Abstract:
A fluid activated automatic release apparatus is configured to release a pressurized gas from a cylinder bottle and/or activating various mechanical release mechanisms. The apparatus may include a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a piercing pin configured to engage a fluid container, responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member. The apparatus may include a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a barrel device biased to move linearly responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application 61/410,647, filed Nov. 5, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to life preservers, and in particular to an electronic fluid activated release device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Life preservers or life vests save lives by preventing individuals from drowning. To accomplish that task, a life preserver should be available for proper use at the time of an accident and should be designed to perform well enough to keep a person&#39;s head above of the water. For an inflatable type of life preservers, it needs to inflate when needed. On occasions, however, a person might be an accident such that the individual is rendered unconscious and unable to initiate the inflation of the life vest. There is a critical need for a reliable inflator system for an inflatable life preserver/bladder to save lives. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present invention pertain to a fluid activated automatic release apparatus for releasing a pressurized gas from a cylinder bottle and/or activating various mechanical release mechanisms. 
     According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a piercing pin configured to engage a fluid container, responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member. 
     According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a barrel device biased to move linearly responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member. 
     According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a linear actuator configured to moveably engage the cam member responsive to a liquid being sensed by the liquid sensor component. According to another aspect, the apparatus may include a coil spring surrounding the piercing pin. 
     According to another aspect, the apparatus may include a lever rotatably coupled to the cam member. This configuration enables by manual activation by pulling of a knob and cord assembly. 
     According to another aspect, the apparatus may include a multiple positionable insert adapted to receive a fill valve of the life preserver. 
     According to another aspect, there is provided a method includes steps of sensing water, firing an actuator, rotating a cam member and linearly moving a releasing slide. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary of the invention as well as the following detailed description of the invention, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provides a better understanding of the invention, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary cutaway view of an inflator system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary cutaway view of a water sensing module of the inflator system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cutaway views of illustrating a firing action method of operation of the inflator system of  FIG. 1  using sensing module shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary cutaway view of a mechanical module of the inflator system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cutaway views of illustrating a firing action method of operation of the inflator system of  FIG. 1  using a mechanical module shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is schematic diagram of a water sensing circuit according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of an alternative release system of an inflator system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an alternative release system shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of an alternative release system shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an alternative release system shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIGS. 11-14  are fragmentary schematic views of D port insert positions; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective schematic view of a D port insert member according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged exploded schematic view of inflator system and portion of the life preserver/bladder construction; 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are schematic views of a vent release system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  are schematic views of the mechanical release device of  FIG. 7  and method of operation; and 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are schematic views of mechanical release device of  FIG. 7  and method of operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-19B  illustrate an embodiment of an inflator system  100  and methods for providing a compressed gas to fill an inflatable flotation device, such as a life preserver. The Inflator system  100  when fluidly coupled to an inflatable life preserver is configured to inflate the life preserver manually or automatically by sensing contact with a fluid, such as water. 
     To provide a better understanding of the inflator system  100 , one construction is described in more detail below. Referring to  FIG. 1 , inflator system  100  is broadly constructed of a sensing module  200  and/or a mechanical module  300  for performing various functions. Modules  200 ,  300  can be provided in a common housing or inflator body  102 . The inflator system  100  is configured to be used either manually as provided by the mechanical module  300  or automatically as provided by the sensing module  200  to inflate life preserver/bladder  702  (shown in  FIG. 16 ). 
     In one construction of the inflator system  100  shown in FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 B, the sensing module  200  includes a sensor cap  202 , a power source  204  (e.g. batteries), an electrical circuit system  206 , a linear actuator  208 , and electromagnetic radiation (EMI) gasket  210 . The sensor cap  202  has an opening  203  to enable water to enter into water sensor  205 . During automatic water activated operation, water completes a firing circuit  207  including water sensing probes P 1 , P 2  of sensor  205  and the inflator components (See  FIG. 6 ). Electrical completion of the circuit triggers, firing circuit  207  that fires the linear actuator  208  with an electrical current discharge from a capacitor C 1  (See  FIG. 6 ). The firing of the linear actuator  208  produces ballistic gas that reliably propels a piston in the actuator  208  forwardly and towards cam member  304  The actuator  208  has includes gas seal  215  to increase the ballistic gas for improved operation. The actuator  208  abuts the cam member  304  and impacts it to rotate the cam member  304  counter-clockwise so that it strokes the piercing pin  306  forward through a flexible diaphragm in the end of a metal bottle/tank  400  filled with a pressurized gas, such as carbon dioxide. In same operation as with the mechanical module  300 , the pressurized carbon dioxide gas is vented along the piercing pin  306  into gas channel  310  to the “D” port where it is fluidly coupled to an air bladder fill valve to release the gas into the bladder of the life preserver. The bottle  400  is threadly fastened into an inlet port  115  of housing  102 . The EMI gasket  210  is provided to protect the circuit system  206  from electromagnetic radiation so that the circuit can operate in adverse EM environments. 
     In one construction of the inflator system  100  shown in FIGS.  4  and  5 A- 5 B, the mechanical module  300  may include of a lever  302 , a cam member  304 , a bottle piercing pin  306 , and a helical spring  308 . Optionally, the mechanical module  300  can support the addition of either a packing loop case release, or zipper closed case release (not shown). Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , lever  302  is pivotally mounted about a pivot pin  314 . The pivot pin  314  extends into a common opening  316  in the level  302  and cam member  304 . This construction retains the lever  302  and the cam member  304  on the same pin  314  and enables simultaneous rotation the cam  304  with the movement of lever  302 . Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the distal end  318  of the lever  302  is mattingly abutted to the cam member  304  that so rotation of the level  302  about pivot pin  314  causes the cam member  304  to simultaneously rotate. 
     Under manually activation, the pulling of the lever  302  counter-clockwise will rotate the cam member  304  in the counter-clockwise direction. For example, the pull cord and knob  301  may be used for ease of manual activation. The bull nose end  307  of the piercing pin  306  slides along the peripheral surfaces of the cam member  304 . An arcuate peripheral surface  305  of cam member  304  engages the bull nose end  307  and pushes the piercing pin  306  forward towards and through a flexible diaphragm in the end of the metal bottle/tank  400  filled with a pressurized gas, such as carbon dioxide. After the diaphragm is punctured by the piercing pin  306 , the carbon dioxide gas is released into gas chamber  108  and vented along the piercing pin  306  into fluid channel  324  to a “D” port  500  where the gas enters into an air bladder of the life preserver via a fill valve. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the gas chamber  108  is disposed forward of the piercing pin  306  and in front of the cylinder inlet  115 . Furthermore, fluid channel  324  is a gas pathway where the inlet is connected to the gas chamber  108  and the outlet is connected to the D port  500 . It is noted that the piercing pin  306  includes a gas seal  309  to prevent the pressurized gas from escaping the housing  102  other than the gas chamber  108 . It should be noted that the piercing pin  306  is cylindrically shaped and provided in an tubular chamber  103  of housing  102 . 
     In one construction, after automatic or manual operation, the piercing pin  306  is held at the end of cam member  304  stroke so that a replacement pressurized gas bottle  400  cannot be installed into cylinder inlet port  115 . This feature prevents fired/spent inflator systems  100  from being mistaken for an unfired inflator system  100 . Nevertheless, the fired inflator system  100  can be reset and reused, by for example, the coil spring  308  can return to the pin  306  to the starting position after the cam member  304  is rotated clockwise back to the initial position. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the coil spring  308  encloses or surrounds a portion of the piercing pin  306 . 
     Activiation Circuit 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the water activated circuitry  206  is an improved circuit exhibiting increased Electrostatic discharge (ESD) and Radio Frequency (RF) circuit protection. The circuitry disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,246 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,136 is incorporated by reference. The water activated circuit  206  is dormant type with no battery current draw until totally submerged in water. The circuitry is a capacitor discharge type with bleed resistor to afford inadvertent firing protection from splashing. The circuit draws zero current statically, since with no water across the probes there is no path for current to flow from the battery, this ensures maximum battery life. Once submerged, the water across the probes P 1  and P 2  provides a path for current flow. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , in operation when current between P 1  and P 2  flows, capacitor C 1  begins charging through resistor R 1 , and continues to charge until it reaches the knee voltage of Zener Diode Z 1 . At this point, Z 1  begins passing current into the gate of Silicone Controlled Rectifier SCR 1 , causing it to fire. Once SCR 1  fires, C 1  rapidly discharges through the piston actuator R 2 -EED (item  208  in  FIG. 2 ). This causes the piston actuator R 2 -EED to fire, thereby activating the inflator system  100 . The rate of charge on C 1  (and thus the circuit firing time) is largely determined by the RC time constant of R 1 *C 1 . Generally, the circuit firing time equals one time constant. Should C 1  receive a partial charge due to water splashing, etc. resistor R 3  provides a discharge path for C 1 . R 3  also inhibits inadvertent charging of C 1  in foggy, high humidity, and rainy environments. Capacitor C 2  provides increased RF shunt protection for the piston actuator. The Metal Oxide Varistor MOV 1  supplies increased Electro Static Discharge (ESD) protection to the circuit  206  and piston actuator  208  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Alternative Release System 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an alternative release system  600  comprises of a release slide  602 , a release barrel  604 , a release spring  606 , and retention cover plate  608 . The release system  600  components are disposed within a slotted guide  110  and housing bore  106  machined into the lower portion of the mechanical module  200  housing. In one construction, when an additional release mechanism is not used, the area is protected with a plastic cover held in place by the same three attachment screws used to attach the various release mechanisms. The release spring  606  is retained in a central bore of the release barrel  604 . The closed position, the lip  314  of the release barrel  604  is abutted at the top of the housing bore  106 . The release spring  606  is provided in a compressed state when one end is abutted against the top of housing bore  106  and the opposing end is engaged against the bottom of the bore of the release barrel  604 . The release spring  606  can be provided in a helical spring or coil spring construction. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 7-10 , the release system  600  is activated by the rotation of the cam member  304  during manual or automatic operation as explained previously. In operation, as the cam member  304  rotates during activation (either by the lever  302  or linear piston actuator  208 ), a forward protrusion  322  on the cam member  304  abuttingly engages the release slide  602 . While at the same time moving the puncture pin  306  to an abutting relationship with the gas bottle seal  402 . As the cam member  304  continues to rotate, the release slide  602  is linearly displaced so that it moves along the slotted guide pathway  110  in the mechanical module housing. As the slide  602  continues to move forward, it disengages from the retention slot  610  in the release barrel  604  thereby enabling the release spring  606  to freely expand/decompress to move the release barrel  604  downwardly to the open position. As the cam  304  continues its rotation, the puncture pin  306  is enabled to retract from the pierced bottle seal so as to not limit gas release and inhibit gas flow to the life preserver bladder. The puncture pin  306  is held in an extended position and locked to inhibit the inflator system  100  from a used bottle removed and replaced with a new bottle once the system  100  has activated. 
     This release system  600  construction enables other devices attached thereto to be physically released from the inflator system  100  as will be discussed below. 
     Altitude Vent Release System 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 17A and 17B , the inflator system  100  may include an optional altitude vent release feature which enables air trapped within the life preserver to be expelled to the ambient atmosphere, rather than expand at near space altitudes environments. This vent release feature operates immediately prior to activation of releasing pressurized gas from the bottle  400 . Referring to  FIG. 17A , a vent port  104  is incorporated in the release barrel bore  106  into the area housing the puncture pin  306  tip. An O-ring seal  612  is provided underneath the release barrel lip  614 . 
     When the inflator system  100  is activated, the O-ring  612  travels downwardly against the lip  614  so as to positively seal the vent  104  to prevent the pressurized gas from leaking from the life preserver and inflator system  100 . In operation, trapped air in the life preserver bladder and the gas chamber  108  is enabled to freely escape into the atmosphere, rather than expand within the life preserver bladder. As in previous disclosed when the inflator system  100  is activated (manually or electronically), the release slide  602  displaces towards the bottle  400  and enables the release barrel  604  to displace downwardly to transition to the closed position. Thus, this action seals the vent  104  and does not enable the pressurized gas in the life preserver to leak into the atmosphere. 
     Alternative D Port Insert 
     In one construction shown in FIGS.  1  and  11 - 16 , the inflator system  100  incorporates a hex keyed “D” port insert member  502  which allows the device embodying the inflator system  100  to be fluidly adapted or coupled for installation on a wide variety of life preservers  702  regardless of which position the life preserver fill valve  700  (e.g. an elongated stem or shaft) is attached to the life preserver bladder  702  (See  FIG. 16 ). Various bladder manufacturers position the life preserver fill valve  700  in multiple positions. The fill valve  700  fluidly receives the pressurized gas released from the gas bottle  400 . Referring to  FIG. 16 , when installed on a life preserver bladder  702 , the fill valve  700  is mattingly received in the “D” Port  500 . 
     The distal end  706  of the fill valve  700  is sealed with a sealing cap  708  and upper attachment seal  710 . The fill valve  700  has a lower attachment seal  704  disposed between to the life preserver bladder  702  and inflator housing  102 . The inflator “D” port  500  has an insert member  502  that capable of being removed and reinserted to position the inflator on the bladder  702 .  FIGS. 11-14  illustrates the different positioning of the “D” insert to match bladder manufacturers valve installation. The “D” insert can be in a vertical up position as shown in  FIG. 11 . Alternatively, the “D” insert can be in a horizontal down left position as shown in  FIG. 12 . In an alternative arrangement, the “D” insert can be in a vertical down left position as shown in  FIG. 13 . Alternatively, the “D” insert can be in a horizontal right position as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     Alternative Mechanical Release Devices 
     Now turning to  FIGS. 18A-18A  and  19 A- 19 B, the inflator system  100  may be configured to support a number of secondary mechanical release functions that activate prior to pressurized gas being released from the bottle  400 , such as release system  600 . In this way, other devices coupled to the inflator system  100  can be physical released or decoupled. Current mechanical releases include but are not be limited to a mechanism to release a life preserver which is packed within a fabric container secured closed by a zipper. Release mechanism  600  may release a life preserver which is packed or retained in a container which is held closed over lapping flaps that are secured closed by a loop and pin where the release of the opposite end of the looped cord will release the pack and allow the life preserver to open and the cell to fill with CO2 gas from the cylinder. A cord release module  900  facilitates the release of the pack closure cord used on the style LPU-23/P Life Preserver Assembly. Referring to  FIGS. 18A and 18B , upon activation of the inflator system  100 , the mechanism  600  releases a loop end  903  of the locking cord  900  allowing the life preserver pack to open. 
     A Zipper Release Module facilitates the release of the pack closure zipper used on the LPU-9/P style Life Preserver Assembly commercially available. Upon activation of the inflator  100 , the mechanism  600  releases the zipper allowing the life preserver pack to open. 
     System  100  has a modular configuration in which the components can be configured operate together. All U.S. patents referred to in this application are fully incorporated by reference for all purposes. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.