GB2336928A

GB2336928A - Man overboard system

Info

Publication number: GB2336928A
Application number: GB9809309A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Steven Russell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-30
Filing date: 1998-04-30
Publication date: 1999-11-03
Also published as: GB9809309D0

Abstract

The system comprises a main unit carried by a marine vessel and a respective tracer unit carried by each person on the vessel. The main unit includes a CPU and a GPS while each tracer unit includes a GPS and a transmitter which transmits the position coordinates of the tracer unit to the main unit. If a person carrying a tracer unit falls overboard, the CPU of the main unit determines, from the position data, that the person has passed beyond the set boundaries of the vessel. The vessel is automatically stopped, the position of the person is tracked and buoyancy devices are launched. The area coordinates of the person may also be illuminated.

Description

i".

1 m 2336928 Description

This invention relates to a M.0.B (Man Over Board, in distress). device.

The way in which this retrieval device differs from existing ones, is in that the MOB can single c C_ handily be retrieved by a fully automatic retrieval system. The device does not need the assistance of another individual and the device is always keeping a watch over you and yout. family. The following paragraph will describe one such scenario.

Part of the beauty of this system is that you are put at ease knowing that it is always watching over you and your family.

A MOB(Man Over Board- Male/female in distress) device comprising of a--MainUnit- with a CPU (central Processing Unit), GPS (Global Position System) devicels and at least one separate "tracer Unit " (more depending on the number of individuals) attached to the individual and comprising of one or more GPS devicels and Transmitter/s in order to transmit the coordinates of the "tracer Unit" attached to the individual back to the "Main UniC on Board the vessel.This is so that the 'Main Unit" can computate whether or not the individual/s wearing the '7racer UniChas passed beyond the set boundaries of the vessel and to track the position of the individual in relation to the bow, stem port and starboard of the vessel. The MOB device also comprising of launcher devicels and controlled by the "Main Unit" so as to fire buoyancy devicels to the MOB.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings.

Figure 1. Shows a MOB with buoyancy device/s being fired from the vessel.

Figure 2. Shows a MOB illuminated by the illumination devicels.

The "Main Unit comprising of CPU,(Central Processing Unit) at least 2 GPS (Global Positionine(T System) devices, positioned at the Bow and the Stem of the vessel, alon. with the necessary components and software so as to computate the coordinates of the "Tracer UniC, to track the individual's position in relation to the Bow, Stem, Port and Starboard as well as the boundaries of the vessel.

The "Main Unit"when it has determined whether or not an individual wearina the '7racer Unit has passed beyond the set boundaries of the vessel, it will then raise an alarm to warn the other members that an individual of which will be wearing a '7racer UniC has gone over board. If the vessel is travelling under power, the---MainUniC will automatically stop the enginels otherwise if the vessel is under sail and is using compatible power operated windlass dev 1 cc/s. which are connected via the expansion port to the "Main UniC, then the "Main UnW' WI-11 automatically lower the sails. If the vessel has a compatible autopilot device connected to the "Main UniC, via the expansion port, it would steer the vessel windward to take the power otit of the sails, so as to slow and or keep the vessel in the vicinity of the MOB.

The "Main UnitThen computates the speed and direction in which the vessel is travellinty 1 c along with drift, wind speed and wind direction. Also taking advantalge of any additional data that may be transmitted to give a better fix, along with any data from a wind measuring device and datum charts for computing tidal drift, coursed by tidal changes.

The "Main Unit will then set up the launcher devicels. The "Main UniC when positioning t launcher devicels will also activate the illumination device/s which will il luminate the area(coordinates) of the MOB. As shown in Figure 2.

The illumination device/s will constantly make adjustments to keep the light from such a devicels on the MOB/ as shown in Figure 2. whilst also compensating for the pitch and roll of the vessel caused by the sea waves.

Desc When the launcher devicels are being positioned to fire, the launcher device/s will constantly niake adjustments to compensate for the pitch and roll of the vessel caused by the sea waves.

When the launcher device is positioned and ready to fire, the "Main UniC will computate whether or not the vessel is in harbour, port marina or within close proximity of another vessel so as to not fire any buoyancy device/s in a manner that may be hazardous.

Whilst there is a MOB the verbal alarm will continually give out the coordinates to other crew members and or the coast guard services along with any other necessary information.

Once the "Main UniC has completed its computations to determine whether or not It is safe to fire the buoyancy devicels which may be attached to reflective cord comprising of a wire also of the power operated winch /winch & arm system. As the e Buoyancy device/s is fired control vectorls aid its directional flight.

The MOB may over ride the "Main UniC, so as to fire the buoyancy devicels at his/her discretion.

With the buoyancy device attached to that of the floating cord of the winch, the winch nlay regulate the flow of such a cord, so as to control the landing position of the buoyancy device/s as predicted by the "Main UniC.

Once the buoyancy devicels has landed in the water in a position most suited for the MOB to naturally drift into, the MOB after attaching him/herself to the cord/buoyancy device/s, may then inflate it manually if it has not inflated automatically upon firing or on contact with the water. When attachment has been secured, the MOB may then send a signal either via the---Tracer UniC or via the buoyancy device attached to the cord ls comprising of wire, back to the 4'Milli UniC, so as to operate the power operated winch/winch & arm system to haul him/herself back towards the vessel. As the cord from such a device is wound in, depending on the position of the MOB, the arm of the power operated winch and arm system will position the cord to the port or starboard of the vessel, so as to avoid any propellers whilst boarding the vessel C 1 Cla-lms L A MOB(Man Over Board- Male/female in distress) device comprising of a "Main UnIC with a CPU (central Processing Unit), GPS (Global Position System) devicels and at least one separate "tracer Unit " (more depending on the number of individuals) attached to the individual and comprising of one or more GPS devicels and Transmitter/s in order to transmit the coordinates of the "tracer Unit" attached to the individual back to the "Main UniC on Board the vessel.Thi,., is so that the 'Main Unit" can computate whether or not the individual/s wearing the '7racer Unit"has passed beyond the set boundaries of the vessel and to track the position of the individual in relation to the bow, stem port and starboard of the vessel. The MOB device also comprising of launcher device/s and controlled by the "Main Unit- so as to fire buoyancy devicels to the MOB.

2. The "Main Unit" as claimed in claim 1, electronics and software so as to computate the speed and direction in which the vessel is travelling, drift, wind speed and wind direction prior to setting the position of the launcher devicels as claimed in claim 1.

may comprise of the necessary components, 3. The "Main Unit" as claimed in claim 1 & 2 may comprise of an alarm for alerting other crew members and or the coast guard service that a MOB situation has occurred.

4.The "Main Unit" as claimed in claim 1, 2 & 3 may comprise of the necessary electronics. and or software so as to determine whether or not the vessel is in harbour, port, marina or within the vicinity of another vessel, so as to not fire any buoyancy devicels as claimed in claim I_ in a manner that may be hazardous.

5. A MOB device as claimed in claim 1. may comprise of illumination device/s and the necess.ary components, electronics and software so as to allow control by the "Main Unit" as claimed in claims 1,2,3 & 4.

6. Illumination devicels as claimed in claim 5 may comprise of the necessary components, electronics and software so as to compensate for the pitch and roll of the vessel whilst at sea.

7. Launcher device/s as claimed in claim 1 may comprise of the necessary components. electronics and software, so as to compensate for the pitch and roll of the vessel whilst at sca.

8. The "Main uniC as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, & 4 may comprise of the and or software, so as to control such illumination device/s as claimed in claim 5 keep light from such devicels on the coordinates of the MOB/s.

necessary electronic., & 6. so as to 9 The "Main Unit" as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 & 8 may comprise of the necessary electronics and or software so as to control and aim the launcher devicels as claimed in claims 1 & 7, Launcher devicels as claimed in claims 1 & 7 may comprise of the necessary components, electronics, so as to allow positioning via the "Main UniC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4. 8 & 9 prior to firing such buoyancy device/s as claimed in claim 1.

1 I.The "Main Unit " as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 & 9 may comprise of an expansion porlls so as to allow additional compatible peripherals to be used.

12. The "Main UniC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 & 11 may comprise of the necessary electronics and or software, to translate any other compatible signal transmitted so as to increase the effectiveness of the "Main UniC as claimed when in operation.

13. The "Main UniC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11 & 12 may comprise of the necessary electronics and software so as to control a compatible power operated winch device/s or power operated winch and arm system device, that may be used, so as to aid the MOB if attached to tile winch cord, towards the vessel.

1 14. A MOB device as claimed in claim 1. may comprise of a power operated winch device, comprising of the necessary components, electronics and software to allow control via the "Mail] Unit" as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12 & 13 so as to regulate the flow of the winch cord. to control the landing position of any such buoyancy device/s as claimed in claim 1, when fired from the launcher devicels as claimed in claims 1, 7 & 10.

15. A winch device as claimed in claim 14 may comprise of an arm system to position its cord whilst being wound in, to the port or starboard side of the vessel, so as to aid the MOB back onto the vessel in a safe manner away from any propellers if used.

16. The "Main UniC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12 & 13 may also comprise of the necessary components, electronics and software so as to stop the vessel's engine/s should a MOB situation of occurred so as to stop the vessel in vicinity.

17. The "Main UniC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11,12 13 & 16, may comprise of the necessary components, electronics and software so as to control any compatible autopilot device. so as to steer the vessel windward and or keep the vessel in the vicinity of the MOB1s.

18. The "Main UniC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16 & 17, may comprise of the necessary components, electronics and software to control power operated windlass devicels thiis enabling the "Main UniC here claimed to slow the vessel if under sail in the vicinity of the MOB1s.

19. An alarm device as claimed in claim 3 may comprise of a synthesised voice/s and or sampled voicels so as to keep the crew and or coast guard services with a constant update on the coordinates of the MOB/s The "Main Unit' as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, & 18, may comprise of the necessary components, electronics and software so as to make use of any data through put c - to predict a suitable landing position of the buoyancy devices as claimed in claim 1.

21. Buoyancy devicels as claimed in claim 1. may comprise of the necessary components. so as to inflate automatically upon firing.

22. Buoyancy device/s as claimed in claims 1 & 21 may comprise of the necessary electronics and or components, so as to inflate on contact with water.

23. Buoyancy devicels as claimed in 1, 21 & 22 may comprise of the necessary components so as to allow manual inflation by the MOB1s.

24. Buoyancy device/s as claimed in claims 1, 21, 22 & 23 may be attached to that of a winch cord as claimed in claims 14 &15.

25. The cordls of a winch system as claimed in claims 14 & 15 may be fashioned out of a suitable material so as to float on the water surface.

26. The cordls of a winch system as claimed in claims 14, 15 & 25 may comprise of refiective material so as reflect any light that may fall upon it so as to increase its visibility.

27. The cords of a winch system as claimed in claims 14, 15, 25 & 26 may comprise of wire, so as to allow a signal to be sent between the buoyancy device/s as claimed in claims 1, 21, 22, 23 & 24 and the "Main Unit" as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 & 20.

28. A '7racer UniC as claimed in claim 1 may comprise of the necessary components & electronics so as to allow a manual input by the individual wearing the "tracer UniC.

29. A -Tracer Unit as claimed in claims 1 & 28 may comprise of the necessary software, to over ride the "Main UniC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20 & 29, so as to launcher the buoyancy devicels at the MOB discretion.