System and method for supplying breathing gas to a diver

Abstract

The invention concerns a system and a method for supplying breathing gas to a diver. The system is of the open circuit type and comprises a gas source consisting of a pressurized container ( 1 ), which is intended to be placed at a distance from the diver and which delivers breathing gas under a high pressure, a breathing apparatus ( 4 ) which is intended to be carried by the diver and a flexible tube ( 3 ), which connects the gas source with the breathing apparatus. The flexible tube is of the high-pressure type, the gas is conducted through the flexible tube under a pressure, which is essentially equal to the pressure delivered from the gas source, and the gas source is arranged to be able to deliver breathing gas at a pressure, which exceeds approx. 30 bars.

1 . A system for providing a diver/user with breathing gas, the system being an open system and comprising an external gas source in the form of a pressurized container which is intended to be located at a distance from the diver and which delivers breathing gas under high pressure, a breathing device which is intended to be worn by the diver/user, and a hose which connects the gas source to the breathing device, characterized in that the hose is of the high-pressure type, and in that the breathing gas in conveyed through the hose from the gas source to the breathing device or a pressure-reducing means arranged in proximity to the device under essentially the pressure which is delivered from the gas source.  
   
   
       2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the container being pressurized to between around 50 and around 700 bar.  
   
   
       3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the container being pressurized to around 200 or around 300 or around 700 bar when it is full.  
   
   
       4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the hose being designed to transport the breathing gas under a pressure of up to around 700 bar.  
   
   
       5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the hose being made of, or containing, carbon fibers, preferably Kevlar.  
   
   
       6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a pressure-reducing valve which is arranged at or in proximity to the breathing device and reduces the pressure downstream of the-valve from the pressure prevailing in the hose.  
   
   
       7 . The system as claimed in  claim 6 , the pressure-reducing valve reducing the pressure to around 10 bar.  
   
   
       8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the breathing device comprising a breathing valve, a first pressure-reducing valve arranged upstream of the breathing valve, and a reserve gas container arranged upstream of the first pressure-reducing valve, and the hose being connected to the breathing device between the pressure-reducing valve and the reserve gas container.  
   
   
       9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the breathing device comprising a breathing valve, a first pressure-reducing valve arranged upstream of the breathing valve, and a reserve gas container arranged upstream of the first pressure-reducing valve, and the hose, via a second pressure-reducing valve, being connected to the breathing device between the breathing valve and the first pressure-reducing valve.  
   
   
       10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the breathing device comprising a pressure-reducing valve and being designed to deliver breathing gas to a helmet, mask or hood which is intended to be worn by the diver.  
   
   
       11 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the hose ( 3 ) comprising means for being fastened to the diver, so that the hose can constitute a lifeline.  
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , the breathing gas consisting of air or nitrox.  
   
   
       13 . A method for providing a diver/user with breathing gas, the breathing gas being conveyed through an open system from a gas source in the form of a pressurized container which is located at a distance from the diver/user through a hose to a breathing device which is worn by the diver, characterized in that the gas is conveyed from the gas source to the breathing device or a pressure-reducing means arranged in proximity to the breathing device through a hose of the high-pressure type under essentially the pressure which is delivered by the gas source.  
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , the breathing gas being conveyed through the hose under a pressure of between around 50 and around 700 bar.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , the breathing gas being conveyed through the hose under a maximum pressure of around 200 bar.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , the breathing gas being conveyed through the hose under a maximum pressure of around 300 bar.  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , the breathing gas being conveyed through the hose under a maximum pressure of around 700 bar.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , the pressurized container being exchanged when the pressure in it falls to a limit value.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , the limit value being around 50 bar.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , the breathing gas consisting of air or nitrox.