Optimum design of diving snorkels.
This manuscript deals with the development of theoretical and experimental procedures for investigating the flow phenomena associated with the clearing and breathing phases of the simple J-type snorkel. Special test stands have been built to monitor the effect of changing the snorkel geometrical parameters on its clearing efficiency and breathing resistance characteristics. The experimental results are used to check the validity of the mathematically-developed models that simulate the flow during the clearing and breathing phases. These models are then used as a basis for the development of a rational design procedure that would enable snorkel designers to select the optimum geometrical parameters in a way that guarantees a balance between the breathing and clearing requirements in snorkels. The developed procedures are general in nature and can be readily extended to study snorkels of more complex shapes when operating under various conditions and constraints.
D004242:Diving; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D012119:Respiration