This disclosure relates to a system and method for a tsunami pod.
Historically, tsunamis have caused many casualties spanning many countries. Since 2000, there have been two very deadly tsunamis recorded: the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami estimated to claims 230,000 and 310,000 of lives and the recent 2011 Pacific Ocean tsunami that caused around 20,000 deaths in Japan. A tsunami is a series of massive waves resulting from a large displacement of overlying water, often caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or underwater landslides.
Over the years experts have tried to determine when and where a tsunami will occur. There are some early warning systems being used to detect tsunamis in advance. One system uses seismic data to determine a possible threat, and sends a warning to the general public. However, within minutes of detection, a tsunami waves can reach a coastline, giving little time for a local community to prepare and to flee to a higher ground or find suitable shelter. Moreover, running to a higher ground or higher structures can be impossible as not every coastline would have sturdy buildings or mountains nearby. Additionally, the danger of tsunami can last for more than an hour and can even occur a few days following its first hit. Therefore, it is imperative that the locals have enough supply of food, water, and emergency kit (such as flashlights, battery, radio, etc.) that can sustain them for days. However, since tsunami can occur rapidly the affected locals may have no time to prepare essential supplies that can help them conveniently survive during and after a tsunami.
Tsunami deaths are mainly caused by direct impact of tsunami flow, drowning at the site of the tsunami, being washed away into the ocean, slamming of bodies onto objects, and collisions with floating debris. To help prevent such occurrences a tsunami pod has been developed. Presently an existing tsunami pod exists on the market. A tsunami pod is a pod that one or more person can enter during a tsunami. The tsunami pod prevents water from entering, thereby preserving life inside.
The spherical shape of existing pods allows for significant movement in all directions. As a consequence the person inside may be jostled significantly, causing sickness and injury. Additionally, existing pods do not provide proper mooring that could prevent a user from being swept out to sea. Further, present systems do not adequately absorb shock and minimize forces exerted on the user or users inside.
As such, it would be useful to have an improved tsunami pod.
An improved tsunami pod is described herein. In one embodiment, the tsunami pod can comprise a body and a ring fender. The body can comprise a top portion, a middle portion, and a base. The base can be wider than the middle portion, and the middle portion can be wider than the top portion. The ring fender can extend out around the base.
In addition, the disclosure discusses a method for offering protection from a tsunami. Specifically, the method can comprise placing a tsunami pod on a coast. The tsunami pod can comprise a body and a ring fender. The body can comprise a top portion, a middle portion, and a base. The base can be wider than the middle portion, and the middle portion can be wider than the top portion. The ring fender can extend out around the base.
Described herein is a system and method for a tsunami sheltering pod. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
The round or high order polygon shape (ideally five or greater) of body 101 can ensure that tsunami pod 100 does not get stuck and/or trapped between any large floating objects or structures. This shape can also reduce wind loads and water loads during a tsunami.
Side hatch 102 can be an entrance and/or an exit from tsunami pod 100. Side hatch 102 can have a watertight design to ensure that no water can pass through side hatch 102 into tsunami pod 100. Side hatch 102 can be fastened at bottom portion 101c and opens downward. As such, side hatch 102 can be pulled from the top and drag it towards the ground through a handle 105. Handle 105 can allow a passenger to easily open and access tsunami pod 100.
Top hatch 103 can be an opening at the top of body 101 that can serve as an extra opening in case side hatch 102 is obstructed or in case tsunami pod 100 drifts of to the sea. Furthermore, top hatch 103 can be a safe opening for a passenger when sending distress signals and/or flares. Additionally, aircraft rescuers can have an easier access through top hatch 103 as it provides a fast and safe exit point from above. Top hatch 103 can further comprise a canopy 106 that can serve as a sun screen cover for top hatch 103. As such, canopy 106 can be installed above top hatch 103 and attached through a fastener such as tow lugs. Top hatch 103 can further comprise of one or more recessed pad-eye 107. Pad-eye 107 can serve as hand support as a person tries to access and/or escape through top hatch 103. Pad-eye 107 can be an attachment point used by rescuers for temporarily attaching tsunami pod 100 with rescue transport such as helicopters and ships.
Further, body 101 can comprise a window 108 placed in middle portion 101b. Window 108 can be a small sealed orifice made of unbreakable transparent material such as fiber glass, and hard plastics. Window 108 can be impact resistant and made of thick wall glass, which is fully recessed into the walls of body 101. Furthermore, window 108 can serve as small viewing window that allow passage of light and gives the survivor an option to view the condition or see what's happening outside of the tsunami pod 100.
Base 104 can be a platform wherein body 101 rests. In one embodiment base 104 can be made up of heavy materials that can stabilize and ensure that tsunami pod 100 is kept afloat. Base 104 can further connect to a mooring system 109. Mooring system 109 can comprise of several devices that can be used for keeping tsunami pod 100 floating within the mooring area.
Middle layer 202 can be made up of resilient materials, which can include but are not limited to foam, fiber pouches, or simply air. In any of these embodiments, middle layer can comprise compartments 204. Middle layer 202 can also be the section that provides the desired buoyancy to tsunami pod 100. Furthermore, middle layer 202 can be used for sound and/or vibration dampening. These properties can aid in calming and lessening ear strain, headaches, and/or stress experienced by people inside tsunami pod 100. Middle layer 202 can also dampen shock impulses, which helps in dissipating kinetic energy from wave motions. Moreover, middle layer 202 separates outer shell 201 and inner shell 203, which can prevent and/or reduce malfunctions and damage from corrupting inner shell 203.
Inner shell 203 can be the interior layer of body 101. Inner shell 203 can be made of light materials that have high resistance to deformation such as steel, aluminum, or fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP). Moreover, inner shell 203 can last longer and requires less maintenance. Further, multiple watertight compartments 204 can be created in nodes wherein outer wall and inner wall are connected that also serves as an additional protection during a collision. Top portion of inner shell 203 can also be installed with LED light fixtures to ensure that enough lighting is provided within tsunami pod 100.
Anchor 303 can be a device that is used to temporarily affix tsunami pod 100 to the seabed. Tsunami pod 100 can use various type of burying anchor which can include but are not limited to fluke anchor, hinged plow anchor, claw anchor, and/or any conventional maritime anchor. Type of anchor 303 that can be used varies depending on the location of tsunami pod 100. Such types of anchor 303 can have a compact flat design and can be light weight so it can be easily retrieved and stored when needed. Anchor 303 can be pre-installed at site or optionally could be deployed at will, when required at the time of tsunami. When a current or a wave is encountered during a tsunami, tsunami pod 100 can resist movement accordingly with anchor 303.
Cavity 503 can be the empty space created within inner shell 203. Cavity 503 can serve as a passengers sitting area. As such inner shell 203 can comprise of padding 505. Padding 505 can provide protection and comfort for the passenger of tsunami pod 100. As such, padding 505 can be made up of light, soft, and/or pillow material such as felt, feathers, fabrics, and/or wool.
Storage 504 can be a commode within bottom portion 101c. Storage 504 can further comprise a door 506. Door 506 can be a movable panel that serves as a barrier device in providing access to storage 504. Door 506 can employ different closure and/or lock mechanism. For purpose of this disclosure, lock system mentioned herein can use various mechanisms that can allow door 506 to close and/or open storage 504. In one embodiment, door 506 can use a hinged door mechanism. In such embodiment, a fastener device such as a hinge can enable door 506 to swing closed and/or open. In another embodiment, door 506 can utilize a sliding door mechanism. A track and guide system can be utilized to allow door 506 to slide open. The space within storage 504 can be used for housing of food, water, batteries, medical and/or emergency supplies. Storage 504 can be large enough to stock survival supplies, which can be good for a passenger and can last for at least three days.
Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”