Integrated Umbilical Assembly for Stable Gas, Power, and Data Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to integrate breathing gases, energy sources, communications, and data acquisition into a single, lightweight, easily transportable system that can operate in adverse environments, and do not provide redundant and replenishable safety tethers, power distribution, and real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A flexible umbilical system that combines breathing gases, energy sources, communications, and data acquisition, with a safety tether, featuring an Inlet Pressure Regulator to stabilize gas pressure, redundant gas supply, and integrated modules for power distribution and monitoring, allowing for flexible deployment and real-time data recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate systems (tether, gas, communications, diagnostics, data and power lines) are grouped together within a flexible shield, then the system becomes integrated and easier to transport, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate umbilical lines (tether, gas, communications, diagnostics, data and power) into a single integrated flexible shield assembly. This merging allows all systems to be transported and deployed together as one unit, eliminating the need to handle multiple separate cables and hoses, thereby improving ease of operation and transport while managing complexity through unified design
2Strength
If the tether is designed to carry the full lifting capacity of the user/responder, then the tether can support heavy loads, but the overall system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional responsibilities of the umbilical system by assigning the lifting capacity function exclusively to the tether component, while other lines (gas, power, data) are designed only for their specific functions. This segmentation allows the tether to be optimized for strength without requiring all other components to contribute to load-bearing, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining full lifting capacity
3Reliability
If an Inlet Pressure Regulator is added to stabilize gas pressure from variant sources, then gas delivery reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Inlet Pressure Regulator as an intermediary component between the gas source and the gas delivery system. This regulator mediates the pressure variations from different gas sources (tanks or compressor) and stabilizes the pressure before gas enters the umbilical delivery system, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex control systems or multiple regulators throughout the system
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 provides a reliable, compact, and easily transportable solution for uninterrupted delivery of gas, power, and data in adverse environments, enhancing safety and efficiency by integrating redundant systems and real-time monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The system incorporates an Inlet Pressure Regulator to stabilize pressure from variant high pressure sources such as tanks or compressor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An umbilical system for sourcing and delivering within a flexible protective covering, a plurality of different breathing gasses, safety tether, a plurality of ancillary lines for documentable, multidirectional, multi-format data/communications acquisition and delivery, personal/situational awareness and ancillary power sources for tool, accessory or device enervation, to a User in an adverse environment.