Inflatable Life Preserver Gun Launch System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable life preservers face challenges in achieving long-distance launch and accuracy due to inflation before launch, and require manual throwing, which limits distance and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A compact and aerodynamic inflatable life preserver designed to be launched from a gun in an uninflated state, with an outer layer that disintegrates or ruptures upon water contact, activating a water-activated inflator to inflate the device, allowing it to be propelled over great distances while maintaining accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the life preserver is inflated before launch, then the life preserver provides flotation capability, but the aerodynamic drag increases and launch distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The life preserver is prepared in an uninflated state before launch, allowing it to be propelled as a compact projectile. Inflation occurs after water contact through automatic detection, ensuring optimal aerodynamics during flight while maintaining flotation capability upon deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The inflation process is segmented into distinct phases: pre-launch uninflated state for optimal aerodynamics, water contact detection phase, and post-deployment inflated state for flotation. This temporal segmentation resolves the contradiction between needing compact size for launch and inflated size for function
2Length of moving object
If the life preserver is launched from a gun, then the launch distance increases, but the device must be thrown by hand which limits distance
Solution Approach 1:
The life preserver system includes automatic water-activated detection and inflation mechanisms that eliminate the need for manual operation during deployment. The device automatically detects water contact and initiates inflation without requiring manual throwing or intervention, resolving the contradiction between automated gun launch and manual throwing limitations
3Measurement precision
If the life preserver is launched in an aerodynamic configuration, then the launch accuracy improves, but the device must maintain compact shape which limits flotation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The life preserver transitions dynamically between two states: a compact aerodynamic configuration during flight for accuracy, and an expanded flotation configuration after water contact. This dynamic state change allows the device to optimize for launch performance and then for rescue function, resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic shape and flotation effectiveness
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 the life preserver to be launched over 100 feet or more with improved accuracy and distance, maintaining a compact configuration until water entry, ensuring effective rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
When water contacts the article, an automatic inflator is activated
Implementation Method 2
The inflator, in turn, delivers compressed air into the interior of the article to inflate it
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an inflatable article that is designed to be launched to an intended target. The article is launched by a gun in an un-inflated state and inflates upon contacting water. The target can be, for example, a person being rescued. The article is initially stored in an outer layer of material. The outer layer of material may be shrink-wrap or a foam layer. The outer layer permits the article to be retained in a compact configuration prior to being launched. This, in turn, allows the article to be launched over great distances. The outer layer is designed to rupture upon inflation of the article.