scuba project development

[johnb]

To those of you who gave me a hand in getting my project off the ground ive unploaded 3 concept pictures of potential manifold covers.
http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/515/801concept1-thumb.jpg (http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/515/801concept1.jpg)
http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/515/801concept2-thumb.jpg (http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/515/801concept2.jpg)
http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/515/801concept_3-thumb.jpg (http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/515/801concept_3.jpg)
If youve got a second could you take a look the concepts and give me your opinion. They are only very initial ideas but i'd like to hear what you think. Feel free to rip them to pieces if you don't like them.

Thanks again

John

[curtschu]

I like the disposable breakaway idea if you can make it that it will not break away if force is applied in a downward direction, as that would be useless. It would break away on an impact but would go in an upward pull. This would accomplish two things. 1 you could manually do it or if the line or something gets caught it should break away.

The sliding idea has merit but you would need to maybe make the mechanism spring loaded and open with a small button or lever under the front lip or something. That handle would just be an entanglement.

Good Start

[Tegg]

Just wondering how many lives this product would save? I think you're resolving a problem that doesn't really exist...

Other then that, it's coming along nicely...

[Caver95]

Just wondering how many lives this product would save? I think you're resolving a problem that doesn't really exist...

Other then that, it's coming along nicely...
I think your on to something, forget protecting the valves, idea 3 the ejectable one, you should change it to little torpedos that you could shoot at guys that cut you off on their long body gavins in ginnie.

[Tegg]

I think your on to something, forget protecting the valves, idea 3 the ejectable one, you should change it to little torpedos that you could shoot at guys that cut you off on their long body gavins in ginnie.

Now that is a good idea!

I'd like to see barrels for the spears on the sides of tanks that we could activate easily...

The scooters in ginnie arent that bad, its the ones that try to barrel through the serpentine tunnel at LR that are the ones that need these.... :wink:

[NitroxWarrior]

I think that is a prety cool design. You would need to keep it extra simple for us technical guys, the pull handle design could cause problems.

I would suggest fully coving the front of the valves but leaving the sides exposed so you can access the valves quickly. and you need to make a double wide version for doubles.

also, it would need to made out of aluminum or something, plastic would break if you hit it on something and that defeats the purpose of the guard.

[Tegg]

Isn't there already a "cobra guards" invention in existance that allows for easy reach of the valves while "protecting them"?

[DeWayne]

I'm envisioning the potential for an entanglement hazard, especially with the handle protruding from the side of the tank. #3 might work with the break away, but would need to ensure that what remains would not be an entanglement point.

[Dave Lizdas]

we often check our valves every dive before entering overhead. if it breaks away every time you reach back and give it a turn or two thats not good.

mabe it can flex up without breaking off? You have the curve shape there, it can be used as a spring to put it back into position, kinda like how a tape measure springs back after you bend it.

nice streamlined shape.

[Dave Lizdas]

DOH! thats your concept 1 I was talking about! I shouldnt post in a hurry at work! Sorry man.

[johnb]

Thanks again for your input,

i'll probably be back with more development soon!

[jammer]

Hey John how about one that caps over the tank and valves to protect them with a cut out in them big enough to get hand in to isolate if there is a problem. I have been working on the idea for sometime now and I think it would work. wouldnt have any problems with line entrapment and would protect you valves from ceiling and roll off. I could draw you my concept and email it to you if you like. Just a thought I don't know if you like the idea or not but I think it would work.

:?: Jammer

[Dave]

Feel free to rip them to pieces if you don't like them.

Im going be completely honest here, because I am(was) a design engineer and appreciate constructive criticism.
I think you are looking at a component that is simply not required.
Cobra guards were popular with a few people years ago, however, as our skills and techniques improved, we no longer needed them. Anything you add to a tank just adds complexity to a simple system. What if it fails, what if it bends and restricts access, what if it gets entangled, what if it breaks away and gets left behind. How often are damaged valves an issue, how many accidents have occurred as a result of damaged valves. Does the current configuration have a weakness? These are all the things you need to consider, and if you have a solution to all of them (and many more), then you have a project worth perusing.
I dont mean to rain on your parade, I commend you for at least looking into it, innovation is tough, and someone has to do it.
Best of luck with this and any other projects.

Dave

[Dave Lizdas]

Dave's right. Adding stuff back there increases the chance for entanglement - not only for guidelines, but for the long hose as well.

Saturday I was passing the deco time in the Ear by working those manifold valves and doing S-drills (donate the long hose regulator in your mouth for air share thing.) My long hose got caught up in the valves and hoses back there behind my neck. Its supposed to deploy in a flash like it always does. NOT smooth. Unacceptable. So I'll watch how I wrap it around my neck and body to prevent that, especially in water. I can see a long hose getting hung up on a manifold guard.

Of course, since this is an engineering school project, it's all good as long as you learn stuff.