Conventional SCUBA diving equipment is heavy and cumbersome, mainly due to the mass and size of the breathing gas carrier, i.e. the pressure vessel. A preferred pressure vessel for SCUBA diving can be as light as possible and neutrally buoyant at all stages of the dive. To achieve such preferred characteristics, the pressure vessel volume can be adjusted in accordance with the change in its mass. The present invention provides SCUBA systems that provides for the preferred characteristics.

Conventional SCUBA diving equipment is heavy and cumbersome, mainly due to the mass and size of the breathing gas carrier, i.e. the pressure vessel. A preferred pressure vessel for SCUBA diving can be as light as possible and neutrally buoyant at all stages of the dive. To achieve such preferred characteristics, the pressure vessel volume can be adjusted in accordance with the change in its mass. The present invention provides SCUBA systems that provides for the preferred characteristics.

SCUBA diving equipment is composed of a heavy SCUBA pressure vessel, buoyancy compensation device and a heavy weight system. Together with a constricting exposure suit the current setup makes for a rather cumbersome system. Perfect buoyancy is a term used in SCUBA diving to describe the ability of the diver to maintain its vertical position in the water column. Doing so requires a thorough understanding of the governing physics principles as well as considerable practice time. Together, the cumbersome nature of standard SCUBA systems and the physical and mental requirements of operating said systems underwater are a commercial hurdle, preventing many individuals from entering the sport. The present invention provides systems that can significantly simplify both elements by allowing water to occupy some of the pressure vessel internal volume. Such a pressure vessel can be used as both the breathing gas source as well as a buoyancy control device, reducing or even eliminating the need for additional weights and a separate buoyancy compensation device. Embodiments of the present invention also comprise a control system and one or more sensors to provide an automatic buoyancy system.

SCUBA diving equipment is composed of a heavy SCUBA pressure vessel, buoyancy compensation device and a heavy weight system. Together with a constricting exposure suit the current setup makes for a rather cumbersome system. Perfect buoyancy is a term used in SCUBA diving to describe the ability of the diver to maintain its vertical position in the water column. Doing so requires a thorough understanding of the governing physics principles as well as considerable practice time. Together, the cumbersome nature of standard SCUBA systems and the physical and mental requirements of operating said systems underwater are a commercial hurdle, preventing many individuals from entering the sport. The present invention provides systems that can significantly simplify both elements by allowing water to occupy some of the pressure vessel internal volume. Such a pressure vessel can be used as both the breathing gas source as well as a buoyancy control device, reducing or even eliminating the need for additional weights and a separate buoyancy compensation device. Embodiments of the present invention also comprise a control system and one or more sensors to provide an automatic buoyancy system.

The embodiments shown provide a coupling apparatus and method of use to enable fluid communication between a multi-port mechanical switch and a primary dive regulator. The apparatus includes a grooved portion configured to be releasably attached to a multi-port mechanical switch and a leading edge dimensioned to be releasably secured onto a primary dive regulator. The method includes providing the apparatus with the multi-port mechanical switch and primary dive regulator and compressing or extending onto the first end into the multi-port mechanical switch, and extending a second end onto a primary dive regulator to create a hermetically sealed channel for fluid communication through the apparatus.

Diving equipment includes a compressed air bottle connected to a breathing apparatus and an inflatable jacket via which buoyancy is balanced by the jacket being connected to the compressed air bottle to be inflated or to an outlet to be deflated. A monitoring device is activated via a control valve as a function of surrounding water pressure and has a time monitoring unit which, after the expiry of a defined time and in the absence of breathing activity in the breathing apparatus, changes to emergency operation and activates an emergency valve via a control line connecting the jacket to the compressed air bottle to force inflation of the jacket. Actuation of at least one regulating valve is influenced during a dive by the monitoring device and/or the control valve. In manual activation, the jacket is inflated via the inflation valve, and the compressed air is bled via the outlet valve.

A command and control assembly for inflating and deflating a hydrostatic balancing jacket includes a primary supply duct connected to an end of an air chamber of the jacket and provided, at the opposite end, with a hand piece having a mouthpiece device. A connection socket is provided on the hand piece, which is in fluid communication with a secondary supply duct connected to a compressed air tank, and a pneumatic actuation duct actuates a discharge valve of the jacket, which is in fluid communication with the secondary supply duct. Control systems of the delivery from the secondary duct, of the delivery to the pneumatic actuation duct, and of the delivery from the mouthpiece are arranged on the hand piece.

Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

A mountable Multiple Port Distribution Manifold consisting of a selector knob through which a gas of liquid media may internally flow, between a hollow port at one end and a side port of the rotate-able Shaft within the Manifold. By rotating the Knob/Shaft, the side hole port of the Knob/Shaft assembly may selectively intersect with multiple ports within the Manifold. Said assembly also provides of an “off” position, where no Shaft/Manifold intersection allows port to port connection. The invention may be constructed of any suitable material, natural or synthetic, that is sufficiently strong to withstand the internal pressures of a gas or liquid media routed within.