WO2006037923A1

WO2006037923A1 - Device for releasing multiple-action rescue means, in particular an inflatable life raft

Info

Publication number: WO2006037923A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/050808
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Gautier
Original assignee: Sa Rescue Concept
Priority date: 2004-10-06
Filing date: 2005-10-05
Publication date: 2006-04-13
Also published as: EP1814778A1; FR2876079A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for triggering the release of a rescue means from a navigation craft, in particular the release of a container (12) with an inflatable raft and an inflation control member, characterized in that it comprises triggering means including first locking means for providing a first release and second locking means for providing a second release.

Description

DEVICE FOR LARGAGE OF A MULTI-ACTION EMERGENCY MEANS, IN PARTICULAR A LIFERAFT RAFT

The present invention relates to a device for releasing a multi-action rescue means, in particular for the release of a life raft such as a container with inflatable raft.

The invention relates in particular to boats, especially offshore vessels such as professional fishing units, assistance boats on oil rigs and more generally all flying units in often difficult conditions.

Nevertheless, it is known that units flying more than 5 miles offshore are necessarily equipped with such life rafts. The presence on board of such a means of relief is a real progress, but on the condition that this means can be made available to the shipwrecked in all circumstances.

However, there are many configurations and some may induce fatal malfunctions for shipwrecked, which explains some of the accidents with serious consequences still present.

The launching of rescue equipment is generally linked to degraded weather conditions and aggressive sailing conditions or even extreme situations with the navigation unit turned over or even at a stage during which the unit is dark. Each emergency means consists of an inflatable structure arranged folded and deflated in a closed container. The operation of such a container is quite reliable because the mechanisms implemented give full satisfaction as to their triggering, their arrangement and their implementation. In addition, the technical controls are mandatory, periodic, with a high frequency, which leads statistically to a maximum reliability rate and this is not where the possible problems arise.

The fact that the structure is placed in a container frees it from any degradation caused by contact with salt water, the sun, the cold, keeping the structure all its capabilities. The operation of such a structure is simple. The container comprises opening means controlled by various automatic or manual means which trigger by percussion the opening of a reserve of compressed air which ensures the swelling of the structure, this autonomously. Inside this structure are provided all means of rescue and survival necessary for a given number of shipwrecked.

This structure is stable and allows the castaways to isolate themselves and wait for the arrival of help.

However, we understand that this causes several problems.

In the case where the unit is in difficulty but without sinking, it is necessary to drop the container and bind it to the navigation unit in difficulty so that under the effects of drift due to wind, currents and / or waves, this structure does not move away, prohibiting shipwrecked aboard to act and win the moment said structure. On the other hand, if the unit is currently sinking, inflation is triggered by the fact that the container floats and pulls on the inflation control member. Once the structure is inflated, Archimedes' thrust is such that the link breaks and lets the inflated structure rise to the surface. Nevertheless, if Weather conditions are bad, especially wind, can quickly cause the structure out of reach.

Also, it would be necessary that the link breaks so as not to drag the container to the bottom.

The link should be provided with sufficient strength to hold the container to the navigation unit when it is on the surface but with a breaking strength much lower than the foolability of the container. Thus the container would go up and allow the potential shipwrecked to join the container and then trigger the inflation.

In fact, it is thus confirmed that the arrangement with a life raft on board with release is satisfactory.

On the other hand, the problem that arises is the dropping of the container itself, when it is fixed on the unit in difficulty.

A first case is that of the trigger mode. The command can be indeed automatic or manual. This is an automatic triggering device, in particular that of a man overboard subject of the international patent application N ⁰ PCTVFR 2004/050087 in the name of the same inventor.

When the control unit records a distress signal, it must be able to release the container integrally, that is to say without any connection with the navigation unit because it is necessary that the container is dropped to the nearest human to the sea and the rest while said navigation unit is under way.

It is therefore a question of being able to drop the container integrally, without inflating it, the victim himself ensuring the swelling by traction on a trigger tip, accessible externally to the container. Indeed, if the trigger was to occur automatically, the man overboard, given generally difficult conditions, wind, waves, the shock of the fall, difficulties to swim dressed would fail to reach the raft . The container must also be able to be manually released for many reasons for example:

- the trigger device may have been destroyed or degraded,

- a crew member, noting an accident, may wish to voluntarily insure the release of the life raft,

- the dark boat and one of the members sees the need to drop the raft.

In this case of the manual release, it must therefore be able to also drop the container but with simultaneous inflation with link to the unit or be able to drop the container completely without swelling and without prior link with the unit. In the case where the unit dark, it is also necessary that the container can be dropped without crew intervention and it is generally provided hydrostatic trigger means. Such means, as their name suggests, are sensitive to pressure and as soon as the unit sinks under water, the increase in pressure, very fast in the water, causes the release of the raft in its container, container whose buoyancy drives it towards the surface. A shipwrecked can then trigger the swelling phase by pulling on the trigger tip. In the case where the unit dark, the release can also be triggered by means not hydrostatic but simply by means sensitive to water salt pellet for example.

The triggering means of the release means must respond to all these problems, with all reliability. Gold ₁ shows that the reliability of existing trigger means is not sufficient to ensure release reliably.

The container is attached and fixed on the navigation unit: it is necessary to provide means of mechanical release of the raft following the release. Again, the constraints created by the diversity of the constitutions of the units according to their destination appear again.

Fishing units, for example, often have a gangway, and the container must be able to be dropped into the water by passing above this gangway.

However, the boat is generally subjected to a significant roll when the navigation conditions are bad, it is nevertheless necessary that the raft is conducted into the water. When the navigation unit is turned upside down or when it sinks, it is necessary that this same container can not only be dropped but that it rejoins the surface without being blocked in the superstructures of the navigation unit. In fact, the present invention provides, in addition to triggering means, mechanical release means adapted to operate in all circumstances and provide complementary steps to the implementation of the triggering means according to the invention.

The release means according to the present invention makes it possible to meet all the constraints exposed, while remaining simple, with adaptability to all types of navigation units, this device can be realized with means of industrial production and especially this device has a reliability in adequacy with the needs and with the reliability attached to the means of rescue in themselves.

Another problem is also the possible rise on board the unit, especially when there is no one on board following for example an ejection of the occupants. Units do not usually have a fixed scale and even less a sliding scale.

The trigger and release device are now described in detail according to a preferred embodiment which should in no way be considered as limiting. This description is made with reference to the appended drawings which represent in the various figures:

- Figure 1, a perspective view of the mechanical release means of the release device according to the invention, in the waiting position, - figure ZA ₁ a schematic side elevation view of the release means in the waiting position,

FIG. 2B, a schematic side elevational view of the release means in the release position,

- Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of the release means with extensions, - Figure 4, a schematic perspective view of the release means of the release means of the device according to the invention, in the closed position,

FIG. 5, a schematic perspective view of the means for triggering the release means of the device of FIG. 4, in the open position,

- Figures 6A, 6B and 6C, detailed views of the operating phases of the two-position manual triggering means.

Figures 1, ZA and 2B schematically show the means 10 mechanical release of a container 12 containing a life raft. These mechanical release means comprise a frame 14 with at least one lower ramp 16 and an upper ramp 18.

The lower ramp 16 is fixed and attached to a navigation unit 20 symbolized in the drawing with a cabin 22, a gangway 24 and a rail 26. The frame is attached at any suitable point of the unit, the roof of the cabin substantially horizontally in the presented mode or laterally against a vertical wall if this is more advantageous. This lower ramp 16 must in all cases be steeply inclined to maintain a slope even when the navigation unit 20 rolls heavily.

The upper ramp 18 is articulated about a pivot axis 28 at one of its ends 30 relative to the end 32 of the lower ramp 16.

Means 34 for securing the container 12, for example straps 36, ensure the subjection of said container to the frame 14.

These securing means 34 are connected at a point 38 to the trigger means 40 described hereinafter. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the upper ramp 18 can take two extreme positions, one in which it is at an acute angle with the lower ramp 16 and the other in which it is an obtuse angle, substantially a flat angle. In the second position, the upper ramp 18 is in the continuity of the lower ramp 16. This ramp can come to bear on the rail following the configuration of the unit or remain in offset.

In the latter case, it may be provided a complementary accessory such as a limiter 42 angular opening.

According to an improvement and also depending on the configuration of the navigation unit, the upper ramp 18 can be equipped with a telescopic extension 44, see FIG.

Note that the displacement of the container 12, generally cylindrical, is by gravity and rolling or sliding on the lower ramp 16. During this movement, the upper ramp 18 rises and pivots about the pivot axis 28 from the first standby position with acute angle to the service position with obtuse angle.

It is found that the container, under the effect of inertia and the configuration of the ramps passes overboard and falls well into the sea. If the boat is returned, we also find that the ramps provide guidance in the same way to allow clearance of the container outside the limits of the hull. In this case, it is no longer the gravity that ensures the displacement but the Archimedes thrust that plates the container on the ramp and also causes its displacement and as a direct result, the pivoting of the upper ramp 18 with respect to the ramp 16 lower. This movement of the container takes place only after release at point 38, means 34 of securement, this after commissioning means 40 trigger. These triggering means 40 are now described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

The triggering means 40 comprise a base 46 integral with the frame 14 or the sailing unit. This base has a T-shape with a foot 48 and two branches 50 and 52. This base comprises a connecting rod 54 articulated about an axis 56 at the end of the branch 52 of the tee. This connecting rod can take two positions one retaining in which it is closed and retains the securing means and the other release in which it releases these securing means. It should be noted that, in the closed position, given its shape at 90 ° this rod makes it possible to obtain a very strong resistance with a very low clamping force.

On the foot 48, the first locking means 60 are arranged, making it possible to lock the connecting rod 54. These first locking means 60 comprise a lever 62 articulated in a plane perpendicular to that of the connecting rod 54 and capable of assuming two positions. one of locking in which it cooperates with the connecting rod to retain it and the other release in which it deviates and let said rod free to rotate. This lever 62 comprises at its other end second means 64 for locking a member 66 for controlling the inflation of the raft contained in the container, generally a tip.

These second locking means comprise a yoke 68 in which a lug 70 integral with the opposite end of the lever 62 slides. This lug 70 is capable of taking:

a first partial release position linked to a first angular displacement of the lever in which its end remains in the yoke and still ensures locking of the end, and a second integral release position linked to a second additional angular displacement of the lever in which the lug releases the end 66. This lever 62 is driven by means 72 of dual-stroke operation, manual type 74 and automatic 76. The means 74 for manual operation comprise an arm 78 pivoting relative to the base, linked to a cable 80 which acts on the articulated lever 62. The pivoting arm can be deported to any suitable place by means of a sheath, this in a known manner.

On the other hand, in order to control the operation of the arm 78 and to allow the user to manage the two differentiated actuation positions of the first and second locking means, a stop 82 is provided on the cable 80.

This stop creates a hard point after the first stroke so as to rotate the lever 62 on the first angular stroke, to release the connecting rod 54 and by additional traction to rotate the lever 62 on the second complementary race so as to ensure an integral release of the connecting rod and the pin 70.

In the first case, only the container 12 is released, the end 66 retained, automatically triggering inflation of the raft from the container. In the second case, the container is dropped and the end 66 also so that the container is launched without inflation.

The automatic actuation means comprise an actuator 84, for example an electromagnet 86 and a compression spring 88, working in compression, interposed between the actuator 84 and the lever 62.

The return spring 88 thus makes it possible to keep the lever 62 in the locking position, this permanently.

By against the return force of the spring 88 is much lower than the tensile force of the electromagnet 86 when it is energized. Alternatively, it is possible to replace the electromagnet with a suction cup.

A suction cup has a permanent magnet which maintains the lock without any power supply and which, by means of an electrical pulse, cancels the field of the permanent magnet which releases the lock and allows the spring to act.

In this case, the spring is a spring working on traction. The tripping order, that is to say the actuator supply order

84, is issued by a central that can itself be alerted by any suitable means.

Similarly, the hydrostatic sensor acting in the event of reversal or sinking, may be independent, connected to the control panel or mounted on the device according to the present invention, at the base, so as to act directly.

In parallel with the release of the container, it is possible to drop a transmitting beacon, a tracking beacon, a light source, a transmitter of an audible and / or visual signal.

In addition, the information on the release and / or the modalities of this release can be reported to the cockpit and / or at any location allowing the crew to have the information. It is recalled that in the area of rescue, the first seconds and the first actions are often essential and condition the success or failure of the rescue.

As indicated in the preamble, a scale of the speleological ladder type can be associated with the container. Such a scale is then unwound simultaneously with the dropping of the container. This scale allows in case of man to the sea for example to easily collect the shipwrecked once it was found or to go back on board if all the crew was launched under the action of a strong lurching related to the movement of the waves for example. Indeed, the detectors can not only trigger the release of the container but they can also control the setting heading of the unit and a stop of the machines. In this case, it is necessary to go up and such a scale finds its application.

The units do not have such scales because they would cause unnecessary congestion and they would degrade.

Claims

1. Device for triggering the release of an emergency means from a navigation unit, in particular the release of a container (12) with an inflatable raft and a body (66) for controlling the swelling, characterized in that it comprises triggering means (40) comprising first locking means (60) capable of providing a first release and second locking means (64) capable of providing a second release.

2. Device for triggering the release of a backup means from a navigation unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking means (60) are suitable for the release of the container (12) and the second locking means (64) are adapted to release the trigger member (66).

3. Device for triggering the release of a backup means from a navigation unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (40) for triggering comprise a base (46), a connecting rod (54). ) articulated able to take two positions one in which it is closed and the other release in which it is open, said connecting rod cooperating with the first means (60) of locking.

4. Apparatus for triggering the release of a backup means from a navigation unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the first means (60) for locking comprises a lever (62) articulated in a plane perpendicular to that of the connecting rod (54) and capable of taking two positions one lock in which the lever cooperates with this rod to retain it and the other release in which it departs and let said rod free to rotate.

5. Apparatus for triggering the release of a backup means from a navigation unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the second locking means (64) comprise a yoke (68) in which slides a pin ( 70) secured to the opposite end of the lever (62), said lug being capable of taking a first partial release position related to a first angular displacement of the lever (62) in which its end remains in the yoke and ensures the locking of the control member (66), and a second integral release position connected to a second additional angular displacement of the lever (62) in which the lug (70) releases the control member (66).

Device for triggering the release of emergency means from a navigation unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the lever (62) is driven by means (72) of double actuation stroke, manuals (74) and automatic (76).

Device for triggering the release of emergency means from a navigation unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the means (74) for manual operation with a double stroke comprise a pivoting arm (78), connected to a cable (80) which acts on the lever (62) hinged.

Device for triggering the release of emergency means from a navigation unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the automatic dual-stroke actuating means (76) comprise an actuator (84) such as an electromagnet (86) and a return spring (88) interposed between the actuator (84) and the lever (62).

9. Device for triggering the release of a backup means from a navigation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associated with means (10) of mechanical release composed of a frame (14) intended to be secured to said unit, this frame comprising at least one fixed lower ramp (16) and an upper ramp (18) movable member arranged to receive between them said means (12) of relief, the upper ramp (18) being hinged relative to the ramp (16) below, about a pivot axis (28), and adapted to take at least one first holding position of the emergency means in which these two ramps form an acute angle and a second release position in which the two ramps form an obtuse angle.

10. Apparatus for triggering the release of a backup means from a navigation unit according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a limiter (42) of angular opening.

11. Device for triggering the release of a backup means according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one extension (44).

12. Device for triggering the release of a rescue means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for reboarding such as a speleology ladder associated with the emergency means and suitable to position itself simultaneously with its release.