Integrated Coupling Device for Underwater Rescue Submarine Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current underwater rescue methods face challenges in quickly and safely evacuating personnel from submarines at great depths due to high ambient pressure, which can lead to buoyancy issues and increased risk of diving sickness, as well as the complexity of managing separate connections for breathing air and fixation during the rescue process.

Innovation Solution

A coupling device that integrates a mechanical connection and breathing air supply between the underwater rescue suit and the submarine, allowing for simultaneous detachment of both connections, reducing the time spent under high pressure and enhancing safety by automating the release mechanism, particularly through quick coupling and delay circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a rescue suit with high buoyancy (approximately 500 N) is used for rapid ascent, then the ascent speed and rescue time are improved, but the person becomes extremely difficult to secure during the lock process and may float up and block the lock

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveascent speedVSAvoidease of securing the person
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mechanical connection for securing the person and the breathing air supply connection into a single integrated coupling device. This allows both connections to be made and released simultaneously, simplifying the operation during the lock process and ensuring that the person remains securely positioned despite the high buoyancy force of 500 N.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is designed with separate functional components: a mechanical connection element for force transmission and a breathing air supply element, both integrated into a single coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function while maintaining simultaneous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate connections for mechanical securing and breathing air supply are used, then each function can be optimized independently, but the release process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidnumber of connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mechanical connection and breathing air supply connection into a single integrated coupling device that can be connected and disconnected as one unit. This reduces the complexity of managing multiple separate connections while maintaining the functional benefits of both systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If multiple separate connections need to be disconnected during release, then each connection can be independently controlled, but the total release time increases and exposure to high pressure is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent controlVSAvoidrelease time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated coupling device allows simultaneous disconnection of both the mechanical connection and breathing air supply connection through a single release action. This dramatically reduces the release time and minimizes the person's exposure to high ambient pressure during the evacuation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the mechanical connection is designed to withstand high buoyancy forces (500 N), then the securing reliability is improved, but the coupling device becomes more complex and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the high-strength mechanical connection into a compact coupling device that combines both securing and breathing air supply functions. This integration maintains the reliability needed to withstand 500 N buoyancy forces while simplifying the overall operation through a single coupling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution simplifies and accelerates the rescue process by reducing the time spent under high pressure, minimizing the risk of diving sickness, and ensuring secure fixation and air supply, while allowing for efficient evacuation of multiple personnel simultaneously.

Implementation Method 1

A rescue suit provides buoyancy, enabling rapid ascent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

The mechanical connection serves to absorb the buoyancy force generated by the underwater rescue suit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3371045B1Underwater rescue
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYST GMBH
  • EP3371045B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3371045B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3371045B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a coupling device for coupling an underwater rescue suit to a submarine (10), wherein a mechanical connection (40) and a connection for supplying breathing air (50) is established/can be established between the underwater rescue suit and the submarine (10) by way of the coupling device. Upon releasing the coupling device, the mechanical connection (40) and the connection for supplying breathing air (50) can be released simultaneously.