NL1035574C2

NL1035574C2 - Radar based signaling device for use in marine environment, has emergency rocket parachute supporting light unit, and radar interfering conductive foil integrated with parachute

Info

Publication number: NL1035574C2
Application number: NL1035574A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Jan Asselbergs
Original assignee: Jan Asselbergs
Priority date: 2008-06-12
Filing date: 2008-06-12
Publication date: 2009-12-15

Abstract

The device (1) has an emergency rocket parachute (2) supporting a light unit (5), and a radar interfering conductive foil (6) integrated with the parachute. An independent claim is also included for a survival kit comprising an emergency rocket parachute.

Description

SIGNALLING MEANS, DISTRESS ROCKET AND METHOD FOR APPLYING THE SAME 5

The present invention relates to a signalling means as defined in the preamble of claim 1, typically based on the use of a distress rocket, as well as to a method for putting the same into practice.

10 Such signalling means, i.e. device, at least distress rockets therefore, are intended for use in an emergency situation, are known as such since the early time of the twentieth century, and have virtually become a standard in marine survival kits. They are however also widely used outside marine environments for the same purpose, and are, as far as the technical character of this subject is concerned, also denoted by the 15 terms light bullet, fusee, fusee gun and flare or flare gun. Their functioning relies on a rocket or simple gun system for bringing up a pyrotechnic means, ignited in consequence of firing the rocket or gun, and producing an intense light, such that the light is clear and located as high as possible. The latter is realised by a so called distress rocket, locating the signalling device typically around 300 meter above sea 20 level, to become visible for vessels expected to be in relative near neighbourhood, i.e. as in case of marine application. The light or light means is maintained airborne for as long as possible by the support of a parachute, opening in the air in response to firing the rocket or gun, and supporting said light for a period of time which in practice typically amounts approximately forty seconds.

25

This known signalling system, as a last resort in emergency situations, or in addition thereto, appears to survive many alternative signalling means based on modem techniques, not in the last place because it is compact and light by the absence of power sources as typical for many electrical means. One such modem technique is a 30 satellite based system, requiring a floating device with a sealed radio transponder, and is known, e.g. as EPIRB. It indicates the position of a vessel that has sunk or is in distress. Such radio transponder devices come in various more or less advanced classes, are fixed to a vessel and automatically release and deploy in cases of immersive water contact. They are thus normally not suited as part of a survival kit and 1035574 2 moreover, in many cases may have a limited accuracy of several miles, thus preferably still requiring the use of the known distress rocket.

It is the object of the present invention to yet arrive at a modernised version of such a 5 signalling means, in particular a distress rocket based signalling means, while maintaining the characteristic features of light weight and compactness thereof, thus still allowing it to compose the ultimate last resort signalling means, i.e. in particular as part of a survival kit.

10 In this respect, and according to insight underlying the present invention the known distress rocket could be improved in functionality comparable to that of a said transponder, without the disadvantage thereof, of a requirement of electric power. This is according to the invention achieved using simple and light weight means known per se, however linking in to an existing, globally available system of detection not 15 requiring the presence of a power source, being Radar, i.e. interfering with radio frequency. In line with this idea it is realised that where the distress rocket would be provided with a passive meansthat is also light weight and compact, and which is reflective to the electromagnetic pulses of radar, e.g. aluminium foil or chaff. In particular it interferes with the mm or cm radar frequency, i.e. it can interfere with, i.e.

20 becomes or enters as a part of such globally widely spread system. The invention thus comprises a signalling means known per se, provided with radar interfering material by connecting the latter to an air bom part thereof, in particular to the parachute, i.e. air bearing part thereof.

25 According to further insight underlying the present invention, a main advantage of a such composed new signalling means is that it will now not only become visible for accidentally by passing ships, but will now also become detectable for radar stations. Moreover, it will therefore, at any radar scanning the area in which such improved distress rocket is fired, automatically generate distance and direction information.

30

Still however, the significance of a such improved distress rocket not only resides in this “powerless* and “virtually weightless" provision of accurate position information, but furthermore in the fact that the said period of being airborne of the rocket with the addition of the passive means in accordance with the invention, becomes “significantly 35 long lasting” in a manned monitoring situation or environment, as compared to a 3 situation at sea where a known distress rocket, given the same amount of time merely would generate a chance of becoming detected by bypassing ships or planes.

Eventually, significant advantage of the present invention also resides in close to 5 shore situations, with manned lighthouses or the like with manned outlook posts in that bad weather conditions may prevent even intense light from being detected. Even if detected, the location of the light, i.e. known signalling means is relatively coarse and moreover will be lost within a period that may be short in comparison to the period of time required to generate a rescuing response that can still be guided by the distress 10 rocket, i.e. the light thereof. Also, at rough sea such light may not easily be detected from within a rescue boat. A radar echo as according to use of the present invention however, will provide accurate direction and distance.

It may be evident therefore that by using relatively simple means, even known per se, 15 in the manner as indicated by the present invention, highly significant, life saving advantage may be gained in modem maritime environment without detriment to the character or nature and the otherwise functioning of the distress rockets as in use since long.

20 The invention will now by way of examples be elucidated further along a drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an illustration of one possible embodiment of the invention where the parachute itself is covered or fitted with or made of conductive material, an aluminium foil or the like; 25 Figure 2 photographically and schematically illustrates an embodiment of a distress rocket for launching the signalling means of figure 1, wherein chaff matter known per se, is included;

Figure 3 photographically illustrates the nature of chaff as may be used.

In the figures, identical reference numbers relate to identical or at least 30 comparable technical features.

Figure 1 shows a radar based signalling means 1 as according to the invention, based on a typical distress rocket parachute 2, supporting flare means 5 known per se, in a known manner via wires 4. Radar in this context is to be interpreted in its conventional 35 meaning, i.e. as the acronym for “radio detection and ranging", and utilising the 4 generally known system of stationary and mobile radar stations widely distributed in at least coastal areas around the world.

In the particular embodiment of figure 1, the signalling means is provided with a 5 parachute having a partly or wholly cover 3 of a conductive material such as aluminium foil for the purpose of realising a radar detection. Alternatively the parachute may wholly or partly be composed of a dedicated, i.e. preferably reinforced aluminium foil.

10 Figure 1 furthermore illustrates the possible use of shaping means 6 for rendering an angled parachute, so as to improve radar reflection thereby. The shaping means may comprise lines within the parachute, forcing a generally angled shape of the parachute. Such shaping measure may according to further elaboration of a practical embodiment of the invention be enhanced or replaced by stitching the parachute so as 15 to arrive at a squared shape thereof, i.e. a roof top like shape having three or more, e.g. four triangular sides. Such angular shaping enhances detection of the parachute as compared to conventional round, i.e. dome shaped parachutes.

Again alternatively or in addition to the preceding mentioned measures towards an 20 improved signalling means, at least a parachute ameliorated in accordance with the present invention, may furthermore be provided with internal panels of, or covered with, mentioned conductive material, preferably extending vertical at normal parachuting conditions. Preferably the parachute comprises at least two cross wise, i.e. diagonal or over the width of the parachute extending panels, included square to 25 one another, and crossing at the centre of the parachute. A parachute thus embodied again further enhances echoing, or radar reflecting capacity of a parachute, or signalling means according to the invention.

In stead or in addition to the measures as indicated along figure 1, a signalling means 30 according to the invention may also be provided with so called chaff. Although chaff, a military expression for metal coated synthetic fibres - see figure 3 for an illustration -, is best known as a decoy for radar guided missiles, it may in accordance with further insight underlying the present invention also be applied for the purposes of the present invention, i.e. to become detected in a distress situation.

35 5

Figure 2 apart from the typical structure of a conventional distress rocket or bullet, with internally a propulsion means 7, an ignition means 8, glare 5 and a parachute 2, illustrates a relatively simple to be implemented manner of applying chaff for the purposes of the present invention. In this respect it shows a typical distress rocket in 5 which chaff 9 is included in a conventional, i.e. loosely packed manner, at a location in the rocket, sometimes denoted bullet, between the parachute 2 and the glare 5. Where alternative locations could have been below the location of the glare or above that of the parachute, the present location is preferred in that at this location at least part of the glare spreading after firing, will be collected by the inner side of the parachute, 10 thus keeping the chaff collected for a prolonged period of time.

Alternatively or in addition to this measure the parachute may in advance be treated with a layer of chaff, e.g. using a sticking means, or by weaving or stitching in such fibres. In a further embodiment chaff may be included in relatively small or larger 15 pockets, preferably attached to the parachute 2 or its wiring 4, thus increasing the detectable surface without becoming scattered.

Figure 3 illustrates chaff as known per se, both in loose form and loosely packed in a rod like structure, the dimension of which is compared to that of a coin. The metal 20 coated fibres may e.g. be copper nickel-coated glass fibers or silver-coated, nylon fibers, and often have lengths equal to half of an anticipated radar wavelength.

The invention, apart from the following set of claims, also relates to the preceding description and all details and aspects in the drawing which are directly and 25 unambiguously derivable there from, at least by a person skilled in the art.

103557*

Claims

A signaling means, such as an emergency flare-based, provided with light means (5) and a parachute means (2) which supports the light means in an air-borne situation, the signaling means comprising Radar interfering material (6; 9).

The signaling means of claim 1, wherein said Radar interfering material is integrated with said parachute means.

3. A signaling means according to any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein said parachute is provided with limiting means such as seams or threads which force a at least a predominantly angular structure in said parachute means.

A signaling means as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said parachute is provided with internal panels comprising material interfering with Radar.

The signaling means according to claim 4, wherein the panels are of the same material as the rest of the parachute.

A signaling means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said Radar interfering material comprises chaff (9).

7. A signaling means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein connecting means are provided for connecting said chaff or bags thereof to said signaling means.

An emergency fire arrow for launching a signaling means in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

9. Emergency flare arrow for launching a signaling means, in particular in accordance with the preceding claim, wherein the flare arrow is provided with an amount of chaff (9).

A rocket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said amount of chaff is included in the flare at a location between a part comprising light (5), ie flare, and a part comprising the parachute (2).

A survival kit comprising either an emergency fire arrow or a signaling means in accordance with any one of the preceding claims. 1035574