Patent US3593735A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3593735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for maintaining a preselected partial pressure
Assignee: McDermott Inc
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Filing: 1968-09-04
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-09-04
Abstract
Abstract Improving gas-mixing methods and apparatus for maintaining a preselected oxygen partial pressure in breathing gas supplied to a diver under an abnormal pressure. A mixing tank with separate gas inputs is provided to receive and blend together oxygen and filler gas according to a preselected ratio as breathing gas is withdrawn from the tank by the diver. More particularly, a pair of helical tubing lengths or strings are arranged about the inside surface of the tank to receive and dispense filler gas and oxygen uniformly along the length of the tank. A control circuit is also provided to continually measure the molecular oxygen content of the tank, and to admit oxygen whenever the molecular oxygen content drops below a preselected level.
Inventors
- 👤 Max A W Reiher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:49
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/22; A; A62; A62B; A62B7/00; A62B7/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2499; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A mixing system for establishing and maintaining a gas mixture having a preselected oxygen partial pressure which comprises: a first gas supply for providing a filler gas under a first preselected pressure; an oxygen gas supply for providing oxygen under a second preselected pressure; a mixing tank having a filler gas intake port connected to said first gas supply and an oxygen intake port connected to said oxygen gas supply; first tubing means communicating with said filler gas intake port and spirally arranged proximate the inner surface of said mixing tank; second tubing means communicating with said oxygen gas intake port and spirally arranged proximate the inner surface of said mixing tank; said first and second tubing means having a plurality of sidewall openings therein generally directed toward the interior of said mixing tank; and control means for sensing the oxygen partial pressure in said mixing tank and admitting oxygen to said mixing tank in amounts to establish said oxygen partial pressure in said mixing tank at said preselected oxygen partial pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A mixing system for establishing and maintaining a gas mixture having a preselected oxygen partial pressure which comprises: a first gas supply for providing a filler gas under a first preselected pressure; an oxygen gas supply for providing oxygen under a second preselected pressure; a mixing tank having a filler gas intake port connected to said first gas supply and an oxygen intake port connected to said oxygen gas supply; first tubing means communicating with said filler gas intake port and spirally arranged proximate the inner surface of said mixing tank; second tubing means communicating with said oxygen gas intake port and spirally arranged proximate the inner surface of said mixing tank; said first and second tubing means having a plurality of sidewall openings therein generally directed toward the interior of said mixing tank; and control means for sensing the oxygen partial pressure in said mixing tank and admitting oxygen to said mixing tank in amounts to establish said oxygen partial pressure in said mixing tank at said preselected oxygen partial pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system described in claim 1 wherein said oxygen gas supply provides said oxygen at a second preselected pressure which is substantially greater than said first preselected pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system described in claim 2 including first selectively variable pressure-regulating means for establishing said first preselected pressure and to supply filler gas to said mixing tank when the internal pressure of said tank is less than said first preselected pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system describe in claim 3 including a check valve interconnected between said first selectively variable pressure regulator and said mixing tank to prevent backflow of said gas from said mixing tank to said first gas supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system described in claim 1 including a normally closed control valve interconnected between said oxygen gas supply and said mixing tank, said valve being adapted to be opened by said control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system described in claim 5 wherein said oxygen gas supply includes a second selectively variable pressure regulator interconnected between said oxygen supply and said control valve for establishing said second pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system described in claim 1 wherein said mixing tank comprises a generally cylindrical vessel; and where said first and second tubing means are arranged proximate the inner cylindrical surface of said vessel along substantially the entire length of said vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system described in claim 7 wherein said first and second tubing means have said sidewall openings directed generally toward the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system described in claim 1 wherein the inside cross-sectional area of said first tubing means and of said second tubing means is in each case greater than the sum of the areas of the sidewall openings in each of said first and second tubing means respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system described in claim 1 wherein said sidewall openings in said first tubing means and said second tubing means increase in size with increasing distance of said openings from the intake port to which said tubing means is connected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |