KR20230168925A - Buoyancy generating device and inflator therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The buoyancy generating device includes a partially openable housing, an expansion tube built into the housing, and an inflator for supplying expansion gas to the expansion tube, wherein the inflator includes an accommodating space in communication with the outside, a variable pocket accommodated inside the accommodating space, and a variable pocket. It includes a stopper connected to the stopper, an operator whose operation is restricted by the stopper, and a gas generator that generates expanding gas according to the operation of the operator. When the variable pocket is contracted within the accommodation space in an environment above atmospheric pressure, the stopper is released from the operator. , the released operator operates and the gas generator can begin generating expansion gas.

Description

Buoyancy generating device and inflator {BUOYANCY GENERATING DEVICE AND INFLATOR THEREFOR}

The present invention relates to a buoyancy generating device capable of rescuing people and generating buoyancy on the water or underwater, and to a buoyancy generating device that can automatically operate depending on the water depth and an inflator for the same.

Korean Patent No. 10-2351443 discloses a throwing tube for lifesaving. The throw-type tube detects moisture, and when the tube expansion device detects contact with water, it expands gas to fill the tube.

Korean Patent No. 10-0348189 discloses an underwater self-rescue device that operates automatically according to the user's will or water pressure. The self-rescue device uses a battery-powered water pressure sensor to immediately perform self-rescue in an emergency situation. It is characterized by

Korean Public Utility Model No. 20-2018-0001641 also discloses a lifesaving wristband, and explains that the lifesaving wristband has a function of operating a gas generator above a certain water pressure using a pressure sensor.

Korean Patent No. 10-2120728 discloses an automatically inflatable life jacket, and explains that the operation control device of the life jacket operates the inflator through moisture detection rather than water pressure.

The above life-saving equipment automatically detects water pressure or moisture and automatically generates gas without the user having to manually operate it. However, since both the water pressure sensor and the moisture sensor use batteries, there may be a problem that they do not work if the battery is discharged or does not generate sufficient voltage.

The present invention relates to a buoyancy generating device and inflator that can operate automatically underwater or on the water, and whose operation does not depend on batteries or power sources.

The present invention relates to a buoyancy generating device and inflator that can be transmitted over a long distance through throwing or launching.

The present invention relates to a buoyancy generating device and inflator capable of manual operation in addition to automatic operation. For reference, automatic life-saving equipment using sensors, etc. is separate from manual operation, so if it does not operate first in an emergency situation, it can lead to fatal results.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the buoyancy generating device includes a partially openable housing, an expansion tube built into the housing, and an inflator for supplying expansion gas to the expansion tube, wherein the inflator has an accommodating space in communication with the outside. , a variable pocket accommodated inside the receiving space, a stopper connected to the variable pocket, an operator whose operation is restricted by the stopper, and a gas generator that generates expansion gas according to the operation of the operator, and the variable pocket is stored within the receiving space in an environment above atmospheric pressure. When contracted, the stopper is released from the actuator, and the released actuator operates so that the gas generating unit can start generating expansion gas.

The accommodating space of the inflator may form an air pressure that is equal to or proportional to the external air pressure. Accordingly, the variable pocket expands below atmospheric pressure and can move independently of the release of the stopper, but contracts below atmospheric pressure and moves with the stopper or can freely release the stopper.

When the stopper moves or becomes free, an operation trigger may be released to cause the gas generator to begin generating expansion gas. The gas generator may contain a gas-generating material resulting from a chemical reaction, and in some cases, may be filled with compressed gas or liquefied gas. Of course, a hybrid version of these is also possible.

Gas generating materials can refer to the chemicals of conventional inflators that can generate high temperature and high pressure gas. For example, booster gunpowder or operating ignition can be used to generate carbon dioxide, and the exothermic reaction of gunpowder or ignition agent can be used. Through this, the gas generator can be burned.

The housing forming the receiving space in the inflator may be exposed to the outside, and the pressure of the receiving space may be formed equally or in proportion to the external air pressure or water pressure.

Accordingly, the variable pocket can also change volume, and the variable pocket is provided in the form of bellows or corrugated pipe so that the volume change can be sufficiently reflected in the one-dimensional change in length.

When the variable pocket is contracted beyond a certain length, the stopper can be released from the operator by pulling or moving it together. However, on the contrary, when the variable pocket expands, that is, when the variable pocket is high in the air or exposed to an environment below atmospheric pressure, the stopper can be prevented from moving or operated regardless of the release of the stopper.

As an example, the stopper may include a fixing plate fixed to one side of the variable pocket, a blocking plate extending from the fixing plate, and a long slit-shaped pin hole formed in the blocking plate, and the blocking plate extends toward the operator to temporarily block the operator. You can.

Therefore, even if the fixing plate and blocking plate move toward the operator, the operator can remain in the blocking state without being released. Conversely, when the variable pocket is rapidly contracted, the fixing plate and the blocking plate move completely inside the receiving space, and at the same time, the blocking plate that was covering the operator disappears, and the operator's striker can hit the operator and start detonation.

A safety pin that has passed through the housing of the inflator can be inserted into the pin hole, and if the safety pin is not removed, the movement of the stopper may be restricted even if there is a change in air or water pressure.

Using the above structure, both automatic operation using a variable pocket and manual operation by the user can be possible. For example, the housing of the inflator forming the receiving space may include a cutting guide line and be provided in a structure that can be torn by external force. Therefore, even if the water pressure does not reach a certain level or the inflator does not operate in a hurry, the user can tear the housing and allow the variable pocket to move passively. At this time, one side of the variable pocket may be fixed to the part of the housing that is torn so that the variable pocket and the stopper are separated at the same time as the tearing occurs.

Alternatively, a manual pin may be provided that passes through the inflator housing defining a receiving space, and the manual pin may force the deformable pocket or stopper to move so that the stopper is released from the operator. The user can forcibly pull the stopper by pulling the manual pin, and in this process, the variable pocket may be partially torn, allowing the stopper to be easily separated.

A detonator for time delay may be interposed between the operator and the gas generator, and the gas generator may generate expansion gas in multiple stages by including a plurality of gas generation chambers.

An expansion tube is built into the housing, so in an emergency situation, a rescuer can carry out rescue activities by throwing the buoyancy generating device at or around the victim. The buoyancy generating device sinks to a certain depth (ex. about 1m) on the surface of the water, By automatically inflating, the rescuer can quickly secure the buoyancy generating device and be rescued.

The buoyancy generating device may be provided to enable throwing or long-distance throwing through a separate launch device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an inflator that fills a buoyancy generating device by generating inflation gas includes a housing providing an accommodating space in communication with the outside, a variable pocket accommodated inside the accommodating space, a stopper connected to the variable pocket, It includes an operator whose operation is restricted by the stopper, and a gas generator that generates expansion gas according to the operation of the operator. When the variable pocket is contracted within the receiving space in an environment of atmospheric pressure or higher, the stopper is released from the operator, and the released When activated by an operator, the gas generator may begin generating expansion gas.

It may be desirable for the variable pocket to be variable in one direction and have a variable volume. For example, the variable pocket may be provided in the form of a bellows or corrugated pipe.

The housing of the inflator forming the receiving space may include a cutting guide line and be provided in a structure capable of being torn by an external force, and as the housing is torn, the variable pocket may move passively to release the stopper from the operator.

The stopper may include a fixed plate fixed to one side of the variable pocket, a blocking plate extending from the fixed plate, and a long slit-shaped pin hole formed in the blocking plate. The blocking plate physically blocks the operator's operation and blocks the housing of the inflator. The passed safety pin can restrict the movement of the stopper by passing through the pin hole.

The buoyancy generating device of the present invention can operate automatically underwater or on the water, and the operation does not depend on batteries or power sources, so the storage period can be long. In addition, it can be thrown and transmitted over long distances using a bow or other launch equipment, so it can be useful in rescuing people.

The inflator of the present invention can be used in inflation tubes or other inflatable life-saving equipment. For example, it can be applied to life jackets, life tubes, and even life boats depending on their size. It can also be used as an inflator in equipment to create buoyancy.

In addition, the buoyancy generating device of the present invention can be used for salvaging submarine cables, underwater artifacts, sunken ships, etc. in addition to life-saving devices, and can also be used to generate buoyancy to prevent cars or containers from sinking into the water. .

The buoyancy generating device and inflator of the present invention can be operated manually as well as automatically operated. Existing automatic life-saving equipment using moisture sensors, water pressure sensors, etc. did not have a manual operation method or manual and automatic operation were separated, making their operation complicated and unstable. However, the buoyancy generator and inflator of the present invention have manual and automatic operation. In conjunction, manual operation is not difficult to implement, and concerns about malfunction can be reduced.

1 is a diagram for explaining a buoyancy generating device and an inflator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining when the buoyancy generating device and inflator of FIG. 1 are exposed to atmospheric pressure or lower.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the stopper of the buoyancy generating device and inflator of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the use of the buoyancy generating device and inflator of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation process of the buoyancy generating device and inflator of FIG. 1.
Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a buoyancy generating device and an inflator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining a buoyancy generating device and an inflator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited by the embodiments. For reference, in this description, the same numbers refer to substantially the same elements, and under these rules, the description can be made by citing the content shown in other drawings, and content that is judged to be obvious to those skilled in the art or that is repeated can be omitted.

Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining a buoyancy generating device and an inflator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining when the buoyancy generating device and inflator of Figure 1 are exposed to atmospheric pressure or less, and Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the stopper of the buoyancy generating device and inflator of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the use of the buoyancy generating device and inflator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a diagram of the buoyancy generating device and inflator of FIG. 1. This is a drawing to explain the operating process.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the buoyancy generating device 100 according to this embodiment throws the buoyancy generating device 100 near the person in need of rescue, and the equipment sinks into the water and falls by about 1 meter. It can have a function to automatically start generating gas and expand at a depth of .

To this end, the buoyancy generating device 100 may include a housing 110 whose lower part is openable, an expansion tube 120 built into the housing 110, and an inflator 130 for supplying expansion gas to the expansion tube 120. You can.

The lower cover 112 is fixed to the lower part of the housing 110, and a cut line 114 may be formed so that it can be easily torn by a predetermined force. An expansion tube 120 is built inside the housing 110. The expansion tube 120 expands in response to the operation of the inflator 130, expands as if exploding, and is exposed to the outside by opening the lower cover 112. You can.

The expanded shape of the expansion tube 120 can be provided in various ways, such as a long bar shape, donut shape, or plate shape. Additionally, a pressure valve may be added to the expansion tube 120, and when a pressure exceeding the allowable pressure of the tube occurs, the internal gas may be partially discharged to maintain the pressure below a certain pressure limit.

The inflator 130 can be coupled to the housing 110 by screwing, etc., and can be provided in a sealable manner. The inflator 130 includes an inflator housing 132 that provides an accommodating space 134 in communication with the outside, a variable pocket 136 accommodated inside the accommodating space 134, and a stopper 140 connected to the lower part of the variable pocket 136. , It may include an operator 160 whose operation is restricted by the stopper 140 and gas generators 172 and 174 that generate expansion gas according to the operation of the operator 160.

The receiving space 134 in which the variable pocket 136 is accommodated may be in communication with the outside. Therefore, if the inflator housing 132 can be exposed to an environment lower than atmospheric pressure, the inside of the accommodation space 134 can also be exposed to an environment lower than atmospheric pressure or an environment equivalent to it, and the inflator housing 132 can be exposed to an environment higher than atmospheric pressure. If possible, for example, if it sinks underwater, the inside of the accommodation space 134 may also become an environment higher than or equivalent to atmospheric pressure.

The variable pocket 136 may be provided in the form of bellows and may be contracted in an environment above atmospheric pressure. In addition, because it is provided in the form of a bellows, changes due to shrinkage can be reflected one-dimensionally in a direction that shortens the length of the variable pocket 136.

As shown in FIG. 5, the variable pocket 136 is shortened so that the stopper 140 can move upward, the stopper 140 is separated from the striker 162 of the operator 160, and the striker 162 is The operator 160 can be struck by the force of the spring.

An exothermic reaction such as gunpowder may occur due to the hit operator 160, and the gas generator may be sequentially transferred to the first gas generation chamber 172 and the second gas generation chamber 174, which have a built-in gas generator, through the detonator 164. Gas can be generated.

As shown in FIG. 2, if the environment to which the inflator 130 is exposed is lower than atmospheric pressure, the variable pocket 136 may only be inflated and the operator 160 or striker 162 may not be released from the stopper 140. there is.

Additionally, since the safety pin 150 is mounted to penetrate the inflator housing 132, the stopper 140 can be prevented from being separated from the operator 160 by a certain distance or more.

Referring to FIG. 3, the stopper 140 may include a fixing plate 142 and a blocking plate 144, and a pin hole 146 having an elongated vertical slot shape may be formed in the blocking plate 144. The blocking plate 144 extends from the lower center of the fixing plate 142 downward, and may be formed overall in a T-shape.

In addition, the pin hole 146 extends vertically, so that even when the variable pocket 136 is switched to the normal or expanded state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing plate 142, etc. can be moved by the safety pin 150. This is not limited and can be reflected naturally to some extent.

However, without removing the safety pin 150, the inflator housing 130 may not operate even if the inflator housing 130 is exposed to an environment higher than atmospheric pressure, that is, sinks into water, as shown in FIG. 5. Of course, the inflator 130 can operate without removing or supplying the safety pin 150.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in a situation where rescue is necessary, a rescuer may remove the safety pin 150 from the buoyancy generating device 100 of FIG. 1 and throw the buoyancy generating device 100 near the requesting rescuer. As shown in FIG. 6, the rescuer may operate the inflator 130 by intentionally damaging the inflator housing 132, but as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the variable pocket 136 may be damaged as the rescue equipment sinks into the water. When it is deflated and reaches a certain depth (d), the inflator can be started to operate.

To this end, the specific gravity of the thrown rescue equipment 100 can be made larger than that of water, and the center of the housing 110 can be designed so that it faces downward.

Referring to Figure 5, when the blocking plate 144 of the stopper 140 moves upward, the striker 162 of the operator 160 is released, and the released striker 162 strikes the operator 160. The exothermic reaction caused by gunpowder and the resulting gas generation can be started in a chain.

The gas generating material built into the gas generating unit can refer to the chemicals of a conventional inflator that can generate high temperature and high pressure gas, and is a reaction that combusts the gas generating agent through an exothermic reaction of gunpowder or ignition agent. can cause

A detonator 164 for time delay may be interposed between the operator 160 and the gas generator, and the gas generator may expand gas in two or more stages including first and second gas generation chambers 172 and 174. can occur.

Since gas generation by a multi-stage explosion may cause the expansion tube 120 to contract when the temperature that has risen rapidly due to the primary generation is lowered in the water, the temperature of the gas in the expansion tube 120 rapidly decreases through stepwise additional explosions. can be prevented and gas can be continuously filled.

In this embodiment, the stopper is provided as an integrated piece, but the stopper may be provided in the form of a wire. When the variable pocket is expanded, the wire or thread is stretched and is unrelated to the operator's operation, and when the variable pocket is contracted, the wire or thread operates. The operator can be activated by pulling the blocking element blocking the ruler to one side or breaking it.

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a buoyancy generating device and an inflator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the inflator housing 132 forming the receiving space 134 may include a cutting guide line 138. Additionally, a gripping portion 139 is formed on one side of the inflator 130 so that the requester can easily tear off the inflator housing 132. The gripping portion 139 may be provided in a ring shape.

When the requester holds the grip part 139 and tears the wall of the receiving space 134, the requester passively moves the variable pocket 136 even if the water pressure does not reach a certain level or the inflator 130 does not operate quickly. In this way, the inflator 130 can be operated immediately.

At this time, the upper surface of the variable pocket 136 can be fixed to the upper part of the torn inflator housing 132, and the lower surface of the variable pocket 136 can be fixed to the fixing plate 142 of the stopper 140. When the inflator housing 132 is torn, the variable pocket 136 and the stopper 140 may be separated.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a manual pin 139' may be provided on the outside of the inflator housing 132 forming the receiving space 134. The manual pin 139' may be connected to the fixing plate 142 of the stopper 140 through a wire 138'.

When the user pulls the manual pin 139' formed on one side of the inflator 130, the manual pin 139' and the wire 138' forcibly lift the variable pocket 136 and the stopper 140 to inflate the inflator (139'). 130) can be activated immediately.

A structure that can partially tear the variable pocket can be added to the manual pin or wire, and the variable pocket can also be easily crushed.

If the gas is manually operated by a manual pin or gripper, gas generation can begin immediately, but gas generation can also be started after a certain period of time by using a detonator.

Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining a buoyancy generating device and an inflator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the inflator 230 mounted on the lifesaving tube 220 includes an inflator housing 232 that provides a receiving space 234, and a bellows-shaped variable pocket 236 accommodated inside the receiving space 234. , a stopper 240 connected to the variable pocket 236, an operator 260 that restricts the operation of the striker 262 in conjunction with the stopper 240, and a gas that generates expansion gas according to the operation of the operator 260. It may include a generator 270.

In the previous embodiment, the inflator was mounted on a buoyancy generating device, but the inflator 230 of the same or similar structure can also be used in lifesaving tubes, lifejackets, lifeboats, etc., and can also be used in equipment for creating buoyancy even if it is not for the purpose of lifesaving. You can. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped lifesaving tube 220 is described as an example, but it may not be limited thereto.

In addition, the buoyancy generating device and inflator of the present invention are throwable, so they can be transmitted over long distances through a bow or launcher.

In addition, the buoyancy generating device of the present invention can be used for salvaging submarine cables, underwater artifacts, sunken ships, etc. in addition to life-saving devices, and can also be used to generate buoyancy to prevent cars or containers from sinking into the water. . To achieve this, the buoyancy generating device can be fixed to the desired object or object and operated immediately by removing the safety pin. In addition, the inflator can be operated immediately by pulling the manual pin or gripper.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. You will understand that you can do it.

100: Buoyancy generating device 110: Housing
120: expansion tube 130: inflator
134: accommodation space 136: variable pocket
140: stopper 150: safety pin
160: operator

Claims (17)

Partially openable housing;
an expansion tube housed within the housing; and
It includes an inflator for supplying expansion gas to the expansion tube,
The inflator includes an accommodating space in communication with the outside, a variable pocket accommodated inside the accommodating space, a stopper connected to the variable pocket, an operator whose operation is restricted by the stopper, and a gas generator that generates the inflation gas according to the operation of the operator. includes wealth,
When the variable pocket is contracted within the receiving space in an environment of atmospheric pressure or higher, the stopper is released from the operator, and the released operator operates, so that the gas generator starts generating the expansion gas. Generating device.
According to paragraph 1,
The variable pocket is variable in one direction and has a variable volume.
According to paragraph 2,
A buoyancy generating device, characterized in that the variable pocket is provided in the form of a bellows.
According to paragraph 1,
Buoyancy generating device, characterized in that the change in the variable pocket under atmospheric pressure is unrelated to the release of the stopper.
According to paragraph 1,
The inflator housing forming the receiving space in the inflator includes a cutting guide line and is provided in a structure that can be torn by external force. As the inflator housing is torn, the variable pocket moves passively and the stopper is released from the operator. A buoyancy generating device characterized in that.
According to paragraph 1,
A manual pin passing through an inflator housing forming the receiving space is provided in the inflator, and the manual pin forces the variable pocket or the stopper to move so that the stopper is released from the operator. Generating device.
According to paragraph 1,
The stopper includes a fixing plate fixed to one side of the variable pocket, a blocking plate extending from the fixing plate, and a long slit-shaped pin hole formed in the blocking plate,
The blocking plate physically blocks the operator's operation, and the safety pin passing through the inflator housing passes through the pin hole to limit the movement of the stopper.
According to paragraph 1,
A buoyancy generating device, characterized in that a detonator is interposed between the operator and the gas generator.
According to paragraph 1,
A buoyancy generating device characterized in that the gas generating unit includes a plurality of gas generating chambers and generates expansion gas in multiple stages.
In the inflator that fills the buoyancy generating device by generating expansion gas,
an inflator housing that provides an accommodating space in communication with the outside;
a variable pocket accommodated within the receiving space;
A stopper connected to the variable pocket;
an operator whose operation is restricted by the stopper; and
It includes a gas generator that generates the expansion gas according to the operation of the operator,
An inflator wherein when the variable pocket is contracted within the receiving space in an environment of atmospheric pressure or higher, the stopper is released from the operator, and the released operator operates, so that the gas generator starts generating the inflation gas. .
According to clause 10,
The inflator is characterized in that the variable pocket is variable in one direction and has a variable volume.
According to clause 11,
An inflator characterized in that the variable pocket is provided in the form of a bellows.
According to clause 10,
The inflator housing is provided in a structure that includes a cutting guide line and can be torn by external force, and as the inflator housing is torn, the variable pocket moves passively and the stopper is released from the operator.
According to clause 10,
An inflator, wherein a manual pin passing through the inflator housing is provided, and the manual pin forces the variable pocket or the stopper to move so that the stopper is released from the operator.
According to clause 10,
The stopper includes a fixing plate fixed to one side of the variable pocket, a blocking plate extending from the fixing plate, and a long slit-shaped pin hole formed in the blocking plate,
The blocking plate physically blocks the operation of the operator, and the safety pin passing through the inflator housing passes through the pin hole to limit the movement of the stopper.
According to clause 10,
An inflator characterized in that a detonator is interposed between the operator and the gas generator.
According to clause 10,
An inflator wherein the gas generator includes a plurality of gas generation chambers and generates expansion gas in multiple stages.

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