Development of a Heater-Pump to Protect a Diver in Cold Water.

摘要

In an effort to provide a means of keeping a diver warm in a cold environment for a useful period of time, a series of five heater-pumps was progressively developed. They circulated heated water through a Welson tubing suit,worn under a neoprene wet suit. In each unit the hot water was produced in a boiler with a 750watt electric immersion heater and pumped in a closed system through the suit. With efficiencies of about 85percent,diver comfort was maintained in a 4degrees C water. The heater-pumps were designed to operate on 24volts at a depth of 600feet. They were diver tested in an open tank and with simulated loads,recording temperatures and flow rates. The results with these prototype units indicated the feasibility of a low-cost,successful,heater pump for either battery or for umbilical cable operation. (Author)