention aims at providing a distribution system both for low and for high pressure, which allows on any occasion the working of all those functions which are for instance connected to the jacket (jacket inflation) or to the watertight suit, which functions could be damaged in conventional systems by the failure of the first stage. As a matter of fact, in all the systems mentioned above there is always a first main stage to which, among other things, a low pressure intake is connected, said intake reaching for instance the jacket. If, by chance, there is a breakdown of the first stage to which said low pressure intake is connected, the jacket cannot be used anymore. It is true that one has got the auxiliary distributor, but said auxiliary distributor is not connected to the jacket, and therefore everything which is connected to the main integrated system (jacket, watertight suit, etc.) is put out of order, which can cause very serious problems for the diver, since, if the jacket cannot be used anymore, he/she may have to face serious problems, for instance during the re-ascent.
[0007] The present invention, therefore, aims at providing a safety system for two-stage distributors which overcomes all the disadvantages of known systems, whether belonging to the type with main distributor and octopus or to the double-system type.
[0008] According to a main characteristic of the invention said aim is reached by providing on the bottle output a multiple-connection fitting, in particular with double connection, each connection being coupled with a first-stage reducer, each of the two first-stage reducers being connected to a second-stage distributor, and a bridge being provided, said bridge connecting one to the other by means of an intake the two low-pressure outputs coming out of said first-stage reducers.
[0009] Thanks to said characteristic all the parts of the system are redundant, including the various facilities which can be connected to the main system, such as the jacket or the watertight suit, which, besides being an indubitable advantage with respect to the known technics, allows a maximum safety level for the user in any working condition.
[0010] Moreover, thanks to the presence of two first stages, in extreme conditions such as the diver's breathless condition or for very deep dives and so on, the second stage works better because the air flow upstream is higher.
[0011] Therefore, the system according to the invention, besides representing an indubitable advantage as far as safety is concerned, is not cumbersome at all, since it is structured exactly as the traditional system plus an additional small intake.
[0012] Further aims and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the following description of a preferred form of embodiment of said invention, carried out with reference to the enclosed drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a lateral elevation view of the upper portion of the bottle of an underwater breathing apparatus, provided with two first stages connected one to the other in parallel according to the invention, and
Figure 2 is a detail in longitudinal section of a fitting element between the two first stages.
[0013] With reference to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a compressed-air bottle, on whose neck 101 a cross-shaped fitting 2 is screwed, said fitting showing on one end a tap 3, on a second end a first reduction element 4 for the first stage, and on its third end a second T-shaped tubular fitting showing on one side a tap 5, and on the other side a second reduction element 6 for the first stage.
[0014] The two first stages 4 and 6 are commonly provided with a plurality of low- and high-pressure outputs. Two low-pressure outputs 7 and 8 of said reducers are connected by means of the intakes 9 and 10 respectively to the main distributor and to the auxiliary distributor (not shown). Two other low-pressure outputs 11 and 12 are connected one to the other, according to the characteristic of the present invention, by means of a short intake 13.
[0015] In order to simplify the connection of the outputs 11 and 12, the latter are advantageously connected to the ends of the intake 13 by means of rotating fitting elements 14. Said fitting elements can be of any type. Figure 2 shows an example of such a fitting element. As shown, the fitting element 14 is substantially bell-shaped and shows an input into which the nozzle 111 of the output 11 is rotatably inserted, said nozzle being kept so as not to come off an elastic ring 211 cooperating with a ring-shaped flange 311 of the nozzle 111. Said ring-shaped flange carries in its turn a ring-shaped groove into which a sealing O-ring 411 is introduced. The element 14 is also provided with a lateral output 511 to which an end of the intake 13 is fixed.
1. Safety system for two-stage distributors for underwater breathing apparatus, characterized
in that on the output of the bottle or bottles (1) containing the breathable gas two
first-stage reducers (4, 6) are mounted in parallel, one of the low-pressure outputs
(7, 8) of said reducers being connected respectively to a main distributor and to
an auxiliary distributor, and two other low-pressure outputs (11, 12) of said first-stage
reducers (4, 6) being connected one to the other with a bridge.
2. System according to claim 1, in which said bridge connection between said two outputs
(11, 12) is carried out by means of a short intake (13).
3. System according to claim 2, in which the connection between the ends of said intake
(13) and said outputs (11, 12) is carried out by means of a rotating fitting element.