U.S. patent application number 10/140076 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-14 for ocean survival unit.
Invention is credited to Inglis, Peter.
Application Number | 20020166494 10/140076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9914169 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020166494 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inglis, Peter |
November 14, 2002 |
Ocean survival unit
Abstract
A life raft or ocean survival unit (1) is capable of
self-righting upon capsize, even when occupied by one or more
survivors. The life raft (1) comprises a hull-shaped ballast
chamber (5) which fills with water upon inflation of the life raft
and provides added stability to the vessel and in part see
self-righting capabilities to the life raft. Water is sucked in
through membrane valves located at the rear of the ballast chamber.
The life raft also comprises a canopy (4) and inflatable base
section (3), wherein the inflatable base section may be
compartmentalised to prevent sinking of the unit in the event of a
puncture deflation.
Inventors: |
Inglis, Peter; (Glasgow,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Family ID: |
9914169 |
Appl. No.: |
10/140076 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/345 |
International
Class: |
B63B 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 8, 2001 |
GB |
0111148.3 |
Claims
1. An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when
occupied by passengers, the ocean survival unit comprising an
inflatable base, a canopy and a ballast chamber located below the
surface of the inflatable base.
2. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy
is supported by a cage structure.
3. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cage
structure is inflatable.
4. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
ballast chamber is hull-shaped.
5. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
ballast chamber fills with water upon inflation of the ocean
survival unit.
6. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein water is
drawn, pumped or sucked into the ballast chamber through one or
more membrane valves.
7. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the one or
more membrane valves are located on the lower surface of the
ballast chamber.
8. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or
more membrane valves are one-way valves which allow water to enter,
but do not allow water to leave the ballast chamber.
9. An ocean survival unit as claimed in Clai 1, wherein the ballast
chamber comprises a plurality of tensile membranes which prevent
the raft collapsing under the weight of the volume of water in the
ballast chamber.
10. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
tensile members are rib-like structures.
11. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
tensile members act as stiffening batons for the ballast
chamber.
12. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one
or more tensile membranes extend along the length of the
vessel.
13. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one
or more tensile membranes support the floor and seating in the
event of the ocean survival unit capsizing.
14. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one
or more tensile membranes work as baffles when the raft is in an
upright orientation, reducing the flow of water inside the ballast
chamber and therefore reducing roll and the effects of free
water.
15. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one
or more tensile membranes in the ballast chamber provide a rigid
flooring system.
16. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
rigid floor cannot be compressed.
17. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 1 having a self
draining floor.
18. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the floor
comprises a plurality of tubes of varying diameter wherein the
tubes of greatest diameter act as seats.
19. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 1 which can be
rolled in a compact form when not in use.
20. An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when
occupied by passsengers, the ocean survival unit comprising an
inflatable base and a canopy, wherein the inflatable base is
divided into a plurality of independent inflatable compartments or
sections, wherein deflation of one of the compartments or sections
does not affect the integrity of the remaining compartments or
sections.
21. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 20 wherein the
inflatable section is compartmentalised or sectioned, such that if
the raft sustains a puncture deflation, deflation is isolated to
that particular compartment or section of the raft.
22. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the
inflatable base into divided into the plurality of compartments or
sections by one or more tensile members.
23. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the
compartments or sections of the inflatable base are separated by a
series of blow out valves which, upon reaching a specified
pressure, will blow out and stop the passage of air in any
direction.
24. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 20, wherein a
deflated compartment or section of the inflatable base can be
inflated with expanding foam.
25. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 24 wherein the
expanding foam is polyurethane foam.
26. An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when
occupied by passengers, said ocean survival unit comprising an
inflatable base and a canopy, wherein the unit is accessed via an
opening in the unit, and wherein access into the interior of the
unit is not impeded by a barrier, door, or wall at the opening.
27. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 26, wherein there is
no barrier between the interior of the unit and the ocean.
28. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 26, wherein a
semi-rigid step is positioned at the opening to allow easy access
to the vessel.
29. An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when
occupied by passengers, the ocean survival comprising an inflatable
base and a canopy, wherein the ocean survival unit has an integral
drogue.
30. An ocean survival unit as claimed in claim 29, wherein the
drogue is positioned such that the raft always points into the wind
when inflated, and wherein the entry point into the ocean survival
unit is positioned at the rear and is sheltered from the wind, rain
and breaking waves.
31. An ocean survival unit capable of self-righting when occupied
by one or more persons, the ocean survival unit comprising an
inflatable base and a canopy, wherein the canopy comprises both
transparent and opaque sections.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the area of life
preservation at sea, and in particular the area of life rafts and
ocean survival units. This invention provides a life raft which, is
suitable for use in calm to reasonably rough seas with a large
swell, and also extreme seas with high winds and large breaking
waves.
[0002] Life rafts and sea survival units have been used for many
years. Commonly, the rafts are comprised of two large inner tubes
with a tent-like construction on top. Although advances have been
made over the years in materials and adhesive, water filtration
systems, may day signaling systems and other features such as
insulation, the design of these rafts has changed very little. In
addition very few advances have been made to overcome problems of a
technological order, such as fundamental issues of entry to the
life raft, effective use of space and improved performance in
extreme conditions.
[0003] The need for improved designs of life rafts, which are
suitable for use in extreme seas and high winds, is even more
evident when incidents such as the sinking of the Estonia in 1994
are considered. In this accident, 852 people lost their lives. Many
of these fatalities occurred as a result of exposure after
survivors of the initial sinking sought refuge on life rafts. In
addition a number of the life rafts also capsized. Many current
designs of life rafts are not capable of self righting when filled
with passengers.
[0004] It is a first object of this present invention to provide an
improved ocean survival unit, which has improved buoyancy and
stability in extreme seas and high winds. A particular object of
the present invention is to provide a life raft, which is capable
of self righting, even when loaded with passengers.
[0005] It is a further object of this present invention to provide
an ocean survival unit, which provides shelter, warmth and a dry
environment when in use. It is a yet further objection of the
present invention is to provide an ocean survival unit which has an
easily reached entrance and is accessible either from land, another
vessel or from the sea.
[0006] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide
an ocean survival unit, which is adapted to always point into the
wind once inflated. An associated object is to provide alife raft,
which is adapted such that the entrance is sheltered from the wind
and breaking waves.
[0007] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an ocean survival unit, which reduces the level of sea
sickness in passengers. A further object is to provide an ocean
survival unit which contains a seating arrangement which maximises
comfort and morale.
[0008] A final object of the present invention is to provide an
ocean survival unit which when punctured can be repaired without
the need for patches.
[0009] According to the first aspect of the present invention there
is provided an ocean survival unit capable of up righting when
occupied by passengers, the ocean survival unit comprising an
inflatable base, a canopy and a ballast chamber located below the
inflatable base.
[0010] The ocean survival unit is inflatable.
[0011] Preferably the canopy is supported by a cage structure. The
cage structure may be inflatable.
[0012] Preferably the ballast chamber is hull shaped.
[0013] Most preferably the ballast chamber fills with water upon
inflation of the life raft.
[0014] Preferably water is drawn, pumped, or sucked into the
ballast chamber through one or more membrane valves.
[0015] The one or more membrane valves may be located at the rear
of the ballast chamber.
[0016] Most preferably the one or more membrane valves are one way
valves. As such, the one or more membrane valves allow water to
enter the ballast chamber, but do not allow water to exit the
ballast chamber.
[0017] Preferably the ocean survival unit also comprises a
plurality of tensile members. Advantageously the plurality of
tensile members which prevent the raft collapsing under the weight
of the volume of water in the ballast chamber.
[0018] Most preferably the tensile members are rib like
structures.
[0019] Preferably the tensile members act as stiffening batons for
the ballast chamber.
[0020] Preferably the tensile members runs the length of the ocean
survival unit.
[0021] Preferably the tensile members support the floor and seating
in the event of the ocean survival unit capsizing.
[0022] Optionally the tensile members work as baffles when the raft
is in its correct orientation, reducing the flow of water inside
the ballast chamber and therefore reducing roll and the effects of
free water.
[0023] Optionally the tensile members provide a rigid flooring
system, wherein any one part or section of the floor cannot be
compressed, as the membranes will not allow any other part of the
floor to expand.
[0024] Most preferably the ocean survival unit has a self draining
floor which drains away any water which enters the unit. The self
draining floor may be cambered, wherein the lowest part of the unit
is to the rear, wherein water can drain from the rear of the
unit.
[0025] Preferably the floor of the ocean survival unit comprises a
plurality of tubes of varying diameter wherein the tubes of
greatest diameter may act as seats.
[0026] The inflatable base of the ocean survival unit may be
inflated using one valve. Alternatively, the inflatable base may be
inflated using two or more valves.
[0027] Preferably the ocean survival unit can be compactly rolled
when not in use.
[0028] The ocean survival unit may be provided and stored in a
watertight container when not in use.
[0029] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an ocean survival unit comprising an inflatable base
and a canopy, wherein the inflatable base is divided into a
plurality of independent inflatable compartments or sections,
wherein deflation of one of the compartments or sections does not
affect the integrity of the remaining compartments.
[0030] Advantageously if one of the compartments or sections
sustains a puncture and undergoes a degree of deflation, the
remaining compartments will not be affected, or deflate.
[0031] The inflatable base may be divided into the plurality of
compartments or sections by one or more tensile members. The one or
more tensile members may be rib like structures.
[0032] Preferably the compartments or sections of the inflatable
base are separated by a series of blow out valves which, upon
reaching a specified pressure, will blow out and stop the passage
of air in any direction.
[0033] Optionally, a deflated compartment or section of the
inflatable base can be inflated with expanding foam.
[0034] Preferably the expanding foam is polyurethane foam.
[0035] Preferably the the seating in the ocean survival unit is
arranged whereupon the occupants are seated facing each other.
[0036] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an ocean survival unit which is capable of self
righting when occupied by passengers, comprising an inflatable base
and a canopy, wherein the unit is accessed via an opening in the
vessel, and wherein access into the interior of the life raft is
not impeded by a barrier, door or wall at the opening.
[0037] Most preferably there is no barrier between the ocean and
the interior of the raft.
[0038] A semi-rigid step may be positioned at the opening to allow
easy access to the vessel. The semi-rigid step is preferably
provided with hand holds.
[0039] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there
is provided an ocean survival unit, which is capable of self
righting when occupied by passengers, comprising an inflatable base
and a canopy, wherein the ocean survival unit has an integral
drogue.
[0040] Typically the drogue is positioned such that the raft will
always point into the wind once inflated. Yet further the drogue
acts to maintain the entry point into the ocean survival unit to
the rearside. Advantageously this shelters the entry point to the
unit from wind, rain and breaking waves.
[0041] Most preferably, the drogue is positioned such that the risk
of entanglement in rigging is minimised.
[0042] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an ocean survival unit which is capable of self
righting when occupied by passengers, comprising an inflatable base
and a canopy, wherein the canopy comprises both transparent
sections and opaque sections.
[0043] In order to provide a better understanding of the invention,
embodiments will now be described by way of example only, and with
reference to the following Figures in which:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ocean survival unit
according to the present invention; and
[0045] FIG. 2 shows the operation of the blow out valves according
to this invention,
[0046] An ocean survival unit 1 which is capable of self righting,
even when carrying passengers is generally depicted at 1 in FIG. 1.
The ocean survival unit could also be described as a life raft or
life boat. The raft, when not inflated, can be compactly packed
away, and quickly inflated when required. A key aspect of the
present invention lies in the provision of a ballast chamber 5,
which is positioned substantially below inflatable base 3. Upon
inflation of the life raft 1, the hull shaped ballast chamber 5 is
flooded with water, which provides added stability to the vessel.
The ballast chamber also provides the life raft with its
self-righting capabilities, even when the vessel is fully occupied.
Water is sucked in through membrane valves, which in the preferred
embodiment are located at the rear of the ballast chamber 5. Once
flooded the ballast chamber 5 provides sufficient mass to maintain
a stable vessel, to prevent the raft from being flipped by the wind
and to allow the raft to self-right if capsized.
[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the life raft is
designed such that it is capable of floating on a surface of water
and can be entered via an opening in one of the walls of the raft.
The interior of the life raft is not closed or partitioned from the
sea by any barrier, door or wall. In other words no barrier is
required between the interior of the raft and the sea--the raft
will remain afloat and is capable of up righting because of its
design, regardless of whether a door is included in the design.
This facilitates quick entry into the raft, as a person entering
does not need to negotiate any barriers, or open a door to access
the interior of the raft. The person can simply climb into the
raft. However to aid entry a semi-rigid step with associated hand
holds may be positioned at the opening.
[0048] The ballast chamber 5 also comprises tensile membranes,
which run the length of the vessel, and support the floor and
seating, in the event of the life raft capsizing. These tensile
membranes stop the volume of water in the ballast chamber 5 from
collapsing the raft, and also work as baffles when the raft is in
its correct orientation, reducing the flow of water inside the
ballast chamber and thus reducing roll and the effects of free
water.
[0049] A particularly important aspect of the present invention
lies in the integration of a raft stowage/protective casing to the
inflated raft. In current life raft designs casing is used purely
to protect the raft during stowage, to prevent puncture or damage
due to day to day knocks and scrapes. On deployment of current life
rafts the solid casing is discarded and left to float away.
[0050] In the life raft of the present invention the casing is a
vital component in operation. As the only truly rigid element in
the raft, the casing is segmented into a plurality of ribs which
upon inflation concertina out to provide stiffening batons for the
ballast chamber walls. In the depicted embodiment seven ribs are
included. In a capsize situation, these ribs also suspend the floor
section using the series of tensile members, stopping the floor
collapsing and crushing the occupants inside.
[0051] The tensile membranes in the ballast chamber 5 provide a
rigid flooring system for the occupants of the raft. The presence
of the tensile membranes in the ballast chamber 5 means that any
one part or section of the floor cannot be compressed, as the
membranes will not allow the other parts of the floor to
correspondingly expand.
[0052] At present, standard life rafts are attached to a drogue 6,
which is essentially a water parachute, via a painter line of
approximately 70 plus feet in length. In heavy seas, the waves
generate surface currents, which run towards each other at the
crest of a wave, and these currents can cause the raft and drogue
to move towards each other. This movement of the raft and drogue 6
towards each other creates slack in the painter line, and increases
the chances of the raft capsizing due to wind or breaking waves. In
the raft described herein, a drogue 6 is an integral part of the
raft 1 itself, which means that the chance of capsizing in high
seas or high winds is reduced. This also means that the raft 1 is
adapted to point always into the wind once inflated. Accordingly
the entrance opening is positioned such that it is always at the
rearward facing side of the vessel, and therefore is sheltered from
wind, rain and breaking waves. This improves access for persons
boarding the raft.
[0053] The drogue 6 is designed such that entanglement in any
rigging, etc., is minimised. In addition the drogue 6 allows
forward movements, and when not propelled will provide suitable
resistance in order to point the vessel 1 into the wind, and hence
reduce wind drift. Also, when not propelled, the raft 1 will always
point into the wind, sheltering rear entry.
[0054] The canopy 4 of the ocean survival unit is provided with
both transparent and opaque sections. The transparent sections in
the canopy 4 reduce the onset of sea sickness by allowing visual
contact with sea's movement, while the opaque sections block visual
contact with the oncoming seas, thus reducing trauma, panic or
stress.
[0055] The ocean survival unit 1 is also provided with an intuitive
seating arrangement, which was designed through a series of user
trials. The resulting seating arrangement has individuals seated in
a comfortable manner facing each other, and not encroaching into
each other's personal space.
[0056] The inflatable base section 3 of the ocean survival unit
works in such a way that it can be inflated from only one inlet
valve, or two if required.
[0057] Advantageously, the inflatable base section 3 is
compartmentalised. Therefore if the ocean survival unit sustains a
puncture deflation, any deflation is isolated to that particular
area or compartment of the raft. The compartments are separated by
a series of blow out valves 7, which upon reaching a specified
pressure, will blow out and stop the passage of air in either
direction. Therefore all of the compartments can be inflated with
air from a single inlet valve, but will become separate from each
other when the internal blow out valves 7 are blown to stop the
passage of air.
[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the blow out valves 7
wherein 2(a) shows the valve 7 during raft 1 inflation when the
valve is held together by a snap fit feature. Once the inner tubes
reach their specified pressure, the design of the valve 7 is such
that the snap fit can no longer sustain the connection as can be
seen in 2(b). The non-returnable parts of the valve 7 then close
due to back pressure (FIG. 2(c)) so that the inflated sections are
now independent of each other.
[0059] In the event of a puncture appearing in a large or difficult
patch or in a number of sections or compartments, it will be
appreciated that it might be preferable to repair the puncture. The
deflated section(s) or compartment(s) can be reinflated with
expanding polyurethane foam. This means there is no need for a
patch puncture repair system, and that the repair can be carried
out easily on board the vessel.
[0060] FIGS. 3 to 8 illustrate the inflation process, which the
raft undergoes. In FIG. 3, case 8 floats on its end, with hinges
along the bottom edge. This is achieved by packing a CO.sub.2
cylinder along the hinged side of the container to off-set the
center of gravity. Referring to FIG. 4, the rollover struts 9 will
push the casing open upon deployment, and the floor and main U
section of the rollover cage will then snap ribs apart and start
extending the raft length ways as shown in FIG. 5. As the floor
inflates, seen in FIG. 6, the structure starts to take shape, water
floods through the ballast chamber by the vacuum created by the
underside of the floor moving away from the ballast chamber walls.
Finally, in FIG. 7, near completed inflation the ballast chamber
will reach full capacity.
[0061] Further modifications and improvements may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.
* * * * *