Patent · US Expired

Safety underwater pressure regulator

US4396032A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
3References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 9, 1981
Grant dateAug 2, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 9, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/2036
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Provided is an underwater pressure regulator comprising a high and a low pressure chamber, an inlet to the high pressure chamber and at least one outlet port associated with the low pressure chamber. A valve assembly including a valve seat is interposed between the high and low pressure chambers to control the flow of air between the chambers. A coil spring maintains the valve in open position when pressure in the low pressure chamber decreases. An oil reservoir responds to ambient water pressure via a flexible diaphragm to maintain the outlet pressure, i.e., the secondary pressure at a constant level above the ambient pressure at different depths. A piercing member serves to perforate the diaphragm upon excessive expansion of the latter due to high pressure leakage within the regulator system, oil being discharged, under pressure, through the perforated diaphragm, whereupon the regulator then becomes a conventional water-filled unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.