Abstract:
A dynamic transducer for use in a water surface supplied breathing system used by one or more divers underwater. The dynamic transducer in connection with a pressure switch allows the breathing system to not constantly run at all times, and therefore helps to conserve the battery life or the amount of combustible, since the motor of the breathing system is basically stalled at startup and at other times when there is sufficient amount of stored air. A controller can monitor the output pressure and the volume of air of the compressor assembly and can adjust the speed of the power propulsion to keep the right pressure available to each diver&#39;s mouthpiece based on the air demands of the user(s).

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/303,279, filed Feb. 10, 2010, which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to apparatuses for underwater breathing by a user, and specifically to a breathing apparatus which includes a controller and compressor located at surface for providing air on demand to the underwater diver and which permits the control of the speed of compressor based on the pressure and air volume provided by the compressor and the air used by the one or more divers using the breathing apparatus. 
       2. BACKGROUNG OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Surface located breathing apparatuses which provide air to underwater divers through a connected hose have been in existence for many years. These breathing apparatuses typically use an electric motor requiring a battery or electric engine requiring fuel. Therefore, the breathing apparatus has a relatively short time period before the battery is all used up or the engine requires more fuel. The present invention is directed to extending the time period between battery replacement or fuel replenishment through the incorporation and use of novel dynamic transducer as part of breathing apparatus technology. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention can provide a surface located (i.e. floating on the water surface, etc.) breathing apparatus to provide air to underwater users through one or more hose connections. The breathing apparatus can include an electric motor or engine, coupled to a compressor means for compressing the ambient air, and a controller in connection with the motor (engine) to control the function of the compressor. A mouth piece is coupled to the stored air within the hoses produced by the compressor for use by the underwater diver using the breathing apparatus. Multiple divers can be underwater and connected to the breathing apparatus at the same time, with each diver having his or her own mouthpiece and associated air hose line. The system further contains a power source means for providing power to the compressor means, and to a control circuit means for controlling some of the various functions of the present invention. 
         [0005]    In various embodiments, the system can have a compressor powered by an electric motor, gas or diesel engine (all collectively referred to as “power propulsion”), a controller in connection with the power propulsion. The compressor can produce breathing air at a variable spin of the power propulsion. Through the preferred use of a dynamic sensor and pressure switch, the system does not constantly run at all times, and therefore helps to conserve the battery life or the amount of combustible, since the motor is basically stalled at startup and at other times when there is sufficient amount of stored air. The controller can monitor the output pressure and the volume of air (cubic feet per minute—CFM) of the compressor assembly and can adjust the speed of the power propulsion to keep the right pressure available to the mouthpiece based on the air demands of the user(s). 
         [0006]    Other benefits of the invention include, but are not limited to, the control of the speed (spinning) of the motor (compressor) to a variable rate, based on the user&#39;s needs for more air, conserving the life of the battery or the amount of combustible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  consists of several drawings of the magnetic sensor with Hall Effect in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an underwater breathing apparatus incorporating the magnetic sensor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a graph illustrating certain design characteristics of the underwater breathing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the magnetic sensor with Hall Effect in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the variable speed transducer of the present invention is shown in several views and in a preferred embodiment can be and generally designated as variable dynamic sensor  20 . Preferably, sensor  20  can be a variable speed Hall Effect magnetic sensor, though such is not considered limiting. The use of a transducer or sensor provides a device that converts one type of energy into another form of energy. With the present invention the transducer allows for the conversion of pressure to electricity, preferably through the use of a magnetic field and Hall Effect described in more detail below. 
         [0012]    Sensor  20  can include a housing or cylinder  30  having an internal passageway  32  therethrough extending from a first side  34  to a second side  36 . Though a cylinder shape for housing  30  is preferred, it is not considered limiting and other shapes for the housing can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention. The end of passageway  32  associated with first side  34  can be preferably provided internal threads  38  and the external surface of cylinder  30  adjacent second  36  can be preferably provided with external threads  40 . 
         [0013]    A first end cap  50  having external threads  52  is secured at first side  34  of cylinder  30  by the mating of external threads  52  with internal threads  38  located within passageway  32 . Other connection mechanisms for securing first end cap  50  to cylinder  30  can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention. End  54  of first end cap  50 , which is disposed within passageway  32  when end cap  50  is secured to cylinder  30 , acts as a stop member for a first magnet  60  that is disposed within passageway  32 , whose purpose will be discussed below. First magnet  60  has a first side  62  having a first polarity (either + or −) and a second side  64  having an opposite polarity to the polarity of first side  62 . A second magnet  70  is also disposed within passageway  32  and has a first side  72  having a first polarity and a second side  74  having opposite polarity to the polarity of first side  72 . As a non-limiting example, the polarity of first side  62  of magnet  60  and the polarity of first side  72  of magnet  70  can be the same and the polarity of second side  64  of magnet  60  and the polarity of second side  74  of magnet  70  can be the same. 
         [0014]    Where first side  62  of magnet  60  abuts end cap  50 , then magnet  70  is positioned within passageway  32  such that second side  74  of magnet  70  is closest to magnet  60 . Where second side  64  of magnet  60  abuts end cap  50 , then magnet  70  is positioned within passageway  32  such that first side  72  of magnet  70  is closest to magnet  60 . In either configuration the polarity of the sides of magnet  60  and  70  closest to each other are the same, such that magnets  60  and  70  are not attracted to each other and naturally repel each other. The repelling force of magnet  70  towards magnet  60  in conjunction with the fixed position of end  54  of first end cap  50  causes magnet  60  to preferably remain in a fixed position abutting end  54  virtually at all times during operation. 
         [0015]    A piston or plunger or other movable member (collectively referred to as “piston  80 ”) is at least partially positioned and movable within passageway  32  for moving magnet  70  within passageway  32  as will be discussed in detail below. Piston  80  has a rod  82  or other contact member which contacts one of the sides of magnet  70 . This contact between rod  82  and magnet  70  preferably remains virtually at all times during operation in view of magnet  60  and magnet  70  naturally repelling each other as discussed above. 
         [0016]    A second end cap  90  having internal threads  92  at a first end  94  is secured to second side  46  of cylinder  30  by the mating of external threads  40  of cylinder  30  with the internal threads  92  of second end cap  90 . The opposite end  96  of second end cap  90  is provided with external threads  98  for mating with a hose line (not shown) or any other conduit used for transporting air from a compressor, which will be discussed in more detail below. An o-ring  100  or other sealing device (i.e. gasket, etc.) can be disposed within second end cap to help prevent leakage of air. A passageway  102  is provided within second end cap  90  from first end  94  to second end  96  to permit air traveling through the hose attached to second end  96  to enter second end cap and contact piston  80 , the purpose of which will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0017]    A cutout can be provided in the surface of cylinder  30 , for receipt of a magnetic sensing element, preferably in the form of an integrated chip though such is not considered limiting, which senses the movement of magnet  70  within passageway  32 . A pressure switch  105  can be provided and is in communication with hose line  161  that is secured to second end  96  of second end cap  90  and is in communication with a controller  130  used to control the operation of a power propulsion device (i.e. electric motor, etc.)  140  of a compressor assembly  150 . Pressure switch  105  serves as an on/off switch for controller  130  and magnetic sensor  20  serves as a speed control which determines how fast to run power propulsion  140 /compression assembly  150  when pressure switch  105  is closed, which causes controller  130  to be “on”. 
         [0018]    Compressor assembly  150  for generating breathable air has an outlet  152  having an air hose line  154  (or other conduit) connected thereto. The single inlet of a splitting manifold, such as, but not limited to, a “T” or “Y” can be connected the opposite end of the hose line. A second hose line  156  is connected at one end to the first outlet of the splitting manifold and at its second end to a mouthpiece worn  158  by the user requiring breathable air (i.e. underwater user, etc.). A third hose line  161  is connect at one to the second outlet of the splitting manifold and at its second is secured to second end  96  of second end cap  90 , as described above. 
         [0019]    Virtually at the moment air is added to the hose lines by compressor  150 , air pressure is built up within the second hose line connected to the mouthpiece and also within the third hose line connected to second end cap  90 . In view of passageway  102  of second end cap  90 , the air pressure in the third hose line is permitted to push upon piston  80  (i.e. input to piston  80 ) which will provide sufficient force (i.e. enough to overcome the natural repelling force between magnets  60  and  70 ) to allow piston  80  to move magnet  70  closer to magnet  60 . Thus, magnet  70  moves with the movement of piston  80 . As will be described below, the movement and position of magnet  70  as read by the magnetic sensing element located in the cutout of cylinder  30  will determine whether to increase or decrease the speed of power propulsion  140 , when pressure switch  105  is in closed position and controller  130  is “on”. A variation of the magnetic field caused by the movement of magnet  70 , translates into a variation of voltage provided by controller  130 . The variation in voltage from controller  130  determines whether power propulsion  140  will be driven with high rpm or low rpm. 
         [0020]    In use, prior to the user breathing from mouthpiece, pressure in the hose lines is at a maximum, providing piston  80  with sufficient force to push or move magnet  70  closest to magnet  60 . In one embodiment this pressure can be anywhere from about 50 psi to about 70 psi, and preferably about 55 psi. Pressure switch  105  is set such that when the set pressure reading (i.e. about 55 psi, etc.) is reached, pressure switch  105  opens to turn off controller  130 , since air within the hose lines is at a maximum, thus, there is no need to run compressor assembly  150 , since there is no need for additional air. As compressor assembly  150  is not running at all times during use, power consumption is conserved, allowing the air on demand breathing device to operate at a longer period of time. 
         [0021]    As the user breathes through mouthpiece  158  air (or other gas or gas mixtures) is removed from within the hose lines, which causes the pressure to drop and once the pressure drops below the selected threshold (i.e. about 55 psi, etc.), pressure switch  105  closes causing controller to be turned “on”. The reduction of air pressure in the hose lines, also reduces the force being provided by piston  80  against magnet  70 , thus permitting magnet  70  to move away from magnet  60  (in view of the repelling forces between the magnets). The sensing element senses this movement and sends a signal to controller  130  to increase the speed of power propulsion  140 /compressor  150  to generate and release more air into the hose lines through outlet  152 . The further apart magnet  70  is from magnet  60  correspondingly increases the speed of power propulsion  140 /compressor  150 . At a certain point, the air outputted into the hose lines from compressor  150 , will cause the pressure (pounds per square inch—psi) in the hose lines to increase which causes piston  80  to create more force to move magnet  70  closer to magnet  60 , which in turn reduces the speed of power propulsion  140 /compressor  150 . Also, once the increase in pressure within the hose lines exceeds the selected threshold (i.e. 55 psi, etc.), pressure switch  105  will open or (close), which turns off controller  130 , and thus conserves the energy from battery pack  160 , to permit it to last longer in duration in use. As the user draws air through the mouthpiece, the above process repeats itself as needed. 
         [0022]    The transducer can work in a large range of pressure and is not limited to the above values, which are used for example purposes only and in connection with the graphic shown in  FIG. 3  Other values can also be used and are considered within the scope of the invention. 
         [0023]    Though two magnets are preferred for the movable member, other devices, including a magnet and spring, spring by itself, magnet and a compression spring, magnet and a pyrolytic graphite block or plate, hydraulic fluids, and/or other mechanisms which will provide an indication that more air should be produced by the compressor can be used and all are considered within the scope of the invention. Thus, the sensor can be made in multiple ways. 
         [0024]    It should also be recognized that the system produces air, as needed, in a dynamic relationship with respect to the inhaling and exhaling of the users, the number of users associated with the system at one time, the underwater breathing experience of the user(s), the lung capacity of the user(s). All of these factors may play a part in the amount of air needed to be produced by the compressor in accordance with the operations of the present invention. Thus, the present invention sensor and system can also be considered as a dynamic sensor/system in addition to its variable characteristics; producing air in the most efficient way. 
         [0025]    All measurements, amounts, values, sized, shapes, percentages, materials, configurations, securement mechanisms, sealing members, sensing members, orientations, etc. discussed above or shown in the drawing figures are merely by way of example and are not considered limiting and other measurements, amounts, values, sizes, shapes, percentages, materials, configurations, securement mechanisms, sealing members, sensing members, orientations etc. can be chosen and used and all are considered within the scope of the invention. 
         [0026]    Unless feature(s) or characteristic(s) described in the specification or shown in the drawings for a claim element or claim term specifically appear in the claim with the claim element or claim term, then the inventor does not considered such feature(s) or characteristic(s) to be included for the claim element or claim term in the claim when and if the claim element or claim term is interpreted or construed. 
         [0027]    While the invention has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, persons skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the invention, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modification disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the invention.