Patent US3961626A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3961626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hyperbaric and underwater extrathorasic assisted breathing method and apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-04-18
•
Granted: 1976-06-08
•
Expires: 1995-04-18
Abstract
Abstract An assist for divers breathing a dense gas mixture reduces the fatigue otherwise caused by inspiring and expiring the dense mixture. A respiratory assist cuirasse is fitted to cover the upper abdomen and lower rib cage. The cuirasse has an outer semirigid shell and a flexible bladder inside connected to a pump module which creates positive and negative pressures inside of the covered area to assist normal breathing. A control module and sensors respond to humidity, temperature, or pressure variations in the breathing mixture and breathing apparatus to actuate the pump module. While normal breathing is being facilitated and augmented, there is a greater pulmonary flow and resultant increase in the oxygenation of the blood due to the negative pressure created by the respirator assist cuirasse. As a consequence, a diver will be able to more efficiently perform the demanding tasks during periods of heavy exertion in the cold water.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Houchen
- 👤 Irving Rehman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:12
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/22; A; A61; A61H; A61H31/00; A61H31/02; A62; A62B; A62B7/00; A61H2031/025; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/01; A61H2201/0115; A61H2201/12; A61H2201/1238; A61H2201/1246; A61H2201/16; A61H2201/1602; A61H2201/165; A61H2201/50; A61H2201/5058; A61H2201/5082; A61H2230/00; A61H2230/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In an underwater breathing system adapted to be carried by a diver including means for delivering a dense gas mixture from said underwater breathing system to the diver, the improvement comprising: means for assisting the breathing of said dense gas mixture said assisting means including means for fitting over the upper abdomen and lower rib cage; means positioned in the dense gas mixture flow of the diver's underwater breathing system for sensing normal inhalation and exhalation to provide representative signals thereof; means for fluidly coupling the fitting means to a source of fluid; and means responsive to said signals generated by said sensing means for pumping said source of fluid into the fitting means to create a positive pressure therein when said sensing means transmits an exhalation signal representative of normal exhalation and for pumping fluid out of the fitting means to create a negative pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an inhalation signal representative of normal inhalation thereby aiding in the breathing of the dense gas mixture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In an underwater breathing system adapted to be carried by a diver including means for delivering a dense gas mixture from said underwater breathing system to the diver, the improvement comprising: means for assisting the breathing of said dense gas mixture said assisting means including means for fitting over the upper abdomen and lower rib cage; means positioned in the dense gas mixture flow of the diver's underwater breathing system for sensing normal inhalation and exhalation to provide representative signals thereof; means for fluidly coupling the fitting means to a source of fluid; and means responsive to said signals generated by said sensing means for pumping said source of fluid into the fitting means to create a positive pressure therein when said sensing means transmits an exhalation signal representative of normal exhalation and for pumping fluid out of the fitting means to create a negative pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an inhalation signal representative of normal inhalation thereby aiding in the breathing of the dense gas mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the fitting means is a cuirasse shaped to fit over the upper abdomen and lower rib cage which includes, a semirigid outer shell having an arc shaped cross-sectional configuration and a flexible bladder carried inside the semirigid outer shell being connected to the pumping means by the fluidly coupling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 further including: means carried by the diver for controlling the magnitude and rate of fluid transfer by the pumping means to accommodate increased and decreased breathing demands.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which the pumping means includes, a control module carried by the diver and coupled to the sensing means, and a pump module carried by the diver and coupled to the control module andd to the flexible bladder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which the control module includes first and second means for ensuring the creation of said negative pressure upon the receipt of an inhalation signal and said positive pressure upon the receipt of an exhalation signal to the degree and rate preset by the controlling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 in which the first and second ensuring means include a first and second means for inhibiting the creation of said negative pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said positive pressure and for inhibiting the creation of said positive pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said negative pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the pump module includes a motor driven pump coupled to feed pressurized fluid to a cylinder containing a piston capable of reciprocal displacement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the pump module includes a bidirectional pump coupled to feed pressurized fluid to and from the flexible bladder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the control module includes a first and a second means for providing a first signal and a second signal when said negative pressure and positive pressure reach a predetermined magnitude, the first and second signals are transmitted to stop the bidirectional pump.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 in which the control means further includes a flow meter interposed between the bidirectional pump and the flexible bladder to provide generated signals to the first and second providing means to enable their production of the first and second signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 in which the first and second providing means are two pairs of integrator voltage comparator combinations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 in which the voltage comparators have variable thresholds to allow for the variation of the magnitude of the breathing assist.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 in which the controlling means includes at least one constrictor mounted adjacent the flow meter for controlling the flow rate of pressurized fluid to and from the bidirectional pump.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 further including: a reservoir of recyclable pressurized fluid connected to feed and receive fluid to the bidirectional pumps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 in which the pressurized fluid is water drawn in from and vented to the surroundings.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
326 words
An apparatus for assisting the breathing of a diver carrying an underwater breathing system comprising: a curirasse shaped to fit over the upper abdomen and lower rib cage which includes, a semirigid outer shell having an arc-shaped crosssectional configuration and a flexible bladder carried inside the semirigid shell; means adapted to the positioned in the diver's underwater breathing system for sensing normal inhalation and exhalation to provide representative signals thereof; means for fluidly coupling the flexible bladder to a source of fluid; means responsive to said signals generated by said sensing means for pumping said source of fluid into the cuirasse to create a positive pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an exhalation signal representative of normal exhalation and for pumping fluid out of the cuirasse to create a negative pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an inhalation signal representative of normal inhalation, the pumping means includes, a control module coupled to the sensing means having first and second means for ensuring the creation of said negative pressure upon the receipt of an inhalation signal and said positive pressure upon the receipt of an exhalation signal and a pump module coupled to the control module and to the flexible bladder, the first and second ensuring means include a first and a second means for inhibiting the creation of said negative pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said negative pressure, the pump module includes a motor driven pump coupled to feed pressurized fluid to a cylinder containing a piston capable of recriprocal displacement, the piston is provided with means for mechanically engaging the first and second ensuring means at a forward position and at a rearward position of the displacement of the piston to mark the limits of the creation of said negative pressure and said positive pressure; and means for controlling the magnitude and rate of fluid transfer by the pumping means to accommodate increased and decreased breathing demands.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
326 words
An apparatus for assisting the breathing of a diver carrying an underwater breathing system comprising: a curirasse shaped to fit over the upper abdomen and lower rib cage which includes, a semirigid outer shell having an arc-shaped crosssectional configuration and a flexible bladder carried inside the semirigid shell; means adapted to the positioned in the diver's underwater breathing system for sensing normal inhalation and exhalation to provide representative signals thereof; means for fluidly coupling the flexible bladder to a source of fluid; means responsive to said signals generated by said sensing means for pumping said source of fluid into the cuirasse to create a positive pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an exhalation signal representative of normal exhalation and for pumping fluid out of the cuirasse to create a negative pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an inhalation signal representative of normal inhalation, the pumping means includes, a control module coupled to the sensing means having first and second means for ensuring the creation of said negative pressure upon the receipt of an inhalation signal and said positive pressure upon the receipt of an exhalation signal and a pump module coupled to the control module and to the flexible bladder, the first and second ensuring means include a first and a second means for inhibiting the creation of said negative pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said negative pressure, the pump module includes a motor driven pump coupled to feed pressurized fluid to a cylinder containing a piston capable of recriprocal displacement, the piston is provided with means for mechanically engaging the first and second ensuring means at a forward position and at a rearward position of the displacement of the piston to mark the limits of the creation of said negative pressure and said positive pressure; and means for controlling the magnitude and rate of fluid transfer by the pumping means to accommodate increased and decreased breathing demands.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 in which the motor driven pump impells a one way flow of pressurized fluid to the cylinder and the pump module further includes: an inlet valve interposed between the motor driven pump and the cylinder and being electrically coupled to the first ensuring means to allow the flow of the pressurized fluid when the inhalation signal is received and an outlet valve connected to the cylinder and electrically coupled to the second ensuring means to allow the venting of pressurized fluid in the cylinder when the exhalation signal is received.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 further including: a spring biasing the piston to the rearward position where said negative pressure is fed to the flexible bladder, when the inlet valve is opened and pressurized fluid fills the cylinder, the biasing force of the spring is overcome and the piston moves to the forward position to feed said positive pressure to the flexible bladder, when the outlet valve is opened, the pressurized fluid in the cylinder is vented and the biasing force of the spring is sufficient to return the piston to its rearward position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 in which the controlling means includes a separate adjustable constrictor mounted adjacent the inlet valve and the outlet valve for controlling the flow rate of the pressurized fluid to and from the cylinder and the controlling means further includes a spring biased return position sensor having a chain connected to the piston to limit the displacement of the piston.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 in which the motor driven pump, first ensuring means and second ensuring means are mounted inside the cylinder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 further including: a reservoir of recyclable, pressurized fluid connected to feed pressurized fluid to the motor driven pump and to receive pressurized fluid from the outlet valve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 in which the pressurized fluid is water drawn in from and vented to the surroundings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected humidity sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected pressure differential sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected temperature sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 further including: a spring biasing the piston to the forward position where said positive pressure is fed to the flexible bladder, when the inlet valve is opened and pressurized fluid fills the cylinder, the biasing force of the spring is overcome and the piston moves to the rearward position to feed said negative pressure to the flexible bladder, when the outlet valve is opened, the pressurized fluid in the cylinder is vented and the biasing force of the spring is sufficient to return the piston to its forward position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 26 in which the controlling means includes a separate adjustable constrictor mounted adjacent the inlet valve and the outlet valve for controlling the flow rate of the pressurized fluid to and from the cylinder and the mechanical engaging means limits the magnitude of the displacement of the piston.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 further including: a reservoir of recyclable, pressurized fluid connected to feed pressurized fluid to the motor driven pump and to receive pressurized fluid from the outlet valve.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 in which the pressurized fluid is water drawn in from and vented to the surroundings.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected humidity sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected pressure differential sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected temperature sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 in which the motor driven pump impells a bidirectional flow of pressurized fluid to the cylinder when the first ensuring means transmits the inhalation signal and from the cylinder when the second ensuring means transmits the exhalation signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus according to claim 33 further including: a spring biasing the piston to the rearward position where said negative pressure is fed to the flexible bladder, when the bidirectional pump impells pressurized fluid into the cylinder, the biasing force of the spring is overcome and the piston moves to the forward position to feed said positive pressure to the flexible bladder, when the bidirectional pump reverses the direction of flow, pressurized fluid is evacuated from the cylinder and the biasing force of the spring is sufficient to return the piston to its rearward position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 34 in which the controlling means includes a separate adjustable constrictor mounted on the bidirectional pump for controlling the flow rate of the pressurized fluid to and from the cylinder and the controlling means further includes a spring biased return position sensor having a chain connected to the piston to limit the magnitude of displacement of the piston.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 35 further including: a reservoir of recyclable, pressurized fluid connected to feed pressurized fluid to the motor driven pump and to receive pressurized fluid from the outlet valve.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 in which the pressurized fluid is water drawn in from and vented to the surroundings.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected humidity sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected pressure differential sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected temperature sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
349 words
An apparatus for assisting the breathing of a diver carrying an underwater breathing system comprising: a curirasse shaped to fit over the upper abdomen and lower rib cage which includes, a semirigid outer shell having an arc-shaped cross-sectional configuration and a flexible bladder carried inside the semirigid outer shell; means adapted to be positioned in the diver's underwater breathing system for sensing normal inhalation and exhalation to provide representative signals thereof; means for fluidly coupling the flexible bladder to a source of fluid; means responsive to signals generated by said sensing means for pumping said source of fluid into the cuirasse to create a positive pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an exhalation signal representative of normal exhalation and for pumping fluid out of the cuirasse to create a negative pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an inhalation signal representative of normal inhalation, the pumping means includes, a control module coupled to the sensing means having first and second means for ensuring the creation of said negative pressure upon the receipt of an inhalation signal and said positive pressure upon the receipt of an exhalation signal and a pump module coupled to the control module and to the flexible bladder, the first and second ensuring means includes a first and a second means for inhibiting the creation of said negative pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said positive pressure and for inhibiting the creation of said positive pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said negative pressure, the pump module includes a motor driven pump coupled to feed pressurized fluid to a cylinder containing a piston capable of reciprocal displacement, the piston is provided with a means for magnetically engaging the first and second ensuring means at a forward position and at a rearward position of the displacement of the piston to mark the limits of the creation of said negative pressure and said positive pressure; and means for controlling the magnitude and rate of fluid transfer by the pumping means to accommodate increased and decreased breathing demands.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
349 words
An apparatus for assisting the breathing of a diver carrying an underwater breathing system comprising: a curirasse shaped to fit over the upper abdomen and lower rib cage which includes, a semirigid outer shell having an arc-shaped cross-sectional configuration and a flexible bladder carried inside the semirigid outer shell; means adapted to be positioned in the diver's underwater breathing system for sensing normal inhalation and exhalation to provide representative signals thereof; means for fluidly coupling the flexible bladder to a source of fluid; means responsive to signals generated by said sensing means for pumping said source of fluid into the cuirasse to create a positive pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an exhalation signal representative of normal exhalation and for pumping fluid out of the cuirasse to create a negative pressure therein when the sensing means transmits an inhalation signal representative of normal inhalation, the pumping means includes, a control module coupled to the sensing means having first and second means for ensuring the creation of said negative pressure upon the receipt of an inhalation signal and said positive pressure upon the receipt of an exhalation signal and a pump module coupled to the control module and to the flexible bladder, the first and second ensuring means includes a first and a second means for inhibiting the creation of said negative pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said positive pressure and for inhibiting the creation of said positive pressure while the pump module is in the process of creating said negative pressure, the pump module includes a motor driven pump coupled to feed pressurized fluid to a cylinder containing a piston capable of reciprocal displacement, the piston is provided with a means for magnetically engaging the first and second ensuring means at a forward position and at a rearward position of the displacement of the piston to mark the limits of the creation of said negative pressure and said positive pressure; and means for controlling the magnitude and rate of fluid transfer by the pumping means to accommodate increased and decreased breathing demands.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 41 in which the motor driven pump impells a bidirectional flow of pressurized fluid to the cylinder when the first ensuring means transmits the inhalation signal and from the cylinder when the second ensuring means transmits the exhalation signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 42 in which the controlling means includes a separate adjustable constrictor mounted on the bidirectional pump for controlling the flow rate of the pressurized fluid to and from the cylinder and the controlling means further includes a pair of latching reed relays positioned to limit the magnitude of displacement of the piston.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 further including: a reservoir of recyclable pressurized fluid connected to feed pressurized fluid to the motor driven pump and to receive pressurized fluid from the outlet valve.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 in which the pressurized fluid is water drawn in from and vented to the surroundings.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected humidity sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected pressure differential sensor located in the face mask.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 in which the sensing means is a suitably connected temperature sensor located in the face mask.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3033195A
Cited
US3078842A
Cited
US3333581A
Cited
US3537450A
Cited
US3683655A
Cited
US3905362A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |