Rebreather apparatus

A rebreather apparatus comprising:

• a gas supply circuit having a mouthpiece, an inhalation portion, an exhalation portion and at least one counterlung;
• the inhalation portion and the exhalation portion each having at least one gas conduit;
• the mouthpiece being connected to the inhalation portion and the exhalation portion and configured to allow inhalation of gases from the inhalation portion and exhalation of gases into the exhalation portion;
• a source of compressed gas;
• the source of compressed gas being in communication with the gas supply circuit by at least one compressed gas conduit;
• at least one control system for monitoring the gases circulating through the gas supply circuit and controlling the addition of compressed gas into the gas supply circuit;
• a gas scrubber canister having at least one removable end cap, a removable insert secured in the interior thereof such that there is a generally uniform space between the wall of the canister and the insert, and a cross sectional shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of an oval and an ellipse;
• the at least one removable end cap being located one at each end of the gas scrubber canister;
• the at least one removable end cap configured for water tight attachment to the gas scrubber canister and connection to the gas supply circuit via the gas conduits of the inhalation portion and the exhalation portion of the gas supply circuit;
• the insert configured for holding a disposable adsorbent material used to remove unwanted elemental molecules from the gas supply circuit;
• the insert having a generally hollow tube in the approximate center thereof and a plurality of holes therethrough to allow gases to pass through the insert and the gas scrubbing medium;
• the insert further configured such that when the insert is secured in the gas scrubber canister and filled with an adsorbent material ;
• the at least one removable end cap is placed on the gas scrubber canister and connected to the gas supply circuit;
• gases will pass radially through the insert and adsorbent material between the hollow tube and the space between the canister wall and the insert;
• the insert, and the hollow tube having the same cross sectional shape as the gas scrubber canister;
• and
• the apparatus further comprising a harness for securing the apparatus to the body of a person using the apparatus.

A rebreather apparatus comprising:

• a gas supply circuit having a mouthpiece, an inhalation portion, an exhalation portion and at least one counterlung;
• a source of compressed gas that is in communication with the gas supply circuit through at least one compressed gas conduit;
• at least one control system for monitoring the gases circulating through the gas supply circuit and controlling the addition of compressed gas into the gas supply circuit;
• a gas scrubber canister having a pair of removable end caps, a removable insert secured in the interior thereof such that there is a generally uniform space between the wall of the canister and the insert, and a cross sectional shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of an oval and an ellipse;
• the pair of removable end caps being located one at each end of the gas scrubber canister;
• each end cap configured for water tight attachment to the gas scrubber canister and connection to the gas supply circuit via the gas conduits of the inhalation portion and the exhalation portion of the gas supply circuit;
• each end cap being further configured such that the at least one automatic control system can be housed therein and the at least one compressed gas conduit can be connected thereto;
• the insert configured for holding a disposable adsorbent material used to remove unwanted elemental molecules from the gas supply circuit;
• the insert having a generally hollow tube in the approximate center thereof and a plurality of holes therethrough to allow gases to pass through the insert and the adsorbent material;
• the insert further configured such that when the insert is secured in the gas scrubber canister and filled with an adsorbent material;
• and the end caps are placed on the gas scrubber canister and connected to the gas supply circuit;
• gases will pass radially through the insert and the adsorbent material between the hollow tube and the space between the canister wall and the insert;
• the insert, and the hollow tube having the same cross sectional shape as the gas scrubber canister;
• and
• the apparatus further comprising a means for securing the apparatus to the body of a person using the apparatus.