Inflatable Bladder Recovery Device for Submerged Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recovery devices for submerged personal recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, lack an efficient method to locate and retrieve the vehicle and assist the rider in escaping, especially after breaking through ice.
Innovation Solution
A recovery device comprising an inflatable bladder with a compressed fluid canister, an opening mechanism triggered by water detection, and a tether that allows the bladder to float to the surface and pull the vehicle out, along with optional ice picks for rider assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the bladder is made large enough to suspend the vehicle or rider, then the buoyancy and support capability is improved, but the device complexity and storage difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery device is divided into separate functional components: an inflatable bladder for buoyancy, a canister with compressed fluid for inflation, an opening mechanism triggered by moisture sensor, and a tether for vehicle attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and stored separately, reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective buoyancy force.
Solution Approach 2:
The un-inflated bladder is designed to fit within the canister when not in use, creating a nested configuration. This nesting principle allows the large-volume bladder (when inflated) to be stored in a compact form factor within the canister, reducing storage space requirements and device complexity without compromising the buoyancy capability when deployed.
2Force
If the bladder volume is increased to improve flotation capability, then the buoyancy is improved, but the storage volume requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The un-inflated bladder is designed to fit within the canister when not in use, creating a nested configuration. This nesting principle allows the large-volume bladder (when inflated) to be stored in a compact form factor within the canister, reducing storage space requirements and device complexity without compromising the buoyancy capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder undergoes a dramatic parameter change in volume from its deflated state (fitting within the canister) to its inflated state (providing sufficient buoyancy). This parameter change is achieved through the introduction of compressed fluid from the canister, allowing the device to transition between compact storage and effective deployment states.
3Ease of operation
If automatic inflation mechanism is added to improve ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation mechanism is automatically triggered by a moisture sensor that detects water contact, eliminating the need for manual activation. When the sensor detects moisture, it automatically opens the canister and releases compressed fluid to inflate the bladder. This self-service approach improves ease of operation during emergency use while keeping the activation mechanism simple and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses compressed fluid (gas or liquid) stored in the canister to automatically inflate the bladder upon activation. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism provides rapid, forceful inflation without requiring manual pumping or complex mechanical systems, achieving automatic operation with relatively simple components.
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
Enables easy identification and retrieval of submerged vehicles and aids the rider in escaping by providing buoyancy and a means to pull the vehicle from the water, while not being sized to suspend the vehicle or rider.
Implementation Method 1
The canister can contain a compressed fluid and be coupled with the bladder. The opening mechanism can be configured to selectively open the canister and direct the compressed fluid into the bladder.
Implementation Method 2
The bladder in the inflated configuration can define a volume of less than one-tenth of a cubic meter. The recovery device can also allow the vehicle to be recovered by having a tether that can be used to pull the vehicle from its resting place; the bladder is not sized to suspend the vehicle or the rider.
Data Source
AI summary
A recovery device can include a bladder, a canister, an opening mechanism, and a tether. The bladder can be disposable in an inflated configuration and an un-inflated configuration. The canister can contain a compressed fluid and be coupled with the bladder. The opening mechanism can be configured to selectively open the canister and direct the compressed fluid into the bladder. The tether can extend between a first end coupled to the bladder and a second end engageable with a vehicle. The bladder in the inflated configuration can define a volume of less than one-tenth of a cubic meter.