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Flow Regulators
FIRST STAGE:
Design features
Air tank pressure can vary during a dive from 300 to 20
atmospheres. The function of the first stage is to reduce
this pressure to a constant flow and pressure (approximately
10 atmospheres) so that the second stage can function
correctly regardless of tank pressure and/or depth.
Excluding unbalanced first stages, as the various
teaching techniques advise, the market offers two
different concepts even though they are not yet widely
available:
- A balanced "piston" first stage.
- A balanced "membrane" first stage.
To simplify, the positive features of both concepts are as follows:
- The simplicity and reliability of the "piston".
- The performance and versatility provided by the dry functioning "membrane".
 OCEANWays first stages, with their exclusive "balanced piston assisted by a membrane" system, are a combination of the two concepts.
The special technical features of our first stages (covered by various international patents) are as follows:
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The main mechanism components are in special carbon fibre and stainless steel reinforced polymer (patented).
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Pre-calibrated and adjustable balanced pressure reduction mechanism (patented).
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Air-flow surfaces in stainless steel with protective cover in polyurethane and/or special reinforced polymer (patented).
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Polyurethane membrane integrated in the protective cap and secured to the pressure reduction mechanism (patented).
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Constant thickness sintered semi-spherical micron filter in stainless steel thread.
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O-rings in Viton and pellets in polyurethane for nitrox and/or various mixtures (on request).
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4 low pressure couplings (3/8UNF) + 2 high pressure couplings (7/16UNF).
First stage functioning::
- Balanced piston assisted by protective polyurethane membrane (patented).
- Delivery guaranteed by the "normally open" system. It is the pressure in the system which stops air delivery. Therefore if there is not enough pressure to shut OFF the system, the system will remain open allowing transfer of remaining air.
- Performance improves with depth, +12% approx., beyond balancing pressure (1.12 atmospheres approximately for every 10 m of depth).
- Performance improves as air tank pressure is decreased.
- Intermediate pressure calibration: 10.5 bar (hp 200 bar), 11.5 bar (hp 50 bar) (+/- 3%) (patented).
- Sealed mechanism, anti-freeze, non-polluting, royal oxygen (on request).
- Very low pressure fall during inhalation, approximately 1 bar.
- The quantity of air delivered depends on the taps.
- The excess pressure valve automatically expels any excess pressure from the first stage. It can be removed when using the Octopus OW.
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