EP4261800A1 - Lumières sans fil activées par l'eau - Google Patents

Lumières sans fil activées par l'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4261800A1
EP4261800A1 EP23162150.9A EP23162150A EP4261800A1 EP 4261800 A1 EP4261800 A1 EP 4261800A1 EP 23162150 A EP23162150 A EP 23162150A EP 4261800 A1 EP4261800 A1 EP 4261800A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
block
battery
signal
cavity
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP23162150.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Chethana Shivappa
Vinod Kumar Shivalinga
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.)
Goodrich Corp
Original Assignee
Goodrich Corp
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
Priority claimed from US17/850,801 external-priority patent/US20230314174A1/en
Application filed by Goodrich Corp filed Critical Goodrich Corp
Publication of EP4261800A1 publication Critical patent/EP4261800A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
    • G08B5/002—Distress signalling devices, e.g. rescue balloons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/20—Status alarms responsive to moisture

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to wireless water activated light system, and more specifically to wireless water activated light systems for emergency devices.
  • Water activated lights are often attached to the emergency flotation devices to assist in search and rescue during a water emergency.
  • These water activated lights comprise a wired system which can fail due to wire breakage during installation of the water activated lights and/or upon deployment of the emergency flotation device. Additionally, installation of water activated lights with a wired system is often associated with production of fabric tunnels to hold the wire, which adds weight in materials and time needed to manufacture the emergency flotation device.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly can comprise a casing, a cap coupled to the casing to form a cavity, a signal transmitter disposed within the cavity, a pusher block disposed within the cavity distal to the battery, and a hygroscopic block disposed within the cavity distal to the pusher block.
  • the battery can be disposed distally to the signal transmitter and biased away from the signal transmitter by a spring.
  • the cap can comprise an opening configured to fluidly couple the hygroscopic block with an ambient environment.
  • the hygroscopic block can comprise a dry compressed towel, a dry compressed cloth, and/or a dry sponge.
  • the hygroscopic block can be configured to expand with an expansion force and the expansion force can urge the battery to move proximally toward the signal transmitter.
  • the expansion force can be double the spring force.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly can further comprise an O-ring disposed within the cavity and in contact with the pusher block.
  • the O-ring can create a seal within the casing to prevent water from entering the cavity.
  • the signal transmitter is configured to transmit an output signal.
  • the output signal can comprise a low frequency RF signal.
  • the water emergency device system can comprise a water flotation device, a water activated transmitter assembly coupled to the water flotation device, and a wireless light assembly coupled to the water flotation device.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly can comprise a casing, a cap coupled to the casing to form a cavity, a signal transmitter disposed within the cavity, a pusher block disposed within the cavity distal to the battery, and a hygroscopic block disposed within the cavity distal to the pusher block.
  • the battery can be disposed distally to the signal transmitter and biased away from the signal transmitter by a spring.
  • the flotation device can be a raft.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly can further comprise an O-ring disposed within the cavity and in contact with the pusher block.
  • the wireless light assembly can comprise a light and a battery control unit coupled to the light.
  • the battery control unit can comprise a signal receiver, a processor in communication with the signal receiver and a switch, and a light battery, in communication with the switch and the light.
  • the signal transmitter can be configured to transmit an output signal and the signal receiver can be configured to receive the output signal from the signal transmitter.
  • the output signal can comprise a low frequency RF signal.
  • the cap comprises an opening configured to fluidly couple the hygroscopic block with an ambient environment.
  • the hygroscopic block can be a dry compressed towel.
  • the hygroscopic block can be configured to expand with an expansion force and bias the battery in the opposite direction of the spring force.
  • the expansion force can be double the spring force.
  • the method can comprise disposing a hygroscopic block in a cap, coupling a pusher block to the hygroscopic block, coupling a battery to the pusher block, coupling a spring to the pusher block, coupling a transmitter to a casing, and coupling the casing to the cap.
  • the method of manufacture can further comprise disposing an O-ring between the cap and the casing.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a water activated transmitter assembly 100 according to various embodiments.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly 100 can comprise a casing 102, a cap 104 coupled to the casing 102 to form a cavity 106, a signal transmitter 108 disposed within the cavity 106, a battery 110 disposed within the cavity 106, a pusher block 114 disposed within the cavity and in contact with the battery 110, a spring 112 disposed between the signal transmitter 108 and the pusher block 114, and a hygroscopic block 116.
  • an O-ring 120 is disposed within the cavity 106 and in contact with the pusher block 114.
  • the O-ring can form a seal between the casing 102 and the cap 104 in order to prevent water from entering the cavity 106.
  • the spring 112 can be disposed so as to exert a spring force which biases the battery 110 distally away from the signal transmitter 108.
  • the cap 104 can comprise an opening 118.
  • the opening is configured to allow water to contact the hygroscopic block 116 in response to the water activated transmitter assembly 100 being exposed to water.
  • the hygroscopic block 116 can comprise any suitable hygroscopic material which expands when exposed to water, for example, a dry compressed towel, a dry compressed cloth, and/or a dry sponge material.
  • the hygroscopic block 116 In response to exposing the hygroscopic block 116 to water, the hygroscopic block 116 expands and creates an expansion force which biases the pusher block 114 and the battery 110 against the spring 112 and opposes the spring force.
  • the expansion force is greater than the spring force and in response to the hygroscopic block 116 expanding, hygroscopic block 116 urges the battery 110 in a proximal direction, opposing and overcoming the spring force, causing compression of the spring 113 and causing contact between the battery 110 and the signal transmitter 108.
  • the signal transmitter 108 is configured to transmit an output signal 122 in response to the battery 110 making contact with the signal transmitter 108.
  • the output signal 122 can comprise a low frequency radio frequency (RF) signal.
  • the low frequency RF signal can have a frequency between 30 kHz and 300 kHz, or between 45 kHz and 250 kHz, or between 60 kHz and 100 kHz.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly 100 can comprise a coupling means 126 to couple the water activated transmitter assembly 100 to a patch 124.
  • Patch 124 can be a piece of fabric that can be attached by means such as welding or bonding using adhesives to a water flotation device, such as a raft, an emergency slide or a personal flotation device.
  • Coupling means 126 can comprise any suitable coupling means, such as welding, stitching, or hanging the water activated transmitter assembly 100 on the patch 124.
  • an O-ring 220 is disposed within the cavity 106 and in contact with the pusher block 114.
  • the O-ring can form a seal between the casing 102 and the cap 104 in order to prevent water from entering the cavity 106.
  • the spring 112 can be disposed to exert a spring force which biases the battery 110 away from the signal transmitter 108.
  • the cap 104 can comprise openings 118a-118d.
  • the openings 118a-118d are configured to allow water to contact the hygroscopic block 116 in response to the water activated transmitter assembly 100 being exposed to water.
  • the hygroscopic block 116 can comprise the same material as hygroscopic block 116. When the hygroscopic block 116 is exposed to water, the hygroscopic block 116 expands and creates an expansion force which biases the pusher block 114 and the battery 110 against the spring 112 and opposes the spring force.
  • the expansion force is greater than the spring force and in response to the hygroscopic block 116 expanding, hygroscopic block 116 urges the battery 110 distally into contact with the signal transmitter 108.
  • the expansion force can be as much as double the spring force. The stronger the expansion force, the faster the battery can contact the transmitter.
  • the signal transmitter 108 can have the same properties as signal transmitter 108.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates the water activated transmitter assembly 100 prior to exposing the hygroscopic block 116 to water to activate the signal transmitter 108.
  • FIG. 2B illustrates the water activated transmitter assembly 100 after the hygroscopic block 116 is exposed to water and the hygroscopic block 116 expands to bias the battery 110 into contact with the signal transmitter 108, thus activating the signal transmitter 108 to send an output signal such as output signal 122.
  • the wireless light assembly 300 can comprise a light 302 coupled to a battery control unit 304.
  • the battery control unit 304 can be coupled to a patch 324.
  • Patch 324 can be a piece of fabric that can be attached by means such as welding or bonding using adhesives to a water flotation device, such as a raft, an emergency slide or a personal flotation.
  • the light 302 can be an LED, an incandescent bulb, a halogen bulb, and a fluorescent bulb.
  • FIG. 4 further illustrates a block diagram of the components of the wireless light assembly 300.
  • the battery control unit 304 can comprise a signal receiver 402, a processor 404 in communication with the signal receiver 402 and a switch 406, and a light battery 408 in communication with the signal receiver, the processor, the switch, and the light.
  • the light battery 408 can power the processor 404 and the signal receiver 402. In various embodiments, the light battery 408 may not power the processor 404 and the signal receiver 402 until the water flotation device is deployed or inflated.
  • the signal receiver 402 can be configured to receive an output signal 422. In various embodiments, output signal 422 can be the same output signal as output signal 122 from signal transmitters 108 and 108. In various embodiments, when the signal receiver 402 receives the output signal 422, the signal receiver then sends a command to processor 404 to close switch 406. Closing switch 406 completes the connection between the light battery 408 and the light 302, and the light 302 is then powered on.
  • a water emergency device system 500 is illustrated.
  • the water emergency device system 500 comprises a water flotation device, a water activated transmitter assembly 504, and a wireless light assembly 506.
  • the water flotation device is illustrated as a raft 502.
  • the water flotation device can comprise any personal flotation device, such as a life jacket or floaties, or an inflatable slide used in aircraft emergencies.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly 504 can be the water activated transmitter assembly 100.
  • the wireless light assembly 506 can be the wireless light assembly 300.
  • the raft 502 can comprise a pillow tube 508 coupled to a lower tube 510, and the lower tube 510 can be coupled to an upper tube 512.
  • the water activated transmitter assembly 504 can be coupled to the raft 502 at the pillow tube 508. Coupling the water activated transmitter assembly 504 to the pillow tube 508 helps to quickly expose the water activated transmitter assembly 504 to water if the raft 502 is placed in a body of water.
  • the wireless light assembly 506 can be coupled to the raft 502 at the upper tube 512. Coupling the wireless light assembly 506 to the upper tube 512 allows for the wireless light assembly 506 to be more visible when the wireless light assembly 506 is powered on.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates one wireless light assembly 506, however, in various embodiments, multiple wireless light assemblies can be coupled to the water flotation device. In various embodiments, multiple wireless light assemblies can be powered on by one water activated transmitter assembly.
  • Method of manufacture 600 includes the steps of disposing a hygroscopic block (shown as hygroscopic block 116) in a cap (shown as cap 104) (step 602), coupling a pusher block (shown as pusher block 114) to the hygroscopic block (step 604), coupling a battery (shown as battery 110) to the pusher block (step 606), coupling a spring (shown as spring 112) to the pusher block (step 608), coupling a signal transmitter (shown as signal transmitter 108) to a casing (shown as casing 102) (step 610) and coupling the casing to the cap (step 612).
  • the method of manufacture 600 further comprises disposing an O-ring between the cap and the casing prior to step 612 to create a seal when the cap and casing are coupled together.
  • the cap and the casing can comprise grooves. The grooves can be used to couple the cap and the casing together in step 612 by screwing the casing into the cap.
  • references to "various embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc. indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Transmitters (AREA)
EP23162150.9A 2022-04-01 2023-03-15 Lumières sans fil activées par l'eau Pending EP4261800A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN202241019965 2022-04-01
US17/850,801 US20230314174A1 (en) 2022-04-01 2022-06-27 Wireless water activated lights

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4261800A1 true EP4261800A1 (fr) 2023-10-18

Family

ID=85703823

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23162150.9A Pending EP4261800A1 (fr) 2022-04-01 2023-03-15 Lumières sans fil activées par l'eau

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4261800A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3280549A (en) * 1965-09-23 1966-10-25 Hsu Jui-Cheng Release mechanism powered by water immerged expandable cartridge
US20160272287A1 (en) * 2014-06-06 2016-09-22 Sirius Signal Co. Visual distress signal device
US20190333356A1 (en) * 2018-04-30 2019-10-31 Norman Boyle Water safety alarm and supervision aid including methodology embodied in the alarm for alerting a third party via a communications network

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3280549A (en) * 1965-09-23 1966-10-25 Hsu Jui-Cheng Release mechanism powered by water immerged expandable cartridge
US20160272287A1 (en) * 2014-06-06 2016-09-22 Sirius Signal Co. Visual distress signal device
US20190333356A1 (en) * 2018-04-30 2019-10-31 Norman Boyle Water safety alarm and supervision aid including methodology embodied in the alarm for alerting a third party via a communications network

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