Gas-Powered Rescue Launcher for Rip Current Flotation Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rip currents and moving water pose significant dangers to swimmers and rescuers, making traditional rescue methods risky and challenging, and there is a need for equipment that allows rescuers to save individuals in distress without endangering themselves.
Innovation Solution
A projectile launch device that rapidly deploys lifesaving equipment, such as flotation devices, using a gas storage vessel and actuating mechanism to launch projectiles from a launch frame, designed for easy operation by anyone in an emergency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rescuers manually assist individuals in distress in rip currents or moving water, then they can provide direct help, but they expose themselves to significant danger of drowning and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a projectile launch device as an intermediary tool that enables rescuers to deliver flotation devices to individuals in distress without direct water contact. The launch device acts as a mediator between the rescuer and the person in trouble, transferring the flotation device through air pressure propulsion rather than manual water delivery, thus eliminating the harmful factor of rescuer exposure to rip currents while maintaining rescue effectiveness
2Reliability
If swimmers try to fight the current and swim directly back to shore, then they can attempt to escape the rip current, but they become exhausted and increase the risk of drowning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flotation device from the rescuer's direct involvement and delivers it to the individual in distress using the projectile launch device. This removes the need for the person in water to manually struggle against the current, as the flotation device is propelled to them, significantly reducing their energy expenditure and improving their survival chance by eliminating the exhausting fight against the current
3Reliability
If a projectile launch device is designed with complex mechanisms for reliable operation, then it can ensure consistent projectile deployment, but it becomes difficult for untrained persons to operate in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the launch device with an automatic loading mechanism where the flotation device is pre-loaded into the launch frame, and the gas storage vessel automatically provides pressurized gas to propel the projectile when the trigger is activated. The system serves itself by automatically maintaining pressure, loading the projectile, and preparing for launch, requiring the user only to pull the trigger, thus ensuring reliable deployment while maintaining extreme operational simplicity for untrained users in emergency situations
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 safe and effective deployment of rescue equipment, reducing the risk to rescuers by allowing them to assist individuals in distress without exposing themselves to the dangers of rip currents or moving water.
Implementation Method 1
A projectile launch device may be used to rapidly deploy a projectile from a launch frame... comprising a gas storage vessel, a projectile launch frame, and an actuating head in fluid communication with both the gas storage vessel and the launch frame
Implementation Method 2
The plunger assembly may comprise a plug that seals both an first port between the actuating head and storage vessel and an second port between the actuating head and launch frame
Implementation Method 3
The trigger assembly may comprise an actuating handle that is configured to compress the bleed stem when actuated, forcing the release of air pressure from the internal cavity out of the actuating head through the guide port
Implementation Method 4
The resulting pressure differential between the internal cavity of the actuating head and the gas storage vessel allows the air pressure of the gas storage vessel to displace the plug of the plunger assembly from its position sealing the first port and second port
Implementation Method 5
The resulting rush of air pressure from the gas storage vessel to the launch frame forces the launch of the projectile from the launch frame
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile launch device capable of launching a variety of equipment, including flotation devices, predator deterrents, mooring lines and fire retardants, is disclosed. An exemplary projectile launch device in accordance with the present invention includes an actuating head, a gas storage vessel coupled to the actuating head, a launch frame coupled to the actuating head, and a trigger assembly coupled to the actuating head. A plunger assembly is positioned at least partially inside the actuating head, and a trigger assembly is operably connected to the plunger assembly to allow the release of air pressure from within the gas storage vessel to the projectile launch frame.