Underwater breathing devices and methods

• US 7,793,656 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2003
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Original Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Inventors: Johnson, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia M
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NIHIR B
• Application Number:
  US10/453,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20040035414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,660 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.11, 128/201.27, 128/201.28, 128/205.24, 128/200.29, 114/327, 405/186, 405/187
• US Class Current: 128/201.11
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/205 with air supply by suction from diver, e.g. snorkels B63C11/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A swim and skin-dive snorkel for providing positive end-expiratory pressure for pressure-balanced exhalation.

The snorkel may include inhalation and exhalation conduits. Air can be exhaled into a chamber and released when exhalation pressure within the chamber exceeds a threshold pressure. The threshold pressure that must be overcome to achieve exhalation may be balanced against the compressive forces of the ambient water pressure acting against the user'"'"'s chest and lungs, which may greatly reduce the resting expiratory flow rate, the minute respiratory rate, and therefore the overall work of breathing. The exhalation pressure may be linearly matched to the ambient water pressure as a function of dive depth, thereby discouraging exhalation while diving. A purge valve may also be placed at the lower aspect of the snorkel.

Claims

1. A snorkel comprising:

an inhalation conduit adapted to receive inhaled air;

a chamber adapted to receive exhaled air;

a sealing member adapted to release the exhaled air from the chamber when an exhalation pressure in the chamber exceeds a counter pressure and adapted to retain the exhaled air in the chamber when the exhalation pressure does not exceed the counter pressure, the counter pressure comprising an ambient water pressure when at least a portion of the snorkel is submerged in water; and

an exhalation conduit separate and distinct from the inhalation conduit, the exhalation conduit being sized and configured to receive the exhaled air that is released from the chamber, the exhalation conduit being sized and configured to allow the passage of exhaled air out of the snorkel;

wherein the sealing member further comprises a valve adapted to control the release of exhaled air from the chamber into the exhalation conduit in response to a difference in pressure between the exhalation pressure and the counter pressure;

wherein the valve is adapted to allow the exhaled air to enter the exhalation conduit when the exhalation pressure exceeds the counter pressure; and

wherein the valve is adapted to substantially prevent the exhaled air from entering the exhalation conduit when the exhalation pressure does not exceed the counter pressure.

2. The snorkel as in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is at least partially supported by a support structure.

3. The snorkel as in claim 1, further comprising a pressure member against which the counter pressure acts to provide the counter pressure to the exhalation pressure in the chamber.

4. The snorkel as in claim 3, wherein the pressure member is movable in response to a pressure difference between the exhalation pressure and the counter pressure;

and wherein the sealing member is movable in response to movement of the pressure member.

5. The snorkel as in claim 3, wherein the pressure member comprises a rigid support disk and a flexible support membrane.

6. The snorkel as in claim 1, further comprising an exit port adapted to allow exhaled air to exit from the exhalation conduit.

7. The snorkel as in claim 1, further comprising an exhalation valve adapted to exert at least a portion of the counter pressure against the exhalation pressure and to regulate entry of exhaled air into the exhalation conduit.

8. The snorkel as in claim 1, further comprising a purge valve for purging water from the snorkel when exhalation pressure exceeds a purge pressure;

wherein normal exhalation pressure is sufficient to exceed the counter pressure, but is insufficient to exceed the purge pressure; and

wherein an excessive exhalation pressure is greater than normal exhalation pressure and is sufficient to exceed the purge pressure.

9. The snorkel as in claim 1, further comprising a purge valve for purging water from the snorkel when exhalation pressure exceeds a purge pressure;

wherein the purge pressure is greater than the counter pressure such that the exhalation pressure required to purge water from the snorkel is greater than the exhalation pressure required to exceed the counter pressure for a release of exhaled air from the chamber into the exhalation conduit.

10. The snorkel as in claim 1, wherein the counter pressure includes ambient water pressure and a biasing member.

11. A snorkel comprising (a) an inhalation conduit adapted to receive inhaled air in response to inhalation by a user of the snorkel, (b) a chamber adapted to receive and retain exhaled air from the user and further adapted to release exhaled air from the chamber when exhalation pressure in the chamber exceeds a counter pressure, (c) an exhalation conduit adapted to receive the released exhaled air from the chamber, the exhalation conduit being separate and distinct from the inhalation conduit, the exhalation conduit being sized and configured to allow the passage of air that is exhaled by the user and to direct the exhaled air out of the snorkel, and (d) a pressure system adapted to apply the counter pressure to the exhalation pressure in the chamber;

wherein the pressure system includes a pressure member comprised of a rigid support disk and a flexible support membrane;

wherein the pressure member is adapted, when acted upon by the counter pressure, to provide the counter pressure to the exhalation pressure in the chamber;

wherein the rigid support disk has purge channels to allow for purging of water from the snorkel;

wherein a purge pressure is required for purging of water through the purge channels; and

wherein the purge pressure is greater than the counter pressure.

12. A device for controlling the flow of air being exhaled by a person, the device comprising:

an inlet passage for receiving the air being exhaled by a person;

a sealing element including a first portion at least partially disposed towards the inlet passage, the sealing element including a second portion that is at least partially disposed away from the inlet passage;

an exhalation pressure applied to the first portion of the sealing element when the person exhales;

a resistance pressure applied to the second portion of the sealing element;

a first outlet passage that is sized and configured to allow air to exit the device at a first rate, the first outlet passage being separate and distinct from the inlet passage, the first outlet passage being sized and configured to allow the passage of air that is exhaled by the person;

a second outlet passage that is sized and configured to allow air to exit the device at a second rate, the second outlet passage being separate and distinct from the inlet passage, the second outlet passage being sized and configured to allow the passage of air that is exhaled by the person;

a first position of the sealing element in which substantially no air flows through the first outlet passage or the second outlet passage, the sealing element being disposed in the first position when the exhalation pressure is less than the resistance pressure;

a second position of the sealing element in which air flows substantially through the first outlet passage, the sealing element being disposed in the second position when the exhalation pressure is greater than the resistance pressure; and

a third position of the sealing element in which air flows substantially through the second outlet passage, the sealing element being disposed in the third position when the exhalation pressure is significantly greater than the resistance pressure;

wherein the air exiting the device at the second rate allows the device to be purged.

13. The device as in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the resistance pressure is created by an ambient water pressure.

14. The device as in claim 12, wherein air can flow through the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage when the sealing element is in the third position.

15. The device as in claim 12, wherein the sealing element includes a flexible membrane.

16. The device as in claim 12, wherein the sealing element includes an exhalation valve and a purge valve.

17. The device as in claim 12, further comprising an inhalation conduit that is sized and configured to allow air to be inhaled by the person.

18. The device as in claim 17, further comprising an inhalation valve that is sized and configured to control the air entering and/or exiting the inhalation conduit.

19. The device as in claim 12, further comprising an exhalation conduit that is sized and configured to receive air flowing through the first outlet passage.

20. A device for controlling the flow of air, the device comprising:

an inlet passage;

an exhalation chamber that is sized and configured to receive and retain air exhaled by a person, the air within the exhalation chamber being disposed at an exhalation pressure;

a sealing element in communication with the exhalation chamber, the sealing element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the sealing element being at least partially disposed towards the inlet passage, the second portion of the sealing element being at least partially disposed away from the inlet passage;

a first force applied to the first portion of the sealing element, the first force being at least partially created by the exhalation pressure;

a second force applied to the second portion of the sealing element;

a first outlet passage that is sized and configured to allow air to exit the device at a first rate, the first outlet passage being separate and distinct from the inlet passage, the first outlet passage being sized and configured to allow the passage of air that is exhaled by the person;

a second outlet passage that is sized and configured to allow air to exit the device at a second rate, the second outlet passage being separate and distinct from the inlet passage, the second outlet passage being sized and configured to allow the passage of air that is exhaled by the person;

a first position of the sealing element in which at least substantially no air flows through the first outlet passage or the second outlet passage, the sealing element being disposed in the first position when the first force applied to the sealing element is less than the second force applied to the sealing element;

a second position of the sealing element in which air flows substantially through the first outlet passage, the sealing element being disposed in the second position when the first force applied to the sealing element is greater than the second force applied to the sealing element; and

a third position of the sealing element in which air flows substantially through the second outlet passage, the sealing element being disposed in the third position when the first force applied to the sealing element is much greater than the second force applied to the sealing element.

21. The device as in claim 20, wherein the second force is at least partially created by an water ambient pressure.

22. The device as in claim 20, wherein the air exiting the device at the second rate allows the device to be purged.

23. The device as in claim 20, wherein air can flow through the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage when the sealing element is in the third position.

24. The device as in claim 20, wherein the sealing element includes a flexible membrane.

25. The device as in claim 20, wherein the sealing element includes an exhalation valve and a purge valve.

26. The device as in claim 20, further comprising an inhalation conduit that is sized and configured to allow air to be inhaled by the person.

27. The device as in claim 20, further comprising an inhalation valve that is sized and configured to control the air entering and/or exiting the inhalation conduit.

28. The device as in claim 20, further comprising an exhalation conduit that is sized and configured to receive air flowing through the first outlet passage.

29. A snorkel comprising:

an inhalation conduit that is sized and configured to allow the passage of air which is inhaled by a user;

an exhalation conduit separate and distinct from the inhalation conduit, the exhalation conduit being sized and configured to allow the passage of air which is exhaled by the user;

a body including a chamber that is sized and configured to receive and retain exhaled air before the exhaled air enters the exhalation conduit;

an exhalation pressure created by the user exhaling;

an ambient water pressure created by disposing the snorkel in water; and

a flexible sealing member which may be acted upon by the exhalation pressure and the ambient water pressure;

wherein the chamber receives and retains the exhaled air when the exhalation pressure does not exceed the ambient water pressure; and

wherein the exhaled air is released from the chamber when the exhalation pressure exceeds the ambient water pressure.

30. The snorkel as in claim 29, further comprising a purge reservoir that is sized and configured to receive water entering the snorkel.

31. The snorkel as in claim 30, further comprising a purge valve through which the water in the purge reservoir may be purged from the snorkel.

32. The snorkel as in claim 29, further comprising an inhalation valve through which the inhaled air may enter the snorkel.

33. The snorkel as in claim 29, further comprising an exhalation valve through the exhaled air may exit the snorkel.

34. The snorkel as in claim 29, further comprising a mechanical pressure that may act upon the flexible sealing member in connection with the ambient water pressure.

35. An underwater breathing apparatus that is sized and configured to provide positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) to a user, the underwater breathing apparatus comprising:

a chamber that is sized and configured to receive air exhaled by a user, the air within the chamber having an exhalation pressure, the chamber comprising;

an inlet that is sized and configured to receive air exhaled by the user;

a first outlet that is sized and configured to allow air to flow out of the chamber, the first outlet being separate and distinct from the inlet; and

a second outlet that is sized and configured to allow air to flow out of the chamber, the second outlet being separate and distinct from the inlet and the first outlet; and

an exhalation valve that controls the flow of air out of the chamber through the first opening and the second opening, the exhalation valve including an open position in which air can flow out of the chamber and a closed position in which air is at least substantially prevented from flowing out of the chamber;

wherein a force opening the valve is at least partially created by the exhalation pressure;

wherein a force closing the valve is at least partially created by ambient water pressure;

wherein the exhalation valve includes a first open position in which air at least substantially flows through the first outlet and not the second outlet; and

wherein the exhalation valve includes a second open position in which air at least substantially flows through the first outlet and the second outlet.

36. The underwater breathing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the force opening the valve is greater than the force closing the valve when the valve is in the first position;

and

wherein the force opening the valve is significantly greater than the force closing the valve when the valve is in the second position.

37. The underwater breathing apparatus as in claim 35, further comprising an inhalation conduit connected to the inlet;

and further comprising an inhalation valve that allows air to flow into the chamber and substantially prevents air from flowing out of the chamber through the inhalation conduit.

38. The underwater breathing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the breathing apparatus is part of a snorkel.

39. The underwater breathing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the breathing apparatus is part of a breathing regulator.

40. The underwater breathing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the exhalation valve is biased into the closed position.

41. The underwater breathing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the exhalation valve further comprises:

a rigid support member; and

a membrane that is movable between an open position in which air can flow through the exhalation valve and a closed position in which air flow through the exhalation valve is at least substantially prevented.

42. The underwater breathing apparatus as in claim 35, further comprising an exhalation conduit in fluid communication with the first outlet and an inhalation conduit in fluid communication with the inlet;

wherein the exhalation conduit is at least partially disposed within the inhalation conduit.

43. An underwater breathing apparatus that is sized and configured to provide positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) to a user, the underwater breathing apparatus comprising:

a chamber that is sized and configured to receive air exhaled by a user, the air within the chamber having an exhalation pressure, the chamber comprising;

an inlet that is sized and configured to receive air exhaled by the user;

a first outlet that is sized and configured to allow air to flow out of the chamber, the first outlet being separate and distinct from the inlet; and

a second outlet that is sized and configured to allow air to flow out of the chamber, the second outlet being separate and distinct from the inlet and the first outlet; and

an exhalation valve that controls the flow of air out of the chamber through the first opening and the second opening, the exhalation valve including an open position in which air can flow out of the chamber and a closed position in which air is at least substantially prevented from flowing out of the chamber;

wherein a force opening the valve is at least partially created by the exhalation pressure;

wherein a force closing the valve is at least partially created by ambient water pressure;

wherein the exhalation valve further comprises a membrane that is movable between an open position in which air can flow through the second opening in the chamber and a closed position in which air flow through the second opening in the chamber is at least substantially prevented.