Submariner's individual life raft

Abstract

FIELD: individual life-saving equipment.SUBSTANCE: submariner's individual life raft (SILR) includes a buoyancy chamber with an inflatable bottom and a compressed air cylinder with a valve, an awning, inflatable arch-shaped frames connected by stringers, and a canopy. The awning is made with a hood and is connected to it using a zipper. Petal valves are installed on the frames and the buoyancy chamber to allow compressed air to enter them.EFFECT: probability of rescuing submariners from a distressed submarine is increased, significantly increasing their survival time on the surface of the water.1 cl, 3 dwg

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of marine rescue technology and concerns the creation of an individual rescue device designed for the long-term protection of a submariner on the surface of the water from hypothermia in low temperatures and stormy weather.

[0002] The Russian Navy's submariner rescue equipment (SRE) is designed to ensure the independent exit of submariners from a distressed submarine [1, 2]. The SRE includes the SGP-K submariner's rescue diving suit with insulation. The SRE does not provide for additional measures to protect against hypothermia.

[0003] The disadvantage of the SSP is that it provides protection against hypothermia at water temperatures of up to 2°C for no more than 6 hours. Survival of a diver on the surface after this time is unlikely.

[0004] The submarine rescue equipment of the NATO naval forces of the Mk-10, Mk-11 type is known, which includes an individual life raft [3, 4]. Studies of the thermal protective properties of the Mk-11 rescue equipment showed that the maximum time a submariner can stay in given conditions without harm to health was 24 hours at a water and air temperature of about 2°C and a wind of 15 m / s [5]. The individual life raft, included in the Mk-10, Mk-11 submariner equipment, was adopted as a prototype.

[0005] A drawback of the prototype is that the individual life raft is stored in a separate pouch on the outer left thigh of the diving suit. After exiting the stricken submarine and surfacing, the raft inflates separately, making it quite difficult for an exhausted diver to climb into it in stormy weather.

[0006] The objective of the invention is to develop a design for an individual submarine life raft that is free from the said drawback.

[0007] To solve the problem, a personal life raft for a submariner is proposed, including a buoyancy chamber with an inflatable bottom, an awning with a hood, inflatable frames, stringers, a canopy, zippers and a compressed air cylinder with a valve.

[0008] The individual submarine life raft (ISPR) in the working position (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) consists of a buoyancy chamber 1 with an inflatable bottom 2, an awning 3 with a hood 4, inflatable frames 5 and 6 having an arch shape, connected by stringers 7. The hood 4 is connected to the awning 3 with a zipper 8. To inflate the ISPR, a compressed air cylinder 9 with a valve 10 is used.

[0009] During routine use, the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is stored on the submarine in its rolled-up stowed position. In an emergency, the SCBA is used as follows. The submariner, having donned the rescue gear, unfolds the SCBA and places the hood 4 on his head over the helmet (Fig. 3). The hood has a window 11 covered with transparent plastic for visibility. The submariner then fastens the SCBA with his waist belt. The lower end of the SCBA 12 should be raised and fastened to the bottom 2 of the SCBA with a textile fastener (Velcro) 13 so as not to interfere with the submariner's movement within the submarine compartment. In this position, the submariner enters the airlock of the submarine's escape hatch and dons the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Next, the diver unhooks the lower end of the ISPP 12 from the bottom 2, fills the hood 4 with air, enters the airlock and surfaces.

[0010] On the surface, to inflate the floating raft, the diver opens valve 10 on cylinder 9. The floating raft inflation process occurs as follows. Air initially enters frame 5, turning the raft so that canopy 3 is facing upward. This ensures the raft's self-righting properties. Air then enters stringers 7 through petal valve 14. From the stringers, it enters frame 6, from which, through petal valve 15, it enters buoyancy chamber 1, and from there, through petal valve 2 in the bottom. The petal valve system allows the pressure in the frames to be higher than that in the buoyancy chamber. Furthermore, it maintains pressure in individual cavities of the floating raft if one of them loses its seal.

[0011] After the raft is operational, the diver, even if exhausted, finds himself in a supine position on the raft (Fig. 1). He can remove his helmet and IDU. To protect against rain and flooding, the diver can close the raft with canopy 16 by fastening zipper 8 on frame 5.

[0012] At night, the diver activates the flashing beacon 17 (a flashing lamp) on the ISPP awning (it has a water-activated rechargeable battery). This can be done through cutout 18 in the awning.

[0013] The proposed design of the raft allows the diver to change position, turn from back to front and back, sit up, and survey the surrounding area by sticking their head through the opening 18 at the top of the tent. There are also arm openings on the sides of the raft, allowing the diver to paddle and move around (Fig. 2). These openings can be closed with zippered flaps if necessary.

[0014] The diver's rescue diving suit, with its insulated liner and protection from cold water due to its placement on the raft, provides the diver with long-term protection from hypothermia. The raft's design prevents entrapment and flooding in stormy and rainy weather thanks to the hood and flap, which can be zipped closed.

[0015] Thus, the ISPP allows the rescued submariner to exist on the surface for a long time while waiting for the arrival of rescuers or another passing vessel.

[0016] The proposed individual submarine life raft can also be used to rescue crew members of surface ships in the absence of collective rescue equipment.

[0017] The new distinctive features of the proposed individual submarine life raft are:

[0018] - the presence of inflatable frames, which gives the raft the property of self-restoration and prevents the diver from choking;

[0019] - the presence in the raft design of solutions that allow the rescued submariner to be isolated from adverse external factors.

[0020] The advantages of the proposed invention are:

[0021] - the ability for a rescued submariner to immediately find himself on the raft after it is brought into working position;

[0022] - Increases the survival time of a submariner on the surface, including when exhausted.

[0023] The use of the invention will increase the likelihood of rescuing submariners from a distressed submarine, significantly increasing their survival time on the surface of the water.

[0024] Literature

[0025] 1. Submarine rescue equipment SSP. Technical description and operating instructions. 9B2.930.319TO, 1991. - 77 p.

[0026] 2. Slesarev O.M. Rescue equipment, devices and systems of submarines. - St. Petersburg, 2012. - 84 p. P. 39-43.

[0027] 3. Independent rescue of submariners: analytical report, issue 5 / FSUE "TsKB MT "Rubin". - St. Petersburg, July 2006. - 140 p.

[0028] 4. Kazin D. Rescue system for submarine crews of the NATO navies / / Foreign Military Review No. 7, 2013, pp. 77-85.

[0029] 5. Bardam D.A. Rescue of the crews of sunken submarines. St. Petersburg - Lomonosov. 2023. - 226 p.

Claims

An individual submarine life raft (ISRP) comprising a buoyancy chamber with an inflatable bottom and a compressed air cylinder with a valve, an awning, inflatable arch-shaped frames connected by stringers, and a canopy, distinguished by the fact that the awning is made with a hood and connected to it by means of a zipper, while petal valves are installed on the frames and the buoyancy chamber to allow compressed air to enter them.

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