Springless regulator valve assembly

A second stage regulator for use with a breathing apparatus having a pressurized gas source, the second stage regulator comprising:

• a housing having an inlet configured to be operatively coupled to the pressurized air source;
• a valve assembly coupled to the inlet the valve assembly including:
• a valve support member;
• a valve poppet having a first face located at a first end of the valve poppet and a second face located at a second end of the valve poppet, the first face having a surface area smaller than a surface area of the second face, the valve poppet moveably coupled to the valve support member for movement between an open position and a closed position with respect to the inlet;
• a chamber configured to accent the second end of the valve poppet;
• a passage having a constant cross sectional area extending from the first face to the second face providing fluid communication between the inlet and the chamber for allowing gas accumulating in the chamber to act on the second face for urging the valve poppet in the closed position without the use of a spring;
• and
• wherein the valve assembly further includes a lever pivotally coupled to the valve poppet that when actuated moves the valve poppet from the closed position to the open position.

An underwater breathing system for use with a supplied gas, the system comprising:

• a first stage regulator coupled to the supplied gas;
• a second stage regulator coupled to the first stage regulator by a conduit, the second stage regulator comprising:
• a housing having an inlet configured to be operatively coupled to the first stage regulator;
• a valve support system coupled to the housing;
• a valve poppet having a first end having a first face and a second end having a second face, the first face having an active surface area smaller than an active surface area of the second face, the valve poppet moveably coupled to the valve support system for movement between an open first position and a closed second position with respect to the inlet;
• a chamber configured to accept the second end of the valve poppet in a slidable manner;
• and
• a passage providing fluid communication between the inlet of the housing and the chamber for allowing gas to accumulate in the chamber and act on the active surface area of the second face to urge the valve poppet in the closed second position without requiring a spring.