UAV-Deployed Descent Device with Standoffs for Building Rescue
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-story buildings, limited egress routes during emergencies like fires can prevent occupants from self-rescuing, necessitating external rescue, which is often hindered by structural constraints and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a deployable descent device delivered and anchored by a station-keeping-capable personal flying device (PFD) or UAV, which induces tensile loads and uses standoffs to offset the device from the building surface, allowing for safe descent from elevated locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional egress routes are used in multi-story buildings, then occupants can self-rescue during emergencies, but the limited number of egress routes cannot handle high-occupancy buildings effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the rescue operation into multiple independent descent devices that can be deployed separately to different locations on the building facade. Each descent device operates independently, allowing parallel rescue operations from multiple floors and locations simultaneously, thereby dramatically increasing overall rescue capacity without requiring complex internal egress routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the rescue paradigm from horizontal movement through internal corridors to vertical descent along the building exterior. By utilizing the vertical dimension and building facade as the rescue pathway, the system bypasses the limitation of limited horizontal egress routes and enables simultaneous access to multiple occupied floors.
2Ease of operation
If external rescue operations are conducted near building facades, then access to elevated locations is improved, but structural constraints and obstacles hinder the rescue process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary anchoring system that connects the descent devices to secure attachment points on the building structure. These anchors serve as mediators between the rescue operation and the building facade, distributing loads to structurally sound areas while avoiding protruding obstacles. The anchors enable stable device positioning without requiring direct contact with problematic facade surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by positioning anchors and descent devices at specific locations on the building facade where structural conditions are favorable. Rather than requiring uniform access across the entire facade, the system identifies and utilizes localized areas with optimal structural properties for anchoring, thereby adapting to varying facade conditions at different locations.
3Ease of operation
If descent devices are deployed close to building surfaces, then occupancy access is improved, but the devices may contact protruding portions of the building
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs preliminary action by pre-positioning anchors on the building facade before deploying the descent devices. These anchors are installed in advance at optimal locations that account for potential contact with protruding building portions. By preparing the anchoring infrastructure beforehand, the system ensures that descent devices can be deployed reliably without encountering instability from building surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses counterbalancing forces through the anchor system to compensate for destabilizing contact between descent devices and protruding building portions. The anchors provide counteracting tension forces that maintain device stability even when parts of the descent path contact irregularities on the building facade, thereby preserving reliability while maintaining accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or manned/unmanned personal flying device (PFD) may be used to deliver a deployable descent system to an elevated location at which people await rescue, such as people trapped in an upper story of a burning building. The UAV or PFD may be used to deliver the descent system, attach the descent system to the building, and deploy the descent system. After deployment, the descent system may be tensioned to prevent sway and facilitate descent. Standoffs may be installed or integrated into the descent system to provide for adequate handholds for descending individuals. Various equipment and methods used in such systems are described herein.