Emergency Location Device Balloon Inflation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency location devices are inadequate for effectively enhancing visibility of individuals or objects in need of rescue, particularly in land or water situations, as they lack a reliable and efficient means to provide a visible signal to rescuers.
Innovation Solution
A field-deployable emergency location device comprising a tube body with a funnel configuration, a rescue balloon, a helium pressure cartridge, a filler ball valve, an LED strobe fob, and a charger valve, which inflates a Mylar rescue balloon to a visible height, equipped with a lanyard and safety mechanisms to prevent inadvertent deployment, allowing secure attachment to a person or object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If existing emergency location devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the visibility enhancement capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signaling functions (balloon inflation, LED strobe light, and visual markers) into a single integrated emergency location device. The tube body houses both the balloon inflation mechanism and the LED strobe assembly, allowing simultaneous deployment of visual signals to enhance visibility and attract rescuer attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple functions: the balloon provides high-altitude visual signaling, the LED strobe emits intermittent light signals, and the tube body structure itself serves as a visual marker. This multi-functionality addresses the insufficiency of existing single-function devices while maintaining portability.
2Reliability
If safety mechanisms are added to prevent inadvertent deployment, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A safety strip is introduced as an intermediary component between the balloon inflation system and the trigger mechanism. The safety strip must be deliberately removed or broken by the user before the device can be activated, preventing accidental deployment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device requires a preliminary action (removing the safety strip) before the main activation function can be performed. This preliminary step ensures that the device is intentionally activated only when the user is ready, improving reliability without requiring complex interlock mechanisms.
3Illumination intensity
If the rescue balloon is inflated to significant height, then the visibility and locate ability are improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a compressed gas cartridge (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to inflate the balloon to significant heights. This pneumatic system allows the balloon to reach high altitudes where it provides effective visibility and location signals without requiring the user to physically lift or inflate a heavy balloon manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the gas from compressed liquid/gas in the cartridge to expanded gas in the balloon, enabling the balloon to expand to large sizes and reach high altitudes. This parameter change allows effective signaling while keeping the stored gas volume (and thus weight) compact.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively enhances visibility by deploying a visible rescue balloon and LED strobe to a significant height, facilitating easier location by rescuers, thereby improving rescue operations in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
helium pressure cartridge inside the lumen of the tube body. The helium pressure cartridge is mounted such that its proximal end, i.e. top of the cartridge, abuts cartridge safety strip
Implementation Method 2
An LED strobe fob (with its own built-in battery) may be attached to the filler ball valve
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency location device with a deployable rescue balloon is presented. The balloon is housed in tube body in its stowed state with a frangible foil holding it in place at the proximal edge of the tube body. The device includes a ball valve attached to the opposite end of the balloon and further coupled to a charger valve. The charger valve includes a piercing needle configured to pierce a helium pressure tank thereby deploying and inflating the rescue balloon. The helium tank, the charger valve, and the ball valve are all enclosed in the lumen of the tube body. The balloon is attached to the inside of the tube body via a lanyard, which unravels when the balloon is deployed. A threaded cap coupled to the distal end of the tube body, which is also used to deploy the balloon, secures the helium pressure tank in the tube body.