System of controlling buoyancy compensation devices

Abstract

The present disclosure could generally provide a system of controlling buoyancy compensation devices (BCDs) used in diving. The system could include an actuator to direct exhaled air from the mouthpiece to the ambient environment when the actuator is in a disengaged position and to direct exhaled air to a BCD when the actuator is in an engaged position. The system could also include a poppet valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the buoyancy compensation device and configured to restrict air from the buoyancy compensation device to enter the mouthpiece. The system could further include the use of quick connect connectors to easily retrofit existing diving equipment.

1 . A system comprising:
 a mouthpiece connected to a compressed air source; and   an actuator, when in a first position, directs exhaled air from the mouthpiece to an ambient environment and, when in a second position, directs the exhaled air from the mouthpiece to a buoyancy compensation device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the actuator is in the second position, the exhaled air from the mouthpiece inflates the buoyancy compensation device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a poppet valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the buoyancy compensation device. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the poppet valve restricts air from the buoyancy compensation device from entering the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressed air source comprises a second stage regulator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an outlet proximate to the mouthpiece to direct the exhaled air to the ambient environment. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an elongated body proximate to a passageway associated with the buoyancy compensation device. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the elongated body is proximate to an orifice associated with the compressed air source. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a connector disposed between the mouthpiece and the buoyancy compensation device. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a connector disposed between the mouthpiece and the compressed air source. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an auxiliary apparatus having an auxiliary mouthpiece connected to the buoyancy compensation device and an auxiliary actuator. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the auxiliary actuator directs compressed air from the compressed air course to the buoyancy compensation device when the auxiliary actuator is in an engaged position. 
     
     
         13 . A diving apparatus comprising:
 a mouthpiece connectable to a second stage regulator and a buoyancy compensation device;   an actuator to direct exhaled air from the mouthpiece to the ambient environment when the actuator is in a disengaged position and to direct exhaled air to inflate the buoyancy compensation device when the actuator is in an engaged position; and   a one-way valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the buoyancy compensation device, wherein the one-way valve restricts air from the buoyancy compensation device from entering the mouthpiece.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising:
 an outlet proximate to the mouthpiece to direct the exhaled air to the ambient environment. 
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the actuator comprises an elongated body proximate to a passageway associated with the buoyancy compensation device and proximate to an orifice associated with the second stage regulator. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the actuator further comprises a diverter mechanism within the elongated body. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a connector disposed between the mouthpiece and the second stage regulator, the connector having at least one of a quick connect connector, a universal connector, an air transfer coupling, and a compression coupling. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising:
 an auxiliary apparatus having an auxiliary mouthpiece connected to the buoyancy compensation device and an auxiliary actuator. 
 
     
     
         19 . A self contained underwater breathing apparatus comprising:
 a first quick connect connector disposed between a mouthpiece and a second stage regulator;   an actuator to direct exhaled air from the mouthpiece to the ambient environment when the actuator is in a disengaged position and to direct exhaled air to a buoyancy compensation device when the actuator is in an engaged position, the actuator having an elongated body proximate to a passageway associated with the buoyancy compensation device and proximate to an orifice associated with the second stage regulator and a diverter mechanism within the elongated body;   a one-way valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the buoyancy compensation device and configured to restrict air from the buoyancy compensation device from entering the mouthpiece; and   a second quick connect connector disposed between the mouthpiece and the buoyancy compensation device.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising:
 an auxiliary apparatus having an auxiliary mouthpiece connected to the buoyancy compensation device and an auxiliary actuator, 
 wherein the auxiliary actuator directs exhaled air from a compressed air source to the buoyancy compensation device when the auxiliary actuator is in an engaged position.