Patent Publication Number: US-2015059636-A1

Title: Tsunami Pod

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to a system and method for a tsunami pod. 
     Historically, tsunamis have caused many casualties spanning many countries. Since 2000, there have been two very deadly tsunamis recorded: the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami estimated to claims 230,000 and 310,000 of lives and the recent 2011 Pacific Ocean tsunami that caused around 20,000 deaths in Japan. A tsunami is a series of massive waves resulting from a large displacement of overlying water, often caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or underwater landslides. 
     Over the years experts have tried to determine when and where a tsunami will occur. There are some early warning systems being used to detect tsunamis in advance. One system uses seismic data to determine a possible threat, and sends a warning to the general public. However, within minutes of detection, a tsunami waves can reach a coastline, giving little time for a local community to prepare and to flee to a higher ground or find suitable shelter. Moreover, running to a higher ground or higher structures can be impossible as not every coastline would have sturdy buildings or mountains nearby. Additionally, the danger of tsunami can last for more than an hour and can even occur a few days following its first hit. Therefore, it is imperative that the locals have enough supply of food, water, and emergency kit (such as flashlights, battery, radio, etc.) that can sustain them for days. However, since tsunami can occur rapidly the affected locals may have no time to prepare essential supplies that can help them conveniently survive during and after a tsunami. 
     Tsunami deaths are mainly caused by direct impact of tsunami flow, drowning at the site of the tsunami, being washed away into the ocean, slamming of bodies onto objects, and collisions with floating debris. To help prevent such occurrences a tsunami pod has been developed. Presently an existing tsunami pod exists on the market. A tsunami pod is a pod that one or more person can enter during a tsunami. The tsunami pod prevents water from entering, thereby preserving life inside. 
     The spherical shape of existing pods allows for significant movement in all directions. As a consequence the person inside may be jostled significantly, causing sickness and injury. Additionally, existing pods do not provide proper mooring that could prevent a user from being swept out to sea. Further, present systems do not adequately absorb shock and minimize forces exerted on the user or users inside. 
     As such, it would be useful to have an improved tsunami pod. 
     SUMMARY 
     An improved tsunami pod is described herein. In one embodiment, the tsunami pod can comprise a body and a skirt. The body can comprise a top portion, a middle portion, and a base. The base can be wider than the middle portion, and the middle portion can be wider than the top portion. The skirt can extend out around the base. 
     In another embodiment, the tsunami pod can comprise a body with a base, middle portion and top portion. The base can be wider than the middle portion. The middle portion can be wider than the top portion. The body can comprise an inner shell, a middle layer and an outer shell. The middle layer can surround the inner shell. The outer shell can surround the middle layer. 
     In addition, the disclosure discusses a method for offering protection from a tsunami. Specifically, the method can comprise placing a tsunami pod on a coast. The tsunami pod can comprise a body and a skirt. The body can comprise a top portion, a middle portion, and a base. The base can be wider than the middle portion, and the middle portion can be wider than the top portion. The skirt can extend out around the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an external view of a tsunami pod comprising a body, one or more hatches, and a plurality of railings. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a body comprising an outer shell, a middle layer, and an inner shell. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross sectional view of compartments within a middle layer. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a bottom view of a tsunami pod with a connector attached at the bottom center of a base. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a mooring system further comprising a mooring line, and a foundation. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an internal view of a tsunami pod comprising a pillar, and a plurality of seats. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a seat comprising a five-point harness, a tail bone protector, a seat bottom, a pair of hand grips, and a seat base. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a mid-section view of a tsunami pod showing a set of air intake vent, a set of air outlet vent, a pillar, and a seat base. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a tsunami pod resting on a ground before a tsunami hits. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a tsunami pod floating on water during a tsunami. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein is a system and method for a tsunami pod. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an external view of a tsunami pod  100  comprising a body  101 , one or more hatches  102 , and/or a plurality of railings  103 . Tsunami pod  100  can be a mobile structure that can be used as a safe shelter by one or more passenger during a tsunami. Body  101  can have a round or polygon shape which can form the main housing of tsunami pod  100 . Moreover, body  101  can serve as a protective shell from the outside environment during a tsunami. Body  101  can comprise three portions; a top portion  101   a , a middle portion  101   b , and a base  101   c . Top portion  101   a  can have a narrow circumference that gradually gets wider as it goes to base  101   c , thus forming an inverted conical-like shape. The conical-like form can ensure that tsunami pod  100  can be self-up righting at any given water condition. Additionally, top portion  101   a  can have more buoyancy while base  101   c  can have more mass to ensure that tsunami pod  100  can maintain a low center of gravity, preventing tsunami pod  100  from being heaved or turned over by the waves. Furthermore, base  101   c  can be wider to ensure inherent hydrodynamic stability, therefore reducing the constant motion and impact that can be experienced by users of tsunami pod  100 . Additionally, conical-like form of body  101  can ensure that tsunami pod  100  does not get stuck and/or trapped between any large floating objects or structures. Additionally, the shape reduces wind loads and water loads during a tsunami. Body  101  can have no protrusions on its exterior layer therefore preventing tsunami pod  100  from being entangled on any floating or fixed structures and/or debris. 
     Hatches  102 , which can include a side hatch  102   a  and/or a top hatch  102   b , can be an opening that serves as an entrance and/or an exit from tsunami pod  100 . Hatches  102  can have a watertight design to ensure that tsunami pod  100  is completely sealed so that no water can pass through hatches  102 . In one embodiment, side hatch  102   a  can be installed at middle portion  101   b  and can be used as an entry point for tsunami pod  100 . Side hatch  102   a  can comprise a recessed handle  105  that can allow a person to easily open and access tsunami pod  100 . Top hatch  102   b  can be accessible from the inside and from the outside, and serves as an extra opening in case side hatch  102   a  is obstructed or in case tsunami pod  100  drifts of to the sea. Furthermore, top hatch  102   b  can be a safe opening for survivors when sending distress signals and/or flares. Additionally, aircraft rescuers can have an easier access through top hatch  102   b  as it provides a fast and safe exit point from above. In one embodiment, the middle portion  101   b  can also have a plurality of steps  106 . Steps  106  can be placed below side hatch  102   a . In one embodiment, steps  106  can be a series of recessed stairs leading to the side hatch  102   a . In another embodiment, steps  106  can slightly protrude from middle portion  101   b . Further in another embodiment, a window  107  can also be placed in middle portion  101   b . Window  107  can be a small sealed orifice made of a transparent or semi-transparent material such as glass, fiber glass, and/or hard plastics. Window  107  can be impact resistant and can be fully recessed into the walls of body  101 . Furthermore, window  107  can allow passage of light and gives the user an option to view conditions outside of the tsunami pod  100 . 
     Railings  103  can be a safety structure extended from the top edge surface of top portion  101   a . Railings  103  can comprise a plurality of pad-eyes  108  that can also serve as hand support as a person tries to access and/or escape through top hatch  102   b . Pad-eyes  108  can be a device that comprises a hole, which can be used as an attachment point. As such, pad-eyes  108  can be used by rescuers for temporarily attaching tsunami pod  100  with rescue transport such as helicopters and ships. 
     Base  101   c  can provide support and balance to tsunami pod  100 . In one embodiment base  101   c  can be made up of materials that can stabilize and ensure that tsunami pod  100  is kept afloat. In another embodiment, base  101   c  can be filled or ballasted to help tsunamis pod  100  float and to enhance its stability. A skirt  109 , and a mooring system  110  can both attach to base  101   c . Skirt  109  can extend around all or a portion of base  101   c . Skirt  109  can guard against body  101  from directly colliding with any obstructions or other structures. As such, skirt  109  can deflect any debris or blockage before bumping into body  101 . Skirt  109  can comprise a plurality of crumble zones  111  that can absorb force from a collision thus, reducing direct impact and preventing damage to body  101 . Moreover, skirt  109  can comprise perforations  112 . Perforations  112  can improve damping. Skirt  109  can make tsunami pod  100  stable due to increased drag and cross-flow characteristics. Mooring system  110  can comprise several devices that can be used for keeping tsunami pod  100  floating within the mooring area. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment of body  101  comprising an outer shell  201 , a middle layer  202 , and an inner shell  203 . Outer shell  201  can be the exterior layer that covers body  101  of tsunami pod  100 . Outer shell  201  can be made of light, durable, waterproof, and/or thermoplastic materials such as corrugated polypropylene, corrugated high density polyethylene, or polyurethane sheet. In such embodiment, the hydro elastic response from outer shell  201  can reduce the load that gets transmitted to inner wall  203  during impact with objects and waves. 
     Outer shell  201  can be abrasion and tear resistant, therefore reducing possible wearing and damage that can help in prolonging service life of tsunami pod  100 . Moreover, outer shell  201  can be weather resistant that can withstand general weather conditions. Additionally, outer shell  201  can have high dielectric properties, which ensures that an electric charge does not flow through, thus protecting people inside tsunami pod  100  from electrical accidents. Furthermore, outer shell  201  can be hydro elastic that can minimize the load that gets transmitted to middle layer  202  and inner shell  203 . In one embodiment, exterior surface of outer shell  201  can be painted in bright colors such as yellow or orange to make easily visible. As such, rescue vehicles such as aircrafts, helicopters, and ships, can easily see tsunami pod  100 . 
     Middle layer  202  can be made up of resilient materials, which can include but are not limited to foam, compartmentalized fiber pouches, or simply air. Middle layer  202  can also be the section that provides the desired buoyancy to tsunami pod  100 . Furthermore, middle layer  202  can be used for sound and/or vibration dampening. These properties can aid in calming and lessening ear strain, headaches, and/or stress experienced by people inside tsunami pod  100 . Middle layer  202  can also dampen shock impulses, which helps in dissipating kinetic energy from wave motions. Moreover, middle layer  202  separates outer shell  201  and inner shell  203 , which can prevent and/or reduce malfunctions and damage from corrupting inner shell  203 . 
     Inner shell  203  can be the interior layer of body  101 . Inner shell  203  can be made of light materials that have high resistance to deformation such as steel, aluminum, or fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). In such instances, inner shell  203  can last longer and requires less maintenance. Top portion of inner shell  203  can also be installed with LED light fixtures to ensure that enough lighting is provided within tsunami pod  100 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of middle layer  202  that can comprise a plurality of compartments  204 . The outer shell  201  and inner shell  203  are connected that can create watertight compartments  204 . Compartments  204  within middle layer  202 , can allow tsunami pod  100  to stay buoyant in the event outer shell is punctured. Compartments  204  can very size from small, as shown in  FIG. 2B , to larger compartments, such as entire sides of body  101 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a bottom view of tsunami pod  100  with a connector  301  attached at the bottom of base  101   c . Connector  301  can be a device that securely fastens tsunami pod  100  with a support structure. To ensure that tsunami pod  100  can move and rotate freely, connector  301  can be a swivel connector such as a bow eye swivel. As such, connector  301  allows tsunami pod to rotate horizontally and within a support structure. In one embodiment, connector  301  can be a break-off connector. Break-off connector can serve as a weak link that can break when enough stress is applied. This feature allows tsunami pod  100  to be released freely from foundation  303 . Furthermore, break-off connector can vary and be site specific. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates mooring system  110  further comprising a mooring line  302 , and a foundation  303 . Mooring line  302  can be a cable device such as steel wire rope that can be used to connect tsunami pod  100  with foundation  303 . As such, one end of mooring line  302  can be fastened to connector  301  providing tension at base  101   c , while the other end can be attached permanently to the ground through foundation  303 . Moreover, length of mooring line  302  can be long enough to provide safety margins and flexible to move above water. Based on historical measurements the tsunami wave heights, measured by wave depths on the shore, do the not exceed thirty meters. In one embodiment, mooring line  302  can be 30 meters or greater. In another embodiment, mooring line  302  can be 40 meters or greater. Mooring line  302  can also allow tsunami pod  100  to move freely thus loads from impacts can be minimized. Such rotation also allows tsunami pod  100  to not get obstructed or stuck in debris. In one embodiment, mooring line  302  can be sized in a manner so as to break off at a particular tension, to function in a similar manner as break-off connector. 
     Foundation  303  can be a type of support structure designed to have an adequate load capacity. Foundation  303  can aid in transferring the weight of a structure to hold and maintain a strong, fixed, and stable base support. Foundation  303  can be made of concrete and/or heavy material which can include but are not limited to driven pile, drilled and grouted pile, or concrete block. Moreover, the depth, weight, and/or dimensions of foundation  303  can vary depending on the ground or soil condition. As such, foundation  303  can be designed to withstand earthquake loads, and can take mooring line tension during a tsunami. Furthermore, foundation  303  can be designed to be scour proof to prevent weakening at the base support when water washes out the soil as water flows around the base. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an internal view of tsunami pod  100  comprising a pillar  401 , and a plurality of seats  402 . Pillar  401  can be an upright column placed at the center of tsunami pod  100 , which serves as support and provides balance to tsunami pod  100 . The back of seats  402  can rest around pillar  401 , thus personnel in tsunami pod  100  can sit facing the wall. Such design is implemented to ensure the safety of people inside tsunami pod  100  and prevent them from bumping into each other. Further, led light lanterns can be placed around pillar  401  to provide enough light within tsunami pod  100 . Seat  402  can be cushioned and installed with safety equipment that is further discussed below. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of seat  402  comprising a harness  501 , a tail bone protector  502 , a seat bottom  503 , a pair of hand grips  504 , and a seat base  505 . In one embodiment, harness  501  can be a seatbelt comprising of five straps, called a five-point harness, which is installed on seat  402 . Five-point harness  501  can be designed to safely hold a passenger using five point harness that are strapped over the shoulders, hips, and between the legs. This system ensures that during a collision passengers won&#39;t be thrown out from seat  402  preventing the passenger from crashing himself into inner shell  203 . Tail bone protector  502  can be used to protect a passenger&#39;s hip bone and tail bone area. Moreover, tail bone protector  502  can be mounted onto seat  402  to provide comfortable seating to passengers. Seat bottom  503  can be the part of seat  402  wherein passenger sits. In one embodiment, seat bottom  503  can be cushioned and be used as a floatation device when detached. In another embodiment seat bottom  503  can be lifted that opens up to seat base  505 . 
     Hand grips  504  can attach above the opposite sides of seat bottom  504 . As such, passenger can hold unto hand grips  504  for support as tsunami pod  100  gets pushed by the waves. In another embodiment, hand grips  504  can be mounted into the opposite sides of seat bottom  503 . In such structure, passenger can hold unto the sides of seat bottom  503  for grip and support. Seat base  505  can be the bottom support of seat  402 , and wherein seat bottom  503  rests. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a mid-section view of tsunami pod  100  showing a set of air intake vent  601 , a set of air outlet vent  602 , pillar  401 , and seat base  505 . Air intake vent  601  can allow fresh air to flow inside tsunami pod  100 . As such, air intake vent  601  can ensure that enough oxygen or airflow is supplied within tsunami pod  100 . Moreover, air intake vent  601  can help regulate the temperature in tsunami pod  100 . Air outlet vent  602  can prevent air pressure build up in tsunami pod  100 . Air outlet vent  601  and air outlet vent  602  can be installed at top portion  101   a , in diametrically opposite ends with some small height difference to ensure natural circulation of air. Moreover, air outlet vent  601  and air outlet vent  602  does not permit water to flow inside the vent. 
     Pillar  401  can house a radio beacon such as Emergency Position-Indication Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). A radio beacon can be a transmitter capable of broadcasting signals that can be picked up by radio direction finding systems. A radio beacon can be manually or automatically activated upon immersion and can send out radio signals that can allow search and rescue to easily locate the position of tsunami pod  100 . The signals can be monitored worldwide and the location of the distress is detected by non-geostationary satellites, and can be located by some combination of GPS trilateration and Doppler triangulation. Further, pillar  401  can also be used for storage of other standard supplies such as cellphones, binoculars, life jackets, LED light lanterns, and/or blankets. 
     In one embodiment, seat base  505  can be a rectangular commode whose space can be used for storage of food, water, batteries, medical and emergency supplies. In another embodiment, the space on seat base  505  can be used for waste collection. Storage in seat base  505  can be large enough to stock survival supplies, which can be good for one or more passenger and can last for at least three days. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a tsunami pod  100  resting on a ground  701  before a tsunami hits. Warning signs and signals such as the water  702  pulling away from the shore leaving a wide expanse of seabed can be a way to detect tsunami minutes before a tsunami hits. This gives enough time for people to get away and run into tsunami pod  100 . As such, tsunami pod  100  can be moored to ground  701  near the owner&#39;s vicinity. Thus, when tsunami hits, the passengers can easily access tsunami pod  100 . Tsunami pod  100  can be large and comfortable enough to carry one passenger for each seat within the device. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a tsunami pod  100  floating on water  702  during a tsunami. Tsunami pod  100  can stay afloat on water  702  and stay safely moored to the ground  701  through mooring line  302 . Moreover, tsunami pod  100  can be capable of minimizing loads during an earthquake due to tsunami pod  100  light weight structure. Since, tsunami pod  100  floats freely above water  802  impacts on floating debris are minimized. Once the tsunami retreats and the water recedes, tsunami pod  100  can be capable of staying in an upright position and rest on ground  701 . 
     Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”