Abstract:
A radar reflector operating device for indicating an emergency position, capable of permitting a victim to indicate his location by means of a radar reflector even when he is dropped into seawater without a life jacket, easily actuating the radar reflector by pulling or pressing a switch even when low seawater temperature dulls a victim&#39;s consciousness and senses of fingers, arms, etc., maintaining an operation of the radar reflector due to safety means even without sustenance of power by a victim that applies power in a predetermined level to operate the radar reflector, allowing an appropriate reflection section and distant recognition by preventing the radar reflector with hydrodynamic wings from being lowered due to wind, etc., and securing a victim, who cannot swim, against dangerous environments by rendering him to use the radar reflector as a life buoy, holding the wings by hands to float on the sea.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0105618 filed on Sep. 24, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a radar cross section reflector for indicating an emergency position. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) proposes that a radar cross section (RCS) for recognizing an object on the sea should be 10 m 2  and obligates that the RCS should be equipped in vessels so as to prevent a clash between small and large vessels. 
     An RCS is proposed with its verified result for a typical radar reflector and can be largely extended in a multi-hedral structure such as a di-hedral or tri-hedral structure. 
       FIG. 11  shows a basic theory about the RCS. According to the theory, it can be seen that in a radar reflector on which a di-hedral or tri-hedral metal films, a tri-hedral radar reflector having one side of 1 for a radar wave of a conventional 3 GHz band is equipped with an RCS over 3500 times of a spherical metal reflective surface having a radius of 1 and even over 3 times of a planar metal reflective surface. 
     Therefore, when there is emergency at sea, utilizing the characteristics of such a radar reflector helps a victim to effectively indicate his emergency position to a vessel or relief squad, which is passing by, by means of the radar reflector. 
     With regard to this view, the present applicant made the application (Application No. 10-2008-0050410) at May 29, 2008, entitled “Emergency position indicating device using RCS (Radar Cross Section) characteristics” (hereinafter referred to as ‘related art’), which was issued for patent at Dec. 2, 2010 (Patent No. 10-0999442) (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     The related art is provided to solve a problem that makes it difficult to find a victim&#39;s position when there is an emergency on the sea. According to the related art, it is possible to quickly find an emergency position in the daytime or nighttime regardless of marine environments, overcoming the shortness arising from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) that operates a large error bound of 4 mile and a cyalume lightstick limited in indication range. Referring to the related art, to effectively indicate an emergency position, radar emitted from a vessel or relief squad passing by the emergency position is intensively reflected on a balloon-type device embedding a radar reflector on which a di-hedral or tri-hedral metal film is covered to maximize an RCS, or on a self-floating radar reflector, while the device or the self-floating reflector is floating for a long time over the emergency position in a sufficient height 10˜30 m after injecting a gas, which is lighter than air, thereinto. 
     While the related art, operable by attaching an EPIRB, which includes a radar reflector, to a life jacket, is theoretically capable of indicating an emergency position in the daytime or nighttime regardless of marine environments, there would be inconvenience or limits as follows in operation for actual emergency on the sea. 
     First, in an actual case of emergency on the sea, victims are usually dropped into seawater without wearing life jackets beforehand. Since most victims are incapable of swimming, the utility of the related art would be lower. 
     Second, if seawater temperature is low, a victim&#39;s consciousness rapidly goes down and senses of fingers, arms and legs dull to cause their movement to be hard. As a result, it would be difficult to operate a device of the related art for indicating his emergency position. 
     Third, the lack of means for safely operating a device of the related art would cause a victim to be damaged if the device malfunctions in emergency. And, if some important components of the device of the related art get out of order, it cannot be used. 
     Fourth, while a radar reflector needs to be floated over an appropriate height for providing a proper reflection section and securing distant recognition, the device of the related art may be floated lower than a desired height due to wind. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a radar reflector operating device for indicating an emergency position, capable of permitting a victim to indicate his location by means of a radar reflector even when he is dropped into seawater without a life jacket, easily actuating the radar reflector by simply pulling or pressing a switch even when low seawater temperature dulls a victim&#39;s consciousness and senses of fingers, arms, etc., maintaining an operation of the radar reflector due to safety means even without sustenance of power by a victim once the victim applies power in a predetermined level to operate the radar reflector, allowing an appropriate reflection section and distant recognition by preventing the radar reflector, to which hydrodynamic wings is attached, from being lowered due to wind, etc., and securing a victim, who cannot swim, against dangerous environments by rendering him to use the radar reflector as a life buoy and hold the wings by hands to float on the sea. 
     In accordance with an aspect according to embodiments of the inventive concept, a radar reflector operating device for indicating an emergency position includes: a case including an accommodation space; a pull trigger accommodated in the inside of the case and fixedly caught on a first detent installed in the case; a compressed air container configured to store a compressed gas and include a gad jet, and accommodated in the inside of the pull trigger, the gas jet being connected to a gas ejection nozzle that is installed at a through hole of the pull trigger; a radar reflector made of a flexible material and accommodated in the inside of the case in a winkle type like a zabara, including a gas injection nozzle that is placed at one end of the body and closely connected to the gas ejection nozzle, configured to inflate and secede from the inside of the case if the compressed gas is injected through the gas injection nozzle float, and float in the air; a connection cable configured to connect the case  1  with the radar reflector; a pull switch connected to the pull trigger and configured to pull the pull trigger to allow the gas ejection nozzle to enter at the gas jet; and a press switch installed at the case and configured to press the compressed air container to allow the gad jet to enter at the gas ejection nozzle. 
     The technical objectives of the inventive concept are not limited to the above disclosure; other objectives may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the following descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventive concepts will be apparent from the more particular description of preferred embodiments of the inventive concepts, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the inventive concepts. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a feature that a radar reflector is accommodated in a case in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a feature of injecting a compressed gas into the radar reflector by means of a pull switch in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a feature of injecting a compressed gas into the radar reflector by means of a press switch in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a procedure that the radar reflector containing the compressed gas abruptly inflates to secede from the inside of the case in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a feature that the radar reflector containing the compressed gas is entirely floating in the air in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a feature of fixing the radar reflector to the case in order to utilize the inflated radar reflector as a life buoy in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a feature of manually injecting air into the radar reflector by a victim in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a feature of utilizing the radar reflector as a life buoy by a victim in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a feature that the radar reflector is floating in the air with unfolded wings in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a principle of forming hydrodynamic sections for generating lift on the wings attached to the radar reflector in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 11  shows a basic theory of an RCS; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a configuration of the related art (Patent No. 10-0999442) by the present applicant. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some embodiments are shown. These inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete and fully conveys the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a detailed configuration of a radar reflector operating device for indicating an emergency position in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept, including a case  1 , a pull trigger  6 , a compressed gas container  12 , a radar reflector  14 , a connection cable  19 , a pull switch  20  and a press switch  21 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the radar reflector  14  is normally folded and preserved in the case  1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , as the case  1  has a preservation space in the inside, the pull trigger  6 , the compressed gas container  12 , the radar reflector  14  and the connection cable  19  are accommodated in the inside of the case  1 . While the case  1  is normally shaped in a cylinder, it may have another shape but a cylinder. It is preferred to make the case  1  with a firm material not to be easily broken down due to even an impact occurring in emergency. 
     One end of the case  1  (E of  FIG. 1 ) is open, which is provided to allow the radar reflector  14  to inflate and secede from the inside of the case  1  when injecting a compressed gas thereinto as described later. If the end E of the case  1  is fully open from the beginning, the radar reflector  14  may not normally operate in emergency because of impurities or humidity in the inside of the case  1 . For that reason, it is desirable to put a sodium alginate cover  2  over the open end E of the case  1 . The sodium alginate  2  forms a film in a dry state and melts away by water. 
     The pull trigger  6  is fixedly caught by a first detent  3  in the inside of the case  1 , fixedly caught by a first detent  3 . This fixation of the pull trigger  6  means that the pull trigger  6  maintains an unmovable state as long as no power is applied thereto, not permanently fixed to the case  1  so as to be unmovable anyway. In other words, if power is applied to the pull trigger  6 , the fixed part thereof can be released to move the pull trigger  6 . 
     Continued to this feature, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the pull trigger  6  includes a first projection  7 , which can be caught on the first detent  3 , at the outside of the body. The first projection  7  is formed in right triangle section and the first detent  3  is formed in tetragonal section. The pull trigger  6  is fixed within the case  1  when a vertical surface of the first projection is caught on the first detent  3 . It can be seen from  FIG. 1  that if power is applied to the pull trigger  6 , the pull trigger  6  is blocked to move toward direction A due to the first detent  3 , but can move toward direction B. To make the pull trigger  6  move toward direction B, end C of the pull trigger  6  must be protruded out of the case  1  (see  FIG. 2 ), for which end D of the case  1  is equipped with a through hole  9  to allow the pull trigger  6  to protrude out of the case  1 . 
     The compressed gas container  12 , as a receptacle for containing a compressed gas such as helium, includes a gas jet  13  for exhausting the compressed gas to the outside. The compressed gas container  12  is accommodated in the pull trigger  6 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and supported by a spring  10  in an interval from the inner side of the pull trigger  6 . With this condition, the gas jet  13  of the compressed gas container  12  is connected to a gas ejection nozzle  11  installed at the through hole  9  of the pull trigger  6 . 
     In this structure, if predetermined power (this means an action to pull the pull switch  20  or press the press switch  21 ) is applied to make the gas ejection nozzle  11  enter at the gas jet  13  or reversely make the gas jet  13  enter at the gas ejection nozzle  11 , the gas ejection nozzle  11  operates to press the compressed gas container  12  connected with the gas jet  13 . Then, the compressed gas is released from the compressed gas container  12 , passing through the gas ejection nozzle  11 . The compressed gas passing through the gas ejection nozzle  11  is finally injected into the radar reflector  14  by way of a gas injection nozzle  18  that will be described later. 
     As the radar reflector  14  is made up of a flexible material, it is folded in the case  1  in a wrinkled state (called a ‘zabara’ type in Japanese) and the gas injection nozzle  18  installed at one end of the body is closely connected with the gas jet  11 . As aforementioned, if the compressed gas is injected into the radar reflector  14  by way of the gas injection nozzle  18 , the radar reflector  14  abruptly inflates to secede from the inside of the case  1  (in this case, the radar reflector  14  is pushed out of the case  1 , for which its end folded in a wrinkled type as shown in  FIG. 4  first inflates to be released out of the case  1  and during this, the gas injection nozzle  18  is separated from the gate jet  11 ) and float in the air. While floating in the air, radar emitted from a vessel or life squad passing by the emergency position is intensively reflected on the radar reflector  14  to effectively indicate the emergency position (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     In a distress situation, a victim drifting about in the sea is able to inject the compressed gas into the radar reflector  14  even by using either the pull switch  20  or the press switch  21 . This means that it is permissible for a victim to selectively operate the radar reflector  14  freely in correspondence with current conditions such as his poses, etc. in emergency. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a feature of injecting the compressed gas into the radar reflector  14  by means of the pull switch  20  in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept. And  FIG. 3  illustrates a feature of injecting the compressed gas into the radar reflector  14  by means of the press switch  21  in accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept. 
     Now first will be described the pull switch  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pull switch  20  is connected to the pull trigger  6 , acting to pull the pull trigger  6  so as to allow the gas ejection nozzle  11  to enter at the gas jet  13 .  FIG. 2  will be further referred to detail the mechanism of operating the pull switch  20 . If a victim pulls the pull switch  20 , the pull trigger  6  moves toward direction B. Accordingly, end C of the pull trigger  6  moves toward direction B to protrude out of the case  1 . End F of the pull trigger  6  moves toward direction B to be close to the compressed gas container  12 . During this, together with end F of the pull trigger  6 , the gas ejection nozzle  11  enters at the gas jet  13  and presses the compresses gas container  12  connected with the gas jet  13 . As a result, the compressed gas is released from the compressed air container  12  by way of the gas jet  13 , passing through the gas ejection nozzle  11 . The compressed gas passing through the gas ejection nozzle  11  is finally injected into the radar reflector  14  by way of the gas injection nozzle  18 . 
     In this operation, as shown in  FIG. 2 , it is preferred to provide a second detent  4  in the inside of the case  1 . The second detent  4  functions to fix, as it is, the pull trigger  6  that is being pulled. From the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second detent  4  is placed along direction B in a predetermined interval with the first detent  3 . The second detent  4  is shaped in a right triangle section. A slope of the second detent  4  is normally conditioned to meet with a slope of the first projection  7  (if a victim does not pull the pull switch  20 ). Therefore, if a victim pulls the pull switch  20 , the slope of the first projection  7  slides down the slope of the second detent  4  to allow the pull trigger  6  to move toward direction B. From this condition, even if the victim releases the pull switch  20 , the pull trigger  6  cannot move again toward direction A. This is because the vertical surface of the first projection  7  is caught by a vertical surface of the second detent  4  to interrupt the movement of the pull trigger  6 . 
     As aforementioned, with the second detent  4  installed in the inside of the case  1 , the radar reflector  15  can be actuated only if a victim pulls the pull switch  20  with power over a predetermined level enough to overcome resistance of the second detent  4 . Therefore, it is possible to preliminarily prevent the radar reflector  14  from being inadvertently actuated even in a non-emergent situation. Additionally, once the radar reflector  14  operates, it maintains its operating state although a victim does not continuously pulls the pull switch  20 . Thus, a victim, anyone having power only capable of pulling the pull switch  20 , can be helped by the radar reflector  14 . 
     In the meantime, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the pull switch  20  is installed to protrude out of the case  1 , but preferably formed in a loop. Therefore, even in an emergent condition without time to spare, a victim is able to easily identify and pull the pull switch  20 . As also, even when a victim is going down in consciousness due to low seawater temperature and dulling with his fingers or arms to be restricted in motion, he is able to easily actuate the radar reflector  14  by simply pulling the pull switch  20 . The pull switch  20  shaped in a loop may be fixedly hooked on a life jacket of a victim, preventing it from being lost on the sea. 
     Now will be described the press switch  21 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the press switch  21  is installed in the case  1 . The press switch  21  acts to directly press the compressed air container  12 , allowing the gas jet  13  to enter at the gas ejection nozzle  11 . Hereinafter will be more detailed the mechanism of operating the press switch  21  in conjunction with  FIG. 3 . If a victim presses the press switch  21 , the compressed air container  12  is pushed to move toward direction A due to the press switch  21 . Then, the gas jet  13  enters at the gas ejection nozzle  11 . The gas ejection nozzle  11  presses the compressed air container  12  connected to the gas jet  13 . As a result, the compressed gas is released from the compressed air container  12  by way of the gas jet  13 , passing through the gas ejection nozzle  11  (as also, during this, the pull trigger  6  is being fixed by the first detent  3 ). The compressed gas passing through the gas ejection nozzle  11  is finally injected into the radar reflector  14  by way of the gas injection nozzle  18 . 
     In this case, as shown in  FIG. 3 , it is preferred to place a third detent  5  in the inside of the case  1 . The third detent  5  functions to fix the press switch  21  as it is pressed. From the embodiments of  FIG. 3 , at the outer side of the press switch  21  is included a second projection  8  configured to be caught on a third detent  5 . The second projection  8  is shaped in a right triangle section and the third detent  5  is also shaped in a right triangle section. A slope of the third detent  5  is normally conditioned to meet with a slope of the second projection  8  (if a victim does not press the press switch  21 ). Therefore, if a victim presses the press switch  21 , the slope of the second projection  8  slides down the slope of the third detent  5  to allow the press switch  21  to move toward direction A. From this condition, even if the victim releases the press switch  21 , the press switch  21  cannot move again toward direction B, because a vertical surface of the second projection  8  is caught on a vertical surface of the third detent  5  and thereby interrupted to move. 
     As aforementioned, if the third detent  5  is installed in the inside of the case  1 , a victim must press the press switch  21  with power over a predetermined level enough to overcome resistance of the third detent  5  in order to actuate the radar reflector  14 . Therefore, it is possible to preliminarily prevent the radar reflector  14  from inadvertent actuation even in a non-emergent situation. Additionally, although a victim does not continue to press the press switch  21  after once actuating the radar reflector  14 , the radar reflector  14  maintains its operating state. Thus, anyone who has power capable of pressing the press switch  21 , as a victim, can be easily helped by the radar reflector  14 . 
     In the meantime, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , while the press switch  21  is installed to protrude out of the case  1 , it is preferred to place the press switch  21  in contact with the compressed air container  12 . By installing the press switch  21  to protrude out of the case  1 , a victim is able to easily identify and press the press switch  21  even in an urgent and emergent situation. Additionally, by placing the press switch  21  in contact with the compressed air container  12 , it is possible to effectively push the compressed air container  12  with small power for pressing the press switch  21 . Therefore, even when severe environments such as low seawater temperature cause a victim&#39;s consciousness to go down and dull motions of his fingers or arms, the victim is able to easily actuate the radar reflector  14  by simply pressing the press switch  21 . 
     Even when the radar reflector  14  containing the compressed gas is floating in the air, it maintains a connection state to the case  1  by way of the connection cable  19  (see  FIG. 5 ). The gas injection nozzle  18  acts as a unilateral valve to inhibit leakage of the compressed gas that is injected into the radar reflector  14 . If the compressed gas has not been injected into the radar reflector  14  or is released from the radar reflector  14 , a victim is able to blow air into the radar reflector  14  through the gas injection nozzle  18  and utilize the radar reflector  14  as a life buoy (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     If the radar reflector  14  is utilized as a life buoy, even a non-swimmable victim is able to indicate his position by means of the radar reflector  14 , while using the radar reflector  14  as the life buoy, when he has been dropped into water without a life jacket. 
     With regard to the utilization of the radar reflector  14  for a life buoy, the radar reflector  14  may include a first loop  22  allowing the radar reflector  14  to hang on a certain object (see  FIG. 1 ) and the case  1  may include a second loop  23  allowing the first loop  22  of the radar reflector  14  to hang thereon (see  FIG. 1 ). The first loop  22  of the radar reflector  14  can be used as not only a handle when a victim blows air into the radar reflector  14  through the gas injection nozzle  18  (see  FIG. 7 ), but also means for preventing a victim from losing the radar reflector  14 , which is used as a life buoy, by suspending the radar reflector  14  from the victim&#39;s body (see  FIG. 8 ). If it is impossible for a victim to directly suspend the radar reflector  14  from his body, the radar reflector  14  can be utilized as a life buoy by suspending the first loop  22  of the radar reflector  14  from the second loop  23  of the case  1  and holding the case  1 . Additionally, if a victim fixes the case  1  to a life jacket by means of the second loop  23 , it is possible to prevent a fatal miscarriage such as loss of the radar reflector  14  at the sea. 
     On the other hand, a wing (or wings)  15  is (are) provided to the radar reflector  14  (see  FIG. 9 ). The wing  15  is made of a flexible material as same as the radar reflector  14 . The wing  15  is attached to the radar reflector  14  and accommodated in the inside of the case  1  together with the radar reflector  14  in a folded state. While the radar reflector  14  inflates and floats in the air, the wing  15  spreads out together to maintain a floating height of the radar reflector  14  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     The spreading mechanism of the wing  15  attached to the radar reflector  14  is as follows. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the wing  15  includes an air inlet  16  for allowing air to be introduced thereinto. The wing  15  may include an air outlet  17  together for allowing air, which has flowed into the inside, to be exhaust to the outside. With this structure, while the wing  15  is floating in the air together with radar reflector  14 , air flows into the wing  15  through the air inlet  16  and goes out of the wing  15  through the air outlet  17 . These air inflow and outflow continue repetitively to form, what is called, an air pillar in the inside of the wing  15 , hence spreading out the wing  15 . If an area of a material forming the top of the wing  15  is designed to be larger than that of a material forming the bottom of the wing  15 , the wing  15  has a hydrodynamic section (G of  FIG. 10 ) that enables lift to be generated in the spread state. 
     As stated above, by attaching the hydrodynamic wing  15  to the radar reflector  14 , the radar reflector  14  floating in the air is prevented from being lower to enable an appropriate reflection area and distant recognition. Moreover, as aforementioned, if the radar reflector  14  is utilized as a life buoy, a victim is able to use the wing  15  for preventing the radar reflector  14  from being lost, e.g. binding the radar reflector  14  to his body by means of the wing  15  or holding the wing  15  by hands (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     The foregoing is illustrative of embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this inventive concept as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.