US 2018/0001980 A1 · Underwater Safety Device

Abstract

An example safety system for underwater diving includes a biological sensor for detecting a diver in distress, an alarm system, and a rescue deployment system. The sensor detects an anomalous condition and issues an alarm, such as, for example, a buzzer or a flashing light. In another example embodiment, upon determining the existence of a major, persistent, time-critical anomaly, or upon being instructed by the diver, the system inflates the diver's buoyancy compensation device and brings her toward the surface at a controlled rate. In another example embodiment, upon determining the existence of such an anomaly, or upon being instructed by the diver, the system releases a buoy, allowing the buoy to float to the water surface and alert others. In another example embodiment, the buoy detects its position upon reaching the surface and issues a radio signal, indicating distress and its current position.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a buoyancy control device having a bladder;
a controller configured to calculate a rate of ascent and responsively provide an ascent control signal,
a buoyancy compensator valve having an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized gas, an outlet port connected to the bladder of the buoyancy control device, and a vent port, the buoyancy compensator valve having an internal member configured to move
to a first position blocking the inlet port,
to a second position defining a passageway between the inlet and outlet port, and
to a third position blocking the inlet port and defining a passageway between the outlet and vent ports;
an actuator for receiving the ascent control signal and responsively moving the internal assembly to the second position when the rate of ascent is below a minimum threshold, to the third position when the rate of ascent is above a maximum threshold, and to the first position when the rate of ascent is within the minimum and maximum thresholds.

4 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of biological sensors configured to measure biological parameters and transmit biological signals correlated to biological parameter values;
a controller having a diver-operable stop input and configured to
receive the biological signals,
determine that at least one biological parameter value is anomalous and responsively issue an alarm signal,
determine that the stop input has not been operated for a time interval after issuing the alarm signal and responsively issuing a rescue deployment signal
determine an ascent rate and responsively issue ascent control signal;
an alarm configured to receive the alarm signal and responsively activate;
a buoyancy control device having a bladder;
a buoyancy compensator valve having an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized gas, an outlet port connected to the bladder of the buoyancy control device, and a vent port, the buoyancy compensator valve having an internal member configured to move
to a first position blocking the inlet port,
to a second position defining a passageway between the inlet and outlet port, and
to a third position blocking the inlet port and defining a passageway between the outlet and vent ports;
an actuator for receiving the ascent control signal and responsively moving the internal assembly to the second position when the rate of ascent is below a minimum threshold, to the third position when the rate of ascent is above a maximum threshold, and to the first position when the rate of ascent is within the minimum and maximum thresholds;
a buoy having an alarm;
a buoy release actuator configured to receive the rescue deployment signal and responsively release the buoy.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Underwater Safety Device

Life of this patent

Underwater Safety Device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16