Dive parameter indicating assembly

• US 4,949,072 A
• Filed: 12/22/1988
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cochran Consulting, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ernest Comerford
• Inventors: Comerford, Ernest, Adamek, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/283,993
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 340/525, 340/796, 340/705, 340/850, 340/531, 340/573, 340/870.01, 340/870.09, 340/870.1, 340/870.16, 73/865.1, 73/866.3, 73/299, 73/300, 73/301, 2/2.1 R, 2/173, 455/40, 375/6, 367/131-134, 367/141, 367/910, 441/105, 441/124, 128/201.19, 128/201.27, 128/202.11, 128/202.22, 128/205.23, 364/413.31
• US Class Current: 340/525
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/02 Divers' equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/32 Decompression arrangements; Exercise equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2011/021 Diving computers, i.e. portable computers specially adapted for divers, e.g. wrist worn, watertight electronic devices for detecting or calculating scuba diving parameters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/91 Portable sonar devices

Abstract

A dive parameter transmitter/receiver assembly for scuba diving includes a transmitter circuit with a control unit with one or more sensors for detecting dive parameters and/or information to be displayed. A modulator is included for modulating the parameter(s) or information and a transmitting transducer for propagating the parameter(s) or information. A receiver circuit is included and has a receiver transducer, a demodulator, a decoder, and a display for displaying the parameter(s) or information.

Claims

1. An underwater transmitter/receiver assembly for use with a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus including a breathing gas tank and a diver'"'"'s face mask, the assembly comprising:

transmitting circuit means attachable to said tank and including sensor means for providing output signals indicative of variable actual dive parameters, a modulator for modulating said output signals, and a transmitting circuit for propagating a modulated carrier wave representative of a respective one of said output signals; and

means for providing information on variable dive parameters to an individual diver wearing said face mask, said information providing means being formed as a single unit attachable to said face mask and including a receiver circuit which is physically disconnected from said transmitting circuit means and receives therefrom said modulated carrier wave, a demodulator for demodulating said carrier wave, a display device for providing a visual display indicative of a respective variable dive parameter, and an imaging system providing an image of the display which is focussed in the line of sight of the diver wearing the face mask when said unit is attached thereto.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor means includes a pressure sensor providing an output signal indicative of gas pressure in said tank, said signal being modulated and propagated by the modulated carrier wave.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier wave is a low frequency radio wave.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said transmitting circuit means includes a depth sensor providing an output signal indicative of the underwater depth of a diver, said output signal being also propagated by said modulated carrier wave, and said display device including means for providing a visual display indicative of said underwater depth.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said unit includes a depth sensor providing an output signal indicative of the underwater depth of a diver, and said display device including means for providing a visual display indicative of said underwater depth.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transmitting circuit means includes means for providing an output signal indicative of the elapsed dive time of a dive, said output signal being also propagated by said modulated carrier wave, and said display device including means for displaying a visual display indicative of said elapsed dive time.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said unit includes means for providing an output signal indicative of elapsed dive time of a diver, and said display device including means for providing a visual display of said output signal.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said display includes light emitting diodes.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said unit includes an alarm coupled to said receiver circuit to provide an audible signal when a predetermined depth is detected by said depth sensor.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said unit includes alarms coupled to said receiver circuit to provide audible signals when a predetermined depth is detected by said depth sensor or when a predetermined tank pressure is detected by said tank pressure sensor.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said display includes liquid crystals.

12. An underwater transmitter/receiver assembly for use with a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus including a breathing gas tank and a diver'"'"'s face mask, the assembly comprising:

transmitting circuit means attachable to said tank and including sensor means for providing output signals indicative of variable actual dive parameters, a modulator for modulating said output signals, and a transmitting circuit for propagating a modulated carrier wave representative of a respective one of said output signals; and

means for providing information on variable dive parameters to an individual diver wearing said face mask, said information providing means being formed as a single unit integral with and attachable to said face mask, and including a receiver circuit which is physically disconnected from said transmitting circuit means and receives therefrom said modulated carrier wave, and demodulator for demodulating said carrier wave, a display device for providing a visual display indicative of a respective variable dive parameter, and an imaging system providing an image of the display focussed in the line of sight of a diver wearing the face mask.

13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said sensor means includes a pressure sensor providing an output signal indicative of gas pressure in said tank, said signal being modulated and propagated by the modulated carrier wave.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said carrier wave is a low frequency radio wave.

15. The assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said transmission circuit means further includes a depth sensor providing an output signal indicative of the underwater depth of a diver, said output signal being also propagated by said modulated carrier wave, and said display device including means for providing a visual display indicative of said underwater depth.

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said unit includes a depth sensor providing an output signal indicative of the underwater depth of a diver, and said display device including means for providing a visual display indicative of said underwater depth.

17. The assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein said transmitting circuit means includes means for providing an output signal indicative of the elapsed dive time of a dive, said output signal being also propagated by said modulated carrier wave, and said display device including means for displaying a visual display indicative of said elapsed dive time.

18. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said unit includes means for providing an output signal indicative of elapsed dive time of a diver, and said display device including means for providing a visual display of said output signal.

19. The assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said display includes light emitting diodes.

20. The assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein said unit includes an alarm coupled to said receiver circuit to provide an audible signal when a predetermined depth is detected by said depth sensor.

21. The assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein said unit includes alarms coupled to said receiver circuit to provide audible signals when a predetermined depth is detected by said depth sensor or when a predetermined tank pressure is detected by said tank pressure sensor.

22. The assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said display includes liquid crystals.