Method and device for automatic buoyancy compensation for a scuba diver or underwater device while in any orientation

Abstract

A buoyancy compensation device and method for a scuba diver or other underwater object, which decreases buoyancy by actively pumping air from a flexible bladder while the diver or object is in any orientation, said bladder having internally a manifold assembly providing access to pockets of air anywhere within the bladder. In addition, said device and method may be adapted for automatically diving, surfacing, or maintaining a predetermined water depth while the diver or object is in any orientation and while the diver's or object's orientation changes, including a sensor for measuring water depth, one or more control inputs for selecting a depth, and a controller unit that determines descent rate, ascent rate, or maintenance of a selected depth based on monitoring the water depth, the setting of the control inputs, and the diver's or objects previous habits and behavior.

1 . A buoyancy compensating apparatus for achieving a predetermined depth for, or maintaining a depth of, an underwater object independent of the orientation of that object. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus of  claim 1  adapted for use by a human diver. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus of  claim 2  comprising:
 a flexible bladder, said bladder capable of being inflated to various degrees so as to cause said diver to ascend, descend, or remain at the current depth; and 
 a manifold inside said bladder capable of accessing air or other gases anywhere within said bladder regardless of the orientation of said bladder or said diver. 
 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a pump attached to said manifold for removing said air or gases from said bladder. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said pump is motorized. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said pump is actuated by an electronic controller. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said electronic controller also actuates at least one valve for adding air or other gases to said bladder. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus of  claim 1  comprising:
 a flexible bladder, said bladder capable of being inflated to various degrees so as to cause said diver to ascend, descend, or remain at the current depth; 
 a manifold inside said bladder capable of accessing air or other gases anywhere within said bladder regardless of the orientation of said bladder or said diver; 
 a motorized pump attached to said manifold for removing said air or gases from said bladder; 
 a valve for adding air or other gases to said bladder; and 
 an electronic controller capable of actuating said pump and said valve. 
 
     
     
         9 . A device comprising:
 a flexible bladder;   a manifold inside said bladder capable of accessing air or other gases anywhere within said bladder regardless of the orientation of said bladder; and   a pump attached to said manifold for removing said air or said gases from said bladder.   
     
     
         10 . A method for achieving underwater buoyancy compensation for a human diver or device while said diver or said device is in any orientation, comprising:
 adding air or other gases to a flexible bladder from a pressurized source using a valve;   removing said air or gases from said bladder using a pump; and   accessing said air or said gases anywhere within said bladder using a manifold.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , said method further comprising said diver actuating said pump or said valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , said method further comprising an electronic controller actuating said pump and said valve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said buoyancy compensation allows said diver or said device to deviate from a predetermined depth setpoint by an amount which is not fixed or predetermined, but depends upon the previous behavior of said diver or device.