It interesting that we are talking about regulator position on this thread. Well with the new flow diverter I can now adjust the venturi flow very high, which in turns makes regulator positioning a bit less critical. I still have to initiate the flow, but the venturi clearly takes over and delivers air flow while I am inhaling. The diverter directs the flow towards the divers mouth and doesn’t allow any wasted air to bypass and go out the exhaust.
In the picture above, Allan was using a reproduction vintage-style mouthpiece that doesn’t allow to adjust the venturi too aggressively. With a strong venturi, that mouthpiece would allow air to just flow out the exhaust. In any case, in that picture he was trying his old Phoenix with the traditional metal can. The metal can with the rectangular horn base does not allow as strong of a venturi flow as it can be adjusted with the Argonaut can.
I sent Dr Ed several pictures I took of him when he was trying my spare Argonaut with the new DSV. He immediately noticed that he could improve his regulator position and he email me back (we have been emailing back and forth). Ed is a very smooth diver and this will be a very small adjustment for him.
Well, even with this position handicap, he was so impressed with the performance that he ordered a new Argonaut the next day.
Position is always important with a DH regulator, but we have taken one significant step to make it a bit less critical, with a properly adjusted Argonaut in combination with the new DSV (Dive-surface Valve) and flow diverter.
Here are a couple more pictures of Ed.
I spent a lot of time experimenting with my new camera, head down. Trying some macro photography. And with all the different positions I got in, I actually never notice any performance difference when I was head down. Perhaps I was at times distracted, but I tend to pay attention to regulator performance.
Note: these pictures have not been cropped or processed in any form. Some of the subjects are about a 1/4 in size (or less). I had to get real close, head down to take some of this shots. I have to say that I am also very please with my new little point-and-shoot camera. I will post more on this on a separate thread. I don’t want to derail this thread.
Back to the DSV and flow diverter details.
Here are some pictures of the new DSV with the flow diverter. The white flow diverter was just a prototype, but I it is dimensionally OK so I thought it would help to show it in pictures.
Notice in this picture that the flow opening in the inside tube is much larger than the mouthpiece opening. I did a very careful section by section analysis and model to make sure there was no flow restriction and that the transition flow direction change is actually more gentle than without the diverter.
The “V” looking mark is actually an arrow head to indicate the flow direction. This is the exhaust side. You only need to know this if you take it apart. Everything else is symmetrical, but the diverter has an inlet side and an exhaust side.
This picture shows a Viton (brown) O-ring with a partially closed DSV. This is only a transition view. The DSV should be fully open or fully closed during operation.
In this picture you can see the black flow diverter in place, but I had to illuminate it in order to see it. When installed with the mouthpiece valves and hoses, it would be too dark to see it without shining a light into the mouthpiece.
You may notice that the mouthpiece opening is one of the largest in the industry. Of the typical standard regulator mouthpiece, it uses the larger one typically available. This was again optimized to reduced flow resistance.
). And most of the time, all I could think of was "Wow." Those little tricks you could do - such as diving on your side to get the cans level with your lungs? Didn't need to do that. Using an Argonaut was truly effortless breathing. After trying one out and feeling the difference, I just knew I had to have one.
