Tech Diving

[Pauli]

I am looking for some input from some experienced technical divers.
Part of my grad school project will be a technical innovation.
We decided to develop a mixing manifold that connects an Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Helium tank. A computer program will mix the blend that is predetermined into the software.
The idea is that this would eliminate the need to premix all tanks.
Based on the depth gauge read out the computer can then switch the mixes based on depth. The final decompression stops would be with regularly stage oxygen or other mixes based on a divers preference.
Maybe any of you can give me some input if this is a brainfart or something worth pursuing.
Thanks
Paul

 

[RDP]

Your project sounds interesting. I believe most of the technical guys out there will not want to rely on a computer for this sort of thing. Redundancy? What happens when the computer or software goes wrong? The diver would have to take premixed bottles for bailout. With all the equipment that would be required to safely dive this type of setup, it would seem much easier to use a rebreather.

I don't want to discourage you from your project. This is just my opinion.

 

[jonnythan]

Why bother with three tanks? Just use the O2 and He.. would make everything far simpler, don't you think?

The most important thing to think about is probably failure modes. If something breaks, does it immediately kill the diver? Does it give a warning? Does it blow up?

 

[simbrooks]

Moved to general tek discussions as its not an intro post. No idea on that kind of gear.

 

[mwpowell]

I wish my graduate research had been this interesting. Is your project for OC or CCR? How does your idea differ from what the CCR folks are doing?

Good luck,

Mike

 

[Bobby]

I am looking for some input from some experienced technical divers.
Part of my grad school project will be a technical innovation.
We decided to develop a mixing manifold that connects an Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Helium tank. A computer program will mix the blend that is predetermined into the software.
The idea is that this would eliminate the need to premix all tanks.
Based on the depth gauge read out the computer can then switch the mixes based on depth. The final decompression stops would be with regularly stage oxygen or other mixes based on a divers preference.
Maybe any of you can give me some input if this is a brainfart or something worth pursuing.
Thanks
Paul

There are some units on the market that use a three bottle mix (CCR2000) Though they do not use N2 they use air, O2, & Diluent which is a mix of your bottom mix IE lowest O2 need & highest HE need. Your idea has merit since it removes all of the Premix issues. The place that I think you would have a problem is with knowing the partial preassure of the N2 at different depths. By adding N2 you would then need sensors and alarms for when your N2 was too high or low same as you have now for O2. This adds a lot to an already bulky system. In theory a good idea but in application the cost and bulk make premix of diluent much better & easier. Most of the rebreathers out there use only two cylinders O2 & diluent. I usually go with a 10/50 diluent for deep dives and air for shallow dives unless I am going to spend a long time say 1.5 or more hours at an odd depth such as 240 ft. Since I sold my rebreather and at the present only have OC this is all for not. Geeze now I am missing my RB, thanks a lot

Bobby

 

[opiniongirl]

Sounds interesting, but there are some missing links that would need to be filled in - is this something that would be marketable, or does it just have to work? I might suggest that you grab a coffee with a tech instructor in your area and detail a bit more of your objective, diving knowledge (this is crucial if the system would be used), etc, etc.

Good luck - but if it dosen't work out....how about designing a pee-valve for women?

 

[trob09]

Interesting, A few questions are in order, though

1. Is your project OC or CC? If OC how will you account for the varying needs of gasses for extended range? If CC, how would this differ from the existing ECCR samples out there.

2. What would be the purpose of using Nitrogen? Or more specifically, why Nitrogen and Helium?

3. What bail-out options would you incorporate and how would those be separated from the dynamic mixing manifold? How would that vary from OC to CC?

4. How do you plan to measure and verify the FO2, FN and FHe?

Tim

 

[jonnythan]

I don't think he mentioned rebreather at all... simply a device that will take O2, He, and N and create a "best mix" trimix on the fly given your current depth.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Closed circuit rebreathers essentially already do what you describe by having a computer control the PPO2 from an O2 bottle and a diluent bottle.

Just buy an inspiration and turn it in.