Tech Diving

[trob09]

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.

No, he didn't mention rebreather. But the question is valid still. Let's say it's OC..How would one deal with the array of tanks required? You'd have 3 manifolded together (probably 80cf to achieve deeper depths), a bail-out for MOD (which would need to be blended) and deco gasses (which would also need to be blended - save the O2) That's a lot of tanks. With CCR, those tanks could be smaller and more manageable. But then how does it differ from existing CCR's other than having pure gasses instead of O2 and Dilutent?

Still, the question I am curious about is the bail-out. You'd still need to blend for that in OC or CC, so what's the point...


T

 

[matt_unique]

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

I'm an entry level technical diver (as a preface). What you described is already accomplished with a rebreather. Did you have a specific goal with this project? It would certainly be an interesting topic for a project but from what you described I don't see a benefit to available scuba technology.

--Matt

 

[Bobby]

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

Now that would be a money maker if someone could make it as simple as the male version!!! I know enough women that would buy it to make it profitable.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The idea is overly complex using 3 gases. Nitrogen comes free in air (78% more or less), so it does not make sense to add the compelxity and expense of bringing a separate supply of nitrogen. It would make more sense to use a tank of some percentage of nitrox (basically a mix of O2 and air to boost the total % of O2) for the O2 and nitrogen and a tank of helium and forget a third gas.

By the time you are done, and given the generally small market, the unit cost would be close to or even exceed the price of a rebreather with similar capability. Your approach would be open circuit and would eliminate the need for a CO2 scrubber, but on the other hand a rebreather is either semi closed or closed circuit and would use uses a lot less helium which in the end would save a lot of money over using your gas mixing open circuit system.

An affordable low maintence closed circuit rebreather would be a welcome addition - and a real engineering challenge since "rebreather" and terms like "affordable" and "low maintainence" are pretty much mutually exclusive.