Recovery device and recovery method

Abstract

To provide a recovery device for surely recovering a recovery object floating on a water surface by using a flying body such as a helicopter or a drone.SOLUTION: A recovery device includes: a first rope; a sea anchor dropped in a state coupled with the first rope from a flying body capable of standing still in air; a recovery bag for recovering a recovery object floating on a water surface; a second rope coupled to the recovery bag and provided to be capable of being towed along the first rope; a locking mechanism for locking the recovery bag in a predetermined position on the first rope when the second rope coupled to the recovery bag recovering the recovery object is towed; and a recovery mechanism for recovering the recovery bag to the flying body by towing the second rope in a state with the first rope between the sea anchor and the locking mechanism stretched in between.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recovery device and a recovery method for recovering floating objects on the water surface.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, recovery operations at sea have been carried out using recovery vessels. In this case, operations are performed using equipment mounted on the vessel (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] On the other hand, in the case of a recovery vessel, it is difficult to rush to the site. Therefore, various operation methods such as using a helicopter or a drone to rush to the site and recover the floating objects have been proposed (see Patent Documents 2 to 4).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] On the other hand, when using a helicopter or a drone, it is known that a downwash that blows the air downward occurs. When performing an operation to recover the floating objects, the downwash may interfere with the operation at sea.

[0006] This disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provides a recovery device and recovery method for reliably recovering objects floating on the water surface using a flying object such as a helicopter or drone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The recovery device of this disclosure comprises a first rope, a sea anchor that is dropped from a flying object capable of remaining stationary in the air while connected to the first rope, a recovery bag for recovering items floating on the water surface, a second rope connected to the recovery bag and provided to be towable along the first rope, a locking mechanism that locks the recovery bag at a predetermined position on the first rope when the second rope connected to the recovery bag that has recovered the items is towed, and a recovery mechanism that retrieves the recovery bag to the flying object by towing the second rope while the first rope between the sea anchor and the locking mechanism is taut.

[0008] The recovery device further includes a capture bag for capturing the recovered object to which the sea anchor is attached. The recovery bag is installed inside the capture bag and is detachable from the capture bag.

[0009] The retrieval device further comprises at least one float provided in relation to the capture bag.

[0010] The locking mechanism includes a fixed stopper provided at a predetermined position on the first rope and a movable stopper provided for the retrieval bag that is locked at the position of the fixed stopper.

[0011] The fixed stopper includes first and second fixed stoppers. The movable stopper includes first and second movable stoppers for locking in their respective positions, corresponding to the first and second fixed stoppers, respectively. The first movable stopper is provided for the opening of the collection bag. The second movable stopper is provided for the bottom of the collection bag.

[0012] A sea anchor is a bucket with a hole in the bottom. The recovery method of this disclosure comprises the steps of: dropping a sea anchor connected to a first rope from a flying object that can remain stationary in the air; recovering the recovered items floating on the water surface into a recovery bag; pulling a second rope that is connected to the recovery bag and provided to be towable along the first rope; locking the recovery bag at a predetermined position on the first rope when the second rope connected to the recovery bag that has recovered the recovered items is pulled; and recovering the recovery bag to the flying object by pulling the second rope while the first rope between the sea anchor and the locking mechanism is taut. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The recovery device and recovery method of this disclosure are capable of reliably recovering objects floating on the water surface using a projectile. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example of an aircraft 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates the recovery process of recovered material CP using a recovery device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating a method for recovering recovered material CP according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the method of securing the collection bag 40 to the first rope L1 according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an aircraft 100 according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, aircraft 100 is equipped with a recovery device for recovering the recovered material.

[0017] In this example, the aircraft 100 is a helicopter, which is an aircraft that can be stationary in the air. However, it is not limited to helicopters and may include, for example, drones (unmanned aircraft), flying objects operated by radio control, etc.

[0018] As an example, the recovered object CP is a capsule floating on the water, and as an example, the capsule may include a memory storing data.

[0019] The recovery device includes a first rope L1, a sea anchor dropped in a state of being connected to the first rope L1 from an aircraft 100 that can be stationary in the air, a recovery bag 40 for recovering the recovered object CP floating on the water surface, a second rope L2 connected to the recovery bag 40 and provided so as to be towable along the first rope L1, a locking mechanism for locking the recovery bag 40 at a predetermined position of the first rope when towing the second rope connected to the recovery bag 40 that has recovered the recovered object CP, and a recovery mechanism for towing the second rope L2 in a state where the first rope L1 between the sea anchor and the locking mechanism is stretched and recovering the recovery bag 40 to the aircraft 100.

[0020] More specifically, in this example, the tip side of the first rope L1 is connected to a capture bag 45, and a bucket 20 serving as a sea anchor is attached to the capture bag 45.

[0021] The capture bag 45 captures the recovered object (capsule) floating on the water surface. Inside the capture bag 45, a recovery bag 40 for recovering the recovered object provided separately from the capture bag 45 is provided. In the case of this example, the recovery bag 40 inside together with the capture bag 45 recovers the recovered object floating on the water surface. In this example, as an example, a configuration in which the recovery bag 40 is provided inside the capture bag 45 will be described, but a configuration without providing the capture bag 45 may also be used. In that case, the bucket 20 serving as a sea anchor and the first rope L1 will be directly connected.

[0022] The capture bag 45 may be equipped with a float. The float provides buoyancy, making the capture bag 45 easier to operate on the water surface. This makes it easier to collect the floating objects into the recovery bag 40 located inside the capture bag 45.

[0023] The locking mechanism consists of a fixed stopper and a movable stopper. More specifically, a fixed stopper is provided at a predetermined position on the first rope L1. A movable stopper is also provided on the retrieval bag 40 and locks into place at the fixed stopper when the second rope L2 is pulled.

[0024] In this example, fixed stoppers 30 and 32 are provided for the first rope L1, and movable stoppers 34 and 36 are provided for the second rope L2, which are locked at the respective positions of the fixed stoppers 30 and 32. In this example, two fixed stoppers 30 and 32 and two movable stoppers 34 and 36 are described, but it is also possible to use only one fixed stopper and one movable stopper.

[0025] The retrieval mechanism includes a pulley 10 on which the second rope L2 is suspended, and a weight 70 connected to the second rope L2.

[0026] By lowering weight 70 downwards, the second rope L2 is pulled via pulley 10.

[0027] In this example, when the weight 70 is lowered, the second rope L2 is pulled, and the retrieval bag 40 is locked to the first rope L1 at a predetermined position by the locking mechanism. Specifically, a movable stopper provided for the second rope L2 is locked by a fixed stopper.

[0028] A fixed stopper is provided for the first rope L1, and a sea anchor is connected to the first rope L1.

[0029] Therefore, when weight 70 is lowered further, the second rope L2 is pulled, and at that time, the load of the sea anchor is applied by the locking mechanism.

[0030] In other words, with the first rope L1 between the sea anchor and the locking mechanism stretched, the second rope L2 is towed to retrieve the recovery bag 40 onto the aircraft 100.

[0031] As a result, while the second rope L2 is towed to retrieve the recovery bag 40 to the aircraft 100, the second rope L2 between the recovery mechanism and the locking mechanism and the first rope L1 between the locking mechanism and the sea anchor remain constantly taut.

[0032] Since the recovery operation can be carried out by recovering the recovery bag 40 onto the aircraft 100 while maintaining the said state, the recovery operation can be carried out in a stable state even when a downwash occurs that blows the atmosphere downwards when using a helicopter or drone.

[0033] In other words, the recovery device according to the embodiment can reliably recover objects floating on the water surface using a flying object such as a helicopter or drone.

[0034] In this example, a method is described in which a weight 80 is added to the collection bag 40 containing the recovered material (capsules) to make it more stable, but it is also possible to omit the addition of the weight 80. For example, if the weight of the recovered material is heavy, the weight 80 may not be added.

[0035] The retrieval mechanism includes a reel 60 on which the first rope L1 can be wound, and the capture bag 45 can be retrieved onto the aircraft 100 using the reel 60.

[0036] Figure 2 illustrates the recovery process of recovered material CP using a recovery device according to the embodiment.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2(A), the crew on board aircraft 100 confirms the recovered object CP floating on the sea. If aircraft 100 is equipped with a camera, the recovered object CP may be confirmed via the camera.

[0038] After the worker spots the recovered object from aircraft 100, they drop the capture bag 45 near the recovered object CP. Alternatively, a marker may be dropped near the recovered object CP to easily determine its location before dropping the capture bag 45. In addition to visual confirmation by the worker, the system may also be configured to remotely confirm the recovered object CP via camera before dropping the capture bag 45 near the recovered object CP.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2(B), the worker pulls the first rope L1 connected to the capture bag 45 to retrieve the recovered object CP into the recovery bag 40 inside the capture bag 45. Alternatively, the position of the aircraft 100 may be adjusted to adjust the position of the capture bag 45 and retrieve the recovered object CP into the recovery bag 40 inside the capture bag 45. Alternatively, the capture bag 45 may be dropped according to the direction of the current, and the current may be used to retrieve the recovered object CP into the recovery bag 40 inside the capture bag 45. The size of the capture bag 45 may be increased to make it easier to retrieve the recovered object CP, and various methods can be adopted for retrieving the recovered object CP into the recovery bag 40.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2(C), the weight 70 is lowered via the pulley 10 to pull the second rope L2 connected to the recovery bag 40. This removes the recovery bag 40, which contains the recovered material CP, from the capture bag 45. The recovery bag 40 is then secured to the first rope L1 at a predetermined position by the locking mechanism. A weight 80 is also attached to the recovery bag 40.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2(D), the weight 70 is further lowered via the pulley 10. While the recovery bag 40 is being retrieved onto the aircraft 100 by pulling the second rope L2, the second rope L2 between the recovery mechanism and the locking mechanism and the first rope L1 between the locking mechanism and the sea anchor remain constantly taut. Since the recovery operation of retrieving the recovery bag 40 onto the aircraft 100 can be carried out while maintaining this state, the recovery operation can be carried out in a stable condition even when a downwash occurs when using a helicopter or drone, causing the atmosphere to blow downwards.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2(E), the weight 70 is lowered further via the pulley 10. Then, the recovery bag 40 is retrieved into the aircraft 100.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2(F), the first rope L1 is wound up by the reel 60 to retrieve the capture bag 45 into the aircraft 100.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2(G), the second rope L2 is connected to the reel 60, and the second rope L2 is wound up to retrieve the weight 70 into the aircraft 100.

[0045] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for recovering recovered material CP according to an embodiment. Refer to Figure 3 and drop the capture bag 45 (Step S2). Specifically, drop the capture bag 45 near the object to be collected CP as explained in Figure 2(A).

[0046] Next, the captured material is collected using the capture bag 45 (step S4). Specifically, as explained in Figure 2(B), the first rope L1, which is connected to the capture bag 45, is pulled to collect the material into the collection bag 40 inside the capture bag 45.

[0047] Next, the second rope L2 is towed (step S5). A weight 70 is attached to the other end of the second rope L2 via the pulley 10 and lowered downwards.

[0048] Next, the retrieval bag 40 is secured (step S6). Specifically, as shown in Figure 2(C), the weight 70 is lowered further via the pulley 10 to pull the second rope L2 connected to the retrieval bag 40. Then, the retrieval bag 40 is secured to the first rope L1 at a predetermined position using the locking mechanism.

[0049] Next, the recovery bag 40 is recovered (step S8). Specifically, the weight 70 is lowered further via the pulley 10, as shown in Figures 2(D) and (E). Then, the recovery bag 40 is recovered into the aircraft 100.

[0050] Next, the capture bag 45 is retrieved (step S10). Specifically, as shown in Figure 2(F), the reel 60 is wound up to retrieve the capture bag 45 into the aircraft 100.

[0051] Next, the weight is retrieved (step S11). Specifically, as shown in Figure 2(G), the reel 60 is wound up to retrieve the weight 70 into the aircraft 100.

[0052] And then, the process ends. With this method, while the recovery bag 40 is being retrieved onto the aircraft 100 by towing the second rope L2, the second rope L2 between the recovery mechanism and the locking mechanism and the first rope L1 between the locking mechanism and the sea anchor remain constantly taut. Since the recovery operation can be carried out by retrieving the recovery bag 40 onto the aircraft 100 while maintaining this state, the recovery operation can be carried out in a stable condition even when a downwash occurs when using a helicopter or drone, causing the atmosphere to blow downwards.

[0053] Figure 4 illustrates the method of securing the collection bag 40 to the first rope L1 according to the embodiment.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4(A), the first rope L1 is provided with fixed stoppers 30 and 32. Fixed stopper 30 is provided on the upstream side of the first rope L1 (the side closer to the aircraft 100). Fixed stopper 32 is provided on the downstream side of the first rope L1 (the side closer to the sea anchor).

[0055] Ring-shaped movable stoppers 34 and 36 are provided to lock the fixed stoppers 30 and 32, respectively. The first rope L1 and the second rope L2 are inserted through the inner diameter of the ring of the movable stopper 34. The movable stopper 34 is provided for the opening of the collection bag 40.

[0056] The first rope L1 is inserted through the inner diameter of the ring of the movable stopper 36. The movable stopper 36 is provided corresponding to the bottom of the collection bag 40. One end of the third rope L3 is tied to the bottom of the collection bag 40, and the other end is tied to the movable stopper 36. In this example, the configuration in which the third rope L3 is tied to the bottom of the collection bag 40 is described, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the movable stopper 36 may be tied to the bottom of the collection bag 40 without the third rope L3.

[0057] The movable stopper 34 is set to have a smaller ring diameter than the fixed stopper 30 and a larger ring diameter than the fixed stopper 32. The movable stopper 36 is set to have a smaller ring diameter than the fixed stopper 32.

[0058] Figure 4(A) shows the case in which the captured material CP is collected using the capture bag 45 and the collection bag 40 inside the capture bag 45.

[0059] As shown in Figure 4(B), the second rope L2 is pulled along the first rope L1 to remove the recovery bag 40 containing the recovered material CP from the capture bag 45.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4(C), the second rope L2 is further pulled along the first rope L1, and the retrieval bag 40 is pulled out together with the movable stopper 34. The movable stopper 36 also rises along with the retrieval bag 40.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4(D), the movable stopper 34 has a larger ring diameter than the fixed stopper 32 and is therefore not locked by the fixed stopper 32. When the second rope L2 is further pulled along the first rope L1, the movable stopper 34 is locked by the fixed stopper 30 because its ring diameter is smaller than that of the fixed stopper 30. Also, the movable stopper 36 is locked by the fixed stopper 32 because its ring diameter is smaller than that of the fixed stopper 32.

[0062] As a result, the collection bag 40 is secured by the fixing stoppers 30 and 32. With the movable stopper 34 locked in place by the fixed stopper 30, the opening of the retrieval bag 40 is tightened by pulling the second rope L2.

[0063] Because the movable stoppers 34 and 36 are locked in place by the fixed stoppers 30 and 32, the capture bag 45 is also pulled.

[0064] In this case, the pulling load, viewed from the inside of aircraft 100, is as follows: second rope L2 → fixed stopper 30 (movable stopper 34) → retrieval bag 40 → third rope L3 → fixed stopper 32 (movable stopper 36) → first rope L1 → capture bag 45.

[0065] The load of the capture bag 45 (including the resistance of the sea anchor) is placed on the recovery bag 40, which constricts the opening of the recovery bag 40 and restricts the change in the posture of the recovery bag 40 to a vertical position along the first rope L1. This makes it possible to suppress the lift force in random directions caused by the change in the posture of the recovery bag 40.

[0066] Due to their characteristics, helicopters, drones, and other flying objects inevitably generate downwash, which causes rotation and vibration of the recovered items taken inside the aircraft.

[0067] Excessive rotation or shaking of the recovered object poses a risk of collision with the aircraft, and therefore, rotation and shaking of the recovered object must be minimized in order to recover it inside the aircraft.

[0068] For example, the capsules used to recover CP (Commodity Packet) are disc-shaped. Furthermore, because the capsules are lightweight, equipped with tare bags to efficiently capture atmospheric pressure for deceleration, and possess characteristics that allow them to maintain a gliding posture, they are susceptible to the effects of downwash.

[0069] The load of the capture bag 45 (including the resistance of the sea anchor) is placed on the recovery bag 40, which suppresses the lifting, rotation, and shaking of the recovery bag 40 due to downwash, making it easier to recover it into the aircraft 100.

[0070] After recovering the recovery bag 40 into the aircraft 100, the first rope L1 is pulled, and the capture bag 45 is lifted out of the sea surface and recovered into the aircraft 100.

[0071] Bucket 20, which functioned as a sea anchor in the ocean, is lifted up along with the capture bag 45 while still filled with seawater, allowing the capture bag 45 to be recovered stably from the downwash. In addition, a hole is provided in the bottom of bucket 20. This allows seawater to be drained from the hole in bucket 20 before it is recovered on board the aircraft.

[0072] In this example, the recovery mechanism described uses a pulley 10 on which the second rope L2 is suspended and a weight 70 connected to the second rope L2 to recover the recovered material. However, the method is not limited to this, and recovery may be carried out using a reel, for example.

[0073] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10 pulleys, 20 buckets, 30, 32 fixed stoppers, 34, 36 movable stoppers, 40 retrieval bags, 45 capture bags, 60 reels, 70, 80 weights, 100 aircraft, CP retrieved items, L1~L3 1st~3rd ropes.

Claims

1. The first rope and, A sea anchor is dropped from a flying object capable of remaining stationary in the air, while connected to the first rope, A collection bag for collecting debris floating on the water surface, A second rope is connected to the aforementioned collection bag and is provided to be towable along the first rope, A locking mechanism that locks the collection bag at a predetermined position on the first rope when the second rope, which is connected to the collection bag containing the collected items, is pulled, A recovery device comprising a recovery mechanism that pulls a second rope while the first rope between the sea anchor and the locking mechanism is tensioned, thereby recovering the recovery bag from the flying object.

2. The collection bag further comprises a sea anchor equipped with a capture bag for capturing the recovered object, The recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the recovery bag is provided inside the capture bag so as to be separable from the capture bag.

3. The recovery device according to claim 2, further comprising at least one float provided for the capture bag.

4. The aforementioned locking mechanism is A fixing stopper is provided at a predetermined position on the first rope, The collection device according to claim 1, further comprising a movable stopper provided for the collection bag which is locked in the position of the fixed stopper.

5. The aforementioned fixing stopper includes first and second fixing stoppers, The movable stopper includes first and second movable stoppers for locking in their respective positions, corresponding to the first and second fixed stoppers, The first movable stopper is provided with respect to the opening of the collection bag, The recovery device according to claim 4, wherein the second movable stopper is provided on the bottom of the recovery bag.

6. The recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the sea anchor is a bucket with a hole in the bottom.

7. The steps include: dropping a sea anchor from a flying object capable of hovering in mid-air while it is connected to the first rope; The steps include collecting the floating debris in the water into a collection bag, A step of pulling a second rope that is connected to the aforementioned collection bag and is provided to be towable along the first rope, The steps include: when the second rope, which is connected to the collection bag containing the collected items, is towed, the collection bag is secured at a predetermined position on the first rope using a locking mechanism; A recovery method comprising the steps of: pulling the second rope while the first rope between the sea anchor and the locking mechanism is stretched, thereby recovering the recovery bag from the flying object.

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