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US 10,131,412 B2Granted
Ascent and buoy system for divers
OwnerChristopher B. Hulbertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for divers is disclosed that includes both a buoy and an ascent device. The system also includes a biological sensor for detecting when a diver is in distress. Upon the biological sensor detecting an anomalous condition, the system inflates a bladder, such as that found in a diver's Buoyancy Control Device, to urge the diver toward the water surface. The system also releases a buoy, allowing the buoy to float to the water surface and alert others of the diver in distress. In an example embodiment, the buoy detects its position upon reaching the surface and issues an alarm.
Claims12
An apparatus for a diver comprising:
- a sensor configured to measure a biological parameter of the diver and transmit a sensor signal correlated to a biological parameter value;
- a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to:
- receive the sensor signal, and
- determine that the biological parameter value correlated to the sensor signal is anomalous and responsively issue a rescue deployment signal;
- and
- a buoyancy control bladder;
- a buoyancy valve assembly having
- an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized gas, and
- an outlet port connected to the bladder,
- the buoyancy valve assembly configured to receive the rescue deployment signal and responsively supply pressurized gas from the inlet port to the outlet port, whereby gas enters the bladder and the apparatus becomes more buoyant in water and ascends;
- a buoy connectable to the diver;
- and
- a buoy release actuator configured to receive the rescue deployment signal and responsively disengage the buoy from the diver.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.