Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to the field of water safety devices, and more particularly to an improved device for water safety and method for using the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many avoidable deaths occur each year when water vessels sink and passengers drown. Additionally, many people are reluctant to travel by water due to the actual or perceived concerns over the safety of the water vessel that they would be travelling on. Further, many water vessels have outdated or less than adequate safety devices due to cost and difficulty of maintenance and installation. 
     One present water safety method requires a water vessel to possess one flotation device per passenger. If a water vessel begins to sink, each passenger must then find a flotation device, which can be difficult in such a high stress situation. Furthermore, many water vessels do not actually possess the proper amounts of flotation devices due to the cost and storage space required. 
     Another present water safety method consists of a water vessel possessing enough inflatable rafts to support all of the passengers on the water vessel. This method requires less storage space than other methods, but does not alleviate the difficulties in readying the flotation devices in high stress situations. These devices must be inflated by a pump, an air compressor, or similar device. Some devices can be inflated instantly with compressed air devices, but some knowledge of how to use the device is required. 
     These techniques work, but are burdensome and not efficient. A solution that does not require passengers to know how to use it is needed. Additionally, a solution that alleviates storage, maintenance, and cost concerns is needed. There is also need for a water safety device that works in response to emergency situations as opposed to working in response to human being&#39;s reaction to emergency situations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, an automatic water safety apparatus is provided which substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an automated water safety apparatus includes a spray device capable of releasing a liquid substance, a container for storing the liquid substance, a tilt sensor, and a processor capable of sending and receiving [signals]. The liquid substance is any liquid substance that becomes buoyant once released from the spray device. Additionally, the water safety device is coupled to a water vessel. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the spray device is capable of rotating horizontally about an axis. In another embodiment of the present invention, the spray device releases an intermittent stream that forms a plurality of buoyant solids in the water. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for creating buoyant solids in response to a water vessel beginning to sink includes determining whether a water vessel is sinking and, if the water vessel is sinking, sending a signal to a processor indicating that the water vessel is sinking. The method also includes the processor sending a signal to the container instructing the container to release the liquid substance. Additionally, the method includes releasing the liquid substance from the container to the spray device and propelling the liquid substance from the spray device into the water. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a tilt sensor determines whether the water vessel is sinking and sends a signal to the processor. In another embodiment of the present invention, a water height sensor determines whether the water vessel is sinking and sends a signal to the processor. 
     Depending on the specific features implemented, particular embodiments of the present invention may exhibit some, none, or all of the following technical advantages. Technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention include the ability of the water safety apparatus to automatically respond to a water emergency situation without the need for human interaction. Another technical advantage of particular embodiments of the present invention includes the creation of a plurality of flotation devices by propelling a liquid substance into water, where the liquid substance has the property of becoming a buoyant solid when released from the spray device. 
     Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an automated water safety device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an automated water safety device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of the components of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention after it is determines that the water vessel is sinking. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the interconnection of certain components of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the interconnection of certain components of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention functioning during a water emergency. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of an automated water safety device  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The automated water safety device  10  is coupled to a water vessel  32 . Generally, the water vessel  32  is a water vessel intended for mass transportation, such as a ferry, a steamboat, a cruise ship, or a barge. In other embodiments of the present invention, the water vessel  32  may be a water vessel for personal transportation or any other type of water vessel on which human beings will be aboard. Typically, the automated water safety device  10  is coupled to perimeter of the upper surface of water vessel  32 , which is the deck of most water vessels. However, in other embodiments, the automated water safety device  10  can be placed in locations other than the perimeter of the upper surface of water vessel  32 , or alternatively, locations other than the upper surface of water vessel  32 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety device  10  includes a container  14  coupled to water vessel  32 . Container  14  is one such that it may contain a liquid substance. Additionally, Container  14  may be also be capable of holding a pressurized liquid substance in some embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, more than one container  14  may be used. In such an embodiment, each container may hold a different substance than one another, wherein the substances of each container combine together to form a liquid substance that becomes a buoyant solid  38  when propelled from spray device  12 . In addition, Container  14  is coupled to a Container Release Controller  42 . Container Release Controller  42  may be a release valve in some embodiments of the present invention, but may be any other type of device that controls whether substance will be released from container  14 . 
     Automated water safety device  10  also includes a spray device  12 . Spray device  12  may be any type of device that is capable of propelling a liquid substance, such as the types of spray devices commonly found on fire fighting vehicles. In one embodiment of the present invention, spray device  12  is coupled to a shaft  18 , which is coupled to the top surface of container  14 . Alternatively, spray device  12  can be coupled to the top surface of container  14 , eliminating the inclusion of shaft  18 . In another embodiment of the present invention, spray device  12  rotates horizontally about shaft  18 , enabling spray device  12  to point in a plurality of directions. Alternatively, if spray device  12  is coupled to the top portion of container  14 , spray device  12  can rotate horizontally about container  14  in one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, handles  48  are coupled to spray device  12  to allow for the manual aiming of automated water safety device  10 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety device  10  also includes a controller unit  46 . Controller unit  46  is coupled to container release controller  42 . In one embodiment of the present invention, controller unit  46  may be coupled to one or more sensors, such as a water height sensor  28 . Water height sensor  28 , in one embodiment of the present invention, controller unit  46  includes a processor  20  and a tilt sensor  24 . An example of tilt sensor  24  is the SB2i Dual Axis Inclinometer Sensor manufactured by Reiker Incorporated, but many other variations are available. Additionally, control unit  46  may be coupled to a manual switch  40 . Generally, manual switch  40  is a button, but can be any type of triggering device such as a lever, a switch, an input for voice command, or a keypad. In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the sensors coupled to control unit  46  will be coupled wirelessly and communicate via wireless signals, such as radio frequency (RF). 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of an automated water safety device  10  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety device  10  includes a spray device  12  coupled to a shaft  18 . Generally, shaft  18  is coupled to the top surface of water vessel  32 , but may be coupled to other locations on water vessel  32  in alternative embodiments of the present invention. Automated water safety apparatus  10  further includes a container  14  that is coupled to shaft  18  by tube  16 . Tube  16  can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum, a combination thereof, or any other number of materials that are commonly used to transport liquid. In some embodiments of the present invention, container  10  may be located below the top surface of water vessel  32 . Thus, one embodiment of the present invention allows for an automated water safety apparatus  10  where only spray device  12  and shaft  18  are visible to passengers on water vessel  32 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety apparatus  10  further includes a processor  20  that is coupled to container release controller  42  and at least one sensor. The sensor coupled to processor  20  may be a tilt sensor  24  in one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor coupled to processor  20  may be a water height sensor  28 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, both tilt sensor  24  and water height sensor  28  may be coupled to processor  20 . Additionally, another embodiment of the present invention may include a manual switch  40  that is coupled to the processor  20 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , tube  16  couples container  14  to spray device  12  in one embodiment of the present invention. In such a configuration, tube  16  is partially located inside the hollow portion of shaft  18 , with one length of tube  16  extending out of one end of shaft  18 , and the other length of tube  16  extending out of the opposite end of shaft  18 . One of the lengths of tube  16  is coupled to container  14  and the opposite end of tube  16  is coupled to spray device  12 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the one embodiment of the present invention after it is determined that the water vessel is sinking. In  FIG. 4 , it is apparent that water vessel  32  is tilted upwards from back to front. Such an occurrence can be an indication that water vessel  32  is sinking. Upon such determination, automated water safety apparatus  10  propels a liquid substance that becomes a buoyant solid  38  when released from spray device  12 . In one embodiment of the present invention, when the liquid substance is first released from spray device  12 , it begins to become a buoyant solid. As the liquid solid nears the water, it further transforms into a buoyant solid. In one embodiment of the present invention, it increases in size as this process occurs. The result is a buoyant semi-solid  36 . In one embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety apparatus  10  may propel the liquid substance in intermittent bursts, as is portrayed in  FIG. 4 . In another embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety apparatus  10  may propel the liquid substance in a continuous stream, creating at least one buoyant solid  38 . 
     One example of a liquid substance having the property of becoming a buoyant solid  38  when propelled from spray device  12  is Great Stuff™, a polyurethane foam sealant manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company. Another example is DAP® KWIK FOAM®, a polyurethane foam sealant manufactured by DAP Products, Inc. Additionally, any liquid substance that becomes a buoyant solid when released from a spray device  12  may be used by the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram view of how several of the components of one embodiment of the present invention are coupled to one another. In some embodiments of the present invention, the various components represented in  FIG. 5  will be coupled by wire capable of carrying electronic signals. In other embodiments of the present invention, the various components represented in  FIG. 5  will be coupled wirelessly. In other embodiments of the present invention, some of the various components represented in  FIG. 5  will be coupled by wire capable of carrying electronic signals, whereas other components represented in  FIG. 5  will be coupled wirelessly. Water Height Sensor  28 , Tilt Sensor  24 , Manual Switch  40 , and Container Release Controller  42  are all coupled to Processor  20 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram view of how several of the components of another embodiment of the present invention are coupled to one another. In some embodiments of the present invention, the various components represented in  FIG. 6  will be coupled by wire capable of carrying electronic signals. In other embodiments of the present invention, the various components represented in  FIG. 6  will be coupled wirelessly. In other embodiments of the present invention, some of the various components represented in  FIG. 6  will be coupled by wire capable of carrying electronic signals, whereas other components represented in  FIG. 6  will be coupled wirelessly. Control Unit  46  includes Processor  20  and Tilt Sensor  24 . Water Height Sensor  28 , Tilt Sensor  24 , Manual Switch  40 , and Container Release Controller  42  are all coupled to Processor  20 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety device  10  remains in a ready state while water vessel  32  is in operation. During this ready state, the electronic components of the system are powered on. The automated water safety device  10  stays in this state until the system  10  determines that water vessel  32  is sinking. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety apparatus  10  may determine that water vessel  32  is sinking by using tilt sensor  24 . Tilt sensor  24  may rest parallel to the surface of water vessel  32 . When the front of water vessel  32  is higher than the back of the vessel, or vice versa, tilt sensor  24  sends a signal to processor  20 . In some embodiments of the present invention, tilt sensor  24  may measure tilt on multiple axes, so that tilt sensor  24  may send a signal to processor  20  when the top surface of water vessel  32  deviates a predetermined amount of degrees in any direction from parallel to the water surface. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, automated water safety apparatus  10  may determine that water vessel  32  is sinking by using water height sensor  28 . Generally, water height sensor  28  will be located on the side portion of water vessel  32 , but may be located in a plurality of alternative locations. When water level on the side of water vessel  32  reaches a point that is the same height laterally as water height sensor  28 , water height sensor  28  sends a signal to processor  20 . One advantage of including a water height sensor in addition to a tilt sensor is that certain water vessels may not deviate from a plane parallel with the water surface while sinking, but may rather remain level while the water level on the side of the vessel rises higher. 
     When tilt sensor  24  or water height sensor  28  detect conditions that are indicative of a sinking vessel, they send a signal to processor  20 . Processor  20  may contain logic to determine whether the signal received indicates that water vessel  32  is sinking, or whether some other conditions, such as rough water, caused the sensor to send a signal. For example, tilt sensor  24  may send signals every time water vessel&#39;s  32  top surface is not parallel with the water surface within a predetermined number of degrees; however, processor&#39;s  20  logic may only react to the signal if it is continuous, indicating that the vessel is maintaining the incline rather than just rocking back and forth. Alternatively, tilt sensor  24  and water height sensor  28  may be configured to only send a signal to processor  20  when the tilt or water height conditions are such that they indicate water vessel  32  is sinking, thus minimizing false negative signals. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a human being on water vessel  32  may determine that water vessel  32  is sinking. In such a situation, the human being would press or otherwise activate manual switch  40  to send a signal to processor  20 . 
     Once processor  20  receives a signal from either a sensor or manual switch  40 , processor  20  sends a signal to container release controller  42 , causing container release controller  42  to release the liquid substance from container  14 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid substance may be pressurized inside of container  14 . In such an embodiment, the liquid substance exits container  14  once container release controller  42  releases the liquid substance, and begins to move through tube  16  towards spray device  12 . Alternatively, a liquid substance may be used that has the property of expanding once released from a confined space, or a compressor may be used to force the liquid substance out of container  14 . Once the liquid substance exits container  14 , it enters tube  16  and continues through tube  16  towards spray device  12 . 
     When the liquid substance reaches spray device  12 , it is propelled from spray device  12  towards the water surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid substance may begin to expand rapidly to a fully buoyant solid  38  before it reaches the water surface. In another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid substance may still be a buoyant semi-solid  36  that continues to solidify and/or expand after it reaches the water surface. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, container release controller  42  may intermittently stop releasing the liquid substance from container  14 , causing the liquid substance to be propelled from spray device  12  intermittently, producing a plurality of buoyant solids. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, spray device  12  will rotate horizontally about an axis that is parallel to shaft  18 . The spray device may rotate back forth along an arc of less than 180 degrees in order to only propel the liquid substance into the water, however the arc may vary depending on the placement of the automated water safety device  10 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of buoyant solids  38  will be floating in the water surrounding the sinking water vessel  32  after it has been determined that water vessel  32  is sinking. In one embodiment of the present invention, these buoyant solids  38  will be proportioned as to allow a single person to grasp onto one of the plurality of buoyant solids  38  until help arrives. In another embodiment of the present invention, buoyant solids  38  will be large enough to support a plurality of persons until help arrives. 
     Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Technology Category: 7