Patent Application
20230373595
The present disclosure relates to a maritime evacuation system to be installed on a vessel or offshore facility, comprising a storage unit to be installed on the vessel or offshore facility, at least two survival crafts, each having a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells, the survival crafts being configured to be stored in the storage unit in a deflated state, each survival craft comprises at least two engine powered propulsion means.
Inflatable survival craft having a high capacity in relation to persons have been introduced as maritime rescue and evacuation systems. The advantages of the inflatable survival crafts compared to normal rigid rescue boat are many. Inter alia the inflatable survival crafts do not occupy as much room on the vessel compared to the rigid rescue boats, when the inflatable survival crafts are stored in a deflated state on the vessel or offshore structure.
The deflated survival crafts are stored in a storage unit onboard the vessel or offshore structure for protecting the deflated structure of the survival crafts as well as other components of the survival craft, for instance the engine powered propulsion means, together with other equipment and components necessary for deployment of the survival crafts. Especially at sea the environment may have severe consequences on the evacuation system, due to humidity, saline content in the air, temperature alterations, wind for mention a few outside influences.
The engine powered propulsion means of the inflatable survival crafts are vital components since the survival craft has been fully loaded with passengers during a rescue operation, it is essential to the safety of the people on the survival craft that the survival craft can be sailed away, e.g. from a shipwreck, to avoid burning oil, suction forces from a sinking ship, tilting of the ship, etc. Hence all components of the maritime may function properly and as intended in the evacuation situation.
It is an object to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved maritime evacuation system with the aim of ensuring that the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue.
The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution by a maritime evacuation system to be installed on a vessel or offshore facility, comprising a storage unit to be installed on the vessel or offshore facility, at least two survival crafts, each having a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells, the survival crafts being configured to be stored in the storage unit in a deflated state, each survival craft comprises at least two engine powered propulsion means, the maritime evacuation system further comprising a central control unit being operatively connected with each engine powered propulsion means, wherein the central control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each engine powered propulsion means at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue.
Furthermore, each engine powered propulsion means may be powered by electricity, one or more power supply(ies) may be arranged in the survival craft for providing electricity to the engine powered propulsion means, the central control unit is operatively connected with each power supply, and the control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each power supply at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue.
In addition, one or more sensors, the sensor(s) may be arranged in the storage unit and/or in the survival crafts, the sensor(s) being configured to measure one or more parameters of the environment inside the storage unit and/or of one or more components arranged in the storage unit, the parameters may be temperature, humidity, pressure, gas content, pump running time/intervals, door open/closed time, actuator position and/or others in the storage unit, the control unit is operatively connected with the one or more sensors.
Moreover, each survival craft may be wirely connected with each other, the survival crafts being wirely connected with the central control unit.
Also, the survival crafts may be wirely connected with the central control unit with one wire or cable.
Furthermore, a craft cable break-away connector may be arranged between each survival craft for ensuring that the survival crafts can be separated and move independently in relation to each other after deployment.
Additionally, a unit cable break-away connector may be arranged between the survival crafts and the central control unit for ensuring that the survival crafts can be separated from the central control unit at deployment of the survival crafts.
Moreover, each of the craft cable break-away connector and the unit cable break-away connector may comprise a plug part and a receptable part, the plug part comprises a first plug end configured to be connected with a cable and a second plug end, the receptable part comprises a first receptable end configured to be connected with a cable and a second receptable end.
The second plug end may be configured to be connected with the second receptable end so that communication between the two cables is provided through the cable break-away connectors.
Also, the second plug end may be configured to be inserted into the second receptable end to provide a releasable connection between them.
The second plug end has one or more projections, the one or more projections is/are configured to engage one or more recesses provided in the second receptable end for providing a releasable connection between the second plug end and the second receptable end ensuring that the releasable connection first is released at a predetermined force, i.e. the force it takes to pull the one or more projections out of engagement with the one or more recesses.
Furthermore, the second plug end and the second receptable end may be configured to be water-tight when disconnected.
Additionally, the maritime evacuation system may comprise indication means being configured to disclose whether the maritime evacuation system is ready for rescue.
The indication means may be part of a controller of the vessel or offshore facility.
Also, the indication means may be arranged at the storage unit so that it is visible for the crew members that the specific evacuation system is ready for rescue or not.
Moreover, a temperature sensor may be arranged at the power supply in the survival crafts for measuring a temperature at the power supply in the survival crafts and/or a temperature of the power supply, the temperature sensor being operatively connected with the central control unit.
Furthermore, at each power supply in each the survival craft a temperature sensor may be arranged for measuring the temperature at the power supply in the survival crafts and/or the temperature of the power supply, each temperature sensor being operatively connected with the central control unit.
In addition, the maritime evacuation system may comprise one or more temperature altering device(s).
The storage unit may comprise one or more fans or ventilators for circulating and/or blowing tempered air at designated positions in the storage unit.
Furthermore, a fan or ventilator may be configured to blowing tempered air in the vicinity of the power supplies in the survival crafts for controlling the temperature of the power supplies.
The survival crafts in deflated state may be arranged on a yoke inside the storage unit. The yoke is configured to be moved out of the storage unit during deployment and be lowered into the water with the deflated survival crafts.
Furthermore, the central control unit may be configured to maintain the power supply in the survival crafts at a predetermined temperature. This may be performed by measuring the temperature of the power supplies or at the power supplies and on basis of the measured temperatures controlling the one or more temperature altering device(s) for tempering an air to the necessary temperature (either cooling or heating depending on the temperature of the power supplies) and then blowing or ventilating the tempered air to or near the power supplies for altering the temperatures of the power supplies until it reaches the predetermined temperature.
The predetermined temperature may be between 0 to 35 degrees Celsius, preferably around 20 degrees Celsius.
Moreover, the wires and/or cables may be configured to transport data and/or electricity.
Also, the engine powered propulsion means may be arranged in a shell of the survival craft.
In an embodiment, the maritime evacuation system comprises four survival crafts being arranged in the storage unit in the deflated state.
Furthermore, the craft cable break-away connectors between the survival crafts may be configured to break during inflation of each survival craft and/or during separation of one survival craft from another when they sail away.
Moreover, the unit cable break-away connector or unit cable break-away connectors between the survival crafts and the central control unit may be configured to break when the survival crafts are being moved out of the storage unit during deployment of the survival crafts.
In addition, each survival craft may have a craft control unit, the craft control unit being configured to control the engine powered propulsion means of the survival craft.
One of the craft control units may be configured to be a master craft control unit which may control the other craft control units before the survival crafts are separated.
Also disclosed is a vessel or offshore facility comprising a maritime evacuation system as described above.
The maritime evacuation system and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which
All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the maritime evacuation system, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.
The maritime evacuation system 100 comprises a storage unit 2 to be installed on the vessel 1. In
The storage unit 2 comprises at least two survival crafts 5, each survival craft 5 having a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells. The survival crafts 5 being configured to be stored in the storage unit in a deflated state as seen in
Furthermore, each survival craft 5 comprises at least two engine powered propulsion means facilitating maneuverability of the survival craft 5 when inflated.
In
In the present embodiment the evacuation system 100 comprises four survival crafts 5 which all are supported by the yoke 8. In other embodiments the maritime evacuation system 100 may comprise two, three or even a higher number. Each survival craft may have a capacity of more than 150 persons, preferably higher such as more than 200 persons.
In addition, the storage unit 2 may also comprise evacuation chutes 10 so persons may be evacuated from the vessel to the inflated survival crafts 5 when deployed into the water.
In
In
In the present embodiment the four survival crafts 5 are mutual connected to each other so that they during deployment and evacuation may be positioned together.
Each survival craft 5 having a hull 13, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes 14 and one or more shells 15. In the present embodiment each survival craft 5 has four shells 15 arranged in each corner of the survival craft 5. In other not shown embodiments each survival craft may have a different number of shells. For instance, a survival craft may have only one shell functioning as a pod. The shells are preferably made of a rigid material, such as metal, a polymeric material, a fiber reinforced material, a composite or any combination thereof.
In the present embodiment each shell comprises an engine powered propulsion means, a power supply and a propeller or a water jet. In the present embodiment each engine powered propulsion means is powered by electricity, one or more power supply(ies) is/are arranged in the survival craft, preferably in the shells, for providing electricity to the engine powered propulsion means, the central control unit is operatively connected with each power supply, and the control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each power supply at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue.
Furthermore, the maritime evacuation system 100 further comprising a central control unit 16 being operatively connected with each engine powered propulsion means 7. The central control unit is shown in
The central control unit 16 is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each engine powered propulsion means 7 at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system 100 meets the requirements for being ready for rescue. The requirements for being ready to rescue are inter alia different parameters of the different components, such as pressure in gas containers, communication, power supply status, motor functionality, etc.
In addition, the central control unit may comprise a warning and alarm system. A warning is a signal to flag something is wrong, that is not critical for the maritime evacuation system to be deployed. Alarm is a signal to flag a fault in the maritime evacuation system.
In the present embodiment the engine powered propulsion means 7 are each powered by electricity. The central control unit 16 is operatively connected with each power supply, and the control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each power supply at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system 100 meets the requirements for being ready for rescue. Hereby it is ensured that the power supply is able to supply sufficient power so that the survival craft is able to maneuver and propel away from the vessel.
In
In
Furthermore, each survival craft 5 is wirely connected with each other, the survival crafts 5 being wirely connected with the central control unit 16. In
In an embodiment when the maritime evacuation system is stored in the storage unit, the survival craft controller is in charge, and control all motor units. When the maritime evacuation system is being deployed, the survival crafts are independently controlled. The engine powered propulsion means are all equal.
In another embodiment one of the craft control units 18 is configured to be a master craft control unit which may control the other craft control units before the survival crafts 5 are separated so that all survival crafts 5 may be control by the master craft control unit, for instance during positioning of the survival crafts 5 along the vessel side.
Furthermore, a craft cable break-away connector 22 is arranged between each survival craft 5 for ensuring that the survival crafts 5 can be separated and move independently in relation to each other after deployment. The craft break-away cable connectors 22 between the survival crafts 5 are configured to break during inflation of each survival craft and/or during separation of one survival craft from another.
In addition, a unit cable break-away connector 23 is arranged between the survival crafts 5 and the central control unit 16 for ensuring that the survival crafts 5 can be separated from the central control unit 16 at deployment of the survival crafts 5. The unit break-away cable connector 23 between the survival crafts 5 and the central control unit 16 is configured to break when the survival crafts 5 are being moved out of the storage unit 2 during deployment of the survival crafts 5.
In another embodiment two unit cable break-away connectors 23 may be arranged between the survival crafts 5 and the central control unit 16 for a redundant constellation.
In
In
Preferably the power supply is a battery when the engine powered propulsion means runs on electricity. However, in another embodiment the engine powered propulsion means may be a combustion engine in which circumstance the power supply may be a fuel. However, presently electricity as power supply is preferred.
In the circumstance that the power supply is a battery, the maritime evacuation system may comprise one or more battery charger(s). The battery charger is arranged within the storage unit. In another embodiment it may be arranged outside the storage unit.
In addition, the battery charger and/or parts of the cables or wires and/or the connectors may be fully or partly covered or shielded off for minimizing electromagnetic interference to the other components.
In
The second plug end 27 has one or more projections 30, the one or more projections 30 is/are configured to engage one or more recesses 31 provided in the second receptable end 29 for providing a releasable connection between the second plug end 27 and the second receptable end 29 ensuring that the releasable connection first is released at a predetermined force, i.e. the force it takes to pull the one or more projections 30 out of engagement with the one or more recesses 31. The projections 30 may be spring-loaded itself or be arranged on a member 32 which may be moved inwardly when the predetermined force is reached.
The cable break-away connectors 22, 23 are watertight when connected. However, the second plug end 27 and the second receptable end 29 are configured to be watertight when disconnected as well.
In another not shown embodiment the cable break-away connectors may be magnetic connectors.
In
Furthermore, a temperature sensor 35 is arranged at the power supply 17 in the survival crafts 5 for measuring a temperature at the power supply 17 in the survival crafts 5 and/or a temperature of the power supply 17, the temperature sensor 35 being operatively connected with the central control unit 16. In addition, a pressure sensor (not shown) may also be arranged for measuring the pressure.
The maritime evacuation system 100 may also comprise one or more temperature altering device(s) 36 arranged in the storage unit 2 or at the storage unit 2. The temperature altering devices may use the vessel's climate equipment or it may be part of the storage unit. The temperature altering devices 36 may be configured to alter the temperature of the inside of the storage unit 2 or an area of the inside of the storage unit 2. The temperature altering device may also be configured to function as climate device for altering the humidity of the inside and/or ventilating the inside of the storage unit 2. In addition, the maritime evacuation system 100 may comprise a second climate device to control the climate inside the storage unit. The second climate device may be a dehumidifier.
The central control unit 16 is configured to maintain the power supply 17 in the survival crafts 5 at a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, the central control unit is also configured to monitor the power level of each power supply 17 and to charge the power supply if it reaches a predetermined lower power level.
The predetermined temperature is between 0 to 35 degrees Celcius, preferably around 20 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, the maritime evacuation system 100 may also comprise indication means 37 being configured to disclose whether the maritime evacuation system 100 is ready for rescue. In
In
Although the maritime evacuation system has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the system, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the system as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20196563.9 | Sep 2020 | EP | regional |
This application is the US National Stage under 35 USC § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/075510, filed 16 Sep. 2021 which claims priority to European Application No. 20196563.9 filed 17 Sep. 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/075510 | 9/16/2021 | WO |
