Abstract:
A buoyancy lift system having an inflatable bladder with a tether stowed inside a canister secured to a vessel. A sealing member is slidably received within canister and secures to the inflatable bladder. Pressurized gas forces the sealing member and bladder outwardly of the canister. A stop prevents the sealing member from escaping the canister such that the sealing member creates a seal between itself and the canister at an outboard end of the canister. Pressurized gas is forced through a channel in the sealing member into the bladder to increase the displacement of a vessel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/673,943 filed Apr. 22, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a life and property saving devices of the type which can be automatically or manually activated to expel a buoyancy compensation bladder from the interior of a vehicle through an outer wall of a vehicle or from a point of securement to a vehicle into the surrounding water to provide additional buoyancy in the event that the vehicle is in danger of sinking. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Every year, life and property are lost on the water. Power and sail, recreational and commercial vessels and equipment alike are all in danger of sinking due to loss of buoyancy. In fact most vessels, vehicles or aircraft traveling over water have at one time or another needed buoyancy enhancement. The problem has been somewhat alleviated by the advent of new construction materials and designs. Many systems have been designed and installed to make ships, boats, aircraft, and other vessels and equipment safer at sea and to keep such craft afloat when they are in danger of sinking. Most commonly, marine vessels use pumps of one sort or another to pump water from inside the hull over the side. Such systems have been used successfully for generations, and have saved property and many lives. However, such systems are effective only so long as the capacity of the pumping system exceeds the rate at which water is coming into the vessel. If the amount of water entering a vehicle exceeds the capacity of the pumps or they fail to dispose the water outside of the vessel, the vessel is doomed to sink. Pumping systems and other systems designed to prevent sinking often have little to no buoyancy in themselves. 
     Previous devices designed to enhance buoyancy have not provided a viable solution for the industry for a number of reasons. Primarily, they are not designed to be conveniently maintained or tested to ensure constant working conditions. Many systems cannot both easily fit into the limits of space and provide the amount of buoyancy required to keep a vessel from sinking. Previous devices also adversely affect the desired efficiency or appearance of the vessels&#39; design and thus their marketability. Most prior systems also are effective only for watercraft, or a specific type of watercraft. 
     Accordingly, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a system providing an effective amount of buoyancy and yet accommodating space constraints on a vessel. Such a system should also avoid degrading the aesthetics of the vessel. It would be a further advancement in the art to provide such a system that is usable in multiple types of watercraft and in vehicles and equipment other than watercraft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a compact, deployable, encapsulated, lift system providing supplemental buoyancy compensation for vessels to prevent capsizing or sinking. Vessels in which the invention may be used include, but are not limited to, all nautical vessels, vehicles traveling over ice and water, aircraft or aviation equipment, shipping containers, submersibles, and research vessels. 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide buoyancy and stabilization to the marine or aircraft vessel or other desired equipment by displacing sufficient water to keep the vessel afloat at or near it&#39;s intended waterline or at an intended displacement level for other applications until either help can arrive, repairs can be performed, or until the vessel can be brought safely to port. Because some embodiments of the invention are deployed below the waterline  14  and some bladder designs are cylindrical, large displacements may be achieved. Embodiments maintaining the vessel at or near an intended waterline  14  enable continued operation of the vessel, giving personnel needed time and peace of mind to react to the emergency. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are applicable to any vessel design regardless of type or size. 
     The encapsulated lift device includes a canister adapted to secure to a vessel, the canister having a first end and a second end, the first end and second end each define an opening. A plug secures within the first opening by means of a frangible and/or detachable fastener. An inflatable bladder is positionable within the canister and secures to a sealing member. The sealing member is slidably engaged with the canister and positionable proximate the first end to create a seal between the sealing member and canister. A pressurized air source is selectively placed in fluid communication with the second end of the pressurized air source to drive the sealing member toward the first and to inflate the bladder. As the sealing member is driven toward the first end, the bladder is forced out of the canister. A stop secured to the canister proximate the first end of the canister hinders the sealing member from leaving the canister. A fluid channel passes through the sealing member to enable gas or other buoyant fluids to pass through the sealing member into the bladder. A relief valve may be positioned within the channel and allow only fluid above a certain threshold pressure to pass through the channel. 
     In some embodiments, the bladder is encased in a frangible and/or detachable shell prior to deployment. After the bladder is forced out of the canister, expansion of the bladder causes the frangible and/or detachable shell to break apart and/or detach. 
     Other features, objects, advantages, and benefits of the invention will become apparent from the figures. It is also understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not to be restrictive of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate some of the embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, seek to explain the principles of the invention in general terms. Like numerals generally refer to like parts throughout the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a portside view of a luxury boat or yacht wherein buoyancy bladders are deployed along the vessel waterline  14 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a portside view of a cargo ship wherein buoyancy bladders are deployed along the vessel waterline, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a bow view of a cargo ship wherein buoyancy bladders are deployed along the vessel waterline, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the encapsulated lift system installed and in its retracted, stowed condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the encapsulated lift system after initial activation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the encapsulated lift system in mid deployment, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the encapsulated lift system deployed in full displacement, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the internal workings of the canister, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 8A-8G  are a perspective and top views of a cylinder head and strap anchors, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view of the housing canister and securing plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the bladder capsule, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrates side, top and isometric views, respectively of the deployed buoyancy bladder, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side view in greater detail of the internal workings of the cylinder head within the canister. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a compact encapsulated lift system  10  includes air bladders  12  deployed from air, water, and other, vessels of varying sizes and geometries. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , luxury boat or yacht may deploy four air bladders  12  per side. Typically at least two air bladders  12  per side are used to provide stability. However, even only one or two bladders total may be enough to provide significant benefits. As shown in  FIG. 2A , a much larger cargo ship may deploy six or more air bladders  12  per side. The displacement of the air bladders  12  may also be increased based on the size of the vessels to which they mount. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the air or foam bladders  12  mount to both sides of the vessel, such as the cargo ship. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the bladders  12  protrude from the vessel at an angle such that an outer surface of the bladders  12  approximates the orientation of the hull. As is apparent form  FIGS. 1 and 2A  and  2 B, the bladders  12  secure to the vessel below the waterline  14 . Deployment below the waterline  14  is advantageous in that the amount of water displaced by the bladders  12  is larger. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of an encapsulated lift system  10  in a retracted and stowed condition. A housing canister  16  secures to a hull  18  of the vessel. The housing canister  16  may secure to a hull  18  at various angles including orthogonal to the hull of the vessel. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister  16  secures to a securing plate  20  by means of mechanical fasteners  22 , such as bolts, screws, or the like. The mechanical fasteners  22  typically pass through a fairing block  24 . The fairing block  24  is typically bonded to the hull  18  of the vessel as best suited to the vessel construction material. The housing canister  16  may also be laminated directly into a structure  26  forming part of the vessel. 
     A hull penetration cylinder  28  is bonded to the vessel&#39;s hull  18  and to a securing plate  20 . An outer seal plug  30  is bonded within the inside wall of the hull penetration cylinder  28 . The outer seal plug  30 . is made of an impermeable marine grade material. The outer seal plug  30  forms a seal with the penetration cylinder  28  or canister  16 . The seal plug  30  is adhered in a way that it will be easily removed from the hull  16  during deployment. In the illustrated embodiment, an outer seal stop  32  is formed on the canister  16  or penetration cylinder  28  and engages the seal plug  30 . Sealing may be achieved by a sealant, such as a marine grade sealant, interposed between the seal plug  30  and the penetration cylinder  28  or canister  16 . The outer seal plug  30 , is secured to the inside wall of the hull penetration cylinder  28  and to the outer seal stop  32  in such a way that the force exerted by a bladder capsule  34  pressed against the outer seal plug  30  by means of pressurized air or other gas is sufficient to dislodge the outer seal plug  30  from the vessel. This may be accomplished by using a proper amount of sealant or glue to secure the plug  30  to the cylinder  28  or canister  16 . Alternatively, frangible or detachable fasteners made of a breakable plastic, or the like, may be used. The outer surface of the seal plug  30  is typically flush with the outer plane of the vessel&#39;s hull  18  to reduce drag. The outer seal plug  30  is typically located below the water line  14  of the vessel. 
     While in the preferred embodiment the canister  16  is cylindrical, it could be square, triangular or of any shape in cross section. Similarly, while in the preferred system the outer seal plug  30  is released by means of the canister  16  being expelled, in alternate embodiments the seal plug  30  may be released by alternate means, alone or in combination with the pressure or impact of the canister. For example, a burst of air or other gas pressure directed at the seal plug  30  distinct from that used to inflate the bladder  12  may be employed. In an alternative embodiment, an explosive charge is used. In yet another alternative embodiment, an electronically activated switch may release or otherwise open the seal plug  30 . Alternately, the seal plug  30  may be a hinged door, which is opened by means of any of the foregoing mechanisms, alone or in combination, or otherwise. Alternately, the seal plug  30  may include a scored or otherwise precisely “weakened” area of the hull that is strong enough for the vessel in ordinary use, but weak enough to neatly separate from the rest of the hull  18  when the system is deployed. Preferably, the geometry of the seal plug  30  is such that the water pressure from outside the vessel merely strengthens the seal (e.g. a frusto-conical shape). 
     The buoyancy bladder  12  is preferably made of a lightweight, gas impermeable material with specific attention to tensile strength, shear strength, and puncture resistance. The bladder  12  is compactly folded or otherwise arranged within the bladder capsule  34  so as to increase the amount of displacement while reducing the required size of the apparatus. The bladder capsule  34  has an outside dimension such that it will pass through the hull  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, this includes passing through an aperture formed in the securing plate  20 , the outer seal stop  32 , a cylinder head stop  36 , and through the hull penetration cylinder  28 . 
     The cylinder head stop  36  engages a cylinder head  38  during deployment to prevent the cylinder head  38  from exiting the canister  16 . Prior to deployment, the cylinder head  38  is located near the inboard end of the canister  16  as shown. A seal, such as a cylinder head O-ring  40  engages the cylinder head  38  and the canister  16  or cylinder head stop  36  to facilitate formation of a seal between the cylinder head  38  and the canister  16  or cylinder head stop  36 . Securing straps or cables  42  for restraining the bladder  12  are folded parallel to the bladder  12  prior to deployment. The straps or cables  42  attach to the cylinder head  38 . 
     The buoyancy bladder  12  is filled by means of a flexible hose  44  attached to the buoyancy bladder  12 . A pressurized gas source  46  is connected to the flexible hose  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, a deployment valve mechanism  48  and tubing  50  connect the gas source  46  to the flexible hose  44 . The tubing  50  may also be flexible. The flexible tubing  50  directs pressurized gas or foam through a housing canister end plate  52  and into the cylindrical housing canister  16 . The valve mechanism  48  can be operated by a mechanical, electrical, manual, or other appropriate device which may detect the presence of a sinking risk and trigger deployment accordingly. Alternatively, the valve mechanism  48  may be coupled to an alarm or other system automatically or manually triggered when a sinking risk arises. The valve mechanism may also be manually activated by means of an electrical or mechanical switch. Manual activation may be as an override of an automatic triggering mechanism or the exclusive means for activating the system. While the pressurized gas source  46  may be centrally located and connected by a flexible hose  54  to multiple encapsulated lift system  10 , individual encapsulated lift systems  10  may also be fitted with a self-contained gas source  46 . In the operation of the system, when the boat encounters a serious condition, the deployment valve mechanism  48  can be operated either manually or automatically to initiate the deployment of the buoyancy bladder  12 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the outer seal plug  30  dislodged from the hull penetration cylinder  28 , by the bladder capsule  34 . Once pressurized gas or foam is introduced into the cylindrical housing canister  16  by either a central, or self-contained source  46  (or a combination of both) through the deployment valve mechanism  48 , the outer seal plug  30  is dislodged by the outboard end of the bladder capsule  34 , allowing the bladder  12  positioned within the bladder capsule  34 , to exit in an outboard direction from the vessel. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the bladder capsule  34  housing the buoyancy bladder  12  breaking apart as the bladder  12  is inflated. The capsule  34  is typically made of a thin material grooved, scored, perforated, or otherwise configured, to promote separation after the capsule  34  has been expelled from the vessel and pushed free of the vessel by a cylinder head  38 . The capsule  34  may also be made of multiple pieces secured to one another to promote separation or selectively weakened to promote breakage. 
     The cylinder head  38  secures to the straps  42  securing the air bladder  12 . The cylinder head  38  likewise includes an aperture permitting pressurized gas to pass from within the cylindrical housing canister  16  into the flexible tube  44 . The cylinder head  38  is sized to engage the hull  18  or a structure secured to the hull  18  in order to form a seal. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder head  38  engages a cylinder head O-ring  40  to form a seal. A cylinder head stop  36  engages the cylinder head  38  to hinder the cylinder head  36  from leaving the canister  16  and to create a seal between the canister and the cylinder head  38 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , as the pressure of the gas  56  within the canister  16  increases, a pressure-regulated relief valve  58  within the cylinder head  38  opens and allows pressurized gas or foam into the bladder  12  by means of the flexible bladder hose  44 . As the bladder  12  fills with gas, the vessel is lifted and cradled. Within minutes after deployment the needed buoyancy and stability is provided, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The novel apparatus disclosed is sufficient to anchor the buoyancy bladder  12  within the encapsulated lift system  10  and thus to the vessel (See  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6 ). The straps or cables  42  may have a length chosen to hold the bladder  12  in a way that cradles the vessel adding to its buoyancy and stability, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view of the encapsulated lift system  10 . The bladder capsule  34  is shown extended from the cylindrical housing canister  16 . The bladder securing straps  42  are also visible as they enter the cylinder head  38 . The straps  42  are secured by bladder strap anchors  60  to the cylinder head  38 . The bladder fill hose  44  is attached to the pressure regulating relief valve  58  by a fitting tube connector  62 . The pressure regulating relief valve  58  is secured within the cylinder head  38  by a pressure relief valve end cap  64 , attached to the pressure regulating relief valve  58  through a cylinder head end plate  66 . A cylinder plate gasket  68  is fitted between the cylinder head  38 , and the cylinder end plate  66 . Multiple fasteners  70  pass through the cylinder head end plate  66  and the cylinder plate gasket  68  where they secure the pressure-regulating relief valve  58  within the cylinder head  38 . 
     The bladder securing straps  42  extend through the bladder capsule  34  and secure to the cylinder head  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, the straps  42  secure to the cylinder head  38  by attaching to bladder strap anchors  60  positioned within the cylinder head  38 . The strap anchors  60  are sized such that they cannot be pulled through apertures within the cylinder head  38  through which the straps  42  are passed. The straps  42  may secure to the strap anchors  60  by various means, such as being looped through a slot formed therein or looped around a rod or like structure affixed within the strap anchor  60 . The straps  42  may also be bonded to the structure of the bladder  12 . Because larger buoyancy bladders may require additional straps, multiple anchors  60  can be fitted within the cylinder head  38  in some applications. The cylinder head  38  may include multiple cylinder head guide rings  72  with an outside diameter such that they direct and maintain travel down the interior wall of the cylindrical housing canister  16 . The cylinder head guide rings  72 , the cylinder head O-ring  40 , and the cylinder plate gasket  68  share in providing an airtight seal between the cylinder head  38  and the canister  16  to facilitate the expelling of the bladder capsule  34 , and the buoyancy bladder  12 , from inside the cylindrical housing canister  16 . 
       FIGS. 8A-G  illustrate various isometric and other views of the cylinder head and strap anchors.  FIGS. 8A-C  shows multiple views of the cylinder head  38 , with special attention to the cylinder guide rings  72 .  FIG. 8D  is an expanded view showing the cylinder head end plate  66 , the cylinder plate gasket  68 , the cylinder guide rings  72 , the cylinder head O-ring  40 , and the multiple fasteners  70  used to secure the end plate  66  to the cylinder head  38 .  FIGS. 8E-G  show additional views of the cylinder head with special attention to the bladder straps  42  and show the strap anchors  60  as they secure the bladder straps  42  to the cylinder head  38 . The bladder strap anchors  60  are fitted within the cylinder head  38  in such a way that the outward pull on the straps will not allow the stops or straps to move from their location within the cylinder head  38 . 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view of the housing canister  16 . A canister end plate  52  secures to the inboard end of the housing canister  16 . The end plate  52  may be removed from inside the vessel in order to service and test the encapsulated lift system  10 . Inasmuch as the encapsulated lift system  10  may be positioned below the water line  14 , it may be advantageous to service the system  10  from inside a vessel in order to service the system  10  notwithstanding external obstructions such as water, shoring, blocking, scaffolding, or other exterior structores. The encapsulated lift system  10  may be serviced by other means, for example, the canister  16  may be removed from the securing plate  20 . Alternatively, the securing plate  20  may be removed from the fairing block  24 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the canister  16  comprises a removable side section to enable servicing. An end plate gasket  76  may be interposed between the canister end plate  52  and the housing canister  16 . A compressed gas fill tube  78  secures to the canister end plate  52 . A fitting  80  positioned on the outboard side of the canister end plate  52  may extend through the canister end plate  52  and connect to the gas fill tube  78  by means of threads, or a like fastening means. Multiple end plate fasteners  82  may pass through the canister end plate  64  and end plate gasket  76  and secure to a canister flange ring  84  secured to the cylindrical housing canister  14 . 
     The hull penetration cylinder  28  extends outboard from the securing plate  20 . The hull penetration cylinder  28  may also secure directly to the housing canister  16  or be formed monolithically with the housing canister  16 . The outer seal stop  32  secured within the hull penetration cylinder  28  provides a seating surface for the outer seal plug  30  within the housing canister  16  or hull penetration cylinder  28 . The cylinder head stop  36  may be positioned and bonded against the canister securing plate  20  to maintain the cylinder head  38  and therefore the bladder straps  42 , connected to the vessel. 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric detail view of the bladder capsule  34  having two sections  34 A,  34 B having a thin, rigid construction with side scoring therebetween for ease of separation once outside of the vessel. The bladder capsule  34  may be constructed in a variety of means. For example, the walls may be thin enough to be ruptured when pressurized gas is introduced into the air bladder  12  positioned therein. Alternatively, the capsule  34  may be formed of multiple pieces  34 A,  34 B connected by a frangible material. In the illustrated embodiment, the capsule  34  includes a cutout at one end to facilitate breaking of the capsule  34 . 
       FIGS. 11A-C  show side, top, and isometric views of the bladder  12  with special attention to the bladder straps  42 , the fill hose  44 , and the strap anchors  60 . As is apparent, the straps  42  encircle the bladder  12  at various points and are also connected to the ends of the bladder  12 . The bladder  12  typically has a size and shape chosen to have a large amount of below-water displacement. In the illustrated embodiment, the bladder  12  has an elongate shape, such as a substantially cylindrical shape. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial cut-a-way view showing the cylinder head  38  and canister  16  in greater detail. The fill tubing  78  is attached to a fitting  80  positioned on the outboard side of the housing canister end plate  52  and the housing canister end plate gasket  76 . The canister end plate  52  is secured to the cylindrical housing canister  16  by multiple fasteners  82  extending through the housing canister flange ring  84 . The cylinder head  38  is shown in a non-deployed storage location at the inboard end of the encapsulated lift unit  10 . The pressure regulating relief valve  58  is attached at the outboard end of the cylinder head  38  and at the cylinder head end plate  66 . The pressure regulating relief valve  58  is secured to the cylinder head  38  by multiple fasteners  70  passing through the cylinder plate  52  and gasket  68 . The bladder straps  42  are secured by the bladder strap anchors  60 . The bladder straps  42  pass through slots  86  formed in the cylinder head  36  in such a way that the outward pull on the straps will press the anchors  60  against the walls of the slots  86 . The slots  86  are sized such that the anchors  60  cannot pass therethrough. The bladder straps  42  run parallel to the bladder hose  44  and the fitting tube connector  62  toward the buoyancy bladder  12 . The bladder capsule  34  is shown fitted within a machined groove receiving a portion of the cylinder head O-ring  40  when the bladder capsule  34  is within the canister  16 . 
     Various alternative embodiments of the invention described are possible. For example, two air bladders  12  and associated cylinder heads  38  and other structures may mount within a single canister  16  in an opposed configuration such that the air bladders  12  are deployed out of opposite ends of the canister  16 . In this manner, a single pressurized gas source  46  and deployment valve mechanism  48  is needed to deploy both air bladders  12 . 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that other modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the specification and defined in the appended claims. For example, the above described device may be used on a wide range of vehicles relying at times on buoyancy in water or other fluids. For example, manned and remote control research or observation vessels used both below and above water, floating oil derricks, barges, submarines, buoys, buoy retrievers, air or space craft, and the like.