EP1228957A1 - Pneumatic floatation device, especially pneumatic liferaft, provided with a Venturi-type inflator means - Google Patents

Abstract

The float (R), with chambers (1, 2) designed to be inflated pneumatically on a liquid surface by a pressurised gas (4) has its inflation system fitted with Venturi nozzles (3) that draw in ambient air to assist inflation. The Venturi nozzles are covered by protectors which allow in ambient air but prevent liquid penetrating. The protectors are made with reinforcing members (6) supporting panels (8, 9) with offset apertures (10, 11) that form chicanes between the outside and the Venturi nozzles, while allowing access to close the nozzles at the end of inflation.

Description

The present invention relates in a way general of improvements made to the devices floating tires, and more particularly, although not exclusively, to those of these devices which have a large volume of swelling.

Pneumatic devices are inflated from a source of pressurized gas, generally consisting of by one or more gas tanks or cylinders tablet embedded on or in the device when this one is autonomous.

An important problem that arises is the the larger the device, the more volume of swelling is important and more the source must be able to deliver a high volume of gas. It correlatively results from longer inflation times, this which is unacceptable when the pneumatic device is a rescue device (for example a liferaft) which must be able to be implemented as quickly as possible possible.

Another disadvantage due to the increase in volume of gas required for inflation resides in the corresponding increase in the number of gas cylinders necessary for inflating the increased volume of large devices, and therefore increasing considerable weight of this material.

To try to overcome these last drawbacks, it could certainly be considered using a gas under very high pressure, which, for an inflation volume given, would significantly reduce the number of bottles required, and therefore the corresponding weight. However, cylinders capable of containing a gas under very high pressure must be mechanically very resistant and, in front, then do not have a weight excessive, they must be made of materials special. Such bottles are therefore expensive, and this solution cannot be adopted for reasons economical, for example when it comes to survival at sea.

The invention therefore aims to improve the pneumatic type floating devices before power be swollen on the liquid surface so that the number of on-board bottles intended for this inflation can be significantly reduced in order to restrict the cost and weight of this material, but without it any affect on the speed of the inflation or device conditioning methods deflated and folded in a container, and without no more than this results in a significant increase in cost of the whole device.

For these purposes, the invention provides a device floating tire that can be inflated on the liquid surface and which for this purpose comprises means of inflation including an on-board source of gas under pressure, which device, being arranged in accordance with the invention is characterized in that said means of inflation include a venturi powered by the source of gas under pressure and capable of causing entrainment of ambient air contributing to the inflation of the device and that said venturi inflation means, being mounted on a wall of said device, are protected by protective means covering them so as to authorize the free passage of ambient air while preventing liquid can penetrate significantly inside the device.

Admittedly, it is already known to implement a venturi in the device inflation means tires. During inflation, the gas flow under pressure from the source created, at the outlet of the venturi where the gas speed is greatly increased, a low pressure suitable for causing ambient air suction through a passage associated with the venturi. This air, driven by the gas jet, participates notably, even mainly, when the device is inflated so that the amount of gas required to inflate the device is is greatly reduced: we thus obtain through this reduction sought in the number of bottles and their weight, along with the inflation speed of the device is very noticeably raised.

However, so far, inflation means were only used for devices terrestrial, or for floating devices inflated before launching. By cons such means have never been used for venturi inflation floating devices to be inflated on the liquid surface (eg liferafts) in reason for the presence of the air passage associated with the venturi through which water (seawater, rain, spray) can penetrate widely into the interior of the device.

Furthermore, and this is a drawback which is of no less importance, the expansion of the gas under very high pressure during inflation is accompanied by brutal lowering of temperature causing the formation of ice that obstructs the passage of gas: the inflation of the device is then interrupted. With particular regard to rescue devices such as liferafts, a such a situation is absolutely unacceptable.

It is therefore thanks to the additional implementation and combinatorial means of protection specific to prevent the ingress of water while allowing the ambient air circulation as inflation means to venturi can be provided on devices floating tires that can be inflated on the liquid surface, according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made that the protection means include a cover extending over said venturi inflation means and resting on the adjacent surface of the device and that this cowling includes a substantially rigid frame supporting panels respectively defining mutually offset openings constituting at least a baffle between the outside and the inflation means venturi.

In a very advantageous exemplary embodiment, the frame consists of inflated tubes under pressure, so that in the storage situation the deflated and folded device (for example in a storage container), the frame is itself deflated and folded in the same way as the rest of the device: it does not result in significant additional volume at integrate in the container and above all there is no rigid element liable to damage the fabric of the device.

In this case, it is interesting that the panels are waterproof canvas panels stretched over the armature. In a simple way, we can then make the panels have a height which is less than that of the armature, the difference thus defining the above respective opening.

Also desirably, the panels are at least partially opening to give access to the venturi, in particular to allow it to be closed at the end of inflation.

In a concrete embodiment, the frame is substantially in the form of a dihedral, a parallelepiped rectangle or trunk of pyramid, which leads to simple shaped tubes which can easily inflate and especially which are simple to manufacture.

For certain applications or certain conditions of use, it may turn out that the inflation is triggered while the device is partially or totally submerged (for example liferafts triggered from a ship which has just sunk quickly). To be assured that the inflation using the venturi can take place, or all at least prime properly without water intrusion, while the container is submerged, it is expected that the device is enclosed, deflated and folded, in a waterproof pocket suitable for being opened during inflation only when the pocket is on or above the liquid surface. In this case, the pneumatic device being folded in the waterproof pocket, this pocket, when inflation initialization, increases volume and flushes the water having penetrated inside the container and accelerates thus raising the assembly to the surface. during this phase, the venturi remains protected against any entry of water. The container then only opens after having reaches the surface and the waterproof pocket does not tear only after opening the container. When tearing the pocket, the means of protection of the venturis are already in place and functional.

In addition, when the inflation of the device on the liquid surface, the flaccid fabric extends to or very little above the surface of the water so that the venturi, insufficiently raised, risk of allowing water to penetrate, all the more so that it is necessary to wait until the whole device has started to take shape, and therefore that a certain amount of time has passed for the venturi to be worn substantially above the surface of the water. To avoid this drawback linked to the inflation time, it is expected that the device includes an interior buffer chamber, permeable to gas, into which the means for venturi inflation, which allows the buffer chamber to inflates in the first place upon the entry into action of the means venturi inflators that are lifted above the liquid being able to function without introduction notable liquid. Advantageously then, the room buffer is provided with at least one passage with restriction making said room communicate with the rest of the volume inside the device.

Although all of the provisions of the invention can find application in any type of pneumatic floating device that can be inflated on the liquid surface, a particularly application interesting of these provisions concerns the rafts survival tires, especially liferafts large dimensions and large capacity (e.g. one hundred or a hundred and fifty people) who are being development.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une partie d'un dispositif pneumatique flottant agencé conformément à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de côté de la partie dudit dispositif illustrée à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de face du dispositif des figures 1 et 2, montrant une variante de réalisation ;
• les figures 4 à 7 sont des vues schématiques partielles en coupe transversale illustrant diverses variantes de réalisation ;
• la figure 8 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un mode de mise en oeuvre spécifique d'une disposition de l'invention, illustrée dans le cas d'un radeau pneumatique de survie ;
• les figures 9A à 9C sont des vues schématiques partielles, en coupe, illustrant diverses variantes d'une autre disposition de l'invention ; et
• les figures 10A à 10C illustrent respectivement trois étapes de la phase initiale de déploiement d'un radeau de survie équipé conformément à l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of certain embodiments given only by way of nonlimiting examples. In this description, reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a floating pneumatic device arranged in accordance with the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective side view of the part of said device illustrated in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figures 1 and 2, showing an alternative embodiment;
• Figures 4 to 7 are partial schematic views in cross section illustrating various alternative embodiments;
• Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of a specific embodiment of an arrangement of the invention, illustrated in the case of an inflatable liferaft;
• FIGS. 9A to 9C are partial schematic views, in section, illustrating various variants of another arrangement of the invention; and
• FIGS. 10A to 10C respectively illustrate three stages of the initial phase of deployment of a liferaft equipped in accordance with the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, it is shown in a very simplified way, in section transverse, part of a pneumatic device floating R; it can for example be the float peripheral (consisting for example of two tubes 1 and 2 superimposed) of a liferaft whose other elements components are not shown.

Each tube 1 and 2 is equipped with a venturi inflation 3, connected by a hose 5 to a source pressurized gas 4, consisting in practice of one or more several gas cylinders. Source 4 can be common to all the inflation members 3, or else the inflation 3 are associated with respective sources distinct.

To protect the venturi inflators 3 against ingress of water, whether mass water liquid on which the device floats or water in suspension in the ambient air (rain, spray), places a protective structure 6 which covers the inflators 3 either individually or sets as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. This protective structure is fixed on the flanges inflatable 1, 2 and forms a protective cage arranged to allow free passage to the ambient air (arrows A) which is sucked in by the venturi (s) while preventing liquid be trained.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the structure of protection 6 is in the form of a cage or cover which rests on the tubes 1, 2 extending over the inflation means 3. This cowling includes a frame rigid 7 for example in the form of two frames rectangular arranged in a dihedral. Each frame of the frame 7 supports panels 8, 9 which define openings 10, 11 mutually offset so as to form at least one baffle between the outside and the inflators 3, baffle which does not hinder passage air (arrows A).

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the two frames of the rigid frame 7 have a appreciable thickness and the panels 8 and 9 are fixed on these frames on either side of them, the panels 8 being mounted towards the base of the frames (the corresponding openings 10 thus being situated towards the top of the frames), while the interior panels 9 are located towards the top of the frames (the openings corresponding 11 thus being located towards the bottom of the frames). Such an arrangement is sufficient to prevent a significant penetration of water into the inflation devices at venturi 3.

The protective structure 6 can give rise to many embodiments. However it is desirable that it does not contain any rigid element which may damage, in particular tear, the fabric of the pneumatic device during deployment and inflation thereof. For this reason, the rigid frame 7 consists of tubes inflated under pressure and the panels 8 and 9 are formed as panels of waterproof canvas stretched over the frames, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The end walls 12 of the cowling thus formed are formed of a canvas or bib conforming to the outer contour of the tubes 1, 2 and secured to the two frames of the frame 7.

This constitutes a protective structure 6 which, in the deflated state of the reinforcement 7, is flexible and can be folded together with the device R itself when locked in its container.

To be assured that the protective structure 6 performs its function of protecting the inflating members at venturi 3 from the start of inflation, you must do so that this protective structure 6 is inflated first, before inflation begins device: for this purpose, a source of independent gas 13 (Figure 1) and, the volume of gas necessary for inflation of the frame 6 being low, this auxiliary source 13 can consist of a small compressed gas cylinder which does not penalize, in cost and weight, the entire device.

Alternatively, one could also provide for the inflation of the armature 6 from the main source 4 by implementing sequential distribution means such as the inflation of the tubes 1, 2 does not start until inflated. frame 6 of the protective cover: such an arrangement is suggested in FIG. 1 by a pipe 13 a (shown in dashes) connecting the head of the main bottle 4 to frame 6.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the openings 10 and 11 forming a baffle are defined by a smaller size (height) of the canvas panels 8, 9 screws with respect to the corresponding dimension of the frame. Well of course, other arrangements are possible (panels of canvas of the same format as the frame and fitted with drilling (s), for example).

In addition, various arrangements can be made in conjunction with the implementation requirements of the pneumatic device, and in particular of the venturi inflation.

Thus, it can be expected that the exterior panels 8 are fixed on the corresponding frame of the frame rigid 7, removably (at least along their two lateral sides) using fixing means 14 waterproof and easy to handle (e.g. "Velcro" hooks, zipper, ...). As illustrated in Figure 3, which shows the rollover for face, lifting the outer panels 8 allows to have access to the venturi inflators 3 especially to close (lock) these once the inflation completed.

In addition to the previous provision or in replacement thereof, each outer panel 8 can be provided with a flap 15 releasing a window 16 offering close access to the inflation devices 3.

In Figure 4 is illustrated a variant of embodiment according to which the rigid reinforcement 6 is no longer in the form of a dihedral as shown in Figures 1 to 3, but in rectangular parallelepiped shape with two frames substantially parallel sides 17 joined by a frame front 18. Two external panels 19, supported by the side frames 17 and partially through the front frame 18, define between them, on the front frame 18, a opening 20 opposite which a panel extends interior 21 supported at least by the front frame 18. The air flow is illustrated by arrows A.

In Figure 5, the rigid frame 6 is shaped in a pyramid trunk with the two side frames 17 converge towards each other. The exterior panels 19 extend only along the side frames 17, while that the inner panel 21 extends over the entire dimension of the front frame 18 by returning to the side frames 17 partially facing the exterior panels 19.

The arrangements according to the invention are not not dependent on the configuration of the device pneumatic R, and in particular are not dependent the number of strands constituting the float. The previous examples of Figures 1 to 5 have been illustrated in relationship with a float formed by two superimposed tubes 1, 2. In Figure 6 is illustrated the embodiment of the cowling according to the invention shown in Figure 5 associated, here, with a float formed by three tubes superimposed 1, 2, 22. Similarly, in Figure 7 is illustrated the embodiment of the rollover according to the invention shown in Figure 4 associated, here, with a float formed of a single tube 1.

In the uninflated and folded state, the device pneumatic can be enclosed in a protective shell or container. This is particularly the case with rafts survival tires. However, the tightness of containers is not perfect. As a result, water can enter the container, especially when it is thrown into the water and floats for a while before the inflation of the raft is controlled, or even during the rapid sinking of a ship during which the raft is trained underwater before being released by a system hydrostatic triggered at a predetermined depth. Under these conditions, the penetration of water into the container may result in penetration of water in the raft, through the inflators to venturi.

To avoid this drawback, provision is made to enclose the deflated and folded raft in a pocket waterproof made of an extensible material.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the deflated raft R is folded, for example so as to wrap the source 23 gas under pressure necessary for inflation, this being connected by at least one pipe 5 to at least one member venturi inflation (not visible). The set is enclosed in a waterproof pocket 24, which in turn is enclosed in container 25. A halyard 26 of triggering of the striker of the source 23 crosses the container 25 and tightly the pocket 24. It can also be connected directly to the triggering of the source 23 striker if it crosses so waterproof the pocket 24. During inflation, the pocket 24 tears under the push of the raft during expansion.

To further improve the efficiency of inflation venturi arranged in accordance with the invention, it it is desirable that, from the start of inflation, the inflators are hoisted above the level of water so as to be sure that water cannot penetrate, through the venturis, into the device tire during inflation.

For these purposes, it is expected that the inflation gas delivered in or in each tube 1, 2 of the device tire is retained, locally and temporarily, in the part of the tube 1, 2 adjoining the organ of inflation 3. A buffer chamber 27 is therefore used relatively small volume into which the organ opens inflation 3, said buffer chamber 27 communicating with the rest of the tube 1, 2 by a braking restriction gas flow. As a result, from the start of the inflation, the buffer chamber 27 is put under overpressure and immediately inflates, hoisting the inflation member to venturi above the water and allowing it to assume its function in the best conditions.

The realization of the buffer chamber 27 can give place in various variants.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the chamber buffer 27 can be constituted by a closed enclosure 28 inserted inside the tube (1 for example) and in which opens the venturi inflator 3 connected by a hose 5 to the gas cylinder under pressure 23.

The enclosure 28 has an end wall 29 which is provided with 30 calibrated holes providing a braked flow gas from chamber 27 to the rest of the rod 1. The other end wall 31 can be fitted in the same way as the wall 29 and / or can, as illustrated, be equipped with a pressure relief valve 32 for safety.

In FIG. 9B is illustrated a variant of similar to that of FIG. 9A, except that the chamber 27 is defined by a section of the rod 1 itself which is delimited by two transverse partitions 29 and 31 secured to the wall of the flange 1 and equipped as described above with reference to FIG. 9A.

Of course, the braking of the gas flow can be provided by any suitable means, such as, in addition to the aforementioned calibrated holes, the only pressure relief valve, a porous fabric, a system of baffles, etc. By way of example is illustrated in FIG. 9C an arrangement with multiple compartments delimited by successive partitions 33 a , 33 b , 33 c , ... provided with calibrated holes 34 a , 34 b , 34 c , ... respectively of increasing total section. On the left-hand side of FIG. 9C, an arrangement with partitions secured to the flange 1 is shown and on the right-hand side of FIG. 9C, an arrangement with attached enclosure 28 and provided with a plurality of successive walls is shown.

In the same way, the transverse partitions integral with the flange can have any desired shape (spherical, frustoconical cap, ...), and similarly the enclosure 28 introduced inside the tube 1 can have any desired shape (cylindrical, biconical, spherical, ...).

As already mentioned above, the arrangements according to the invention find a preferred application, although not exclusive, in inflatable liferafts, especially in large-capacity liferafts, that is, capable of carry a large number of people (for example 100 to 150 people) and to do this having large dimensions and therefore a large volume of swelling.

To make the interest clearer of the arrangements explained above, FIGS. 10A at 10C illustrate three stages of the initial phase of deployment of a liferaft equipped in accordance with the invention.

In FIG. 10A, the container 25 containing the raft has been thrown and floats on the surface. The arrangement can be that indicated above opposite of Figure 8 and illustrated on the latter.

By pulling (automatic or manual) on the halyard 26, we trigger the striker of the head of control of the gas cylinder 23 under pressure, which initiates the inflation process.

The half-shells 25 a , 25 b of the container 25, for example articulated to one another around a hinge 35, move away from one another (FIG. 10B) and release the raft which begins to inflate inside the flexible waterproof pocket 24. The amplitude of the waterproof pocket 24 and the elongation coefficient of its constituent material are such that, under the thrust of the raft at the start of inflation, the pocket defines a large volume tightly protected from water. In addition, it is the buffer chambers 27 which begin to inflate, before the gas propagates in the rest of the tubes.

Finally, when the distended pocket 24 finishes by tearing along a line weakened at this Indeed, the buffer chambers 27 of the tubes 1, 2 are swollen, although the rest of the tubes 1, 2 are still uninflated and flaccid state as shown in figure 10C. The buoyancy of the part of the raft associated with venturi inflators is sufficient for the venturis 3 are above water and in unable to suck up water.

At this time, the protective structure 6 is inflated and in place to protect the venturi inflation members 3: the air sucked in by the venturis is thus protected from any contact with water. As shown in FIG. 10C, the half-shells 25 a , 25 b of the container float on the water. However, in the case where the inflation of the raft is initiated by a hydrostatic release device (in the case of a rapidly sinking ship, in particular), the half-hulls 25 a , 25 b can sink rapidly and the buoyancy of the structure R is procured by the beginning of the swelling inside the waterproof bag bringing the structure R to the surface.

The torn pocket 24 gradually releases the still uninflated part of the raft, which then completes inflate entirely.

Claims (12)

Pneumatic floating device (R) which must be able to be inflated on the liquid surface and which for this purpose comprises inflation means including an on-board source of pressurized gas (4),
characterized in that the inflation means (3) comprise a venturi supplied by the source of pressurized gas (4) and capable of causing an entrainment of ambient air contributing to the inflation of the device,
and in that said venturi inflation means (3), being mounted on a wall of said device, are protected by protective means (6, 8, 9) covering them so as to allow the free passage of ambient air while preventing that liquid can penetrate notably inside the device. Pneumatic floating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective means (6, 8, 9) comprise a cover extending over said venturi inflation means and resting on the adjacent surface of the device, and in that that this cowling comprises a substantially rigid frame (6) supporting panels (8, 9) respectively defining openings (10, 11) mutually offset and constituting at least one baffle between the exterior and the venturi inflation means. Pneumatic floating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the armature (6) is made up of pressure inflated tubes (7). Pneumatic floating device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the panels (8, 9) are waterproof canvas panels stretched over the frame. Pneumatic floating device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the panels (8, 9) have one of their dimensions which is less than that corresponding to the frame, thus defining the said respective opening (10, 11). Pneumatic floating device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the panels (8, 9) are at least partially opening (14) to give access to the venturi, in particular to allow it to be closed at the end of inflation. Pneumatic floating device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the armature (6) is substantially in the form of a dihedral, a rectangular parallelepiped or a trunk of a pyramid. Pneumatic floating device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is enclosed, in the deflated state and folded, in a sealed pocket (24) suitable for being opened during inflation only when the pocket is at the liquid surface. Pneumatic floating device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an internal gas-permeable buffer chamber (27) into which the venturi inflation means (3) open out,
whereby the buffer chamber (27) inflates in the first place upon entry into action of the venturi inflation means (3) which are thus lifted above the liquid being able to operate without significant introduction of liquid. Pneumatic floating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the buffer chamber (27) is provided with at least one restricted passage (30) communicating said chamber with the rest of the interior volume of the device. Pneumatic liferaft, characterized in that it is made up according to any one of the preceding claims. Liferaft according to claim 11, characterized in that it is a large and large capacity raft.

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