EP0598601A1 - Dispositif à activation automatique - Google Patents

Dispositif à activation automatique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0598601A1
EP0598601A1 EP93309156A EP93309156A EP0598601A1 EP 0598601 A1 EP0598601 A1 EP 0598601A1 EP 93309156 A EP93309156 A EP 93309156A EP 93309156 A EP93309156 A EP 93309156A EP 0598601 A1 EP0598601 A1 EP 0598601A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
membrane
sense
water
respond
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93309156A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Cronin Gordon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cm Hammar Handels AB
Original Assignee
Cm Hammar Handels AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cm Hammar Handels AB filed Critical Cm Hammar Handels AB
Publication of EP0598601A1 publication Critical patent/EP0598601A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/22—Devices for holding or launching life-buoys, inflatable life-rafts, or other floatable life-saving equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/24—Arrangements of inflating valves or of controls thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to automatic activators associated with an aquatic environment.
  • activator There are various products available in the marine safety industry which are automatically actuated in response to a change in environmental conditions.
  • the most common forms of activator are those which release a device at specific depths under water. These activators are designed to, for example, release closure devices on water tight doors, release distress beacons or radar transponders from specific depths, as well as to release liferafts from manual release units such as senhouse slips.
  • Such devices have historically worked on the principle of hydrostatic pressure moving or exerting pressure on a membrane normally supported by a spring.
  • hydrostatic release unit The most common use of the hydrostatic release unit is to be found on inflatable liferafts, which are packed tightly in containers and which are then installed on ships ready for use in emergencies. Such liferafts in the event of the ship getting into difficulty would be "thrown" overboard (these are called throw over liferafts) and on pulling a rope (painter) will inflate. The passengers then climb down ladders or jump into the liferafts or travel down marine escape systems ("MES"). Alternatively, liferafts can be davit launched. Here the liferafts are inflated at deck level, boarded with passengers and lowered onto the water.
  • the liferaft containers when stowed on deck are stowed on cradles and held down by a manual senhouse slip or senhouse release unit as well as an automatic hydrostatic release unit. This means that if the liferafts are thrown over or davit launched before the ship sinks then this is done manually using the senhouse slip. On the otherhand, however, if the passengers or crew are not able to get to the liferaft before the ship starts to sink, and if the ship sinks without having released the liferaft, once the liferaft container which is held down on its cradle on the deck reaches a depth of between one and a half to four metres the hydrostatic release unit automatically releases it.
  • GB 2051212 for example, describes a hydrostatic release unit which has a sealed chamber with a diaphragm which is urged by water-pressure to release a cam thereby releasing, for example, a liferaft. It operates automatically when a ship sinks, releasing the lashings of the liferafts stowage at a predetermined depth.
  • the unit is usually installed as part of a liferaft stowage lashing system and is fitted between the deck and a senhouse slip.
  • EP 198805 Another type of device is described in EP 198805.
  • the securing arrangement of this device is so executed to be tripped on actuation for the purpose of changing the state of or enabling a change in the state of an attached item of equipment, which is so arranged by means of a loadable link to hold the equipment in a securing position.
  • This device uses a piece of nylon rope to carry the load, which is cut by a knife driven by a powerful spring.
  • the hydrostatic membrane is attached to a release pin which holds the knife back and as soon as the release unit reaches a certain depth, water pressure acting on top of the membrane pushes the membrane down, against the pressure of the hydrostatic membrane spring, into the air chamber and this then pulls the pin that is attached to it.
  • the pin which holds the knife flies forward under the load of the spring and cuts the rope.
  • This device has been modified for smaller items such as radio distress beacons by replacing the nylon rope with a nylon plastics bolt.
  • Both units are, however, designed for generally larger objects, i.e. objects which will displace a substantial amount of water. They are not ideally suited for lighter weight devices such as distress beacons, since they are expensive and are over engineered for smaller uses.
  • Such devices suffer from the disadvantage that in humid conditions, rain, spray or the like they may be accidentally set off. As a result, the application of such devices is limited.
  • an actuation device comprising: sequentially operating sense and respond means comprising a first sense and respond means which is operable in response to a change in hydrostiatic pressure, and a second sense and respond means which is operable in response to a change in moisture or liquid content.
  • a device according to the invention has the advantage that it is not likely to go off accidentally in humid and damp conditions, rain, spray etc.
  • a device according to the invention can be simpler, lighter, smaller, work at shallower depths (more sensitive) and be cheaper to produce than the hydrostatic units of the art.
  • an automatic actuator for actuating a device, the actuator comprising a housing; an actuator member mounted, at least in part within the housing, the actuator member being movable from a first position to an actuated position; a fluid actuated trigger assembly for preventing the actuator member from moving from the first position to the actuated position until triggering of the trigger assembly by exposure to a fluid; characterised in that the actuator further comprises means which must be activated before the fluid activated trigger assembly can be actuated.
  • the means is a hydrostatically activated trigger assembly.
  • the hydrostatically activated trigger can be bypassed by pumping a fluid into the device in order to achieve manual release from a local or distant position.
  • the means preventing actuation of a water activated trigger assembly until a given hydrostatic pressure is embodied in a membrane which is displaced under pressure to allow the device to be actuated.
  • the membrane is constructed to either puncture or burst.
  • Punuring or bursting the membrane By puncturing or bursting the membrane the disadvantage of “partial fill” is alleviated.
  • Partial fill is the state where some water enters the device, but the amount entering is insufficient to cause triggering of the fluid actuated trigger at the time but later can cause inadvertent actuation. This may prevail where, for example, a hydrostatic pressure sufficient to allow triggering of the device is reached momentarily but is not sustained for long enough to allow enough water to enter the device to trigger it.
  • the device can therefore be provided with a pressure compensator or "breather”, if necessary.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a simple actuation device according to the invention and in conjunction with Figs. 2, 3 and 4 demonstrates the operative principle behind the invention.
  • the actuation device 10 comprises a generally elongate cylindrical plastics casing 12 comprising two interconnecting chambers 14 and 16 which chambers are separated by a shoulder 18 and central bore 19.
  • One end 20 of the casing 12 comprises a series of channels or pores 22 which communicate with the outside. This end is connected to the main body 23 by a screw thread arrangement 25, thereby allowing a membrane 24 to be fitted and/or replaced. Membrane 24 is held tightly across pores 22 preventing communication between the chamber 16 and the outside.
  • the membrane 24, which is made of a resilient or elastic material such as rubber is stretched over the pores 22 so that water is unable to enter the chamber 16 and is retained by retaining means 26 which are provided in the casing. These may take the form of grooves into which a thickened edge of the membrane can be received.
  • the membrane could be arranged so that under pressure it is displaced from retaining means 26, thereby letting water into the chamber, the preferred embodiments illustrated have a membrane bursting or puncturing means 28 provided.
  • This membrane bursting or puncturing means is in the form of a pin, which pin is spaced a given distance from the membrane.
  • a water soluble pellet 30 which is housed in a bobbin (not shown).
  • the pellet may, for example, comprise a salt or a compressed paper pellet.
  • the pellet supports a member 32 which is retained in a first position despite the fact that a compressed spring 34 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is urging it towards end 20.
  • a pellet guide plate 36 disposed towards the other end 38 of the casing helps guide the member 32 on actuation.
  • the other end 38 is also screw threadedly attached to the main casing 12, thereby allowing the pellet 30 to be periodically replaced.
  • a water tight seal is provided between an aperture 40 in the end plate 38 and the member 32, and it is through this aperture that member 32 is retracted on actuation.
  • member 32 slides from its first position (Figs. 1 to 3) to a second position (Fig. 4). In doing so, the movement of the member 32 can be utilised to release or lock another device or actuate a further mechanism.
  • Fig. 1 shows the device when it is out of water.
  • Membrane 24 prevents the access of water into the chamber 16 and consequently the tablet 30 cannot dissolve. Since the chamber is substantially sealed from the outise, the device will not go off in, for example, humid conditions or in the rain.
  • the membrane 24 is subjected to pressure and bows as illustrated.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a device for inflating a lifejacket. It may be operated manually, or, where a wearer of a jacket utilising such a device falls overboard into water, automatically.
  • the device can be fitted with a mechanism that prevents the automatic version working.
  • the cover of the device can be rotatable, the cover can be turned so that access holes for the water are covered, whereby the device can then only be operated manually by the wearer.
  • This is useful if, for example, the wearer is working on the deck of a vessel where it would be set to AUTOMATIC - this being vital if perhaps he falls into the water after being knocked unconcious.
  • he may need to go ashore in a small dinghy where he might enter the water when he "beaches" or lands the boat. In this case he does not want an automatic device - he only wants a device which can be operated manually. This therefore overcomes the problem of the necessity to "switch off" the automatic facility.
  • the automatic actuator device 100 comprises a mechanism similar in many respects to the one described in EP 236599. It comprises an internally threaded insert 102 molded within a body. The insert is designed to threadably receive a cartridge 104 containing compressed gas such as carbon dioxide. A piercing pin (not shown) is reciprocatingly positioned within the body in alignment with a frangible seal of the cartridge. The passageway containing the reciprocating piercing pin is connected in fluid communication with a manifold which is, in turn, connected in fluid communication with the inflatable device to be inflated.
  • a manual lever 106 is pivotably connected in alignment with the piercing pin in such a manner that movement of the cord 108 of the lever causes a cammed end (not shown) of the lever 106 to engage the piercing pin and force the piercing pin toward the cartridge 104. Further movement of the cord 108 eventually causes the piercing pin to fracture the seal of the cartridge 104 thereby releasing the compressed gas contained therein and permitting the same to flow into the inflatable article via passageway 110.
  • a lanyard may be connected to the cord 108 to facilitate operation of the lever 106.
  • the automatic actuator of the invention has an alternative means for operating the assembly described above.
  • An intermediate transfer pin 112 reciprocally positioned in axial alignment with the piercing pin of the inflator is during use actuated automatically.
  • the features of the device are, however, described with reference to its use.
  • the automatic actuator 100 On entering the water, the automatic actuator 100 is submitted to a hydrostatic pressure.
  • Two membranes 114 and 116 which are supported on a frame 118 and are separated by an air space 135 move inwards, in response to the pressure exerted.
  • the thicker membrane 114 to which a pin 119 or like member is fitted via an adjustable mechanism 121, moves toward the thinner membrane 116 and vice versa.
  • the air under pressure in the space 135 between the membranes is moved up the tube (132) and expands the flexible diaphragm 133 by virtue of the fact that the diaphragm 133 is at a shallower depth and therefore at a lower pressure.
  • the thinner membrane bursts allowing water into the chamber 120 via aperture 122.
  • the membranes are protected by covers with holes in, to prevent damage or inadvertent inflation by finger pressure etc.
  • the use of the tube 132 and diaphragm 133 is not necessaryy, even although they make the device more sensitive to pressure changes. If the tube and diaphragm are omitted the device still functions satisfactorily but may require to be submerged to a greater extent to cause sufficient deflection of the membranes to cause the rupturing of the membrane 116.
  • the device 121 may be supported on a leg or spider member, and may be provided with two oppositely facing spikes 119 which puncture the respective diaphragms as they are displaced inwardly under the influence of the water pressure.
  • the device 121 may be supported on a leg or spider member, and may be provided with two oppositely facing spikes 119 which puncture the respective diaphragms as they are displaced inwardly under the influence of the water pressure.
  • the actuator member 112 is permitted to move forward from a first position, in which it was retained by the tablet to a second and actuated position in which the actuator member 112 contacts an intermediate actuator pin (not shown) which in turn contacts a piercing pin causing the seal in the cartridge to be pierced and the lifejacket to inflate in the same way that pulling lever 106 would operate the device manually.
  • an automatic activator device 200 for the release of liferafts and like articles.
  • This comprises a plastics base member 201 over which a cover member 202 slidably fits.
  • the base houses a water activated mechanism 204 and is so shaped to receive the mechanism. It thus comprises a lantern shaped housing 206 which is adpated at one end 208 to fit into a lever release mechanism such as a senhouse slip. The end 208 is thus provided with a groove 210.
  • the other end 212 is conical in shape and has a small aperture 214 therein which aperture is aligned with the firing pin 215 and a "fired" indicator 217 on the cover member 202.
  • a locking pin 220 is withdrawn from the base, knocking out the indicator 217.
  • a membrane 222 is supported between the top 224 and the annular wall 226 of the base member 201.
  • the outer annular wall 226 is provided with a recess 228 to receive a thickened portion 230 of the circular membrane 222, which is stretched over the top 224 of the base member 201.
  • the housing 206 is provided with communicating holes 232 which, when the membrane 222 bursts, allow water to enter the casing so that the water activation mechanism 204 housed therein can be actuated.
  • the base member 201 has one or more threaded holes 234 which are adapted to receive the membrane bursting means 236, which are in the form of sharpened screws. By screwing these into the device their position relative to the membrane can be controlled and hence the sensitivity of the device can be controlled.
  • the base is also provided with a "breather” 238, which is microporous and slowly allows air to pass therethrough but prevents ingress of water so that air pressure changes do not set off the device accidentally.
  • the upper surface 240 of the cover member 202 contains numerous holes 242 that allow water to exert pressure on the membrane.
  • the cover member 202 also protects the membrane against accidentally being burst by sharp objects.
  • the mechanism of the device comprises an actuation member or locking pin 220 which is a suitably adapted generally elongate shaped member.
  • actuation member or locking pin 220 which is a suitably adapted generally elongate shaped member.
  • a spring 246 is housed under compression.
  • a tablet 248 housed in a bobbin 250 urges the locking pin 220 into a "locked" position.
  • the locking pin 220 moves forward, its end which previously locked into a lever (not shown), releases, for example, the webbing holding a liferaft to a cradle. This procedure is shown in more detail with reference to Figs. 9 to 11.
  • a lever arrangement 300 comprises a first lever member 302, and a second lever member 304 which members are pivoted at position 306.
  • a shackle 308 is connected to a deck plate, not shown, by a wire 310. Passing through both members 302/304 is a hole 212 into which the locking pin 220 of the device illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9 fits.
  • a housing 314 is provided to simplify the positioning of actuating device 200 into the lever arrangement.
  • the actuating device 200 is locked into position by means of a locking lever 316, having forks 318 which lock into the recesses 210 of the actuating device.
  • the locking lever is also provided with a runner 320, and a handle 322.
  • the runner 320 runs between two members 324 and 326, which members are provided with apertures through which the runner 320 can run.
  • the lever 316 is slid across from left to right, freeing the device 200 from its housing 314. Device 200 can then be pulled out, allowing jaw 334 to open, and releasing the liferaft securing line as shackle 332 is released. At the same time the runner 320 passes through the aperture of member 324, 326 and 328, securing the painter line to the device. The liferaft can then be launched (but not lost as it is held close to the ship until such time as it is released by the crew).
  • the device When the device is fitted, it does not require a separate "conventional" senhouse release to be fitted additionally as the device also carries the function of this release.
  • the hydrostatic release device can equally well be fitted to a more simple lever device that does not incorporate a manual release. In other words, it can consist only of parts 300, 302, 304, 306, 308. Part 200 is fitted permanently to part 302. Parts 314, 316, 318, 320, 322 through to 342 are not required.
  • the manual release facility is then provided by a "conventional" senhouse release mechanism which is separate but connected to the device of this invention, above or below this device.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
EP93309156A 1992-11-18 1993-11-17 Dispositif à activation automatique Withdrawn EP0598601A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9224184 1992-11-18
GB929224184A GB9224184D0 (en) 1992-11-18 1992-11-18 Automatic activator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0598601A1 true EP0598601A1 (fr) 1994-05-25

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Family Applications (1)

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EP93309156A Withdrawn EP0598601A1 (fr) 1992-11-18 1993-11-17 Dispositif à activation automatique

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EP (1) EP0598601A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9224184D0 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5573343A (en) * 1994-04-07 1996-11-12 Simon Cash-Read Hydrostatic release device
EP0850378A1 (fr) * 1995-09-05 1998-07-01 G.O.T. Guide-on Technologies Ltd. Systeme de liberation de gaz comprime
US5855450A (en) * 1993-11-16 1999-01-05 Richard; Jean-Christophe Hydrostatic release device for safety equipment
WO2003022367A2 (fr) 2001-09-07 2003-03-20 Halkey-Roberts Corporation Bobine pour gonfleur automatique
KR20030025250A (ko) * 2003-02-15 2003-03-28 용 달 장 구명복의 자동팽창장치
WO2006118493A1 (fr) * 2005-05-02 2006-11-09 P & P Utveckling Ab Dispositif manuel de deblocage d’un canot de survie
US7357689B2 (en) 2005-01-19 2008-04-15 Campbell Richard A Automatic inflation device having a moisture activated trigger and release system with reduced force applied to the degradable element
DK201270539A (en) * 2012-09-05 2013-08-12 Ap Moeller Maersk As A diver's safety device
CN104257496A (zh) * 2014-10-21 2015-01-07 张西坤 一次性肝素钠生理盐水封管液套装
RU177432U1 (ru) * 2017-07-28 2018-02-21 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Инновационные Системы Пожаробезопасности" Устройство для сбрасывания спасательного надувного плота с борта судна
CN115092356A (zh) * 2022-07-29 2022-09-23 郑州轻工业大学 一种防溺水救生装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113232802B (zh) * 2021-05-25 2022-06-14 合肥左心科技有限公司 一种气胀式救生筏用静水压力释放器

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1117433B (de) * 1957-03-19 1961-11-16 Frankenstein & Sons Manchester Tauchschalter fuer Ventile od. dgl., insbesondere von Gasvorratsbehaeltern von automatisch aufblasbaren Rettungsgeraeten fuer Schiffbruechige
DE1242469B (de) * 1962-05-25 1967-06-15 Kidde Walter Co Ltd Aufblasbares Rettungsfloss mit Vorrichtung zu dessen Inbetriebnahme
US3802012A (en) * 1972-04-19 1974-04-09 W Middleton Fluid pressure sensing devices
EP0198805A1 (fr) * 1985-03-18 1986-10-22 Hermansson, Mats Dispositif de sécurité capable de se déclencher

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1117433B (de) * 1957-03-19 1961-11-16 Frankenstein & Sons Manchester Tauchschalter fuer Ventile od. dgl., insbesondere von Gasvorratsbehaeltern von automatisch aufblasbaren Rettungsgeraeten fuer Schiffbruechige
DE1242469B (de) * 1962-05-25 1967-06-15 Kidde Walter Co Ltd Aufblasbares Rettungsfloss mit Vorrichtung zu dessen Inbetriebnahme
US3802012A (en) * 1972-04-19 1974-04-09 W Middleton Fluid pressure sensing devices
EP0198805A1 (fr) * 1985-03-18 1986-10-22 Hermansson, Mats Dispositif de sécurité capable de se déclencher

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Automatic lifesaver further developed", HIGH-SPEED SURFACE CRAFT, vol. 20, no. 3, March 1981 (1981-03-01), LONDON, pages 36 - 37 *

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5855450A (en) * 1993-11-16 1999-01-05 Richard; Jean-Christophe Hydrostatic release device for safety equipment
US5573343A (en) * 1994-04-07 1996-11-12 Simon Cash-Read Hydrostatic release device
EP0850378A1 (fr) * 1995-09-05 1998-07-01 G.O.T. Guide-on Technologies Ltd. Systeme de liberation de gaz comprime
EP0850378A4 (fr) * 1995-09-05 1998-09-16 G O T Guide On Technologies Lt Systeme de liberation de gaz comprime
US7572161B2 (en) 2001-09-07 2009-08-11 Halkey-Roberts Corporation Bobbin for automatic inflator
WO2003022367A2 (fr) 2001-09-07 2003-03-20 Halkey-Roberts Corporation Bobine pour gonfleur automatique
EP1425527A2 (fr) * 2001-09-07 2004-06-09 Halkey-Roberts Corporation Bobine pour gonfleur automatique
EP1425527A4 (fr) * 2001-09-07 2005-11-16 Halkey Roberts Corp Bobine pour gonfleur automatique
KR20030025250A (ko) * 2003-02-15 2003-03-28 용 달 장 구명복의 자동팽창장치
US7357689B2 (en) 2005-01-19 2008-04-15 Campbell Richard A Automatic inflation device having a moisture activated trigger and release system with reduced force applied to the degradable element
WO2006118493A1 (fr) * 2005-05-02 2006-11-09 P & P Utveckling Ab Dispositif manuel de deblocage d’un canot de survie
DK201270539A (en) * 2012-09-05 2013-08-12 Ap Moeller Maersk As A diver's safety device
CN104257496A (zh) * 2014-10-21 2015-01-07 张西坤 一次性肝素钠生理盐水封管液套装
RU177432U1 (ru) * 2017-07-28 2018-02-21 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Инновационные Системы Пожаробезопасности" Устройство для сбрасывания спасательного надувного плота с борта судна
CN115092356A (zh) * 2022-07-29 2022-09-23 郑州轻工业大学 一种防溺水救生装置
CN115092356B (zh) * 2022-07-29 2024-03-01 郑州轻工业大学 一种防溺水救生装置

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