WO2000048900A1

WO2000048900A1 - Flotation of watercraft

Info

Publication number: WO2000048900A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kelvin James O'shea
Original assignee: Smartfloat Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-02-15
Filing date: 2000-02-15
Publication date: 2000-08-24
Also published as: AUPP872199A0

Abstract

A flotation device for a watercraft includes at least one gas inflatable vessel having a flexible, collapsible wall. The device has a mounting assembly for fixedly mounting the, or each, vessel on a watercraft. The device includes an inflating mechanism for inflating the, or each, vessel. An actuator is provided for actuating the inflating mechanism. The invention extends to a watercraft that includes the flotation device.

Description

FLOTATION OF WATERCRAFT

This invention relates to flotation of watercraft. More particularly, this invention relates to a flotation device for a watercraft and to a watercraft.

This invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an emergency flotation device for a watercraft such as an ocean going fishing vessel, yacht, pleasure craft or commercial craft. It will be convenient to describe it below with reference to this particular example application. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is capable of broader application. For example, the invention may be applied to any craft, including aircraft, that travels over water.

Heavy seas are particularly dangerous for ocean going watercraft such as fishing vessels and yachts. The main reason for this is that large waves often break over such watercraft in heavy seas. This can result in engine failure. Once the engine has failed, the watercraft can no longer be directed into the oncoming waves. Any subsequent waves striking the watercraft broadside can result in the capsizing and sinking of the watercraft. Furthermore watercraft are often in danger of foundering on a reef or submerged rocks. It is thus desirable that a means be provided whereby the buoyancy of a watercraft can be enhanced when necessary so that such capsizing and subsequent sinking can be avoided.

According to the invention, there is provided a flotation device for a watercraft, the flotation device including at least one gas inflatable vessel having a flexible, collapsible wall; a mounting assembly for fixedly mounting the, or each, vessel on a watercraft; an inflating mechanism for inflating the, or each, vessel; and an actuator for actuating the inflating means. The flotation device may include a pair of inflatable vessels. The mounting assembly may be configured so that a vessel can be mounted on each side of the watercraft. Each vessel may be elongate and may extend along a respective side of the watercraft when mounted.

Thus, the vessels provide buoyancy to the watercraft when it is in danger of sinking. Further, the position of the vessels is such that additional stability against excessive rolling in heavy seas is provided to the watercraft.

Advantageously, each vessel is formed from a collapsible bladder of flexible material, e.g. elastomeric material. This enables the member to be reduced to a relatively small volume in its inoperative condition.

Each vessel may include at least two separate compartments. Each compartment may be separately inflatable. The compartments may be positioned end-to-end along each side of the watercraft. Partitioning walls may separate the compartments.

An outer side of each wall may be at least partially coated with a material that is readily discernible such as a fluorescent material that glows when a light impinges on the material.

The mounting assembly may include a pair of housings. Each vessel may be positioned within a respective housing in its deflated, collapsed condition. The housings may be configured to permit inflation and subsequent expansion of the vessels. Further, each housing may be fastenable to respective sides of the watercraft.

Each housing may include a base member that is fastenable to its respective side of the watercraft, and a cover member that is detachably mounted on the base member. The collapsed and deflated vessels may be received between respective base members and cover members such that, when the vessels are inflated and expand, the cover members are detached from the base members to accommodate this inflation.

Optionally, the vessels are received in respective recesses defined in the sides of the watercraft. Thus, the flotation device can have a low level of visibility when inoperative.

The inflating mechanism may include a gas supply means and a valved conduit means connected between, and in fluid communication with, the gas supply means and each compartment of the vessels so that the compartments are separately inflated.

The gas supply means may include one or more containers of compressed gas. The conduit means may include gas lines connected between the container/s and the vessels.

The valved conduit means may include a non-return valve means positioned between the gas supply means and the compartments to inhibit backflow of gas from the vessels.

The actuator may include a switching arrangement that is connected to a valve arrangement of the gas supply means so that gas can be supplied to the vessels on operation of the switching arrangement. The switching arrangement may be in the form of a mechanical switch to permit manual operation of the gas supply means.

The flotation device may include a signalling apparatus for generating a distress signal. The signalling apparatus may be operatively connected to the actuator to generate a distress signal on operation of the actuator. The signalling apparatus may include a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device so that the distress signal can carry data relating to a position of the watercraft. The flotation device may include a deflating means to permit deflation of the vessels when required.

The invention extends to a watercraft that includes a flotation device as described above.

A flotation device and a watercraft in accordance with this invention may manifest themselves in a variety of forms. It will be convenient hereinafter to describe in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of providing this specific description is to instruct persons having a practical interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the specific nature of this description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a watercraft incorporating a flotation device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the region marked "A" in FIG. 1 in more detail; FIG. 3 is a schematic three dimensional view of an inflation mechanism for the flotation device on the watercraft of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross sectional view through the flotation device when it is in a passive condition;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the flotation device in a passive condition; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the flotation device in an active condition.

In FIGS 1 to 6, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a watercraft in accordance with the invention.

The watercraft 1 comprises broadly a hull 2 and a cabin 3, and all the other normal accessories and components one would typically expect to have on a waterborne boat or yacht. As the standard structural features and accessories do not form part of this invention, they will not be described in further detail in this specific description.

The watercraft 1 further includes a flotation device 5 comprising flotation members 10 and 11 extending down each side of the watercraft 1. Inflation means in the form of gas cylinders 15, 16 are provided for inflating the members 10, 11 on demand.

Each flotation member 10, 11 comprises a bladder that is divided into three separate and isolated compartments 17, 18, 19 arranged end to end along the length of the member. Each bladder 10, 11 is of a flexible but resilient elastomeric material. A reflective strip 20 is positioned along the outer side of each bladder 10, 11.

The gas cylinders 15, 16 are operatively connected to a conduit means in the form of inflation lines 25, 26. Inlet lines 27, 28 and 29 are in communication with each of the inflation lines 25, 26 and connect with the various compartments 17, 18, 19 of the bladders 10, 11. Each inlet line has a non-return valve 30 (FIG. 2) associated therewith.

Activation of the gas cylinders 15, 16 is triggered by a manually operable switch 33 as shown in FIG. 3. Manual rotation of the switch 33 acts to pull pins 31 out of the cylinders 15, 16, thereby triggering the generation of gas that passes through the inflation lines 25, 26. The switch 30 is deliberately mechanical in operation and will work or function even if the power in the watercraft 1 fails for any particular reason. This is an important safety feature. Typically, the switch 30 is positioned near a steering wheel 32 of the watercraft 1.

FIG. 5 shows the external appearance of the watercraft 1 fitted with the flotation device 5 prior to the activation thereof. The bladders 10, 11 are received within a slim cover 35 that extends along the length of the bladders 10, 11 and forms a clean, aesthetically and functionally acceptable formation on the watercraft 1. The members 10, 11 are spaced above the water line of the watercraft 1 in normal use and thus do not interfere with the drag co-efficient of the hull 2.

FIG. 4 shows more detail of the arrangement of the various components in the device 5 with the bladders 10, 11 in the deflated condition. It also shows nut and bolt combinations 41 and their formations 40 that are used to attach the bladders 10, 11 to the watercraft hull 2. Also shown is a base member 48 to which the cover 35 is releasably attached via complementary clipping formations 49. The clipping formations 49 are configured to result in the cover 35 blowing off when the bladders 10, 11 are inflated.

Each base member 48 is bolted to a plate 50 via the nut and bolt combinations 41. Each plate 50 is attached to a respective side of the hull 2. The plate 50 can have a reinforcing function.

FIG. 6 shows the side of the watercraft 1 when the flotation device 5 has been activated. This corresponds to FIG. 1 , which also shows the watercraft 1 with the device 5 in an activated condition.

In use, if the watercraft 1 encounters difficulties, e.g. in heavy seas, and starts taking on water, the captain triggers the switch 30 activating the gas cylinders 15, 16 and inflating the bladders 10, 11. This increases the flotation of the watercraft 1 and also stabilises the watercraft 1 against rolling. The separate compartments 17, 18, 19 provide the safety feature that even if part of a bladder 10, 11 punctures, only one compartment 17, 18, 19 will deflate. The remainder will stay inflated providing buoyancy to the watercraft 1.

Optionally, instead of, or in addition to the manually operated switch 33, a pressure operated switch 51 (shown in dotted lines in FIG 3) may be provided. The pressure operated switch 33 may be configured to act on the cylinders 15, 16 so that the gas is released at a predetermined depth. Such a depth may be, for example, 3 metres. Strobe lights 52 are mounted on the bladders 10, 11. The strobe lights 52 are solar powered. The strobe lights 52 are configured to provide a visually identifiable signal at night to facilitate location of the watercraft 1.

The bladders 10, 11 are configured so that, if the watercraft 1 is upturned, the bladders 10, 11 provide suitable safety arrangements for crew and passengers in the water. In particular, the bladders 10, 11 are configured so that the crew and passengers can position themselves between the bladders 10, 11 and the hull 2.

The bladders 10, 11 can be deflated by means of deflation valves 45 (FIG 1) associated with each of the compartments 17, 18 and 19. The device 5 then has to be fixed and refitted, e.g. in a port or dry dock.

The device described above increases the prospect of a watercraft staying afloat in an emergency be it due to a hole in the watercraft or the presence of heavy seas. It also reduces substantially the likelihood of a watercraft capsizing in heavy seas by providing lateral stability against rolling.

A distress signalling device 46 is operatively connected to the switch 33. Thus, when the switch 33 is operated, the device 46 is also operated. The signalling device 46 may also include a GPS - based locating device 47 to facilitate location of the watercraft 1.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as in herein set forth.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A flotation device for a watercraft, the flotation device including at least one gas inflatable vessel having a flexible, collapsible wall; a mounting assembly for fixedly mounting the, or each, vessel on a watercraft; an inflating mechanism for inflating the, or each, vessel; and an actuator for actuating the inflating mechanism.

2. A flotation device according to claim 1 , which includes a pair of inflatable vessels, the mounting assembly being configured so that a vessel can be mounted on each side of the watercraft.

3. A flotation device according to claim 2, in which each vessel is elongate and extends along a respective side of the watercraft when mounted.

4. A flotation device according to claim 3, in which each vessel includes at least two separate compartments, each compartment being separately inflatable and the compartments being positioned end-to-end along each side of the watercraft.

5. A flotation device according to claim 4, in which the compartments are separated by partitioning walls.

6. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an outer side of each wall is at least partially coated with a material that is readily discernible such as a fluorescent material that glows when a light impinges on the material.

7. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mounting assembly includes a pair of housings, each vessel being positioned within a respective housing in its deflated, collapsed condition, with the housings being configured to permit inflation and subsequent expansion of the vessels and with each housing being fastenable to respective sides of the watercraft.

8. A flotation device as claimed in claim 7, in which each housing includes a base member that is fastenable to its respective side of the watercraft, and a cover member that is detachably mounted on the base member, with the collapsed and deflated vessels being received between respective base members and cover members such that, when the vessels are inflated and expand, the cover members are detached from the base members to accommodate this inflation.

9. A flotation device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, in which the inflating mechanism includes a gas supply means and a valved conduit means connected between, and in fluid communication with, the gas supply means and each compartment of the vessels so that the compartments are separately inflated.

10. A flotation device according to claim 9, in which the gas supply means includes one or more containers of compressed gas, the conduit means including gas lines connected between the container/s and the vessels.

11. A flotation device according to claim 9 or 10, in which the valved conduit means includes a non-return valve means positioned between the gas supply means and the compartments to inhibit backflow of gas from the vessels.

12. A flotation device according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , in which the actuator includes a switching arrangement that is connected to a valve arrangement of the gas supply means so that gas can be supplied to the vessels on operation of the switching arrangement. O 00/48900 _{A n} PCT/AUOO/00101

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13. A flotation device according to claim 12, in which the switching arrangement includes a mechanical switch to permit manual operation of the gas supply means.

14. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes a signalling apparatus for generating a distress signal.

15. A flotation device as claimed in claim 14, in which the signalling apparatus is operatively connected to the actuator to generate a distress signal on operation of the actuator.

16. A flotation device as claimed in claim 14 or 15, in which the signalling apparatus includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device so that the distress signal can carry data relating to a position of the watercraft.

17. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes a deflating means to permit deflation of the vessels when required.

18. A watercraft that includes a flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. A new flotation device for a watercraft, substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A new watercraft, substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.