Breathable gas supply apparatus

Abstract

A breathable gas supply apparatus for connecting with a diving face mask or helmet. The gas supply apparatus is connectable with an inlet and outlet of a rebreather or reclaim unit for a first supply of breathable gas for closed-circuit use, and connectable with a second supply of breathable gas for open-circuit use. The apparatus includes: a first valve for sealing or opening supply from the rebreather or reclaim unit; a second valve for opening or sealing supply from the second supply of breathable gas; and a third valve capable of exhausting exhaled gas during open-circuit use and retaining exhaled gas during closed-circuit use. The apparatus is configured such that sealing of the first valve corresponds to opening of the second valve enabling switching between two sources of breathable gas without interruption in supply.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A breathable gas supply apparatus, for connecting with a diving face mask or helmet, the breathable gas supply apparatus being connectable with an inlet and outlet of a rebreather or reclaim unit for a first supply of breathable gas for closed-circuit use, and connectable with a second supply of breathable gas for open-circuit use, wherein, the breathable gas supply apparatus comprises:
 a first valve device for sealing or opening supply from said rebreather or reclaim unit;   a second valve device for opening or sealing supply from said second supply of breathable gas; and   at least part of a third valve device that is configured to exhaust exhaled gas during open-circuit use and retain exhaled gas during closed-circuit use,   wherein, the breathable gas supply apparatus is configured such that sealing of the first valve device corresponds to opening of the second valve device enabling switching between the first and second supplies of breathable gas without interruption in supply.   
     
     
         24 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first valve device is operably connected to the second valve device. 
     
     
         25 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first valve device is operably connected to at least part of the third valve device. 
     
     
         26 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first valve device comprises a linkage for directly contacting the second valve device. 
     
     
         27 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the linkage comprises a connector for acting upon at least part of the third valve device. 
     
     
         28 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the third valve device is an exhaust valve comprising an actuator configured to enable exhausting exhaled gas during open-circuit use and retaining exhaled gas during closed-circuit use. 
     
     
         29 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , further comprising a bias plate that is configured to be operable between first and second conditions: in the first condition, the bias plate is configured to bias the exhaust valve closed for closed-circuit use; and, in the second condition, the bias plate is configured not to hinder operation of the exhaust valve during open-circuit use. 
     
     
         30 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising a connector that acts upon the bias plate to alter a condition of the bias plate from exhausting exhaled gas during open-circuit use to retain exhaled gas during closed-circuit use. 
     
     
         31 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein either the connector and actuator or the bias plate are configured to be manually operable during closed-circuit use so as to manually vent gas and/or liquids. 
     
     
         32 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first valve device comprises:
 a first rebreather valve for sealing or opening an inlet from said rebreather or reclaim unit; and   a second rebreather valve for sealing or opening an outlet/exhaust to said rebreather or reclaim unit.   
     
     
         33 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the first and/or second rebreather valve(s) is/are operably connected to the second and/or at least part of the third valve device. 
     
     
         34 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the first or second rebreather valve is operably connected to the second valve device and at least part of the third valve device and is, thereby, capable of affecting three valves simultaneously. 
     
     
         35 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein one of the two rebreather valves comprises a linkage for operating both the first rebreather valve and the second valve device simultaneously, so as to close the connection to or from said rebreather or reclaim unit and open supply from said second supply of breathable gas. 
     
     
         36 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the linkage is operably connected to an actuator of the third valve device, so as to affect the third valve device simultaneously. 
     
     
         37 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the breathable gas supply apparatus further comprises an oronasal mask comprising one or more passageways connectable with said rebreather or reclaim unit for directly supplying gas to or directly exiting gas from the oronasal mask. 
     
     
         38 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the oronasal mask comprises two separate passageways, one passageway of the two separate passageways for supplying breathable gas from said rebreather or reclaim unit, the other passageway of the two separate passageways for directing exhaled gas to said rebreather or reclaim unit. 
     
     
         39 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the oronasal mask further comprises: one or more one-way valves for supplying breathable gas from said second supply of breathable gas via a screen region of said diving face mask or helmet; and an exhaust valve. 
     
     
         40 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first valve device is configured to be connectable to an auxiliary port of said diving face mask or helmet. 
     
     
         41 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein said first and second rebreather valves are configured to be located at one or more side regions of said diving face mask or helmet to reduce torque in use. 
     
     
         42 . The breathable gas supply apparatus as claimed in  claim 23  further comprising a surface air valve, communications apparatus and/or drinking/feeding apparatus. 
     
     
         43 . A diving face mask or helmet comprising the breathable gas supply apparatus according to  claim 23 . 
     
     
         44 . The diving face mask or helmet as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the first, second or third valve devices are located at one or more side regions of said diving face mask or helmet to reduce torque in use.