Concept

Motivation

The black ace was born from Opcon founder Edwin Yeo's desire for a better means of underwater propulsion. As a navy trained technical and recreational dive instructor with an engineering background, he was unsatisfied with the current range of underwater scooters and dive vehicles, which were singularly bulky and cumbersome both in and out of the water and required both hands to operate. These are serious limitations for almost all the users of current PUP systems, whether they were military, exploration or technical divers. The black ace is a product of Opcon's R&D efforts, an answer to all the limitations of current underwater PUP systems today.

Design

The black ace personal underwater propulsion (PUP) system is designed as a compact, streamlined and efficient means of personnel propulsion underwater. It consists of a pair of powerful impellers attached to each of the diver's legs. It is powered by a water-proofed battery pack hitched to the diver's waist. The diver controls it via a hand-mounted control grip.

Advantages over Conventional underwater propulsion Vehicles

• Hands free operation - Unlike traditional underwater vehicles which required both of the divers hands to operate and manouver, the black ace is manouvered directly via the diver's legs. With only the on/off power switch attached to the hand, the black ace leaves the diver's hands virtually free for navigation or other tasks.
• Unobscured front - Because the black ace's thrusters are attached to the diver's legs, it leaves the diver's front view unobscured; an important consideration for military and exploratory diving activities.
• Reduced weight - Unlike other bulky hand held underwater dive systems, the black ace weights comparatively little, making out of water portages that much easier.
• Streamlined profile - The black form fitting attachment to the diver's body means that it's so much easier to switch to flipper power if neccessary, with no bulky machinery to get in the way.

Uses and Applications

Any divers with a use for underwater propulsion vehicles would find the black ace an attractive alternative. Military and exloration divers would appreciate it's hands free operation, compactness and weight, enabling them to concentrate on navigation and operational tasks. Recreational divers and underwater photographers would appreciate a new means of hands free assisted propulsion underwater.