US3759109A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-time constant pneumatic analogue decompression instruments
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1971-09-16
•
Granted: 1973-09-18
•
Expires: 1991-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A decompression meter to guide a diver in rapidly and safely returning to the surface is described. It includes as key elements a number of separate semipermeable membranes through which a gas diffuses at different rates in simulation of the uptake and release of nitrogen by a plurality of different timeconstant tissues of the diver''s body during the hyperbaric exposures of his underwater excursion.
Inventors
- 👤 L Johnson
- 👤 M Borom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L11/00; B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/32; G01L7/00; G01L7/02; G01L7/04; G06; G06G; G06G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A decompression instrument which comprises, a. a submersible housing; b. an ambient pressure gas chambEr in the housing; c. a plurality of pneumatic analogue computing means in the housing each of which has a time constant different from the others but corresponding to a particular human body tissue and each of which comprises, 1. an imperforate gas diffusion membrane operatively associated with the ambient pressure gas chamber to measure continuously the uptake and release of gas by a particular time-constant tissue of a diver during hyperbaric exposure; and d. indicator means operatively associated with such computing means for visually indicating the appropriate decompression schedule.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A decompression instrument which comprises, a. a submersible housing; b. an ambient pressure gas chambEr in the housing; c. a plurality of pneumatic analogue computing means in the housing each of which has a time constant different from the others but corresponding to a particular human body tissue and each of which comprises, 1. an imperforate gas diffusion membrane operatively associated with the ambient pressure gas chamber to measure continuously the uptake and release of gas by a particular time-constant tissue of a diver during hyperbaric exposure; and d. indicator means operatively associated with such computing means for visually indicating the appropriate decompression schedule.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The instrument of claim 1 in which the pneumatic analogue computing means includes a separate time-constant gas chamber operatively associated with each gas diffusion membrane and in which the indicator means is operatively associated with the separate time-constant gas chambers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 in which the membranes are of silicone rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 1 in which one membrane is of thickness twice that of a second membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 1 in which the indicator means includes a first gauge operatively associated with a first membrane and a second gauge operatively associated with a second membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A decompression meter for use on underwater excursions comprising a. ambient-pressure gas chamber means; b. plural gas-diffusion imperforate membrane means separately operatively associated with the ambient-pressure gas chamber means to measure separately continuously the uptake and release of gas by a diver''s different time-constant tissues during hyperbaric exposure, said membrane means comprising a first imperforate membrane having a relatively short time constant and a second imperforate membrane having a longer time constant; and, c. gauge means operatively associated with the first and second imperforate membranes for visually indicating the appropriate decompression schedule.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A decompression meter for use on underwater excursions comprising a. ambient-pressure gas chamber means; b. plural gas-diffusion imperforate membrane means separately operatively associated with the ambient-pressure gas chamber means to measure separately continuously the uptake and release of gas by a diver''s different time-constant tissues during hyperbaric exposure, said membrane means comprising a first imperforate membrane having a relatively short time constant and a second imperforate membrane having a longer time constant; and, c. gauge means operatively associated with the first and second imperforate membranes for visually indicating the appropriate decompression schedule.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The meter of claim 6 in which the gauge means includes a first gauge operatively associated with the first imperforate membrane and a second gauge operatively associated with the second imperforate membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The meter of claim 6 in which the gauge means comprises a single gauge which is operatively associated with both membranes imperforate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA735170A
Cited
US3209579A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |