Water submersion detection switch

A water submersion detection system that may include a buoyant device having a conductive surface, and a housing enclosing the buoyant device and having conductive elements. The conductive elements may include a first set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements that are electrically connected, and a second set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements that are electrically connected. The system may include a submersion alert device that activates responsive to the buoyant device contacting the housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to a water submersion detection system that can be activated responsive to being at least partially submerged in a liquid.

BACKGROUND

Prior art technology does not exist for a type of sensor to enable a device to be deployed when the sensor is placed within water beneath the water line. For example, for body armor, the density of the plates causes the armor to become an anchor if a person falls off of a vessel into the water. Current technology only incorporates a manual control to be pulled by user to enable self-inflating of a buoyant system. Current systems can use foam attached to body armor plates, but this increase bulk and reduces mobility. Prior art systems can also include buoyant body armor, but there is decreased strength with this type of armor.

In view of the above, there exists a need for a solution to reduce bulk, increase mobility, and automatically inflate when placed in the water.

SUMMARY

This summary is intended to introduce, in simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Instead, it is merely presented as a brief overview of the subject matter described and claimed herein.

Aspects described herein provide for a water submersion detection system that can be activated responsive to being at least partially submerged in a liquid.

The present disclosure provides for a water submersion detection system that may include a buoyant device having a conductive surface, and a housing enclosing the buoyant device and having conductive elements. The conductive elements may include a first set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements that are electrically connected, and a second set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements that are electrically connected. The system may include a submersion alert device that activates responsive to the buoyant device contacting the housing.

The present disclosure provides for a water submersion detection device that may include a buoyant sphere having a conductive surface, and a cage system enclosing the buoyant sphere and having conductive rods arranged in a spherical shape. The conduct rods may include a first set of one or more nonadjacent rods that are electrically connected, and a second set of one or more nonadjacent rods that are electrically connected. The water submersion detection device may include a submersion switch that activates responsive to the buoyant sphere contacting the cage system.

The present disclosure provides for a water submersion detection device that may include a buoyant sphere having a conductive surface, and a cage system enclosing the buoyant sphere and having conductive rods arranged in a spherical shape. The conductive rods may include a first plurality of nonadjacent rods that are electrically connected, and a second plurality of nonadjacent rods that are electrically connected. The water submersion detection device may include a submersion switch that activates when the buoyant sphere contacts the first and second plurality of nonadjacent rods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The aspects and features of the present aspects summarized above can be embodied in various forms. The following description shows, by way of illustration, combinations and configurations in which the aspects and features can be put into practice. It is understood that the described aspects, features, and/or embodiments are merely examples, and that one skilled in the art may utilize other aspects, features, and/or embodiments or make structural and functional modifications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure provides for a water submersion detection system that has one or more components that may activate or turn on responsive to being at least partially submerged or in contact with a liquid.

FIG.1illustrates an exemplary buoyant system100in accordance with disclosed aspects. Buoyant system100may include a housing102and a buoyant device112, which may be contained inside of the housing102. In one example, the housing102may be a cage system104enclosing the buoyant device112, where the overall dimensional size of the buoyant device112may be smaller than the overall dimensional size of the inside of the housing102.

The housing102may include cap elements106and one or more respective elements108,110forming an outer portion of the housing102. For example, the housing102may include a first set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements108. When there may be more than one element108, the elements108may be electrically connected to each other, such as via a connection point at each cap106.

The housing102may include a second set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements110. When there may be more than one element110, the elements110may be electrically connected to each other, such as via a connection point at each cap106. According to some aspects, the elements108and110might not be electrically connected to each other in a configuration of buoyant system100. In some cases, the elements108and110might be electrically connected after the buoyant device112contacts at least one element108and at least one element110, such as to make an electrical connection. According to some aspects, electrically connected can include when a current is capable of flowing through the associated elements.

According to the present disclosure, the buoyant system100can be used to detect when a human or object (e.g., package) has been submerged at least partially beneath the surface of water. The buoyant system100can include a highly buoyant sphere as the buoyant device112, which when submerged can provide a buoyant force towards the water surface. The sphere can have a conductive surface. The sphere can be placed within a cage system housing104incorporating conductive rods (conductive elements108,110) formed into a circular/spherical shape, such as in a symmetrical arrangement. The conductive rods can be placed around in the azimuthal direction every specified angular specification (e.g., every 30 degrees). In some cases, the rods can be placed at uneven angular spacings. According to some aspects, the total sum of the rods can an even number. The conductive rods can be electrically isolated where all odd rods (e.g., elements108) are connected together, and all even numbered rods (e.g., elements110) are all electrically connected.

As shown inFIG.2, buoyant system100may include one or more fixing elements114, which may extend out from an outer surface of the housing102toward the hollow center of housing102to position the buoyant device112inside of the housing102. For example, the fixing elements114might fix the buoyant device112in a position such that the buoyant device112might not be in contact with the elements108and110. In some embodiments, the fixing elements112may be made of a compressible material that is placed between the conductive elements108,110and the buoyant device112. For example, the fixing elements112may be springs that can move back and forth responsive to motion and/or force, such as from the buoyant device112.

In one example, the buoyant device112may have a submersion buoyancy so that the buoyant device112contacts the housing102(e.g., the elements108,110) when the buoyant device112is at least partially submerged. In this case, the force from the water may push on the buoyant device112, and the buoyant device112may push on one or more of the elements114. The one or more elements114may compress, which may allow the buoyant device112to come in contact with the housing102.

In another example, the one or more fixing elements114may be comprised of dissolvable material, which might dissolve when coming into contact with a substance, such as water. For example, after one or more of the elements114becomes wet (such as after at least partially being submerged), the elements114may dissolve, which may allow movement of the buoyant device112allowing the buoyant device112to come in contact with the housing102(e.g., the elements108,110).

In some embodiments, the conductive elements108may be electrically connected to each other, and the conductive elements110may be electrically connected to each other, such as at respective connection points2108,2110at each cap106. As shown inFIG.2, the connection points2108and2110may be formed in a square shape (but can be any shape or in any form), and may each connect to each respective element108,110.

Submersion detection device200may include a submersion alert device204coupled to a power source206, such as in a series arrangement. The submersion alert device204can be a switch that can be closed or open and/or off or on. In some embodiments, the submersion alert device204may be a Boolean-enabled device that may provide a true or false value.

The buoyant system100may be coupled to and/or connect to a submersion detection device200. In some embodiments, one of the conductive elements108may connect at a connection point202ato the submersion detection device200, and one of the conductive elements110may connect at a connection point202bto the submersion detection device202. In one example, the connection point202amay be at a terminal of the power source206(e.g., the positive terminal of the power source206), and the connection point202bmay be at the submersion alert device204.

According to aspects described herein, before the submersion detection system2000is submerged (e.g., at least partially submerged) in a fluid, the conductive elements108are electrically isolated from the conductive elements110. After the submersion detection system2000is at least partially submerged, the conductive device112may come into contact with at least one of the conductive elements108and at least one of the conductive elements110.

After this contact, a conductivity may be enabled between the conductive elements108and the conductive elements110. The conductive elements108and the conductive elements110may be connected to the submersion detection device200, which may be configured to active the submersion alert device204when the conductive elements108,110are electrically connected (e.g., after the submersion detection system2000is at least partially submerged).

According to some aspects, the submersion alert device204may be, may be part of, and/or may be coupled to a safety device, which may activate (e.g., provide a true value, turn on, close, etc.) when the conductive elements108,110are electrically connected. For example, the safety device comprises a flotation device that deploys after the submersion alert device204is activated. In another example, the safety device comprises a signaling device that transmits a beacon after the submersion alert device204is activated, such as to send a distress signal or to trigger activation of another device (via the beacon). The power source206may provide a voltage to the submersion alert device204.

The size of the system2000can be small, such as a few millimeters in diameter, as long as the buoyant force is maintained.

The present disclosure provides, in one example, for a body armor protection system for personnel on maritime vessels that provides for situations of when the personnel may be knock off a vessel and/or unconscious. In such situations, the personnel can rely on a safety device (e.g., light, beacon, vest, flotation device, etc.) to automatically activate/deploy when at least partially submerged in water. For example, when activated, the submersion alert device204can cause gas to be released into a flotation device, which can help support a person or package in the water. A cartridge can be coupled to the submersion alert device204, and the cartridge can release gas (carbon dioxide) for the flotation device.

FIG.3shows an exemplary response of the buoyant system100abefore and after the buoyant system100bis at least partially submerged. For example,FIG.3illustrates the buoyant system100ahaving conductive elements108and110, where the buoyant device112is not in contact with the conductive elements108and110. This state may be a state where the buoyant system100amight not be at least partially submerged in a fluid302.

According to some aspects, the separation of the buoyant device112from the conductive elements108,110may be provided by one or more fixing elements, such as spring(s), soft and/or compressible materials, sponges, dissolvable materials, and the like. The force of the fixing element may be less than the buoyant force of the buoyant device112when placed beneath the water line. In one example, the buoyant device112is designed and made with a low mass while having the large volume within the design constraints.

FIG.3illustrates a state of the buoyant system100bafter being at least partially submerged in the fluid302. As shown, the buoyant device112the may provide a buoyant force toward the water surface, which may cause the buoyant device112to come into contact with the conductive elements108,110. This can cause the submersion alert device204(FIG.2) to activate (e.g., for activation of air deployed life preservers, signaling beacons, etc.).

A water submersion detection system (and method of use) that can be activated responsive to being at least partially submerged in a liquid has been described. Although particular embodiments, aspects, and features have been described and illustrated, one skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the aspects described herein is not limited to only those embodiments, aspects, and features but also contemplates any and all modifications and alternative embodiments that are within the spirit and scope of the underlying aspects described and claimed herein. The present application contemplates any and all modifications within the spirit and scope of the underlying aspects described and claimed herein, and all such modifications and alternative embodiments are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.