WO2015110711A1

WO2015110711A1 - Spectator arrangement for underwater activities

Info

Publication number: WO2015110711A1
Application number: PCT/FI2015/050048
Authority: WO
Inventors: Evgeny LYKOV
Original assignee: Waterbox Oy
Priority date: 2014-01-27
Filing date: 2015-01-26
Publication date: 2015-07-30
Also published as: CN205063432U; FI20145077A; FI126075B

Abstract

An arrangement (100) for underwater activities comprises a container (101), which container comprises at least one wall (102) forming said container. The container is configured to be filled at least partially with water (103) for water activities. The arrangement comprises a spectator space (104, 04a-104) for spectators, where the space comprises at least one wall (105) forming said space and a floor or bench row structure (106) for spectators. At least portion of said wall, floor and/or bench row structure (106) is transparent for visible wavelength allowing spectators to observe the water activities. At least portion of the space (104, 104a-104h) is arranged to locate below the free water (103) surface of the container. The space is pressurized with a pressure providing means (107) so to compensate stress at the wall structure caused by the pressure difference between the water (103) filled container (101) and the space (104, 104a-104h).

Description

SPECTATOR ARRANGEMENT FOR UNDERWATER ACTIVITIES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an arrangement of spectators for underwater activities, such as underwater sports, training and scuba diving, for example. In particularly the invention relates to the arrangement for observing the underwater activities and performances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For humans the water and especially underwater environment is hostile and continued existence underwater require special means, mainly for providing breathing air underwater. Thus all actions taking place underwater include certain risks for humans. When these risks are combined with the natural fear that majority of humans have for deep underwater places, most people never try any kind of underwater activities.

Thus there is a need for arrangement that provide possibility for people to try out or to train various underwater activities without the major risks and fears associated to these types of activities. Further, any activities or sports taking place underwater are somewhat problematic in view of the spectators so that also spectators are able to follow the activities fluently and in easy, comprehensive and safe way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for easily and safely training or trying underwater activities and offer underwater experiences. An additional object of the invention is to allow spectators easily follow underwater activities so that they have comprehensive feeling and experience but still so that there is no need be in contact with water. The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claim.

The invention relates to an arrangement for underwater activities according to claim 1. According to an embodiment of the invention a spectators arrangement for underwater activities comprises a container, which container comprises at least one wall forming said container. The shape of the container may be e.g. cylindrical form, or a rectangular container with 4 walls. The container is advantageously configured to be filled at least partially with water for water activities.

The arrangement comprises also a spectator space for spectators, where said space comprises at least one wall forming said space and separating said space from the water of the container. In addition it comprises a floor or bench row structure for spectators, where at least portion of said wall, floor and/or bench row structure is advantageously transparent for visible wavelength allowing spectators to observe the water activities. The space or portion of it is advantageously arranged to locate below the free water surface of the container in order to offer deep water feeling and experience.

The space is configured to be pressurized e.g. by a pressure providing means, like a pressure compressor. The pressure providing means advantageously provides pressurized air into the space. Thus the space structure must be closed at its upper portion at least during use.

It is to be noted that the lower portion is "closed" during use by water. Advantageously the space is pressurized in order to compensate stress at the wall structure caused by the pressure difference between the space and the water outside the space and to keep the water surface at the opening in a certain level. In addition the pressurization provides conditions inside the space so that it is possible to breath inside the space without any accessories, such as a compressed air bottle and mask. The wall and also other structures or at least portion thereof are advantageously transparent in order to enable extremely good observation possibilities.

The arrangement comprises advantageously also an entrance to the space. The entrance may be coupled with an air-lock-type means and/or pressure balancing chamber thereby allowing people moving into and from the space. According to an example there might also be plurality of air-lock-type means and/or pressure balancing chamber in the interfaces between different (sub)-spaces, especially between different (sub)-spaces having different pressures. It is to be noted that the said space may be arranged inside the container (surrounding by the water) and so that said space comprises an opening at its lower portion. This allows entering to the space also through the opening directly from the water e.g. via diving. The entrance may also be implemented in other ways, such as via a closable opening on the wall structure for allowing people moving into and from the space. This is at least possible when the entrance is above the water surface. The spaces may be arranged at the next or side to the container, but also on top or bottom of the container. In addition also the container comprises at least one open opening for entering to the container. The opening to the container locates advantageously at the upper portion of the container.

According to an embodiment the space is arranged inside the container so that the water is surrounding said space at least partially and so that the space comprises an opening at its lower portion to the water of the water filled container. According to an embodiment the space may be divided into plurality of sub-spaces by separating structures. Each of the sub-space may be configured to be pressurized so that the lower the sub-space locates, the higher the overpressure is provided in order to better compensate the stress at the wall structure caused by the hydrostatic pressure of the water of the container. This offer remarkable advantages namely the thickness of the transparent wall structure can be decreased, which additionally increased transparency and visibility. The openings are configured to allow movement of the object, like divers, between the space or sub-space and the container filled with water.

It is to be noted that the space or at least one of the sub-space may comprise an opening at its lower portion to the. Thus the pressure providing means for the space or sub-space is advantageously configured to provide pressure inside the space or sub-space essentially equal or essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the same level due to the water depth of the water surrounding the space and thereby to keep the water surface at the opening in a certain level. The arrangement may comprise pressure sensors for sensing both the hydrostatic pressure as well as the pressure inside the space, whereupon the pressure providing means for providing pressure inside the space can be controlled to adjust the pressure inside the space. The system may also comprise sensor for detecting water surface level at the opening, whereupon the pressure providing means for providing pressure inside the space can be controlled to adjust the pressure inside the space based on said water surface level at the opening. The controlling may be to increase pressure inside the space if the water surface level tends to raise over an upper threshold and to decrease pressure inside the space if the water surface level tends to lower under a lower threshold, as an example.

The floor, bench row or other structures may be arranged as a multilayer structure, and they may be arranged as a stationary structure or they may be configured to rotate around its axis, whereupon very comprehensive experience can be achieved. Still according to an embodiment the arrangement or platform system may also comprise light or laser means for light laser show (e.g. 3D show). Furthermore the arrangement comprises also a fogmaker for providing fog in the water, for example. In addition there may be also means for dimming the lighting inside the container and/or spaces of the arrangement and/or platform structure. Furthermore the arrangement may also comprise a bubble maker for providing underwater bubbles, such as air bubbles especially for show intention.

According to an embodiment the arrangement comprises also means for filling the container and/or the spaces with water, means for removing water from the container and/or the spaces, means for removing air from the container or spaces, and means for feeding air to the container and/or spaces, and/or wherein the container and/or spaces is equipped with safety means for allowing water to quickly escape from the container and/or spaces. According to an exemplary embodiment the arrangement is a floating platform connected to the container and/or the spaces, and therefore supports the container and/or spaces and keeps the container and/or at least one space partially above surface level of the body of water. The floating platform may also provide a room for the spectators. The floating platform may comprise own propulsion system, such as a motor and suitable propeller or the like, or alternatively the floating construction is configured to be towed by tugboats to different locations on water, and anchored to keep its position.

The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this document are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this document as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this document are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this document as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a first exemplary arrangement for underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 illustrates a second exemplary arrangement for providing underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 3 illustrates a third exemplary arrangement for underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 illustrates a fourth exemplary arrangement for underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and illustrates a fifth exemplary arrangement for underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 -5 illustrate exemplary arrangements 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 for underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The arrangement comprises a container 101 , which container comprises at least one wall 102 forming said container, which is configured to be filled at least partially with water 103 for water activities.

The arrangement comprises also a spectator space 104 for spectators. The space comprises at least one wall 105 forming said space and separating said space 104 from the water 103 of the container. In addition it comprises a floor or bench row structure 106 for spectators. The spaces 104 may be arranged at the next or side 104a-104h to the container, but also on top or bottom of the container. In addition the space 104 may be arranged inside the container so that the water is surrounding said space at least partially and so that the space comprises an opening 108 at its lower portion to the water of the water filled container. The space 104 may be configured to be pressurized e.g. by a pressure providing means 107, like a pressure compressor. The pressure providing means advantageously provides pressurized air into the space 104. Thus the space structure must be closed at its upper portion at least during use. The lower portion, if it is structurally open, is "closed" during use by water. Advantageously the space 104, 104a-104h is pressurized in order to compensate stress at the wall structure caused by the pressure difference between the space 104, 104a-104h and the water 103 outside the space and to keep the water surface at the opening 108 in a certain level. In addition the pressurization provides conditions inside the space so that it is possible to breath inside the space without any accessories, such as a compressed air bottle and mask. The wall and also other structures or at least portion thereof are advantageously transparent in order to enable extremely good observation possibilities. According to an embodiment the space 104 is arranged inside the container (e.g. Figures 2-5) so that the water is surrounding said space at least partially and so that the space comprises the opening 108 at its lower portion to the water of the water filled container. According to an embodiment the space may be divided into plurality of sub-spaces 104a- 104h by separating structures. Each of the sub-space may be configured to be pressurized so that the lower the sub-space locates, the higher the overpressure is provided in order to better compensate the stress at the wall structure caused by the hydrostatic pressure of the water of the container. This offer remarkable advantages namely the thickness of the transparent wall structure can be decreased, which additionally increased transparency and visibility. The openings are configured to allow movement of the object, like divers, between the space or sub-space and the container filled with water. It is to be noted that the space or at least one of the sub-space may comprise the opening 108 at its lower portion to the. Thus the pressure providing means for the space or sub-space is advantageously configured to provide pressure inside the space or sub-space essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the same level due to the water depth of the water surrounding the space and thereby to keep the water surface at the opening in a certain level. The arrangement may comprise pressure sensors 109 for sensing both the hydrostatic pressure as well as the pressure inside the space, whereupon the pressure providing means 107 for providing pressure inside the space can be controlled 1 10 to adjust the pressure inside the space. The system may also comprise sensor 1 1 1 for detecting water surface level at the opening 108, whereupon the pressure providing means 107 for providing pressure inside the space 104, 104a-104h can be controlled to adjust the pressure inside the space based on said water surface level at the opening. The controlling may be to increase pressure inside the space if the water surface level tends to raise over an upper threshold and to decrease pressure inside the space if the water surface level tends to lower under a lower threshold, as an example.

The floor, bench row or other structures may be arranged as a multilayer structure, and they may be arranged as a stationary structure or they may be configured to rotate 1 12 around its axis, whereupon very comprehensive experience can be achieved. Still according to an embodiment the arrangement or platform system may also comprise light or laser means 1 13 for light laser show (e.g. 3D show). Furthermore the arrangement comprises also a fogmaker and/or bubble maker 1 14 for providing fog and/or bubbles in the water, for example. In addition there may be also means for dimming the lighting inside the container and/or spaces of the arrangement and/or platform structure.

The arrangements may also comprise an air-lock-type means and/or pressure balancing chamber 1 15 thereby allowing people moving into and from or between the spaces. According to an example there might also be plurality of air-lock-type means and/or pressure balancing chamber in the interfaces between different (sub)-spaces, especially between different (sub)-spaces having different pressures.

Furthermore the arrangements may comprise in the connection of the spaces 104, 104a-104h air conditioning means 1 16 for supplying fresh air into the space, as well as a fan 1 17 or other climate controlling means 1 17 for removing fog or frost condenced into the structures of the arrangements and thereby effecting to the visibility.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims.

Claims

1. An arrangement (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for underwater activities comprising a container (101 ), which container comprises at least one wall (102) forming said container, and wherein the container is configured to be filled at least partially with water (103) for water activities, characterized in that the arrangement comprises additionally:

- a spectator space (104, 104a-104h) for spectators, where said space comprises at least one wall (105) forming said space and a floor or bench row (106) structure for spectators, where at least portion of said wall, floor and/or bench row structure is transparent for visible wavelength allowing spectators to observation said water activities, and wherein said space is arranged to locate below the free water surface of the container,

additionally characterized in that

o said space is pressurized space pressurized with a pressure providing means (107) so to compensate stress at the wall structure (105) caused by the pressure difference between the water filled container and the space.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said space comprises an entrance (108) coupled with an air-lock-type means or pressure balancing chamber (1 15), said entrance allowing spectators moving into and from and/or between the space(s).

3. An arrangement according to any of previous claims, wherein said space (104) is arranged inside the container and said space (104) comprises an opening (108) at its lower portion to the water (103) of the water filled container, whereupon the pressure providing means (107) is configured to provide pressure inside the space essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the same level due to the water depth of the water filled container and thereby to keep the water surface at the opening (108) in a certain level.

4. An arrangement according to any of previous claims, wherein the arrangement comprises the space (104a-104h) arranged at the next/side to the container.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, where said space is divided into plurality of sub-spaces (104a-104h) by separating structures and wherein each of the sub-space is configured to be pressurized (107) so that the lower the sub-space locates, the higher the overpressure is provided in order to better compensate the stress at the wall structure (105) caused by the hydrostatic pressure of the water of the container.

6. An arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the space or at least one of the sub-space comprises an opening (108) at its lower portion to the water of the water filled container, whereupon the pressure providing means (107) for the space or sub-space is configured to provide pressure inside the space or sub-space essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the same level due to the water depth of the water filled container and thereby to keep the water surface at the opening in a certain level.

7. An arrangement according to claims 3 or 6, wherein said opening (108) is configured to allow movement of the object, like divers, between the space or sub-space and the container filled with water.

8. An arrangement according to any previous claims, wherein the floor and/or bench row structure (106) is arranged as a multilayer structure and/or configured to rotate around its axis (1 12).

9. An arrangement according to any previous claims, wherein the arrangement comprises light/laser means (1 13) for light or laser show, provided on the water of the container and means for dimming the lighting inside the container and/or spaces; and/or fogmaker (1 14).

10. An arrangement according to any previous claims, wherein at least one of the walls (102, 105) of the container and/or spaces is transparent, or the walls comprise section that is transparent, for allowing observation of the activities taking place inside the container from outside of the container.

1 1. An arrangement according to any previous claims, wherein the upper portion of the container comprises at least one open opening for entering to the container.

12. An arrangement according to any previous claims, wherein the arrangement comprises means for filling the container, means for removing water from the container and/or the spaces, means for removing air from spaces, and means for feeding air to the container and/or spaces.

13. An arrangement according to any previous claims, wherein the arrangement comprises or wherein the arrangement is configured to function as a floating platform comprising the container and/or the spaces, and therefore supports the container and/or spaces.

14. An arrangement according to any previous claims, wherein the container and/or spaces is equipped with means for allowing water to quickly escape from the container and/or spaces.