Device for determining the timely delivery of compressed gas from compressed-gas containers

Claim 1

In a submarine subjected to variations in submersion depths, a device for determining the timely delivery of compressed gas from a compressed-gas container for ejection and discharge tubes in which the compressed gas is supplied via a system-controlled blowout valve comprising: (a) a compressed-gas container having a pressure pick-off with a pressure gauge and a converter for producing an electrical signal representing the actual pressure value; (b) a pair of adjustable transmitters arranged for setting predetermined upper and lower pressure values, respectively, and for generating electrical signals corresponding to said predetermined upper and lower pressure values, respectively; (c) a pair of comparator stages and means connecting said respective comparator stages to respective of said adjustable transmitters and to said pressure pick-off such that one of said comparator stages receives said electrical signal corresponding to said predetermined upper pressure value and said electrical signal corresponding to said actual pressure value and the other of said comparator stages receives said electrical signal corresponding to said predetermined lower pressure value and said electrical signal corresponding to said actual pressure value; (d) said one comparator stage being adapted to generate an electrical signal when said actual pressure value falls below said predetermined upper pressure value and said other comparator stage being adapted to generate an electrical signal when said actual pressure value is reduced to said predetermined lower pressure value; and (e) a timing member having a running time indicator and means connecting said timing member to each of said comparator stages such that said timing member receives said respective electrical signals from said comparator stages; (f) said timing member being adapted to start measuring elapsed time upon receiving a signal from said one comparator stage and to stop measuring said elapsed time upon receiving a signal from said other comparator stage and to indicate said elapsed time; (g) whereby the elapsed time for the pressure in said compressed-gas container to drop from said predetermined upper pressure value to said predetermined lower pressure value is indicated.