Underwater microphone testing device

Claim 3

A testing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said manikin head is made of vinyl material that is heat treated to a hardness of durometer thirty.

Claim 4

A testing apparatus according to claim 1 further including a signal source which supplies predetermined electrical signals to said electroacoustic driver means for the conversion thereof into corresponding compressional acoustic waves.

Claim 5

A testing apparatus according to claim 1 further including conduit means joined to said tube means and communicating with the interior passage thereof for supplying a gas mixture thereto.

Claim 6

A testing apparatus according to claim 1 further including: a source of pressurized gas; and a pressure regulator means connected between said source of pressurized gas and the aforesaid tube means.

Claim 7

A testing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said pressurized gas is a mixture of oxygen and predetermined inert gases in a ratio permitting said mixture to be used for breathing by divers.

Claim 8

A testing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: pressure chamber means for containing said manikin with said face mask and microphone combination mounted thereon; a source of fluid communicating with said pressure chamber means for filling the portion thereof not occupied by said manikin head and attached mask and microphone combination; and regulation means connected between said fluid source and said pressure chamber means for maintaining the fluid pressure within said pressure chamber means at a predetermined value.

Claim 9

A testing apparatus according to claim 7 in which said pressure chamber means further includes: mounting means positioned within the interior of said pressure chamber means and cooperating with said opening in the base of the neck of said manikin head for supporting said manikin head and the mask and microphone mounted thereon; and insulated electrical feedthrough conductor means mounted in the walls of said pressure chamber for making electrical connectionS therethrough, so as to electrically connect said electroacoustic driver means and a microphone supported by said manikin head to predetermined electrical apparatus located outside said pressure chamber means.

Claim 10

A testing apparatus according to claim 8 further including an audio level recorder means connected to predetermined ones of said insulated electrical feedthrough conductor means for making a record of the output signals of the microphone undergoing test.

Claim 11

A testing apparatus for evaluating microphone means mounted within underwater diving masks comprising: a manikin head made of a vinyl material heat treated to a hardness of durometer thirty; an underwater diving mask mounted on said manikin head; microphone means mounted within said underwater mask in a cooperating relationship to the mouth region of said manikin head; an opening in the base of the neck of said manikin head for facilitating the mounting thereof; a void within the interior of said manikin head communicating with said opening for acoustic loading of said manikin head; mounting means extending into said opening for support of said manikin head; tube means extending through said manikin head from the mouth region thereof to a point beyond the rear thereof for effecting an artificial vocal column therefor; electroacoustic driver means mounted on the terminus of said tube means located beyond the rear of said manikin head for producing acoustic energy in response to electrical signals supplied thereto; pressure chamber means surrounding said manikin head and supporting said mounting means on an inner surface thereof for providing an artificial environment for said manikin head and said underwater mask and microphone combination mounted thereon; insulated electrical feed-through means located in the walls of said pressure chamber means and extending therethrough for transmission of electrical signals between electrical apparatus and the interior of said pressure chamber means; electrical signal source means located outside said pressure chamber means and electrically joined to said electroacoustic driver means via said electrical feed-through means for generating an acoustic test signal within said pressure chamber; audio level recorder means located outside said pressure chamber and electrically connected to said microphone means via said electrical feed-through means for providing a recorded indication of the electrical output of said microphone means; a source of fluid for filling the portion of said pressure chamber not occupied by said manikin head, underwater mask mounted thereon, and associated mounting structure; fluid pressure regulating means for predetermined regulation of the pressure of fluid delivered therefrom; first conduit means joining said pressure chamber means and said source of fluid via said fluid pressure regulating means for supplying fluid at a predetermined pressure to said test chamber; a source of breathing gas mixture for filling said tube means and the space between said manikin head so as to duplicate the acoustic conditions of a diver using said breathing gas mixture; gas pressure regulating means for predetermined regulation of the pressure of gas delivered therefrom; and second conduit means attached to said tube means, extending through said opening and mounting means and connecting to said source of breathing gas mixture via said gas pressure regulating means for supplying said tube means and the space between said manikin head and said mask with breathing gas mixture at a predetermined pressure.

Claim 12

A testing apparatus for evaluating microphone means mounted within underwater diving masks comprising: a manikin head made of a vinyl material heat treated to a hardness of durometer thirty; an underwater diving mask mounted on said manikin head; microphone means mounted within said underwater mask in a cooperating relationship to the mouth region of said manikin head; an opening in the base of the neck of said manikin head for facilitating the mounting thereof; a void within the interior of said manikin head communicating with said opening for acoustic loading of said manikin head; mounting means extending into said opening for support of said manikin head; tube means extending through said manikin head from the mouth region thereof to a point beyond the rear thereof for effecting an artificial vocal column therefor; electroacoustic driver means mounted on the terminus of said tube means located beyond the rear of said manikin head for producing acoustic energy in response to electrical signals supplied thereto; pressure chamber means surrounding said manikin head and supporting said mounting means on an inner surface thereof for providing an artificial environment for said manikin head and said underwater mask and microphone combination mounted thereon; insulated electrical feed-through means located in the walls of said pressure chamber means and extending therethrough for transmission of electrical signals between electrical apparatus and the interior of said pressure chamber means; electrical signal source means located outside said pressure chamber means and electrically joined to said electroacoustic driver means via said electrical feed-through means for generating an acoustic test signal within said pressure chamber; audio level recorder means located outside said pressure chamber and electrically connected to said microphone means via said electrical feed-through means for providing a recorded indication of the electrical output of said microphone means; a source of fluid for filling the portion of said pressure chamber not occupied by said manikin head, underwater mask mounted thereon, and associated mounting structure; fluid pressure regulating means for predetermined regulation of the pressure of fluid delivered therefrom; first conduit means joining said pressure chamber means and said source of fluid via said fluid pressure regulating means for supplying fluid at a predetermined pressure to said test chamber; a source of breathing gas mixture for filling said tube means and the space between said manikin head so as to duplicate the acoustic conditions of a diver using said breathing gas mixture; gas pressure regulating means for predetermined regulation of the pressure of gas delivered therefrom; and second conduit means attached to said tube means, extending through said opening and mounting means and connecting to said source of breathing gas mixture via said gas pressure regulating means for supplying said tube means and the space between said manikin head and said mask with breathing gas mixture at a predetermined pressure.