Patent ID: 8382541
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
1. A reversible life raft system including: a source of inflation gas; upper and lower tubes comprising inflatable tube members; an upper smart arch extending upwardly from the upper tube; a lower smart arch extending downwardly from the lower tube; and an upper orientation sensing transfer valve located at an interface of the upper smart arch and the upper tube and a lower orientation sensing transfer valve located at an interface between the lower smart arch and the lower tube, each of said upper and lower orientation sensing transfer valves including a valve element that opens to allow a flow of air when the orientation sensing transfer valve is upright and closes to block a flow of air when the orientation sensing transfer valve is inverted, whereupon as inflation gas flows from the source of inflation gas, the upper smart arch along with an upper canopy will be deployed since the upper orientation sensing transfer valve is upright and therefore remains open to allow a flow of inflation gas, and the lower smart arch and a lower canopy will not be deployed since the lower orientation sensing transfer valve is inverted and therefore remains closed to block a flow of inflation gas.