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US 3,992,948 AGranted
Diver information system
OwnerNicholas F. D'Antonio, Richard L. Batesinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for providing information to a scuba diver relating to his position and movement in a body of water, including electronic circuitry for generating electrical signals reflective of the pressure over a period of time, and for comparing such signals with signals reflective of predetermined maximum rates of pressure change required for safe ascent. The system warns the diver when his rate of ascent exceeds the maximum allowable rate. The circuitry of the system generates additional signals for informing the diver of his direction of vertical movement, his down time, his depth, and the water temperature.
Claims18
A system for providing information relating to depth and movement in a fluid, said system comprising:
- an electrical power source;
- a pressure transducer connected to said electrical power source for generating electrical signals having a parameter reflective of the instantaneous depth;
- means for generating alternating first and second timing signals at a regular frequency;
- first and second sampling and holding means electrically connected to said pressure transducer and to said means for generating the first and second timing signals, for storing electrical signals generated by said pressure transducer and for alternately transmitting a previously stored electrical signal, in response to the first and second timing signals;
- differentiating means electrically connected to said first and second sampling and holding means for generating an electrical signal having a parameter corresponding to the difference between the parameters reflective of the instantaneous depth, of successive signals transmitted by said first and second sampling and holding means;
- a reference electrical source for establishing a reference electrical signal having a reference parameter reflective of a predetermined rate of change of depth;
- comparing means electrically connected to said differentiating means and to said reference electrical source for comparing said parameter of said signal generated by said differentiating means and said reference parameter, and for generating a warning signal when said parameter of the signal generated by said differentiating means exceeds said reference parameter, said comparing means being normally disabled from performing said comparing and generating functions;
- enabling means electrically associated with said comparing means for enabling said comparing means to perform said comparing and generating functions in response to reception of timing signals;
- and
- means for generating enabling timing signals to said enabling means at the rate at which said comparing means is to perform said comparing function.
7 more elements
The invention according to clam 1, and said system further includes:
- readout means for converting electrical information signals into intelligible signals;
- counting means for counting the number of timing signals generated by said means for generating enabling timing signals and for generating electrical signals reflective of the number of timing signals so counted;
- and,
- means for transmitting the electrical signals reflective of the number of timing signals so counted to said readout means.
1 more element
A system for providing information relating to depth and movement in a fluid, said system comprising:
- an electrical power source;
- depth responsive means connected to said electrical power source for generating electrical signals having a parameter reflective of the instantaneous depth;
- measuring means electrically connected to said depth responsive means for storing electrical signals having a parameter reflective of the instantaneous depth, and actuable for generating electrical signals having a parameter corresponding to the difference in value of said instaneous depth parameter measured at subsequent intervals and reflective of the actual rate of change of depth of the system, said measuring means including actuating means responsive to timing signals for actuating said measuring means;
- means electrically connected to said actuating means for generating first electrical timing signals at predetermined intervals to said actuating means, to effect the actuation of said measuring means in repetitive sequence;
- means for establishing a referencce signal having a parameter reflective of a predetermined rate of change of depth;
- comparing means electrically connected to said reference signal establishing means for comparing the signal parameter reflective of the actual rate of change of depth with the reference signal parameter reflective ot the predetermined rate of change of depth, and for generating a warning signal when the actual rateof change of depth exceeds the predetermined rate of change of depth;
- enabling means operatively associated with said comparing means and actuable for enabling said comparing means to compare said parameters;
- and
- means electrically connected to said enabling means for generating second electrical timing signals according to the frequency at which said signal parameters reflective of the actual rate of change of depth are to be compared with said reference signal parameter reflective of a predetermined rate of change of depth, to repetitively actuate said enabling means at said frequency.
6 more elements
A system for providing information relating to depth and movement in a fluid, said system comprising:
- an electrical power source;
- depth responsive means connected to said electrical power source for generating electrical signals having a parameter reflective of the instantaneous depth;
- means for measuring the values of the electrical signal parameter reflective of the instantaneous depth at predetermined intervals, said measuring means generating electrical signals having a parameter corresponding to the difference between said values measured at subsequent intervals and reflective of the actual rate of change of depth of the system over said intervals;
- means for establishing a reference signal having a parammeter reflective of a predetermined rate of change of depth;
- comparing means electrically connected to said reference signal establishing means for comparing the signal parameter reflective of the actual rate of change of depth, with the reference signal parameter reflective of the predetermined rate of change of depth, said comparing means generating an electrical warning signal when the actual rate of change of depth exceeds the predetermined rate of change of depth;
- and
- means for comparing with each other electrical signal parameters reflective of the actual rate of change of depth measured at said subsequent intervals, said comparing means generating signals indicative of the direction of vertical movement through the fluid by the system according to the relative values of said measured signals.
4 more elements
A system for providing information relating to depth and movement in a fluid, said system comprising:
- an electrical power source;
- depth responsive means connected to said electrical power source for generating analog electrical signals having a parameter reflective of the instantaneous depth;
- means for measuring the values of the electrical signal parameter reflective of the instantaneous depth at predetermined intervals, said measuring means generating electrical signals having a parameter corresponding to the difference between said values measured at subsequent intervals and reflective of the actual rate of change of depth of the system over said intervals;
- means for establishing a reference signal having a parameter reflective of a predetermined rate of change of depth;
- comparing means electrically connected to said reference signal establishing means for comparing the signal parameter reflective of the actual rate of change of depth, with the reference signal parameter reflective of the predetermined rate of change of depth, said comparing means generating an electrical warning signal when the actual rate of change of depth exceeds the predetermined rate of change of depth;
- readout means for converting digital electrical information signals into intelligible signals;
- analog-to-digital converting means for converting analog electrical signals to digital electrical signals;
- means for transmitting analog electrical signals generated by said depth responsive means to said analog-to-digital converting means;
- and,
- means for transmitting digital electrical signals from said analog-to-digital converting means to said readout means.
7 more elements
A system for providing information to a scuba diver relating to his movement through a body of water, said system comprising:
- an electrical power source;
- a pressure transducer connected to said power source for generating voltage signals reflctive of the ambient pressure of the system;
- a first amplifier electrically connected to said pressure transducer for receiving the voltage signals generated by said pressure transducer and for generating amplified voltage signals corresponding to the voltage signals generated by said pressure transducer;
- a timing oscillator for generating uniform electrical pulses at a regular frequency, each pulse being defined by a positive and a negative going edge;
- a first monostable multivibrator electrically connected to said timing oscillator for generating a first timing pulse in response to each positive going edge of the pulses generated by said timing oscillator;
- a second monostable multivibrator electrically connected to said timing oscillation for generating a second timing pulse in response to each negative going edge of the pulses generated by said timing oscillator;
- a first sample and hold device electrically connected to said first monostable multivibrator and to said first amplifier, for storing the voltage signal generated by said first amplifier and for transmitting the previously stored voltage signal received from said first amplifier, in response to said first timing pulse;
- a second sample and hold device electrically connected to said second monostable multivibrator and to said first amplifier, for storing the voltage signal generated by said first amplifier and for transmitting the previously stored voltage signal received from said first amplifier, in response to said second timing pulse;
- a differential amplifier electrically connected to said first and second sample and hold devices for generating a voltage signal corresponding to the difference in amplitude between the last previous voltage signals transmitted by said first and second sample and hold devices, said differential amplifier including:
- a second amplifier electrically connected to said first sample and hold device for receiving and amplifying voltage signals transmitted by said first sample and hold device;
- and
- a third amplifier electrically connected to said second sample and hold device and to said second amplifier for receiving from said second amplifier the amplified voltage signal corresponding to the last previous voltage signal generated by said first sample and hold device and voltage signals transmitted by said second sample and hold device;
- an electrical connector for transmitting voltage signals from said aid differential amplifier;
- a reference voltage source for generating a reference voltage signal having a value reflective of a predetermined safe rate of ascent;
- an excess rate comparator electrically connected to said electrical connector and to said reference voltage source for generating a warning voltage signal when the rate of ascent of the system exceeds a predetermined safe rate of ascent, said excess rate comparator having a first inlet for receiving voltage signals generated by said differential amplifier and a second inlet for receiving said reference voltage signal, said excess rate comparator generating said warning voltage signal when the voltage signal received from said differential amplifier exceeds the reference voltage signal;
- a normally open switch in said electrical connector, said switch being electrically connected to said timing oscillator for closing said electrical connector in response to the generation of said pulses by said timing oscillator;
- a third monostable multivibrator electrically connected to said excess rate comparator for generating a voltage signal in response to the generation of a voltage signal by said excess rate comparator;
- and
- a light emitting diode for lighting to emit an intelligible alarm signal in response to the generation of a voltage signal by said third monostable multivibrator.
16 more elements
A system for providing information to a scuba diver relating to water in which he is submerged, said system comprising:
- an electrical power source;
- a pressure transducer connected to said electrical power source for generating analog voltage signals reflective of the ambient pressure and depth of the system;
- a first amplifier electrically connected to said pressure transducer for receiving the voltage signal generated by said pressure transducer and for generating amplified voltage signals corresponding to the voltage signals generated by said pressure transducer;
- a temperature transducer for generating analog voltage signals reflective of the ambient temperature;
- a second amplifier electrically connected to said temperature transducer for receiving the voltage signal generated by said temperature transducer and for generating amplified voltage signals corresponding to the voltage signals generated by said temperature transducer;
- a data selector for selectively transmitting digital signals corresponding either to the depth of the system, the ambient temperature or the down time of the system, said data selector having a first channel for receiving and transmitting voltage signals corresponding to the depth of the system or the ambient temperature, and a second channel for receiving and transmitting voltage signals corresponding to the down time of the system;
- a channel selector for selectively activating one of the first and second channels of said data selector, said channel selector including:
- a comparator electrically connected to one channel of said data selector and connectable to said first and second amplifiers, and having a positive inlet port for receiving voltage signals from said first amplifier or said second amplifier, said comparator generating a first channel selection voltage signal in response to the generation of voltage signals by said first or second amplifiers when said comparator is connected to the respective one of said amplifiers to activate said one channel of said data selector;
- and
- a level invertor electrically connected to said comparator and to the other of said channels for generating a second channel selection voltage signal in response to the non-transmission of voltage signals from said first or second amplifiers to said comparator, to activate said other channel of said data selector;
- a select switch of selectively electrically connecting said channel selector to said first amplifier or said second amplifier or to neither amplifier;
- an analog-to-digital convertor electrically connected to said select switch for converting analog voltage signals to digital voltage signals and for transmitting the digital signals to aid data selector, said analog-to-digital convertor including:
- an integrating amplifier having an inlet line electrically connected to said select switch, and an outlet line;
- a capacitor connected across said integrating amplifier for charging to the voltage on said integrating amplifier;
- an electrically actuable, normally open switch connected across said capacitor;
- a second reference voltage source for generating a second reference voltage;
- a second comparator electrically connected between the outlet line of said integrating amplifier and said electrically actuable switch and further connected to said second voltage source, said second comparator generating a voltage signal in response to the generation by said integrating amplifier of a voltage whose amplitude exceeds the amplitude of said second reference voltage, and said electrically actuable switch closing in response to the generation of the voltage signal by said second comparator to effect the immediate discharge of said integrating amplifier and said capacitor, to thereby effect the formation of an electrical pulse;
- and
- first pulse counting means having inlets electrically connected to said integrating amplifier and to said timing oscillator for counting the numbers of pulses transmitted by said integrating amplifier at regular intervals established by said timing oscillator, and an outlet electrically connected to the first channel of said data selector;
- a timing oscillator for generating electrical pulses at a uniform frequency;
- second pulse counting means electrically connected to said timing oscillator for generating a digital timing signal in response to the generation of predetermined numbers of pulses by said timing oscillator to determine the down time of the system, said second pulse counting means including means for resetting said second pulse counting means for each new dive, said second pulse counting means having an outlet electrically connected to the second channel of said data selector;
- and
- a readout device electrically connected to said data selector for displaying in digital form integers corresponding to the digital signals transmitted by the activated one of said first and second channels of said data selector.
20 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.