KR101634549B1 - Release device for an inflating unit for inflating the inflatable flotation bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a release device for an expansion unit (60) for inflating an inflatable float (90). The lifting body 90 is accommodated in a container 70 having a container wall portion 71 together with the expansion unit 60 and the release device is connected to the expansion unit 60 to perform an operation for activating the expansion unit 60 (10), and the release device also has a locking device, which locks the activation of the expansion unit (60) when the ambient pressure acting on the container (70) from the outside exceeds a predetermined limit pressure And a container penetration guide portion 30 connected to the operation head 10 through a line 20 is disposed in the container wall portion 71. The container penetration guide portion 30 is provided with a pressure transmission device 26, Which delivers the instantaneous ambient pressure to the actuating head 10 via the line 20 and in the actuating head the mechanical locking device is actuated when the ambient pressure exceeds the limit pressure Move it to the lock position or lock it Position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a release device for an expansion unit for inflating an inflated float,

The present invention relates to a release device for an expansion unit for inflating an inflatable float according to the preamble of claim 1.

The release devices are used, for example, in inflatable life rafts or submarine rescue mechanisms including an inflatable air boat as well as an inflation unit for inflating floats. Wherein the folded float is received in a container with an expansion unit in an unexpanded state, the container generally comprising an opening portion disposed in the container wall portion and the wall portion through which the floating body can be released from the container . In such a structure mechanism, a release device is accommodated in the container for activating the expansion unit under predetermined predetermined structural conditions to induce swelling of the floating body. Known release devices from the prior art include an operation head connected to the expansion unit. To ensure activation of the expansion unit through the actuating head and prevent unintentional expansion of the float when the submarine is located at a deep water depth, the actuating head is provided with a locking device have. Generally, a two-stage locking device is provided which blocks the activation of the actuating head, provided that the releasing device is located at least one of the two locking stages of the locking step. The first locking end is unlocked via a release cable when the container is detached from the submarine during construction and is raised in an upward direction based on buoyancy in the water. Wherein the release cable having one end connected to the actuating head and the other end connected to the sub-lock unlocks the first locking end in the actuating head. To prevent the expansion of the float at a deep water depth, even if the first locking end is unlocked, it is possible to prevent the swinging of the floating body from being unlocked according to the ambient pressure acting on the container instantaneously from the outside (i.e. water pressure in case the container is in water) Two locking stages are provided. In the case of a known release device, the second lock stage is unlocked, particularly when the ambient pressure acting on the container from the outside exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. The actuating head activates the expansion unit only when both the first and second locking stages are unlocked, and then the expansion unit expands the floating body.

WO 2007/042783 A1 discloses a submarine equipped with the aforementioned structure. Such a rescue mechanism includes a lifeboat contained within a container fixed to the outer surface of the submarine, which can be inflated by an expansion unit disposed inside the container as well. The lifeboat is accommodated with an expansion unit and a release device for the expansion unit, with the interior not being inflated inside the container at atmospheric pressure (i. E. About 1 bar). The container is provided with an enclosed opening by a lid through which the lifeboat can be released from the container in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, a mechanism for unscrewing the connection connecting the container to the submarine is activated, and subsequently the container is raised to the water surface in the upward direction based on buoyancy in the water. As soon as the container reaches the surface, the cover of the container is opened, the container is released and the expansion unit is activated, and then the expansion unit expands the lifeboat. A lifeboat is connected to the submarine through a rope so as to prevent the lifeboat from being washed away from the submarine. The expansion unit is activated only when two activation conditions are satisfied at the same time for safety reasons. The first activation condition exists only when the container is detached from the submarine, i. E., When the mechanism for detaching the container from the submarine is activated. The second activation condition is satisfied when the container is located at or near the water surface. The satisfaction of this condition ensures that the lifeboat is not inflated in near-deep water. In order to determine whether or not the second activation condition is satisfied, the structure mechanism known from WO 2007/042783 is provided with a sensor for detecting whether the container is on or near the water surface. This sensor may be a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure (water pressure) around the instant where the container is located. However, the sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor that detects the distance of the container to the water surface. Only when the two activation conditions are satisfied at the same time, the container is opened and the expansion process is started. Activation of the expansion unit is interrupted only if any one of the two activation conditions is not met.

However, if sensors are used to monitor the second activation condition, some problems are involved. On the one hand, such sensors are susceptible to interference and are inaccurate (especially in adverse weather conditions and pressure fluctuations). In particular, there is a risk that the detection error of the ambient pressure by the sensor will activate the expansion unit early, that is, in deep water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a release device for an expansion unit for inflating an inflatable float which prevents the activation of the expansion unit, in particular in an unintended manner, have. Another object is to provide a release device that ensures that the expansion unit is activated only in precisely defined activation conditions.

The above objects are achieved by a release device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the release device are taught in claims 2 to 17. Claim 18 shows a structural system for offshore structure comprising a release device according to the present invention.

According to the invention, the actuating head for activating the expansion unit is provided with a mechanical locking device which is moved by the pressure transmitting unit to its self-locking position when the pressure at the periphery of the container is above a predetermined limit pressure And is fixed at its locking position. When the ambient pressure falls below a predetermined limit pressure, the locking position in the actuating head is unlocked and the actuating head activates the expansion unit, which in turn causes the inflating body to inflate. In order to ensure that the locking position of the actuating head is unlocked only under precisely defined conditions, there is always an instantaneous ambient pressure in the interior of the actuating head according to the invention. By doing so, the actuating head activates the expansion unit immediately, that is, without any time delay, when the ambient pressure falls below a predetermined limit pressure, and the actuating head always keeps the ambient pressure below the limit pressure It can be ensured that it is maintained in the blocked state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in accordance with an embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structural system for a marine structure in which a release device according to the invention can be used. Fig.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container lead-through of the structural system of Figure 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the container passage guide with a line for connecting the operation head of the structural system of Fig. 1 and the container passage guide by being flanged to the container passage guide of Fig. 2;
4 is a schematic diagram (partially in cross-section) illustrating the actuating head of the structural system of Fig.
5 is a sectional view showing the operation head of Fig.
Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the expansion unit with the release unit of the preferred embodiment connected to the expansion unit of the structural system of Figure 1;

Figure 1 shows a structural system for offshore structures, which can be used in particular in submarines. The structural system comprises a container (70) with a container wall (71). The container wall portion 71 may be, for example, a flexible container wall made of fabric or foil material, or a rigid container wall made, for example, of metal or plastic. In the container wall portion, an opening portion which is sealed by the lid portion is disposed at a portion not shown in Fig. Inside the container 70, an inflating float 90, an inflating unit 60 for inflating the float 90, and a release device for activating the inflating unit 60 are accommodated. The float 90 may be, for example, an inflatable life raft or an inflatable life raft. However, the floater may be an inflatable life vest or an inflatable swimming aids. The expansion unit (60) can be formed by a CO ₂ compression gas cylinder. The expansion unit (60) is connected to the floating body (90) through the expansion hose (80). The float body 90 is packed in a non-expanded folded state in the container 70. An expansion unit (60) is connected to the actuating head (10) through an adapter (81). The actuating head 10 is then connected to the container penetration guide 30 via line 20. The line 20 may be, for example, a flexible tube or a rigid pipe. The container penetration guide portion 30 is disposed in the opening portion of the container wall portion 71 and is fixed in such a manner as to be sealed to the opening portion. The line 20 is flanged to the container penetration guide 30 at the side b located inside the container 70. The release cable 50 is inserted into the container penetration guide 30 at the side a located outside the container 70. [ The release cable 50 is connected to the leading-out cable 40 inside the container penetration guide 30. The guide cable 40 extends through the line 20 and terminates inside the actuating head 10 at one end of the guide cable 40 inside the actuating head 10, .

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a release device according to the invention. The release device of the present embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in that the coupling 41 is disposed on the line 20 connecting the container penetrating guide 30 and the actuating head 10 . The line (20) can be disconnected via the coupling (41). The adapter 81 of the actuating head 10 has a connection opening 82 in which an expansion hose 80 for connecting the float body 90 and the expansion unit 60 is flanged.

4 and 5, the operation head 10 is shown in detail. The actuating head 10 includes a housing 10 that is substantially hollow cylindrical. An adapter 80 having a connecting flange 31 is connected to the front of the housing. The connecting flange 31 is provided with a bore portion 82. An expansion hose 80 for connecting the floating body 90 and the actuating head 10 is flanged to the flange 31. And the cylindrical housing 31 is sealed by the lid portion 32 at the rear end. A plunger (15) is movably arranged inside the housing (13). The outer periphery of the plunger 15 is sealed by the ring seal 33 against the inner surface of the housing 13. [ A needle 34 is fixed to the plunger 15. The needle 34 protrudes inside the adapter 81 whose rear region is hollow cylindrical. The needle 34 is surrounded by a hollow cylindrical spring bushing 35. An annular bearing (36) is connected to the front end of the spring bushing (35). A ball 37 disposed between the outer periphery of the needle 34 and the spring bushing 35 is supported on the bearing 36 side. A punching blade 38 is movably disposed in the adapter 81. This punching blade is captured by a bore provided in the front region of the adapter. The punching blade 38 includes a vertex 38 '(vertex) at its front end. The apex portion protrudes into the switching space portion 39 disposed at the front end of the adapter 81. [ The switching space portion 39, which is formed as a bore in the adapter 81, is sealed by the membrane 41. An expansion unit 60 is connected to the front end of the adapter 81 so that the membrane 41 seals the switching space portion 39 against the expansion unit 60. In the bore portion of the hollow cylindrical spring bushing 35, a spiral spring 42 for applying preloading to the punching blade 38 is disposed. The preliminary pressure is such that the flange 43 integrally formed on the outer periphery of the punching blade 38 is brought into close contact with the ball 37 and again the ball 37 is brought into close contact with the bearing 36 side.

A transverse bore 44 is provided in the lid portion 32. A latch 11 is disposed in the transverse bore. One end of the guide cable 40 is fixed to the latch 11 (Fig. 4). Between the latch 11 and the movable plunger 15 is disposed a pressure disk 45 having a pin 46 pointing in the direction of the latch 11. An additional pressure disk 47 is disposed at the end of the plunger 15 located opposite the pressure disk 12. Restoring force of the spring 48 supported by the shoulder 49 of the spring bushing 35 acts on the pressure disk 47. [ The restoring force of the spring 48 causes the pressure discs 47 and 45 to closely contact the plunger 15 disposed therebetween in the backward direction so that the pin 46 of the rear pressure disc 45 is engaged with the latches 11 And the latch 11 is brought into close contact with the inner wall portion of the lateral bore portion 44. As shown in Fig.

2 and 3 show the container passing-through guide 30 in detail. The container penetration guide portion 30 includes a housing 1 having a substantially hollow cylindrical shape and a movable plunger 2 disposed therein. The outer periphery of the plunger 2 is sealed by the sealing rings 22, 31 against the inner surface of the housing 1. A penetrating bore portion is disposed in the plunger (2), and a cable ball holder (3) is inserted into the penetrating bore portion. The other end of the guide cable 40 is fixed to the cable ball holder 3 through the screw 9. The plunger (2) includes a guide pin (49) at its front end. The guide pin 49 is inserted into the guide bore portion 51 of the housing 1. A ring disk 12 and a snap ring 25 are disposed at the rear end of the plunger 2 to fix the plunger so as not to fall into the hollow cylindrical housing 1. The rear end of the cable ball holder (3) is connected to the screw sleeve (8). The inner surface of the hollow cylindrical plunger 2 is sealed by the seals 23, 24, 29, 32 against the outer circumferential surface of the cable ball holder 3. A release cable (21) is connected to the screw sleeve (8) through an insert (52). An annular opening 26 is provided at the tip end side rear end of the housing 1 through which the fluid around the container 70 is introduced into the housing 1 of the container through- Lt; / RTI > The container penetration guide portion 30 is disposed on the container wall portion 71 so that the opening portion 26 can be located outside the container 70. [ A line 20 shown in Fig. 3 is flanged to an end located inside the container 70 as an end of the housing 1. Fig. At this time, the line 20 connects the operation head 10 and the container penetration guide portion 30. The guide cable 40 is extended through the line 20 and is connected to the release cable 21 at one end thereof and at the other end thereof with the latch 11 . The line 20 is filled with a fluid that delivers pressure. Preferably, a mixture of water and ethylene glycol is used for this purpose.

According to the present invention, the release device composed of the container penetration guide portion 30, the operation head 10, and the line 20 connecting the penetration guide portion and the operation head functions as follows.

Figs. 2 to 5 show the starting positions of the container penetration guide 30 and the actuating head 10, respectively, in which activation of the expansion unit 60 is blocked. The guide cable 40 is slightly pulled out of the line 20 by first pulling on the release cable 21 in order to activate the expansion unit 60 through the operating head 10. The pulling in the release cable 21 can be carried out, for example, when the container 70 fixed to the outer surface of the submarine is separated from the submarine and the other end not shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is fixed to the submarine As shown in FIG. The guide cable 40 is pulled out from the line 20 so that the latch 11 in the actuating head 10 moves from its own locking position shown in Figures 4 and 5 inside the lateral bore 44 to the unlocked position . The pin 46 of the external pressure disk 12 in the unlocked position is no longer adjacent to the latch 11. [ On the external pressure disk 45, however, the pressure around the container 70 is applied. In other words, the peripheral pressure is transmitted to the inside of the container through-guiding portion 30 through the pressure opening 26, and then the rear disc 2 is moved to the rear of the movable plunger 2 in which the ring disc 12 and the snap ring 25 are disposed. Section. The plunger 2 can freely move along the stroke H inside the housing 1 of the container penetration guide portion 30. [ Whereby the position of the plunger 2 movable along the stroke section H is determined according to the peripheral pressure. The space portion of the stroke H is filled with a fluid carrying pressure, such as a line 20 communicating with the space portion, so that the ambient pressure acting on the movable plunger 2 is transmitted to the fluid in the line 20. [ do. In this way, the ambient pressure is transferred into the actuating head 10 and then into the actuating head, particularly into the transverse bore 44. In this transverse bore, the ambient pressure acts on the external pressure disk 45 through the fluid present in its transverse bore 44. The external pressure disk 45 is brought into close contact with the movable plunger 15 inside the actuating head 10 so that the plunger 15 is brought into close contact with the internal pressure disk 47 side. At the same time, the restoring force of the spring 48 acts on the inner pressure disk 47 side in the opposite direction. Whereby the position of the plunger 15 movable within the actuating head 10 is determined by the difference between the force acting on the external pressure disk 45 and the restoring force of the spring 48 from the ambient pressure. If the force applied to the external pressure disk 45 from the ambient pressure exceeds the restoring force of the spring 48, the actuating head 10 is held in the locked position shown in Figures 4 and 5. Whereby the plunger 15 together with the pressure discs 45 and 47 and the spring 48 form a mechanical locking device which keeps the actuating head 10 in the locked position, Does not activate the expansion unit only when the force applied to the external pressure disk 45 from the ambient pressure exceeds the restoring force of the spring 48. [

The latch 11 is located in its unlocked position and a force applied from the ambient pressure to the external pressure disk 45 is transmitted to the spring 48. [ The plunger 15 is moved to the activated position in the backward direction. By moving the plunger 15 to its activated position, the needle 35 fixed to the plunger 15 is likewise pulled backward. In doing so, it is applied to the ball 37 from the flange 43, thereby eliminating the pressure to bring the ball 37 in close contact with the bearing 36 side. When the pressure applied to the ball 37 disappears, the ball 37 moves the ramp integrally formed at the front end of the needle 34 toward the longitudinal direction of the actuating head 10 inward. The punching blade 38 can be moved in the forward direction since the flange 43 is no longer adjacent to the ball 37 when the ball 37 moves inward in the longitudinal direction of the operating head 10 . The punching blade 38 present under the preload pressure by the spring 42 is then moved forward in the direction of the membrane 41 and perforates the membrane with its apex 38 '. When the membrane 41 is pierced, gas is delivered from the space portion 39 and the bore portion 82 communicating with the space portion to the floating body 90 flanged to the flange 31 to expand the floating body The gas existing in the pressure state in the expansion unit 60 is introduced into the space portion 39 and the bore portion 82. [

In the case of the release device according to the present invention, since ambient pressure is transferred from the plunger 2, which is movable in the container penetration guide 30, to the fluid present in the line 20, It is ensured that the ambient pressure is always present. By doing so, the instantaneous activation of the actuating head 10 is ensured without any time delay if the release cable 21 is pulled and the ambient pressure falls below a predetermined limit pressure. At this time, the limit pressure is determined by the restoring force acting on the plunger 15 movable within the actuating head 10. Whereby the limiting pressure is set to a fixed value, thereby ensuring that the release device according to the invention is always activated only in precisely defined conditions, leading to an expansion process. It is also ensured by the mechanism of the release device according to the invention that the release device causes an expansion process only when the release cable 21 is pulled and at the same time the ambient pressure is below a predetermined limit pressure.

The release device according to the present invention can be used not only with the actuating head 10 and the expansion unit 60 shown and described in detail in the above embodiment but also with all the other types of actuating head and expansion unit Can be used in combination. Thus, for example, the release device is used in combination with an assembly of an actuating head and an expansion unit, wherein the activation member 38 (e.g., perforation needle) is not located inside the actuating head, It may be disposed inside the cylinder valve.

10: Operation head
20: line
30:
40: Guide cable
50: Release cable
60: Expansion unit
70: Container
80: Expansion hose
90: Inflatable float

Claims (18)

A release device for an inflation unit (60) for inflating an inflated float body (90), the inflated float body being contained within a container (70) having a container wall part (71) Wherein the release device comprises an actuating head (10) connected to the expansion unit (60) to activate the expansion unit, the release device having a locking device, 70) of the expansion unit (60) is cut off the activation of the expansion unit (60) when the ambient pressure acting on the expansion unit (60) exceeds a predetermined limit pressure,
The container wall portion 71 is provided with a container penetration guide portion 30 connected to the actuating head 10 through a line 20. The container penetration guide portion 30 is provided with an air- To the actuating head 10 through the actuating lever 20 and when the ambient pressure exceeds the limit pressure within the actuating head, the mechanical locking device is moved to the locking position of the locking device, Device (26, 2) is provided.
2. A release device according to claim 1, characterized in that the line (20) is filled with a fluid which transfers pressure.
The container according to claim 1, wherein the container penetration guide portion (30) includes a housing (1) disposed at an opening of the container wall portion (71) , And a peripheral pressure can be transmitted to the inside of the container through-guiding portion (30) through the pressure opening portion.
The container according to claim 1, wherein the container penetration guide portion (30) includes a housing (1) disposed at an opening of the container wall portion (71) Wherein a release cable (21) is inserted, the release cable being connected to the front end of the guide cable (40) guided by the line (20).
5. The cable connector according to claim 4, wherein the rear end of the guide cable (40) is inserted into the actuating head (10) and fixed to a locking latch (11) disposed in the actuating head (10) When the guide cable (40) is pulled out of the actuating head (10) through the pulling, the actuating head moves the locking latch (11) to the unlocking position.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a restoring force provided by a restoring member (48) disposed inside the actuating head acts on one side of the actuating head (10), and momentarily from the outside on the other side The movable plunger 15 is disposed such that the peripheral pressure acting on the plunger 15 acts on the plunger 15 so that the plunger 15 can be operated only when the peripheral pressure is lower than the restoring force of the restoring member 48 And wherein the release mechanism causes activation.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the release device is configured to activate the actuating head (10) only when the locking latch (11) is in its unlocked position and the ambient pressure is below the restoring force of the restoring member Features a release device.
The locking device according to claim 6, wherein the plunger (15) is brought into close contact with the lock latch (11) side by a restoring force of the restoring member (48) at a locked position of the actuating head (10) When the plunger 15 is displaced to the release position, the plunger 15 is displaced to the activated position against the ambient pressure acting on the plunger 15, and in this activated position, when the restoring force exceeds the instantaneous ambient pressure, ) Causes movement of the activation member (12) present under a preliminary pressure.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the activation member (38) is a punching needle or punching blade, and when activated by the activation member, a membrane (41) sealing the actuating head (10) against the expansion unit Wherein the release mechanism is punched.
The container according to claim 1, wherein the container penetration guide portion (30) includes a housing (1) disposed at an opening of the container wall portion (71) Wherein a movable plunger (2) to which pressure acts is arranged.
11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the plunger (2) is displaceably disposed within the housing (1) within a stroke (H), the position of the plunger (2) Is determined according to the ambient pressure.
11. A release device according to claim 10, wherein the plunger (2) transfers a peripheral pressure acting on itself to the fluid in the line (20).
13. A release device according to claim 12, wherein the fluid in the line (20) delivers ambient pressure to a bore (44) in the actuating head (10) in which the line (20) is flanged.
13. A release device according to claim 12, characterized in that the fluid in the line (20) is a mixture of water and ethylene glycol.
A release device according to claim 1, characterized in that the line (20) is provided with a separate coupling (41).
The release device according to claim 1, wherein an instantaneous ambient pressure is always present inside the actuating head (10).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the instantaneous ambient pressure acts on the plunger (15), which is movably arranged in the operating head (10), so that when the ambient pressure exceeds the threshold pressure, And the plunger (15) is fixed in a locked position.
An inflatable unit (60) for inflating an inflatable body (90) and an inflatable float (90) is disposed inside the container, wherein the inflating unit (60) Characterized in that the release device is a release device comprising the features of any one of claims 1 to 17.

Images