Portable inflatable habitat with modular payload, system and method

A method for a diver to dive underwater comprising the steps of:

• positioning a habitat at a desired depth underwater;
• inflating an envelope of the habitat to an expanded state in which the diver may enter to create a breathable environment in the envelope for the diver to breath gas of the environment;
• removably attaching a first modular payload to the envelope;
• removing the first modular payload from the envelope while the envelope is underwater;
• and
• removably attaching a second modular payload to the envelope while the envelope is underwater, the first modular payload and the second modular payload each have a seat on which the diver can sit while the habitat is underwater, the first modular payload has a breathable gas source disposed within the modular payload to provide breathable gas for the diver to breathe in the habitat and a carbon dioxide scrubber disposed within the modular payload which removes carbon dioxide from the environment when the habitat is underwater, the scrubber including a canister with a pressure relief valve fitted to the canister to allow internal expanding volume to vent to prevent the canister from exploding, the modular payload is a replaceable cartridge that fits within the envelope.

A diving apparatus for a diver underwater comprising:

• a portable habitat in which a breathable environment is maintained underwater, the habitat having a collapsible envelope, the collapsible envelope takes shape through inflation to an expanded state underwater;
• a modular payload which removably attaches to the envelope, the modular payload having a breathable gas source disposed within the modular payload to provide breathable gas for the diver to breathe in the habitat and a carbon dioxide scrubber disposed within the modular payload which removes carbon dioxide from the environment when the habitat is underwater, the scrubber including a canister with a pressure relief valve fitted to the canister to allow internal expanding volume to vent to prevent the canister from exploding, the modular payload is a replaceable cartridge that fits within the envelope;
• and
• a propulsion unit removeably attached to the envelope to propel the habitat through the water.

A method for a diver to dive underwater comprising the steps of:

• the diver entering an inflated portable enclosure with breathable gas underwater, the enclosure having an inflatable envelope, and a modular payload which removably attaches to the envelope, the modular payload having a breathable gas source disposed within the modular payload to provide breathable gas for the diver to breathe in the habitat and a carbon dioxide scrubber disposed within the modular payload which removes carbon dioxide from the environment when the habitat is underwater, the scrubber including a canister with a pressure relief valve fitted to the canister to allow internal expanding volume to vent to prevent the canister from exploding, the modular payload is a replaceable cartridge that fits within the envelope:
• while the diver remains in the inflated enclosure, raising the enclosure in the water at a rate which desaturates the diver so the diver does not experience any bends;
• and
• the diver leaving the inflated enclosure at a depth greater than 10 feet without experiencing any bends.

An apparatus which provides shelter to a user from an external environment at a remote location comprising:

• a portable habitat in which a breathable environment is maintained, the habitat having a collapsible envelope to allow ease of transport, the collapsible envelope is fully enclosed by a zipper or flap that isolates the breathable environment from the external environment, and takes shape through inflation to an expanded state and supports a pressure inside the envelope which is at least 1 psi greater than a pressure outside the envelope, and a modular payload which removably attaches to the envelope, the modular payload having a breathable gas source disposed in the payload to provide breathable gas for the user to breathe in the habitat and a carbon dioxide scrubber disposed in the payload which removes carbon dioxide from the environment, the scrubber including a canister with a pressure relief valve fitted to the canister to allow internal expanding volume to vent to prevent the canister from exploding;
• and an anchor mechanism having a cable or tether attached to the habitat and to the remote location to maintain the habitat at the remote location by providing an anchoring force at least equal to any buoyant force of the habitat resulting from its interior displacement when anchored in the external environment which has an atmospheric medium that is heavier than the breathable environment, or an anchoring force at least equal to any force resulting from momentum only under the habitat's own weight when anchored in the external environment which has a vacuum, the modular payload is a replaceable cartridge that fits within the envelope.