Second exhaust valve for a second stage regulator

Abstract

A second stage regulator and a method providing a second stage regulator that is adapted for use in both warm and cold water conditions are disclosed. The second stage regulator includes a base, a first exhaust and a second exhaust that is adapted to be removably coupled to the base so that the second exhaust valve is positioned in series with the first exhaust valve. The method comprises providing a second stage regulator base module and a second exhaust valve module, wherein the second stage regulator base module includes a first exhaust valve and the second exhaust valve module includes a second exhaust valve. The method also comprises removably coupling the second exhaust valve module to the second stage regulator base module, and configuring the second stage regulator base module to be functional without having the second exhaust valve module coupled to the second stage regulator base module.

1 . A second stage regulator for use with a pressurized air source and a first stage regulator, the second stage regulator comprising: 
 a base having a housing, a first exhaust valve and a first interface;    a second exhaust valve having a second interface;    wherein the second exhaust valve is adapted to be removably coupled to the base in a manner that positions the second exhaust valve in series with the first exhaust valve, and the second interface detachably engages the first interface.    
   
   
       2 . The second stage regulator of  claim 1  wherein a user may optionally operate the base without the second exhaust valve.  
   
   
       3 . The second stage regulator of  claim 2  wherein the first exhaust valve includes a flapper valve and an open support member.  
   
   
       4 . The second stage regulator of  claim 3  wherein the open support member is an exhaust spider having a hub and spoke configuration adapted to support the flapper valve while allowing exhaled gas to pass through the exhaust spider.  
   
   
       5 . The second stage regulator of  claim 1  wherein the secondary exhaust valve includes a flapper valve and an open support member.  
   
   
       6 . The second stage regulator of  claim 5  wherein the open support member is an exhaust spider having a hub and spoke configuration adapted to support the flapper valve while allowing exhaled gas to pass through the exhaust spider.  
   
   
       7 . The second stage regulator of  claim 5  wherein the second exhaust valve further includes a body defining an exhaust chamber having a first end and a second opposite end.  
   
   
       8 . The second stage regulator of  claim 7  wherein the second interface is located at the first end of the exhaust chamber and the open support member is coupled to the second end of the exhaust chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The second stage regulator of  claim 8  wherein the body defining the exhaust chamber is dimensioned so that the second exhaust valve does not restrict the operation of the first exhaust valve.  
   
   
       10 . The second stage regulator of  claim 9  wherein the exhaust chamber is substantially a dry chamber including at least one seal positioned near the second interface.  
   
   
       11 . The second stage regulator of  claim 1  wherein the base further includes a body defining an exhaust chamber having a first end and a second opposite end.  
   
   
       12 . The second stage regulator of  claim 11  wherein the first end of the exhaust chamber is coupled near the first exhaust valve and the first interface is located at the second end of the exhaust chamber for coupling to the second exhaust valve.  
   
   
       13 . The second stage regulator of  claim 12  wherein the body defining the exhaust chamber is dimensioned so that the second exhaust valve does not restrict the operation of the first exhaust valve.  
   
   
       14 . The second stage regulator of  claim 13  wherein the exhaust chamber is substantially a dry chamber including at least one seal positioned near the first interface.  
   
   
       15 . A second stage module for use with a second stage regulator having a first exhaust valve, the second stage module comprising: 
 a housing;    a second exhaust valve coupled to the housing and configured to operate between a closed position and an open position for releasing gas to the environment; and    an interface on the housing configured to releasably couple the housing to the second stage regulator.    
   
   
       16 . The second stage module of  claim 15  wherein the body has an interior defining an exhaust chamber.  
   
   
       17 . The second stage module of  claim 16  wherein the exhaust valve includes a flapper valve and an open support member.  
   
   
       18 . The second stage module of  claim 17  wherein the open support member is an exhaust spider having a hub and spoke configuration adapted to support the flapper valve while allowing exhaled gas to pass through the exhaust spider.  
   
   
       19 . A method of providing a second stage regulator that is adapted for use in both warm and cold water conditions, the method comprising: 
 providing a second stage regulator base module and a second exhaust valve module, wherein the second stage regulator base module includes a first exhaust valve and the second exhaust valve module includes a second exhaust valve;    removably coupling the second exhaust valve module to the second stage regulator base module; and    configuring the second stage regulator base module to be functional without having the second exhaust valve module coupled to the second stage regulator base module.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the second exhaust valve module is removably coupled in series with the first exhaust valve of the second stage regulator base module.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the second stage regulator may be configured to be used without the second exhaust valve module in warm water conditions, and is adaptable to be used with the second stage exhaust valve module in cold water conditions.  
   
   
       22 . A modular second stage regulator system adapted for use in both a warm ambient environment and a cold ambient environment, the system comprising: 
 a second stage regulator base module including: 
 a housing having an interior defining a regulator chamber; the regulator chamber communicating with a pressurized gas source, the ambient environment and the respiratory system of a user;  
 a valve assembly for delivering air from the pressurized air source to the user at a breathable pressure;  
 a first exhaust valve separating the regulator chamber from the ambient environment; and  
 a first module interface; and  
   a second exhaust valve module including: 
 a body defining an exhaust chamber having a first end and a second opposite end;  
 a second exhaust valve coupled to the second end of the exhaust chamber; and  
 a second module interface for mating with the first module interface of the second stage regulator base module to provide releasable coupling of the second exhaust valve in series with the first exhaust valve.