Patent Publication Number: US-8528654-B2

Title: Anti-piracy system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The instant application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/240,731 filed Sep. 9, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant invention relates to systems and methods for deterring pirate entry on to a ship. In particular, described is a system and method for producing a non-lethal wall of water in conjunction with the ships fire suppression systems adapted to travel down the side of the vessel, thereby prohibiting a trespasser from climbing up the side of the vessel. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Pirate threats to vessels have been on the rise, resulting in an increase in the number of unauthorized entries onto cargo ships on the high seas. Mariners are relatively defenseless and at a minimum not trained to combat or deter attacks by pirates. Importantly, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) does not sanction the use of lethal force and it is up to the Flag State&#39;s authority to decide how best to protect their flagged vessels, resulting either in the express prohibition against carrying lethal weapons on board a cargo vessel or the lack of any direction on how to deal with the threat of piracy. Even if deadly force was authorized and available, use of firearms and weapons aboard a ship would increase the risk of injury or death to the crew. 
     Few non-lethal means for combating and repelling pirates are taught. For example, WO04075132A2 is a method and system for repelling and combating pirates which involves the use of spot lights. Specifically, one or more spot lights with intermittent pulsed voltage generation transmit flash light pulses or blocks of pulses towards the detected attacker. 
     Piracy on the high seas is continually on the rise and will remain a threat as long as vessels transport goods across the sea. A reliable defense system is required to stay one step ahead of the threat, and such defense system must be safe. The world Navies have limited resources and have not been able to effectively protect the world merchant fleets from piracy attacks. It has often been said that merchant crews need to find a way to fend for themselves. 
     What is needed then and as disclosed herein is a non-lethal system and method for deterring pirate entry aboard vessel which effectively fends off potential threats without active involvement from the crew. Accordingly, the instant system and method utilizes water from a vessel&#39;s fire suppression system, as follows. 
     SUMMARY 
     A specifically configured nozzle cap attaches to fire suppression nodes on the ship. The cap includes a hose fitting and slit defined within the cap on the underside thereof. The device creates an active deterrent by sending a consistent wall of water downward along the perimeter of the vessel. The device screws onto a network of pipe that uses the fire suppression system on a ship, maximizing the protective potential without risking the lives and safety of the ship&#39;s crew. It has no moving parts and can be removed to facilitate full use of the ship&#39;s fire suppression system. 
     It is the objective then to provide an anti-piracy system which serves as a physical obstacle for pirates attempting to scale a ship&#39;s hull. 
     It is further an objective provide a system which is non-lethal. 
     It is further an objective to provide a system which acts as a visual deterrent. 
     It is further an objective to provide a system which is low-profile and does not hinder the everyday duties of the crew. 
     It is further an objective to provide a system which utilizes existing fire suppression systems of the vessel, while not impacting the ordinary use of those systems. 
     It is further an objective to provide a system which can be assembled and disassembled efficiently. 
     Accordingly, what is provided is an anti-piracy system for a vessel, comprising a cylindrical cap having a top, a bottom edge, a hollow interior, and an outside surface formed of a semi-cylindrical downward face and a semi-cylindrical upward face. A slit is defined solely within the downward face with the upward face remaining integral throughout forming a partial opening within the cap from the interior to the outside surface. A threaded hose fitting is formed within the interior, wherein the cap can be secured to a fire suppression node on the vessel with the downward face positioned over a side of the vessel for forcibly dispersing water through the slit downward over the side of the vessel. Thus, the method for deterring pirate entry onto a vessel includes attaching the cap to a fire suppression node of the vessel, wherein the node is an outlet for water exiting a fire suppression system of the vessel. The cap is configured to act as a spray nozzle for the water. The cap is positioned near the deck of the vessel, just over the side of the vessel such that upon activation of the fire suppression system the water is directed downward over the side of the vessel, as a result producing a nova lethal wall of water along the side of the vessel to wash away the pirate and flood a pirate&#39;s vessel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 , shows a front elevation view of the nozzle cap of the instant invention 
         FIG. 2  shows a side elevation view of the cap. 
         FIG. 3  shows a rear view of the cap. 
         FIG. 4  shows an inside perspective view of the cap revealing the threaded fitting. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side elevation view of the tube which acts as an extension from the cap to the fire suppression node. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention in use wherein the fire suppression “node” includes a network of piping disposed along the deck of the vessel for connecting the cap and extension to the fires suppression system of the vessel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention will now be described in detail in relation to a preferred embodiment and implementation thereof which is exemplary in nature and descriptively specific as disclosed. As is customary, it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention encompasses such alterations and further modifications and applications as would normally occur to persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates. This detailed description of this invention is not meant to limit the invention, but is meant to provide a detailed disclosure of the best mode of practicing the invention. 
     With reference then to  FIGS. 1-6 , the system comprises three main components, namely the cap  10 , the tube  50  ( FIG. 5 ), and the fire suppression node  60 , or one embodiment of which is the tire suppression node  60  being a network of piping as shown by  FIG. 6 . In general, the cap  10  will always be used, the tube  50  is optional depending on what type of tire suppression node  60  is implemented, and “node” as used herein refers to the means by which the cap (with or without the tube) is connected to the outlet of a ship or vessel&#39;s fire suppression system, thus tire suppression node  60 . For instance the fire suppression node  60  can be the end of a fire hose connected to the tire suppression system pump; a single fire main extension  63  ( FIG. 6 ) having one end connected to the tire suppression system; any network of piping; or a direct connection to the tire suppression system itself. The system hooks into the fire suppression system and uses the vessel&#39;s existing pumps to create a wall of water, as follows. 
     Cap  10  is a cylindrical nozzle cap, preferably made of schedule  80  or schedule steel pipe, bronze or other hard metal or metal alloy. In on embodiment the cap  10  has a diameter of approximately 2.5 inches. Size of cap  10  can vary but this size diameter has shown to be very conducive to the instant application when matched with the other dimensions below. Cap  10  has a top  12 , a bottom edge  13  opposing the top  12 , a hollow interior  40 , and an outside surface  14  formed of a semi-cylindrical downward face  14   a  and a semi-cylindrical upward face  14   b . Downward face  14   a  and upward face  14   b  are two separate surfaces for identification purposes but are integrally joined halves which form the cylindrical outside surface  14  of cap  10 . Downward face  14   a  refers to the surface of the cap  10  which would face downward when the cap  10  is in use, and upward face  14   b  refers to the surface of the cap  10  which oppositely would face upward when the cap  10  is in place. 
     A slit  11  is defined within the outside surface  14 , preferably solely within downward face  14   a , with the upward face  14   b  remaining integral throughout, thereby forming a partial opening within the cap  10  from the interior to the outside surface  14 . Slit  11  is defined towards the top  12  with a width in the range of 3/16 to ⅝ inches. In the preferred embodiment width of slit is ¼ inches. Slit  11  is defined close to top  12  to allow the cap  10  to be as secured as possible but still have structural integrity. Slit  1  optimally travels a distance of slightly less than half the circumference of the cap, e.g. the slit  11  travels slightly less than (just under) 180° around the cap  10  within the downward face  14   a  to define the opening as having a length of slightly less than the diameter of the cap  10 . “Slightly less” as used herein therefore is defined as less than 180° or less than the diameter of the cap, but as little as a fraction less than this so as to simultaneously allow a wide, fan-like dispersion of water while maintaining all water in a downward direction (not sideways or upward). The above dimensions are critical in that the slit  11  is meant to forcibly disperse large amounts of water downward over the side of the vessel. Slit  11  which is too long will cause water to be dispersed sideways or even upwards through cap  10 , and a slit  11  which is too short or too narrow will cause excess pressure and thus potential damage, back-flow and/or choked flow. A slit  11  which is too wide will decrease the water pressure and then lessen the force/impact of the downwardly directed water. The above dimensional ranges have been determined to be optimum based on many experiments and testing, in conjunction with the 2.5 inch cap. 
     A fitting  42  is formed within the interior  40  of cap  10  (see  FIG. 4 ). In this manner the cap  10  can be secured to the fire suppression node  60  on the vessel with the downward face  14   a  positioned over a side of the vessel for forcibly dispersing water through the slit  11  downward over the side of the vessel. As can be seen, fitting  42  in this embodiment is made of a plurality of threads  41  disposed about the inside circumference of the cap interior  40  such that cap  10  is screwed onto fire suppression node  61 . Threads  41  are situated an area of the interior  40  defined by the slit and the bottom edge of the cap  13  such that the opening remains exposed when the cap  10  is secured to the fire suppression node  60 . Cap  10  may also be secured to fire suppression node  60  other than by threads  41 , such as, including but not limited to clips, adhesives, clamps, rivets, snaps, or other means although since fire hoses and similar “nodes” include threaded ends the instant cap  10  and thread  41  design is most suitable. Such will depend on the receiving end of the node and the instant embodiment is intended to encompass these means for securing the cap  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of an optional tube  5 , which forms part of the system. Tube  5  preferably has ends, namely a first end  51  and a second end  52 , each end  51 ,  52  respectively including first end threads  53  and second end threads  54 . The tube  50  is configured to act as an extension between cap  10  and fire suppression node  60  to enable cap  50  to extend out over the side of the vessel should cap  10  not easily fasten to fire suppression node  60 . Typically, tube  50  would be used if fire suppression node  60  is in the form of a network of piping. 
       FIG. 6  therefore shows the embodiment of the fire suppression node  60  taking the form of a network of pipe. As shown fire suppression node  60  is arranged about the deck  64  of the vessel  66 , proximate to rail  65 . Such a configuration provides a low profile and thus safely maintains the system out of the way of the crew and cargo. The network of pipe can contour around obstacles and provides little obstruction, running mainly along outer rails  65 . The piping network may also be configured internally within the ship rather than on the deck depending on the location of the ship&#39;s fire suppression system or ballast pump system. In this embodiment, cap  10  connects to tube  50 . Tube  50  then connects to a rounded joint  62 . Secondary tube  67  then connects to a manifold  61 , which in turn allows for the connection to fire main extension  63 . Fire main extension  63  would therefore connect to the fire suppression system of the vessel  66 . 
     A gated ‘Y’ adapter preferably is utilized at the outlet of the fire suppression system into which the fire main extension  63  is fitted. The adapter allows the crew to fight a fire and run the system at the same time. Even without the adapter however, because the system has no moving parts, the nozzle caps  10  and/or the piping network components can be removed to facilitate full use of the vessel&#39;s fire suppression system if needed. 
     Product testing has shown with the caps  10  configured with the dimensions as shown, the network of piping is preferably broken down into sections in which there is one cap  10  and thus one downward facing nozzle situated approximately every twenty (20) feet. A twenty-foot spread results in the spray from each nozzle to overlap. Results using this configuration are described in Example 1 below: 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Utilizing a two-man team a complete system was placed, assembled, and tied into the ship&#39;s fire system in between two and six hours per manifold. The time was reduced greatly with crew assistance. With two pumps running at 500 Gallons Per Minute (GPM) and one at 750 GPM, the system generated a consistent 280 GPM from each manifold. Each manifold could potentially generate 1000 GPM on large, more modern ships utilizing stronger pumps. During phase  11  tests the system generated approximately 75 PSI of pressure from each nozzle cap. 100 PSI is ideal, the system functioning best with a high volume of water and moderate water pressure. The system operated both at sea while underway and while anchored. 
     One way to form the product and correctly position the nozzle cap  10  and thus slit  11  such that it is positioned entirely downward over the side of vessel in order to maintain all water flow downward as well, is to use a reference mark (not shown) etched or drawn anywhere on the outer surface of cap  10 . Cap  19  is screwed onto node. Reference mark is drawn. An indicator line such as an inked line, etch, or other marking is then drawn or scratched to indicate the appropriate position of slit  11 , opposite the reference mark. Cap is then unscrewed and the slit  11  is then cut into the nozzle cap  10  along the indicator line. Such markings can also be pre-fabricated. Once defined, the slit  11  positioned appropriately each time it is wound onto the node with the reference mark started in the same position. 
     In use with the nozzle caps  10  in place, when activated the system creates an active deterrent by sending a consistent all of water downward along the perimeter of the vessel. The “wall of water” or deluge effect of the nozzle caps  10  makes boarding much more difficult because essentially someone has to climb through a waterfall. One has to look up into the water curtain to climb up to the main deck, which makes it a near drowning situation and makes it very difficult for the boarder to breath. Directing a wall of water down the side of the ship in the direction of the entrant results in the washing away of the entrant and the potential flooding of the entrant&#39;s vessel. Vision is another factor which is reduced as the threat climbs aboard. 
     The instant system also works with the vessel&#39;s ballast pump system if equipped. Utilization of the ballast pump system can be in conjunction with or alternative to the use of the ship&#39;s fire suppression system and would require modification of the location and arrangement of the network of piping. On these types of ship ballast systems the water can be heated to about 180 degrees if necessary or desirable. When required, irritants or slippery substances can also be added, such as pepper oil or soap, hereinafter “secondary components”. The secondary components can be injected locally or from a remote location. All the above can be accomplished without risking the crew because once the system is installed externally or internally and operating the crew can keep the system running while underway, at anchor, or even to protect the offshore side of the vessel while handling cargo. Thus the system provides the first line of defense as the crew is mustered within a safe house or elsewhere on the ship.