HRP20080404A2 - Device for preventing of vessel sinking - Google Patents

Abstract

The anti-sinking device consists of an airbag system, which is mounted inside the vessel deck and airbags (8) that are fixed to the outer shell of the ship in the highest part of the vessel, along the entire length of the ship's circumference. The prevention of sinking is achieved by activating the system, that is, by blowing air or gas into the airbags that, once inflated, keep the vessel floating and when the vessel's trough is filled with water. System activation is performed by manual activation of the manual actuation valve (4) or the automatic activation of the hydroactive automatic actuation assembly (6). Activation of the valve starts the process of blowing air from the highly compressed air reservoir (1), through the air supply pipe (5) and the pressure regulator (3), into the airbags (8). The airbags are made of several separate chambers and each has a non-return valve (7), to protect against possible, subsequent damage to the airbags. The non-activated system has the function of a fender.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION BELONGS

The device for preventing the sinking of vessels belongs to the field of seafaring and that is to the field of equipment for saving vessels and people from sinking in case of possible damage or breakdown.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The problem that is solved by this invention is the prevention of the sinking of the vessel in the event that damages such as cracks, holes, broken plating occur, which can cause water penetration and sinking.

STATE OF THE ART

After reviewing all available information (Internet, books, magazines, trade fairs), I did not come across such a technical solution directly related to vessels, that's why I am reporting it.

EXPOSITION OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The function of this system is to prevent the vessel from sinking in the event of an accident or damage to the plating, that is, to keep the vessel afloat even after water has entered the vessel.

In the event of damage to the vessel and water penetration into the trough, by activating the manual valve 4, or by self-activating the automatic valve 6, the process of inflating the airbags 8, which are placed in the fender of the vessel 8, begins by creating pressure in the cushions. The fender wall where the cushions are located is opened and inflated to the pressure required to keep the vessel afloat and prevent it from sinking.

The pressure in the cushions is regulated by the pressure regulator 3, so that the cushions have a certain pressure necessary to maintain a certain vessel on the surface of the water.

The size and length of the airbags is proportionally determined by the size and length of the particular vessel. When inflating the cushion, air passes through non-return valves 7, located at the end of the supply pipes, that is, directly at the air inlet to each cushion. These valves have a safety function against deflating the cushion in case of possible subsequent damage to the system due to an accident. Airbags 8 also have a safety design, i.e. they are composed of several chambers so that the complete airbag does not deflate in the event of damage to any part of the airbag.

The automatic circuit for system activation 6 enables functionality even when there are no people on board, which makes it interesting and functional even for vessels that have been docked for a long time and there is a possibility that they may be filled with rainwater or damaged due to storms. In such cases, the system will activate itself and prevent the vessel from sinking. The system designed in this way protects not only from sinking, but also from overturning of the vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS AND DETAILS

Figure 1 shows the outer fender with airbags

Figure 2 shows the internal system for inflating airbags

Figure 3 shows a vessel with an anti-sinking device installed (top view)

Figure 4a shows a vessel with an anti-sinking device (side view)

Figure 4b shows a vessel with an anti-sinking device (front view)

Figure 4c shows a vessel with an anti-sinking device (rear view)

Figure 5 shows a vessel with an activated anti-sinking device

Call signs on the drawings

1 compressed air bottle

2 air pressure indicator in the bottle

3 pressure regulator

4 manual valve for emergency activation

5 tubes for supplying air to the airbags

6 hydro active circuit for automatic activation

7 non-return valve

8 fenders with airbags

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OF THE METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

This invention is designed so that the system for inflating airbags, fig. 2, is mounted inside the hull of the vessel, and the fender with airbags 8 is fixedly attached to the ship's formwork in the highest part of the hull, along the entire length of the circumference of the vessel fig. 3. With such an assembly, we get the necessary conditions for functional work, and at the same time it serves as a fender - buffer. As such, it protects the ship's plating from small impacts when the system is not activated, and stronger impacts and damage when it is activated. In case of water penetration and filling of the vessel's bed with water, the activation of the system is automatic, and it is started by the hydro-active circuit for automatic activation 6, at the moment when the water reaches a critical level at which the circuit for automatic activation 6 turns on. In the event of damage to the vessel and water penetration during navigation, we activate the system via the manual activation valve 4. By activating the manual or automatic valve, the process of blowing air from the highly compressed air reservoir 1, through the air supply pipe 5 and the pressure regulator 3, into the airbags 8 begins. .Once inflated, the airbags prevent sinking and keep the vessel afloat even though the bed is filled with water. The airbags are made of several separate chambers and each one has a non-return valve 7, for the purpose of protection against possible, subsequent damage to the airbags if the vessel is in an area at risk for damage to the airbags, such as ridges, rocks, straits, etc. In in the event that one of the air chambers is damaged and deflated, the other chambers remain inflated and keep the vessel on the water preventing it from sinking.

STATEMENT OF THE BEST WAY FOR ECONOMIC USE OF THE INVENTION

The device for preventing the sinking of vessels is best used on vessels. It can be produced for individual vessels, to order or as a serial product for installation on already existing vessels of a certain size and weight. For the successful commercial realization of the mentioned invention, materials that are common in this branch of technology are used, that is, high-quality and durable materials, resistant to marine conditions. Air bags must be made of high-quality and durable rubber due to the secondary application of this invention, which is a fender - bumper. The manual valve for activation must be in a visible and accessible place so that the boat operator can react in advance in the event of a collision with another vessel and thus use the buffer function to soften the blow and save the vessel's bottom from damage. Highly compressed air or a lighter gas such as helium can be used to fill the cushion, for example if the size of the vessel dictates the installation of the system on the vessel. In that case, the compressed air reservoir would be significantly smaller. If the vessel is very heavy, then it is recommended to use gas in the system, in order to increase the carrying capacity of the airbags.

Claims (5)

1. A device for preventing the sinking of the vessel characterized by the fact that the system for inflating the airbags (8) is mounted inside the vessel's bed, while the airbags (8) are fixedly attached to the ship's plating in the highest part of the bed, along the entire length of the ship's perimeter, and thereby protect formwork in the most forward part of the vessel, i.e. it has the function of a fender when the system is not activated. 2. Device for preventing the sinking of the vessel, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is activated manually, via the manual activation valve (4), or automatically via the hydro-active circuit for automatic activation (6). 3. Device for preventing the sinking of the vessel, according to claim 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the fixed air cushions (8) are divided into separate chambers and each one has a built-in non-return valve (7), which prevents deflation, and all chambers are over of non-return valves (7), connected by air distribution pipes (5), to the system for inflating the cushion. 4. The device for preventing the sinking of the vessel, according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized by the fact that the activated system of air-inflated airbags (8) prevents overturning and keeps the vessel in a floating state even when the ship's bottom is filled with water. 5. Device for preventing the sinking of the vessel according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4 characterized by the fact that the system uses compressed air or gas to fill air cushions (8) that keep the vessel in a floating state.