Helical Inflatable Slide for Marine Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing escape 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 blockages due to varying freeboard heights.
Innovation Solution
A helical inflatable slide system with interlaced or intertwined double helix configurations, featuring spacing means like elastically deformable cables or winch systems to maintain a consistent pitch and prevent blockages, and inflatable drop stitch material for strength and stability, along with a bowsing arrangement for secure attachment, allowing for safe evacuation in adverse weather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an angled or vertical passage is provided for evacuation, then the passage can extend between the evacuation point and the inflatable crafts, but the passage is subjected to significant lateral movements in heavy weather which may make evacuation hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is configured as a helical (curved) structure instead of a straight angled or vertical passage. This helical configuration provides lateral stability by distributing forces along the curved path, reducing the impact of lateral movements during heavy weather while maintaining evacuation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the freeboard height varies due to weather conditions, then the passage length must adjust, but this may cause blockages in the passage
Solution Approach 1:
The passage incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through telescopic sections and flexible materials that allow the passage length to change with varying freeboard heights. The helical configuration with controlled pitch ensures that adjustments maintain adequate spacing between turns, preventing blockages while adapting to different water levels.
3Reliability
If a helical configuration is used to improve stability, then lateral movements are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical passage is constructed using flexible inflatable tubes rather than rigid complex structures. This allows the helical configuration to be achieved with simpler components that can naturally accommodate lateral movements and weather conditions, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the passage is made flexible to accommodate movement, then adaptability to weather conditions improves, but the manufacturing precision and structural integrity become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The passage utilizes composite construction combining flexible inflatable tubes with internal stiffening elements and reinforcement layers. This composite structure provides the necessary flexibility for weather adaptability while maintaining structural integrity and achieving required manufacturing precision through integrated design of multiple material layers.
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 helical inflatable slide system enhances evacuation safety and efficiency by maintaining a consistent passage length and preventing blockages, even in varying weather conditions, while the bowsing arrangement ensures secure attachment to the structure, facilitating faster and safer evacuation.
Implementation Method 1
The spacing means may comprise a plurality of elastically deformable cables extending along the slide, the cables being attached to the slide at spaced apart locations along the length of the slide and being held in tension.
Implementation Method 2
inflatable drop stitch material for strength and stability
Implementation Method 3
The or each helical inflatable path may be configured to extend generally vertically between the structure and the water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6C
AI summary
An escape system comprises a slide for facilitating evacuation of from a structure to water, wherein the slide comprises at least one helical inflatable path. The or each helical inflatable path may be configured to extend generally vertically between the structure and the water. The slide may comprise a plurality of helical inflatable paths. The slide may comprise spacing means for controlling the pitch between helix turns of the or each of the helical inflatable paths. A bowsing arrangement for the slide is also disclosed.