Diver Escape Capsule

The capsule described in this paper is developed to accommodate one man and to be self-contained, collapsible and pneumatically operated. It is composed of two steel pressure heads and a high strength fabric shell. When a need to use it arises, it is opened by inflating a torus tube inside the upper head. After the diver steps inside, the fabric shell is pulled up to close the capsule. Water is then partially removed by blowing air from two scuba tanks located in the lower head. The capsule becomes buoyant and carries the diver to the surface under pressure. A novel self-adjusting relief valve is used to automatically maintain the pressure inside the capsule equal to the pressure at the original depth. The collapsed capsule can be stored at work stations and is capable of rescuing a diver in distress and support-porting him for forty-five minutes.