Franken-Son 02 addition

Franken-Son Page 3: Oxygen Addition

Franken-Son uses what has become the well known KISS system of oxygen injection. The term "KISS" has come to mean any system that attempts to buffer the loss of 02 by injecting a small mass of 02 continuously, at slightly less than normal metabolic use. This system, as well as the name "KISS" (Keep it Simple, Stupid!), is really the brainchild of Gordon Smith, who manufactures the excellent KISS Rebreather. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I solved my technical issue regarding this valve by the simple method of emailing Gordon and asking to purchase one. Gordon obliged, and here's the valve.

The system of operation is that a constant pressure of 02 is fed through a small orifice,with the result that a constant mass of 02 equal to about 0.9 liters per minute at the surface is constantly being injected into the loop. While this is NOT intended to replace a electronic control system, it delays the time period between manual 02 additions from just a few minutes to MANY minutes, if the system is set up to serve the needs of the diver who is using it. If I'm swimming at my normal rate, I need to add 02 every 20 minutes or so, and if I'm resting on decompression the PP02 creeps up ever so slowly (which is great on deco, since I'm trying to use 100% 02 at that point anyhow). The slotted button shown here is the manual bypass valve, which is pressed to manually add 02 as (infrequently) needed. This is a VERY clean system, and is of extremely high quality.

The orifice that is used is TINY, and as a result it's very important to keep a good filter between the gas source and the orifice. That silver cylinder on the top hose (the feed hose) is a Swagelok 15 micron filter, which will filter out anything that could clog the orifice, with the exception of salt-water. Keep salt water out of the 02 first stage and you'll be all set.

The 02 supply regulator is a DIN Apex, with the environmental protection cap installed.

The environmental kit is important, as the regulator must be modified so it does not react to increasing external pressure. For a constant mass flow system, you must supply the orifice with an absolute pressure, not one that is increased at depth. My finger is pointing to a machined and O-ring sealed Delrin plug that blocks off the water from reaching the interior of the regulator. This part replaces the diaphragm that's part of the environmental kit for the Apex.

Here's the complete 02 system, from the first stage to the KISS valve, with the return line back to the rig, and the pressure gauge.

Once again, a standard BC inflator hose fitting is used to connect the system to the rig, to make it easy to tear apart for cleaning and servicing.

And just like the diluent, the system just plugs into the correct port on the counterlung.

Now we see both the diluent and the 02 systems installed into the chassis. Add the cylinders and we're almost ready to dive!

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		Franken-Son uses what has become the well known KISS system of oxygen injection. The term "KISS" has come to mean any system that attempts to buffer the loss of 02 by injecting a small mass of 02 continuously, at slightly less than normal metabolic use. This system, as well as the name "KISS" (Keep it Simple, Stupid!), is really the brainchild of Gordon Smith, who manufactures the excellent KISS Rebreather. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I solved my technical issue regarding this valve by the simple method of emailing Gordon and asking to purchase one. Gordon obliged, and here's the valve.
		The system of operation is that a constant pressure of 02 is fed through a small orifice,with the result that a constant mass of 02 equal to about 0.9 liters per minute at the surface is constantly being injected into the loop. While this is NOT intended to replace a electronic control system, it delays the time period between manual 02 additions from just a few minutes to MANY minutes, if the system is set up to serve the needs of the diver who is using it. If I'm swimming at my normal rate, I need to add 02 every 20 minutes or so, and if I'm resting on decompression the PP02 creeps up ever so slowly (which is great on deco, since I'm trying to use 100% 02 at that point anyhow). The slotted button shown here is the manual bypass valve, which is pressed to manually add 02 as (infrequently) needed. This is a VERY clean system, and is of extremely high quality.
		The orifice that is used is TINY, and as a result it's very important to keep a good filter between the gas source and the orifice. That silver cylinder on the top hose (the feed hose) is a Swagelok 15 micron filter, which will filter out anything that could clog the orifice, with the exception of salt-water. Keep salt water out of the 02 first stage and you'll be all set.
		The 02 supply regulator is a DIN Apex, with the environmental protection cap installed.
		The environmental kit is important, as the regulator must be modified so it does not react to increasing external pressure. For a constant mass flow system, you must supply the orifice with an absolute pressure, not one that is increased at depth. My finger is pointing to a machined and O-ring sealed Delrin plug that blocks off the water from reaching the interior of the regulator. This part replaces the diaphragm that's part of the environmental kit for the Apex.
		Here's the complete 02 system, from the first stage to the KISS valve, with the return line back to the rig, and the pressure gauge.
		Once again, a standard BC inflator hose fitting is used to connect the system to the rig, to make it easy to tear apart for cleaning and servicing.
		And just like the diluent, the system just plugs into the correct port on the counterlung.
		Now we see both the diluent and the 02 systems installed into the chassis. Add the cylinders and we're almost ready to dive!