US3598103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater heating system
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-19
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1989-05-19
Abstract
Abstract An underwater heating system for a swimmer or diver operating in frigid underwater environments wherein the heat is produced by reacting two chemicals such as ammonia and water. The chemical reaction takes place throughout the length of a heating tube filled with water located within a swimmer''s diving suit or underwater chamber. The heat supplied to the swimmer is controlled by regulating the amount of ammonia mixing with water in the heating tube from a soaker line located within the heating tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel L Curtis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/02; A61F7/03; A61F2007/0054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An underwater heating system comprising: a. chemical storage means; b. a heating tube adapted to have water flow therethrough, c. a reservoir for water, said heating tube being connected to the output of said reservoir to receive water therefrom; d. pressure means within said reservoir to receive a chemical from said chemical storage means and simultaneously expel water from said reservoir into said heating tube; and e. chemical mixing means located along said heating tube and connected to said chemical storage means to mix said chemical with the water along the length of said heating tube thereby producing heat along the heating tube as a result of an exothermic chemical reaction between said chemical and said water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An underwater heating system comprising: a. chemical storage means; b. a heating tube adapted to have water flow therethrough, c. a reservoir for water, said heating tube being connected to the output of said reservoir to receive water therefrom; d. pressure means within said reservoir to receive a chemical from said chemical storage means and simultaneously expel water from said reservoir into said heating tube; and e. chemical mixing means located along said heating tube and connected to said chemical storage means to mix said chemical with the water along the length of said heating tube thereby producing heat along the heating tube as a result of an exothermic chemical reaction between said chemical and said water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a heat exchanger connected to the output of said chemical storage means for supplying heat to the chemical from said chemical storage means passing through said heat exchanger sufficient to change said chemical from a liquid to a gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said chemical mixing means includes mixing a tube of smaller diameter than said heating tube disposed within said heating tube, said mixing tube having one end connected to receive chemical gas from said heat exchanger and the other end closed, and being uniformly perforated with a series of holes so that the chemical gas will be discharged through said holes into the water along the length of the heating tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pressure means within said reservoir is a bag connected to the output of said heat exchanger and inflatable by the chemical gas flowing therefrom so that as the bag inflates, water surrounding the bag and contained by the reservoir will be forced into said heating tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chemical is ammonia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
152 words
An underwater heating suit to provide heat to a swimmer in cold water comprising: a. a storage tank for storing a liquid chemical; b. a heat exchanger connected to the output of said storage tank to change the chemical flowing therethrough from a liquid to a gas; c. a reservoir for water; d. a heating tube having one end connected to the output of said reservoir; e. an inflatable bag disposed within said reservoir and connected to the output of said heat exchanger so that chemical gas from said heat exchanger will inflate the bag and force water within said reservoir into and through the heating tube; and f. a mixing tube located within the heating tube and connected to the output of said heat exchanger and adapted to mix chemical gas from said heat exchanger and said inflatable bag along the length of said heating tube with the water flowing therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
An underwater heating suit to provide heat to a swimmer in cold water comprising: a. a storage tank for storing a liquid chemical; b. a heat exchanger connected to the output of said storage tank to change the chemical flowing therethrough from a liquid to a gas; c. a reservoir for water; d. a heating tube having one end connected to the output of said reservoir; e. an inflatable bag disposed within said reservoir and connected to the output of said heat exchanger so that chemical gas from said heat exchanger will inflate the bag and force water within said reservoir into and through the heating tube; and f. a mixing tube located within the heating tube and connected to the output of said heat exchanger and adapted to mix chemical gas from said heat exchanger and said inflatable bag along the length of said heating tube with the water flowing therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The underwater heating suit of claim 6 further including a valve connected to the output of said storage tank to control the flow of liquid chemical into said heat exchanger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The underwater heating suit of claim 7 further including a pressure relief valve connected to the output of the heat exchanger and designed to automatically open if the pressure of the chemical gas from the heat exchanger exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The underwater heating suit of claim 8 wherein said chemical is ammonia.
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) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |