EP3371045A1

EP3371045A1 - Underwater rescue

Info

Publication number: EP3371045A1
Application number: EP16793784.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Malletschek; Andreas Kölsch; Florian Hempfling; Max Rottmann
Original assignee: ThyssenKrupp AG; ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH
Current assignee: ThyssenKrupp AG; ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH
Priority date: 2015-11-03
Filing date: 2016-10-25
Publication date: 2018-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-25
Also published as: DE102015221496A1; PL3371045T3; EP3371045B1; KR102123749B1; WO2017076691A1; KR20180076368A; ES2747485T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device for coupling an underwater rescue suit to a submarine (10), wherein a mechanical connection (40) and a connection for supplying breathing air (50) is established/can be established between the underwater rescue suit and the submarine (10) by way of the coupling device. Upon releasing the coupling device, the mechanical connection (40) and the connection for supplying breathing air (50) can be released simultaneously.

Description

Underwater Rescue

The invention relates to a device and a method for underwater rescue. For the evacuation and rescue of people from damaged submarines, there are a number of procedures that are executable depending on the depth. For rescue from great depths, for example, corresponding rescue dive boats or rescue bells are used. Disadvantage is that these must first be brought to the place of the accident. However, this time is not always given. Also known are methods in which the submarine carries corresponding pressure-resistant rescue capsules with it. Disadvantage of this is that only very few submarines for space and cost reasons are equipped with these. At shallow depths, the escape can take place directly in a rescue suit or with a life jacket without the use of a sluice, which is up to a maximum depth of about 50 m. For greater depths up to about 250 m, an exit using a sluice application, ie the crew is evacuated by single or double sluices from the boat. Here, a rescue suit provides for a buoyancy and thus allows a quick ascent, on the other hand, the breathing air required in this time is provided. The buoyancy generated in this case is about 500 N. However, this high buoyancy leads during the lock process to considerable difficulties in the fixation of the or the descendants and there is a risk that the people can not hold in each place and thus in the lock float. This in turn can lead to clogging of the lock and probably to the death of the persons. This effect is intensified by people becoming unconscious during the lock.

In addition, the high ambient pressure leads to a desaturation of nitrogen in the blood when leaving at greater depths. The amount of dissolved nitrogen in the blood depends on the depth of immersion and the residence time. As it ascends to the surface of the water, the nitrogen reverts to the gas phase and, depending on the amount of nitrogen, can lead to diving disease.

From EP 2 021 233 AI a rescue suit with a rise hood is known. From EP 0 444 400 AI a submarine rescue arrangement with a waterproof suit is known, wherein the suit has an integrally attached container in which a deployable life raft is stored and from which the life raft can be removed for deployment. From EP 2 479 105 AI a rescue suit for submarine riders with an inflatable lift chamber, a rise hood and a hose with a free end for connection to a supply of a breathing gas is known.

From EP 2 394 907 A2 a submarine rescue suit with a connection means is known. About the connection means the submarine rescue suit can be connected to a Atemnotluftanlage a submarine.

From DE 10 2012 219 266 B3 a submarine with at least one emergency exit lock is known, wherein in the emergency exit lock a holding device is arranged on the boat side holding means for releasable attachment to a submarine rescue suit, wherein a control device is provided for the automatic release of the holding means.

From GB 1 546 884 a device is known for the removal of an injured or unconscious person, the device providing fastening means.

The object of the invention is to make the underwater rescue easier, safer and faster, so as to minimize the residence time of a person at high ambient pressure and thus the risk of the occurrence of diving disease and on the other hand to ensure a secure fixation of the person in the lock.

This object is achieved by a coupling device having the features specified in claim 1, a submarine having the features specified in claim 4 and by the method having the features specified in claim 11. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims, the following description and the drawings.

The coupling device according to the invention serves for coupling an underwater rescue suit to a submarine. The coupling device provides a mechanical connection as well as a connection to the supply of breathing air between the Underwater rescue suit and the sluice in the submarine ago, wherein when releasing the coupling device, the mechanical connection and the connection to the supply of breathing air are simultaneously solvable. The mechanical connection serves to fix the person. The mechanical connection serves to absorb the buoyancy force created by the underwater rescue suit. This allows the person to be held and secured in place via the securing means of the mechanical connection of the underwater rescue suit. In particular, the mechanical connection may be a force-transmitting connection between the coupling device and the underwater rescue suit, in addition to the connection for supplying the respiratory air, wherein the mechanical connection and the connection for supplying the respiratory air are jointly and simultaneously releasable by the coupling device. Advantage of the coupling device according to the invention is that the functions of the breathing air supply and the fixation of the person in the lock are combined with each other in the present system. Both compounds can thus be separated simultaneously. As a result, the stay of the person can be reduced under high pressure, since not two separate connections must be solved. In addition, in such a situation, additional steps pose an enormous risk because people in such an emergency situation do not always act rationally. However, a mechanical connection is still necessary, since a lift of typically 500 N is generated by the underwater rescue suit and this can not be compensated by the person. On the other hand, the supply of breathing air is important to ensure the inflating of the suit and the breathing air supply of the descending under increasing ambient pressure. The fact that both compounds are connected via the same coupling device, they can be separated with a single step, which valuable seconds can be saved.

The coupling device is preferably designed as a quick coupling. Particularly preferably, the quick coupling on two rounded and / or ergonomically shaped handles for triggering the quick release. The principle of a quick coupling can be found, for example, US 2014/143986. In this case, the quick coupling can be designed so that it is engaged without actuation, that produces a firm connection. This has the advantage that the arms and hands of the person are free and thus can work or even unconscious persons can be discharged. Alternatively, the quick coupling so be configured that this solves the connection without operation. Thus, the person must actively keep the clutch closed, but unconscious persons can not be excluded. In a further embodiment of the invention, the mechanical connection is made to a belt integrated in the underwater rescue suit. The mechanical connection must compensate for the increasing buoyancy of the underwater rescue suit of up to 500 N during the process. Thus, comparatively large forces occur on the underwater rescue suit and the person in the underwater rescue suit. In order to transmit this force efficiently, a belt, for example a hip belt, is advantageous.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the coupling device is automatically released. Although the manual operation of the coupling device is simple and easy to use even in a massive system failure. This assumes, however, that the person is still operational. In order to save unconscious persons, an automatic triggering is advantageous. For automatic triggering, both a pneumatic and, alternatively, a hydraulic release mechanism have proved to be particularly advantageous. A mechanical release is also possible and does not depend on the functionality of the pneumatic or hydraulic system. The automation also allows optimal time utilization.

Particularly preferred are both manual and automatic tripping possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical connection between the coupling device and the underwater rescue suit is made by means of a snap hook which is hooked into a fixture which is on the part of the coupling device which remains on the underwater rescue suit after separation of the coupling device. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the mechanical connection is made by means of a device surrounding the connection to the supply of breathing air. For example, a hose for the connection to the supply of breathing air on the outside of a reinforced tissue or network, which is able to absorb the comparatively high forces of typically at least 500 N. For example, can a hose for the connection to the supply of breathing air additionally or alternatively be made of Kevlar.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a submarine having at least one first arranged in a lock area coupling device according to the invention and arranged on the top of the lock area hatch, wherein on the hatch a triggering device for the automatic release of the first coupling device is arranged. This combination is particularly advantageous for automatic removal. First, the lock area must be flooded and the pressure equalization carried out before the hatch cover can be opened. Only then may the coupling device be released, so that the air supply and the fixation of the descending is guaranteed as long as possible.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has at least one first coupling device and one second coupling device in the lock area. The time-critical process steps in the emergency exit via a sluice are usually the flooding and Lenzen the lock. By increasing the number of people per incident, the overall evacuation process can be accelerated rapidly. In addition, in this way, an unconscious person can be supported by another person. The number of people to be escorted per procedure is limited both by the functional processes of the emergency exit via a sluice and the resulting physical strain of the exiting and by the spatial design of the lock area, the lock area can usually accommodate only one or two people. With large locks more people can be evacuated at the same time.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has at least one first delay circuit, wherein the first delay circuit is designed to delay the automatic release of the first coupling device. If the coupling device is still released during the opening of the hatch cover, there is a risk that the person can beat the hatch cover by the comparatively high buoyancy with a comparatively large force. This can lead to injuries and unconsciousness. To avoid this, a delay circuit can be used be provided, which ensures that the hatch cover is already fully open and is not maintained unnecessarily long on the other side. This allows the optimal timing of the evacuation. In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has at least one second delay circuit, wherein the second delay circuit is designed to delay the automatic release of the second clutch device after the automatic release of the first clutch direction. If further coupling devices are present in the lock area, the second delay circuit triggers the other coupling devices in chronological succession and delayed. The advantage of this embodiment is that the persons leave the lock area at a short time offset. Advantageously, the delay is chosen so that the second coupling device is triggered immediately when the first person could have passed the hatch area. Due to the time delay, these persons do not hinder each other. This is particularly important because the people are usually back to back, as they are connected via the coupling device to the submarine and are therefore regularly aligned frontally to the wall. Automation also ensures that the second person does not wait longer than necessary. In a development of the delay circuit, the delay circuit can detect the passage of the hatch area by the first person by means of sensors and then triggers the second coupling device. The sensors can be arranged in the hatch area and can be, for example, light barriers or non-contact near-field sensors.

Particularly preferably, the submarine has a first delay circuit and a second delay circuit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the delay circuits are designed pneumatically. Advantage of this embodiment is that only works with air pressure. Compressed air is regularly available even in a damaged submarine, as it can be stored locally. However, electrical or hydraulic systems are more susceptible here, especially in the event of a failure of the central power supply. A mechanical delay circuit is also possible and not dependent on the functionality of the pneumatic or hydraulic system.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the coupling device is removably arranged in the lock area. The lock area is usually comparatively cramped and is normally required for personnel and material transfers. Therefore, it is advantageous if the coupling device is placed in the lock area only in an emergency. For this purpose, the coupling device can be connected for example by means of a quick coupling with the breathing air supply.

In a further embodiment, a communication device, for example a pushbutton or a connection for a communication device, for example a plug connection for a headphone and a microphone is provided on the coupling, so that a communication between the exit person and the crew remaining in the submarine can be established. In the case of a connection for a communication device may preferably be provided that this connection when releasing the coupling device, the mechanical connection and the connection to the supply of breathing air is simultaneously solvable. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of underwater rescue from a submarine, the method comprising the following method steps:

a) putting on an underwater rescue suit by at least one first person,

b) establishing a connection between the underwater rescue suit of the first person and the submarine by means of a coupling device according to the invention in a lock area,

c) flooding the lock area,

d) independent opening of a hatch cover of the lock area,

e) releasing the connection of the first-person coupling device,

f) Ascent of the first person out of the lock area.

Of course, this can be followed by a closing of the hatch cover and drainage of the lock area to eject in repetition of the process more people from the submarine. In a further embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the following method steps:

al) putting on an underwater rescue suit by at least one second person, bl) establishing a connection between the underwater rescue suit of the second person and the submarine by means of a coupling device according to one of claims 1 to 3 in a lock area, g) releasing the connection of the second person coupling device,

h) ascent of the second person out of the lock area.

This allows the evacuation of at least two people at the same time, whereby the 5 evacuation of the submarine is accelerated accordingly.

The device according to the invention and the method are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

10 Fig. 1 Schematic cross-section with closed Turmluk

Fig. 2 Schematic cross section with open Turmluk

Fig. 3 Schematic cross section with two coupling devices

Fig. 4 Pneumatic circuit diagram for automatic decoupling

Fig. 5 Pneumatic circuit diagram of a delay circuit

15 Fig. 6 Cross-section through a tower of a submarine in two coupling devices

Fig. 7 flowchart of a method

Fig. 8 cross-section through a coupling device

In Fig. 1, a schematic cross-section of a tower 12 of a 20 submarine 10 is shown in strong simplification, with a person 20 is in the tower 12 and the submarine 10 is to leave through the tower 12. For this purpose, the person 20 carries an underwater rescue suit, not shown. The underwater rescue suit is connected to the submarine 10 via a coupling device. The coupling device consists of a socket 30 which is fixedly connected to the submarine 10 and a plug 32 which engages in the socket 25 30. From the socket 30 is a mechanical connection 40 (retention function) and a connection to the supply of breathing air 50 for underwater rescue suit of the person 20. The hatch cover 14 is initially closed, the tower 12 filled with air.

After the person 20 has connected via the coupling device with the 30 submarine 10 as shown in Fig. 1, the tower 12 is flooded. After the tower 12 has been flooded, the hatch cover 14 opens as shown in FIG. The person 20 releases the coupling device or the coupling device is automatically released and the person 20 rises to the water surface. In Fig. 3 is a cross section through a Schleusel2 a submarine 10 is shown, wherein there are two coupling devices in the lock 12. As a result, two persons 20, each wearing an underwater rescue suit, can be evacuated from the submarine 10 at the same time. In this example, the socket 30 of the coupling device has an automatic release 60. In addition, the coupling device could also be triggered manually. The two automatic releases 60 are interconnected via a triggering system 70, in which case the triggering system 70 operates pneumatically. For this purpose, the controller 70 has an input for compressed air from a compressed air tank 72 which can be filled by a compressed air feed 74. Preferably, the compressed air tank

10 72 designed so that the supply of compressed air is sufficient for the evacuation of the crew even in case of failure of the central compressed air supply system. In addition, the controller 70 is connected to a hatch cover switch 76. The hatch cover switch 76 switches as soon as the hatch cover 14 is opened. As a result, the automatic release 60 is triggered. Until the release of the connection of the coupling device, the supply of persons 20 takes place with

15 Breathing air via the breathing air supply 80.

Fig. 4 shows a pneumatic circuit diagram for the automatic release. The circuit has two delay circuits 90, which are shown in FIG. Compressed air is introduced into the pressure vessel 72 via the compressed air feed 74. In front of and behind the pressure vessel 72, pressure relief valves 0V2 and 0V3 can be provided. Via the pressure limiting valve 1V1 the range of the circuit located behind the pressure limiting valve 1V1 is set so that it has virtually no or only a slight overpressure to the ambient pressure. When the hatch cover 14 is closed, the switching valve 1B1 is in a position that the low pressure set by the pressure limiting valve 1V1 is relayed. In the open position of the hatch cover 14, however, the higher pressure on the delay circuit 90 is applied to the release cylinder 1A1. The release cylinder 1A1 is part of the automatic release 60. The movement of the release cylinder 1A1, the switch 1B2 is triggered. This also switches from low pressure to high pressure and thus triggers another one

30 delay circuit 90 from the release cylinder 1A2. The release cylinder 1A2 is part of another automatic release 60. This allows two people 20 are deployed optimally and quickly with minimum risk from the lock 12.

The delay circuit 90 is shown in FIG. The most important element is the 35 circuit pressure vessel 2S1. By first having to fill this volume, the pressure on valve 2V4 builds up slowly, so that valve 2V4 is only opened with a time delay. The time delay is adjustable by the spring force of the spring of valve 2V4.

The construction of the circuit relative to the ambient pressure by means of the pressure relief valves 0V2, 0V3 and 1V1 has the advantage that the circuit at different depths of the submarine 10 always works the same way, since the ambient pressure is dependent on the rescue depth.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary cross section through a lock 12 with two coupling devices. The coupling devices are shown in Fig. 6 with plug-in socket 30 in the plug 32, the plug 32 is shown for ease of illustration without mechanical connection 40 and no connection to the supply of breathing air 50 for underwater rescue suit. For normal use, the lock has a ladder 100. About this conductor 100 and the lock 12 is entered to connect in the evacuation case on the coupling devices with the submarine 10. In the vicinity of the coupling device, a holding device 110 may be located. The holding device 110 can be used, for example, by a person 20 for additional security, in which the foot is positioned under the holding device 110. In Fig. 7, the inventive method is shown schematically. In the process steps a and al, people each wear an underwater rescue suit and climb into the sluice 12. Subsequently, in the process steps b and bl, a connection between the underwater rescue suit and the submarine is established by means of a coupling device. Subsequently, in the method step c, the lock area is flooded and pressure equalization is established. After pressure equalization between the lock 12 and the surroundings, the hatch cover is opened in method step d. Subsequently, in process step e, the coupling device of the first person is released. As a result, in step f, the ascent of the first person from the lock area takes place. Thereafter, in method step g, the connection of the second person's clutch is released, whereupon in step h the ascent of the second person takes place from the lock 12. In order to be able to evacuate more persons, the hatch cover is closed in method step i and the lock area is drained in method step k. After this, persons can again enter and the procedure can be carried out again until the crew of the submarine has been completely evacuated. Fig. 8 shows a schematic cross section through a coupling devices in the form of a quick coupling. The coupling devices has a socket 30 and a plug 32. In the middle of the breathing air supply 80 runs. At the plug 32 is a mounting 34 for producing a mechanical connection 40. For example, 5 a carabiner, a mechanical connection 40 can be made. To lock the plug 32 in the socket 30, the coupling devices on a lock 124 which can engage in the recess 126 of the plug to unlock a release device can be moved in particular against a spring 122, so that the latch 124 can be removed from the recess 126 , The spring 122 causes the 10 clutch devices to be locked in the normal state.

reference numeral

10 submarine

12 locks

15 14 hatch covers

20 person

30 coupling device (bushing)

32 coupling device (plug)

34 attachment

20 40 mechanical connection

50 Connection to the supply of breathing air

60 automatic release

70 regulation

72 pressure vessels

25 74 Compressed air supply

76 hatch cover switch

80 breathing air supply

90 delay circuit

100 conductors

30 110 holding device

120 triggering device

122 spring

124 locking

126 deepening

Claims

claims

1. Coupling device for coupling an underwater rescue suit to a

Submarine (10), wherein the coupling device has a mechanical connection (40) and a connection to the supply of breathing air (50) between the

Underwater rescue suit and the submarine (10) can be produced, wherein when releasing the coupling device, the mechanical connection (40) and the connection to the supply of breathing air (50) are simultaneously solvable.

2. Coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the

mechanical connection (40) is made to a belt integrated in the underwater rescue suit.

3. Coupling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the coupling device is automatically released.

4. Submarine (10) with at least one first arranged in a lock area coupling device according to claim 3 and one at the top of the

Locking area arranged hatch cover (14), wherein at the hatch cover (14) a triggering device (120) for the automatic release of the first

Coupling device is arranged.

5. submarine (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the submarine (10) has at least a first coupling device and a second coupling device in the lock area.

6. submarine (10) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the submarine (10) has at least a first delay circuit (90), wherein the first delay circuit (90) is designed for delaying the automatic release of the first coupling device.

A submarine (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the submarine (10) comprises at least a second delay circuit (90), the second delay circuit (90) for delaying the automatic release of the second clutch device after the automatic transmission Solve the first

Coupling direction is formed.

8. submarine (10) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the coupling device is pneumatically or hydraulically releasable.

9. submarine (10) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the delay circuits (90) are designed pneumatically or hydraulically.

10. submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling devices have a communication option or a connection for making a communication between the person leaving and the crew in the submarine.

11. An underwater rescue method of a submarine (10), the method comprising the steps of:

a) putting on an underwater rescue suit by at least one first person, b) establishing a connection between the underwater rescue suit of the first

Person and the submarine (10) by means of a coupling device according to one of claims 1 to 3 in a lock area,

c) flooding the lock area,

d) opening a hatch cover (14) of the lock area,

e) releasing the connection of the first-person coupling device,

f) Ascent of the first person out of the lock area.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method the

the following method steps include:

al) putting on an underwater rescue suit by at least one second person, bl) establishing a connection between the underwater rescue suit of the second person and the submarine (10) by means of a coupling device according to one of claims 1 to 3 in a lock area,

g) releasing the connection of the second person coupling device,

h) ascent of the second person out of the lock area.