US3757586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic analogue decompression instrument
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-09-16
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic analogue computer for use in calculating and indicating decompression schedules is disclosed. It utilizes a semipermeable membrane through which a gas diffuses in simulation of the uptake and release of nitrogen by a diver''s body tissue during the hyperbaric exposures of underwater excursions.
Inventors
- 👤 M Borom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:14
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 pneumatic analogue decompression instrument to sense continuously ambient pressures experienced during hyperbaric exposure and to compute and indicate the minimum-duration safe decompression schedule which comprises, a. an ambient pressure-sensing means including an ambient pressure gas chamber; b. indicator means including a pressure gauge having a gas chamber for indicating the appropriate decompression schedule in terms of hyperbaric pressures and time intervals; and c. a computing means consisting of an imperforate gas-diffusion membrane which separates the pressure gauge gas chamber from the ambient-pressure gas chamber and cumulatively and continuously measures the uptake and release of gas by human tissues under fluctuating hyperbaric ambient pressures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A pneumatic analogue decompression instrument to sense continuously ambient pressures experienced during hyperbaric exposure and to compute and indicate the minimum-duration safe decompression schedule which comprises, a. an ambient pressure-sensing means including an ambient pressure gas chamber; b. indicator means including a pressure gauge having a gas chamber for indicating the appropriate decompression schedule in terms of hyperbaric pressures and time intervals; and c. a computing means consisting of an imperforate gas-diffusion membrane which separates the pressure gauge gas chamber from the ambient-pressure gas chamber and cumulatively and continuously measures the uptake and release of gas by human tissues under fluctuating hyperbaric ambient pressures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 1 in which the gas-diffusion membrane is of silicone rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 in which the gas-diffusion membrane is of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument described in claim 1 in which the pressure gauge is a bourdon tube gauge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The claim 1 instrument in which the ambient pressure-sensing means includes a water-tight resilient diaphragm of rubber-like material constituting a wall portion of the ambient gas-pressure chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
A self-contained decompression meter for use by a scuba diver comprising, a. a submersible housing having a transparent portion and a water-pressure port; b. an ambient-pressure gas chamber in the housing; c. pressure-responsive means water-tightly closing the ambient-pressure gas chamber and movable relative to the housing in response to fluctuations of water pressure in the said port; d. imperforate gas-diffusion membrane means in the housing operaTively associated with the ambient-pressure gas chamber to measure continuously the uptake and release of gas by a diver''s tissues during an underwater excursion; and, e. indicator means in the housing including a gauge having a face visible through the transparent portion of the housing and operatively associated with the gas-diffusion membrane means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
A self-contained decompression meter for use by a scuba diver comprising, a. a submersible housing having a transparent portion and a water-pressure port; b. an ambient-pressure gas chamber in the housing; c. pressure-responsive means water-tightly closing the ambient-pressure gas chamber and movable relative to the housing in response to fluctuations of water pressure in the said port; d. imperforate gas-diffusion membrane means in the housing operaTively associated with the ambient-pressure gas chamber to measure continuously the uptake and release of gas by a diver''s tissues during an underwater excursion; and, e. indicator means in the housing including a gauge having a face visible through the transparent portion of the housing and operatively associated with the gas-diffusion membrane means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The decompression meter of claim 6 in which the housing has an internal wall dividing the volume into two compartments communicating through a central opening in the internal wall, and in which the ambient-pressure gas chamber is defined by the internal wall and the housing and by the pressure-responsive means in the form of a resilient diaphragm of rubber-like material water-tightly sealed to the inner surface of the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The claim 1 instrument in which the ambient pressure sensing means includes a port for communication of the ambient pressure gas chamber with an ambient pressure gas source.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |