High safety underwater sightseeing submersible

Abstract

This invention discloses a high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible, belonging to the technical field of underwater rescue and sightseeing vehicles. The submersible includes a mother vessel restraint body and a detachable, atmospheric-pressure passenger compartment fully integrated within its containment space. In an emergency, the release mechanism releases the restraints, and the passenger compartment automatically rises to the surface using its inherent net positive buoyancy. The top of the passenger compartment is equipped with a cover-opening mechanism. When the operating end is triggered, a pressure relief path is first opened to balance the internal and external pressure differences during the same operation, and then an energy storage and release component is triggered to automatically open the cover. This invention, through the built-in passenger compartment and the mother vessel forming a time-sequential pressure-bearing double-layer protection structure, and providing a purely mechanical cover-opening method with operating logic conforming to human stress response instincts, significantly improves the safety redundancy of underwater escape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to underwater vehicles and rescue equipment, and more specifically, to a high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible. Background Technology

[0002] Existing small sightseeing submersibles typically employ an integral pressure hull structure, integrating the crew compartment with the power and energy systems within the same hull. Escape mechanisms in this type of design largely rely on active systems, such as using battery-powered pumps to empty ballast tanks for surfacing, or using high-pressure gas to purge ballast water. The fatal flaw of these active escape systems lies in their dependence on the main power source and complex control loops. In the event of flooding, battery short-circuit fires, or control system malfunctions, the active escape devices often fail simultaneously, trapping the crew underwater.

[0003] Furthermore, the hatch opening mechanisms of existing submersible escape capsules are mostly handwheels or handles. After an emergency ascent, the occupants inside may be in a state of mild carbon dioxide poisoning or extreme panic due to increased carbon dioxide concentration, significantly reducing their fine motor skills (such as rotating valves and aligning latches), making it impossible to open the hatch smoothly. Although some designs are equipped with jettisonable hatch covers, the external water pressure inside the atmospheric pressure chamber will firmly hold the hatch cover down, making it impossible to jettison without a dynamic pressure differential.

[0004] For underwater sightseeing purposes, passengers do not possess the psychological qualities and operational skills of professional divers. Therefore, a safety design with high redundancy is required under extreme conditions to ensure that passengers can safely return to the surface even if all active systems fail. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible that eliminates the dependence of the escape system on electricity in the prior art and solves the technical pain points of the atmospheric pressure escape capsule being difficult to open under stress and prone to misoperation.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0007] A high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible includes a mothership restraint body (100) and a passenger cabin (200).

[0008] The mothership restraint body (100) provides underwater propulsion and external physical shielding for the passenger cabin (200), and has a propeller at its stern and an internal space to accommodate the passenger cabin (200). During normal navigation, the space provides the passenger cabin (200) with a normal pressure environment that isolates it from external water pressure.

[0009] The passenger cabin (200) is a pressurized, sealed shell independent of the mothership restraint body (100), and is completely housed within the mothership restraint body (100) in a separable manner. The overall shape of the passenger cabin (200) is preferably an inverted cup or a dome-shaped structure. To achieve a panoramic underwater sightseeing view, at least the upper half of the passenger cabin (200) shell is made of transparent material, forming a transparent dome (210). The lower half of the passenger cabin (200) is a metal base (201), which integrates counterweights and a gas balance system. The gas balance system includes a high-pressure oxygen cylinder and a carbon dioxide adsorption device, used to maintain the oxygen and carbon dioxide content of the cabin gas within a safe range during normal navigation and emergency situations.

[0010] The passenger cabin (200) is equipped with passenger seats (230) for passengers to sit on. The passenger seats (230) are equipped with a passenger restraint system (231) for securing passengers to the seats during emergency surfacing and floating on the water. The passenger cabin (200) is also equipped with a gas balance system for maintaining the oxygen and carbon dioxide content of the cabin gas within a safe range during normal navigation and emergency situations.

[0011] To achieve a high level of safety for escape in an emergency, the present invention includes an emergency escape system between the passenger cabin (200) and the mother ship restraints (100). The system consists of two main parts: a release mechanism (300) and a cover opening mechanism (400).

[0012] Release mechanism (300): Connected between the passenger compartment (200) and the mothership restraint body (100), used to release the restraint of the mothership restraint body (100) on the passenger compartment (200) upon receiving a trigger signal. Preferably, the release mechanism (300) includes at least three explosive bolts or electromagnetic locking pins distributed circumferentially along the waist of the passenger compartment. Its control circuit is independent of the main power supply system of the submersible and is hardwired to a manual stop switch located within the reach of the occupants, as well as a immersion short-circuit sensor located at the bottom of the compartment. When any sensor is triggered, the release mechanism (300) performs an irreversible physical disconnection action, completely separating the passenger compartment (200) from the mothership restraint body (100).

[0013] Buoyancy configuration of the passenger cabin: The counterweights and equipment integrated in the bottom metal base (201) of the passenger cabin (200) ensure that the center of gravity of the passenger cabin (200) is permanently lower than its center of buoyancy. This configuration ensures that the passenger cabin (200) automatically maintains a top-up attitude during the underwater free ascent phase and the surface floating phase after detaching from the mothership restraints (100), regardless of its initial attitude. After detaching from the mothership restraints (100), the passenger cabin (200) automatically rises to the surface solely by the inherent net positive buoyancy generated by the displacement volume of its hull, without the need for any active power unit intervention.

[0014] Opening mechanism (400): Located on the top of the passenger compartment (200), preferably installed at the top opening of the transparent dome (210). The mechanism includes an operating end (410), which is preferably a push-button (such as a mushroom-shaped button), and may be fitted with a pull-out safety ring (411) to prevent accidental activation. The opening mechanism (400) integrates a pilot depressurization structure (420) and an energy storage and release assembly (430, such as a pre-compression spring).

[0015] The operating logic of the hatch opening mechanism (400) is as follows: When the crew triggers the operating terminal (410), during the same operation, the operating terminal (410) first drives the pilot depressurization structure (420) to open the depressurization passage connecting the inside and outside of the cabin, allowing external water or air to enter the cabin to balance the huge pressure difference inside and outside the hatch (211) and eliminate the back pressure dead point of the hatch (211). Subsequently, the operating terminal (410) continues to move and triggers the latch of the energy storage and release component (430) to disengage, and the pre-compressed spring releases its potential energy instantly, causing the hatch (211) to bounce upwards to a preset height (e.g., 10 to 15 centimeters). The hatch (211) can be fastened to the shell by a flexible anti-detachment connecting cable to prevent it from being ejected and lost.

[0016] Preferably, the operating end (410) is configured to open the pressure relief path in the first sub-stroke and trigger the energy storage release component (430) in the second sub-stroke during the stroke of a single continuous pressing action.

[0017] More preferably, the outlet of the depressurization passage is set to be laterally offset, so that when the occupant restraint system (231) fixes the occupant to the occupant seat (230), the fluid flowing in through the depressurization passage is guided to the inner wall of the passenger compartment (200), thereby avoiding the occupant's head area and achieving safe depressurization under seat belt restraint.

[0018] The dual-layer sequential pressure-bearing principle of this invention: Under normal navigation conditions, the passenger cabin (200) is completely enclosed by the mother ship's restraint body (100) and is in a normal pressure protection environment provided by the mother ship, without direct contact with external water pressure. The mother ship's restraint body (100) bears all the external water pressure at the corresponding depth, serving as the first layer of pressure-bearing protection. When an emergency occurs, the release mechanism (300) is activated, and the passenger cabin (200) is exposed to the external water pressure at the corresponding depth the instant it detaches from the mother ship's restraint body (100). At this time, the hull of the passenger cabin (200) must withstand the water pressure impact at that depth. As the passenger cabin (200) automatically rises due to its inherent net positive buoyancy, the external pressure it experiences rapidly decreases until it reaches the water surface and returns to normal pressure. Therefore, the pressure-bearing mode of the passenger cabin (200) is a short-term pulse-type pressure-bearing of "instant exposure - rapid depressurization", rather than the long-term steady-state pressure-bearing of the mother ship's restraint body (100). This timing characteristic allows the cabin (200) shell to adopt different material and structural optimization strategies than the mothership restraints (100), such as focusing more on the optical quality and impact toughness of the transparent dome (210) rather than the ultimate pressure resistance thickness and long-term creep life.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] 1. Energy Independence: From detachment from the mothership to surfacing and then to opening the hatch for ventilation, the entire process does not rely on any batteries, motors, or high-pressure gas cylinders for power. Surfacing relies on physical buoyancy, and opening the hatch relies on spring energy storage, with safety redundancy reaching the physical limit.

[0021] 2. Safe depressurization under constrained conditions: The lateral offset flow guiding structure eliminates the safety hazard of fluid rushing into the occupants the instant the atmospheric pressure chamber is opened. Occupants can safely open the chamber for ventilation while their seatbelts are fastened.

[0022] 3. Dual-layer temporal pressure-bearing architecture: During normal navigation, the mother ship is pressurized while the passenger cabin is protected in an atmospheric pressure environment; in an emergency, the passenger cabin is briefly pressurized and quickly floats. This architecture distributes the pressure-bearing task in time and space, ensuring both the transparent view required for sightseeing and providing passive escape redundancy independent of the active system.

[0023] 4. Psychological comfort and visibility protection: The transparent dome design not only provides unparalleled sightseeing views underwater, but also forms a natural window for lighting and psychological comfort while floating and awaiting rescue. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 : A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible of the present invention in normal sightseeing mode.

[0025] Figure 2 : Figure 1A schematic diagram showing the attitude of the passenger cabin automatically surfacing underwater after detaching from the mothership's restraints.

[0026] Figure 3 : Figure 1 Before pressing the lid opening mechanism ( Figure 3 A) and after pressing and releasing ( Figure 3 B) is a partially enlarged sectional view.

[0027] Figure 4 : Logic flowchart of the escape method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Example 1: Overall Structural Configuration

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible, which consists of a mothership restraint body (100) and a passenger cabin (200). The mothership restraint body (100) is a streamlined pressure-resistant hull or frame structure, with the main propulsion unit and battery pack integrated at the stern, and an internal space for accommodating the passenger cabin (200). The passenger cabin (200) is shaped like an inverted champagne glass and is suspended in the center of the accommodating space of the mothership restraint body (100) by a release mechanism (300). The release mechanism (300) is preferably three sets of circumferentially arranged explosive bolts.

[0031] The lower half of the cabin (200) is a metal base (201), which integrates counterweights and a gas balance system containing a high-pressure oxygen cylinder and a carbon dioxide adsorption device. The center of gravity of the cabin (200) is located below its geometric center, and the center of buoyancy is located above its geometric center, ensuring that the cabin (200) can automatically right itself in any attitude.

[0032] The upper part of the passenger cabin (200) is a transparent dome (210), which is made of an outer layer of polycarbonate and an inner layer of acrylic through an optical adhesive layer. The top opening of the transparent dome (210) is provided with a hatch (211), which is linked to the hatch opening mechanism (400).

[0033] The passenger compartment (200) is equipped with passenger seats (230) and passenger seats (230) are equipped with passenger restraint systems (231). A manual stop switch is located in front of or to the side of the seat, and a water immersion short-circuit sensor is located at the bottom of the passenger compartment. Both are connected to the release mechanism (300) via independent hardwire circuits.

[0034] Example 2: Emergency Release and Ascent Process

[0035] like Figure 2As shown, when the mothership restraint body (100) is flooded, catches fire, or experiences system failure, the immersion short-circuit sensor is automatically triggered, or the crew member manually presses the stop switch. The trigger signal causes the explosive bolts of the release mechanism (300) to detonate, and the physical connection between the passenger compartment (200) and the mothership restraint body (100) is irreversibly severed.

[0036] At this point, the cabin (200) is unrestrained. Because its center of gravity is significantly lower than its center of buoyancy, the cabin (200) generates a strong righting torque, automatically adjusting to a vertical attitude with the transparent dome (210) facing upwards, and rises to the surface of the water by relying on the net positive buoyancy generated by the hull's displacement volume. This process requires no power supply.

[0037] The moment it detaches from the mothership's restraints (100), the passenger compartment (200) is suddenly exposed from atmospheric pressure to external water pressure at the corresponding depth. Its hull must withstand this instantaneous pressure shock. As it rises, the external pressure rapidly decreases, and the passenger compartment (200) returns to atmospheric pressure at the surface within tens of seconds.

[0038] During the ascent, the occupants are secured to their seats (230) by the occupant restraint system (231), thus avoiding impact injuries caused by cabin sway.

[0039] Example 3: Water Surface Opening Operation

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown in A and 3B, after the passenger cabin (200) rises to the surface of the water, the transparent dome (210) emerges from the water. The occupants first pass their hands through the pull-out safety ring (411) outside the control terminal (410) and pull upwards to unlock it.

[0041] Subsequently, the occupant strikes the button on the control terminal (410) with their palm downwards. During the first sub-stroke of the button's descent, the pilot pressure relief structure (420) linked to it opens the pressure relief passage. At this time, if there is a surge of seawater covering the dome, a small amount of seawater will flow down the inner arc surface of the transparent dome (210) along the lateral bias guide structure, without wetting the occupant restrained by the occupant restraint system (231).

[0042] When the button is pressed to the bottom (end of the second sub-stroke), the latch of the energy release component (430) is knocked open, the pre-compressed spring is released instantly, and the hatch (211) is pushed up to a certain height to form a ventilation escape opening.

[0043] A large amount of fresh air rushed into the cabin. After confirming that breathing was smooth and the sea conditions were stable, the crew released the crew restraint system (231), pushed open the hatch (211), climbed out through the top opening, and waited for rescue.

[0044] Example 4: Escape Method and Procedure

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, the escape method based on this underwater vehicle includes the following steps: S1: In response to the emergency trigger signal, the release mechanism (300) releases the restraints of the mother ship restraint body (100) on the passenger cabin (200); S2: The passenger cabin (200) automatically rights itself using its own net positive buoyancy and rises to the surface of the water without any power; S3: While the occupants are in a fixed state with the occupant restraint system (231), they trigger the operating end (410) of the hatch opening mechanism (400). During the same operation, the operating end (410) first opens the pressure relief passage to balance the internal and external pressure difference, and then triggers the energy storage release component (430) to automatically open the hatch (211). S4: The crew releases the crew restraint system (231) and leaves the cabin through the hatch opening.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible, comprising: A mothership restraint hull (100) with internal storage space; A passenger compartment (200) is completely placed within the containment space in a separable manner. The passenger compartment (200) is a normal pressure sealed shell with a gas balance system inside. Its characteristic is that it also includes an emergency escape system, comprising: Release mechanism (300) for releasing the restraint of the mothership restraint body (100) on the passenger cabin (200) upon receiving a trigger signal; The passenger cabin (200) is configured to automatically float to the water surface by its own inherent net positive buoyancy after being released from the mothership restraint (100). In addition, a cover opening mechanism (400) is provided on the top of the passenger compartment (200), the cover opening mechanism (400) being configured to: in the same operation that is triggered, first open a pressure relief passage to balance the internal and external pressure difference, and then trigger the energy storage release to automatically pop open the cover (211).

2. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least the upper half of the cabin shell (200) is made of transparent material, forming a transparent dome (210).

3. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that: The center of gravity of the passenger cabin (200) is configured to be permanently lower than its center of buoyancy, so that the passenger cabin (200) automatically maintains an upward-facing attitude both underwater and on the surface.

4. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening mechanism (400) includes a press-type operating end (410) and is configured to: in the stroke of a single continuous pressing action, open the pressure relief passage in the first sub-stroke and trigger the energy storage release to pop open the hatch (211) in the second sub-stroke.

5. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 4, characterized in that: The operating end (410) is fitted with a pull-up safety ring (411) to prevent accidental triggering.

6. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that: The passenger compartment (200) is equipped with an occupant seat (230) and an occupant restraint system (231); the outlet of the depressurization passage is configured to be laterally offset to direct the inrushing fluid to the bulkhead rather than the occupants.

7. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that: The release mechanism (300) includes an explosive bolt or an electromagnetic locking pin, the control circuit of which is independent of the mothership's main power supply system.

8. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hatch (211) is connected to the cabin shell by a detachable connecting cable.

9. The high-safety underwater sightseeing submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that: The passenger cabin (200) is normally enclosed by the mothership restraint body (100) and isolated from external water pressure, but is exposed to external pressure at the corresponding depth at the moment of separation.

10. An escape method based on the underwater vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: S1: The release mechanism releases the restraints, and the passenger compartment detaches from the mothership; S2: The passenger cabin automatically rises to the surface of the water using its own net positive buoyancy; S3: Trigger the opening mechanism to balance the internal and external pressure difference before the hatch opens during the same operation. S4: Crew members exit the cabin through the hatch opening.

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