Patent ID: 8157479
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: B63C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An exhaust valve assembly for a buoyancy compensating device comprising: a lower housing; an upper housing substantially covering the lower housing; at least one vent in the upper housing, open to a surrounding environment; an opening into the buoyancy compartment through a first end of the lower housing; a biasing element affixed to a second end of the lower housing, opposite the opening; a valve plate having a first side adapted to cover the opening and a second side adapted to engage the biasing element; a gasket on the first side of the valve plate adapted to seal the opening with pressure applied to the second side of the valve plate by the biasing element; a passageway through the lower housing adapted to allow the valve plate to slide from a closed position with the gasket sealed against the opening to an open position with the gasket distant from the opening; wherein movement of the valve plate is approximately parallel to a plane defined by an outer surface of the buoyancy compartment surrounding the lower housing.