Escape System Passage Stabilization in Heavy Weather
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evacuation systems, particularly those with angled or vertical passages, are not adequately designed to operate safely in heavy weather conditions such as force six weather with significant swell, as they are prone to hazardous lateral movements and cannot effectively manage the height difference between structures and inflatable crafts.
Innovation Solution
The escape system incorporates a platform and passage with engagement members, such as rails and recesses, that restrict transverse movement and include coupling mechanisms to prevent lifting, allowing for longitudinal movement while maintaining stability, and utilizes inflatable structures and guiding walls to ensure safe evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If an angled or vertical passage is provided to bridge the height difference between structure and inflatable crafts, then the evacuation system can handle significant freeboard (14-15 metres), but the passage is subjected to significant lateral movements in heavy weather which may make evacuation hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to lateral movements and wave actions. The passage can bend and flex to accommodate the relative motion between the structure and inflatable crafts while maintaining structural integrity and providing a stable evacuation path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the passage is made flexible to accommodate wave motion, then the system can operate in force six weather, but the passage may experience excessive movement that compromises evacuation safety
Solution Approach 1:
The passage utilizes materials and structural designs that change their physical parameters in response to environmental conditions. The passage can alter its stiffness, flexibility, or damping characteristics to maintain stability while accommodating wave motion, allowing it to operate safely in force six weather conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If engagement members are added to restrict transverse movement, then passage stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Engagement members such as rails and recesses are introduced as intermediary elements between the passage and the structure/platform. These intermediaries provide a simple mechanical constraint system that restricts transverse movement while allowing longitudinal movement, achieving stability without excessive complexity.
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 system enhances safety during evacuation in heavy weather by stabilizing the passage and platform, preventing hazardous movements, and ensuring secure access to inflatable crafts, even in challenging sea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The passage and/or the platform may be inflatable
Data Source
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AI summary
An escape system comprises a passage (1), a platform (3) and at least one craft (4), the platform (3) and the craft (4) being deployable from a structure (2) to water to facilitate evacuation of the structure via the passage. The passage is mounted to the platform such that the platform is urged towards the structure when deployed. The passage may be mounted to the platform such that movement of the passage relative to the platform is restricted in at least one direction. A plate (64) may support the passage, platform and/or craft during deployment, and/or stabilises the passage, platform and/or craft after deployment in the water.