Scubapro’s Pilot Regulator, how it came to be.

[SeaRat]

There is an interesting thread on ScubaBoard which is applicable to this thread too:



www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/my-new-independent-doubles-setup.611033/

John

[SeaRat]

I just found the original U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit from May of 1977.

...CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Scubapro MY V Pilot Regulator meets mil spec requirements and is recommended fcr placement on the list of equipment authorized for Navy use. The pilot-assisted second stage provides exceptionally easy breathing with low diver work rates.

First stage performance was also good. The first stage maintained intermediate pressure and flow at 200 faw and high RNV with supply pressures
of 200-psig 0/B. Uniform inhalation characteristics were maintained regardless of the supply pressure.

Results of the test indicate that increased breathing resistance at high RMV was due to first stage pressure drop instead of second stage performance. Consequently, when the pilot second stage is supplied by two first stages, inhalation resistance should remain nearly constant regardless of the depth or RMV. However, the regulator has not been tested with two ifirst stages nor will it be practical or necessary in most diving situations.

Although performance was severely affected when the regulator was used in the pre-dive mode, it was still within the mil spec requirements.

Operating the regulator in the pre-dive mode does not threaten diver safety and the pre-dive mode effectively prevents free-flow on the surface.

The complexity of the pilot second stage with three times as many parts most other second stages is one area of concern. Maintenance will require
considerable skill and training, and could present problems for fleet operators unless special training is made available..."
apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA048033.pdf

You can download the entire study at the above link. It has the graphs that Mr. Christenson talked about, and the information on the regulator.

John

[SeaRat]

I was reviewing my files from a few years back, when I found that Tony Christianson had sent me two files. One had several reports on the Pilot regulator being tested by Gusto Dalla Valle and Dick Anderson. It has a few more, but this is enough to show you now.

Gustov Dalla Valle Tests the Pilot regulator by John Ratliff, on Flickr

Dick Anderson Tests the Pilot regulator by John Ratliff, on Flickr

Angelo Ferina on ScubaBoard sent me a private message saying that one page of the Skin Diver Magazine article was missing from my post here. Well, I haven't fonud that page, but did find this document.

John

[morris75]

Always nice to see additions to the Pilot story, these reports are quite interesting to read. Thanks for sharing!
If needed, I can provide you with the Skin Diver article page 68, which is currently missing from this thread.

[SeaRat]

Dec 14, 2023 15:31:33 GMT -8 morris75 said:

Always nice to see additions to the Pilot story, these reports are quite interesting to read. Thanks for sharing!
If needed, I can provide you with the Skin Diver article page 68, which is currently missing from this thread.

Yes, please do so, and I will post it here.


John

[SeaRat]

Morris75 has done it, and now the article from Skin Diver Magazine (SDM) is complete in the beginning of this thread.

Thank you, Morris75!

John