Compartment ballast system

• US 10,435,124 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2018
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Haynes, Timothy C, Luzader, Michael A
• Primary Examiner(s): Avila, Stephen P
• Application Number:
  US15/962,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20190329850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/023 self-righting, i.e. returning into an upright position after upside down deployment, or capsizing
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/042 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/044 covered
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/04 Life-rafts
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/23 Containers for inflatable life-saving equipment

Abstract

A life raft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the life raft includes a flotation platform, a container and a ballast bag, the ballast bag being attached to the flotation platform and to the container. The container is configured to separate upon deployment of the life raft on a surface of a body of water and draw the ballast bag down into the body of water upon separation.

Claims

1. A life raft, comprising:

a flotation platform;

a container; and

a first ballast bag attached to the flotation platform and to the container,

wherein the container is configured to separate upon deployment of the life raft on a surface of a body of water and draw the first ballast bag down into the body of water upon separation.

2. The life raft of claim 1, wherein the flotation platform comprises a first inflation tube and wherein the first ballast bag is attached to the flotation platform proximate an inner periphery of the first inflation tube.

3. The life raft of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a first container half and a second container half.

4. The life raft of claim 3, wherein the first container half and the second container half are connected by a hinge.

5. The life raft of claim 4, wherein the container is rectangular in cross section.

6. The life raft of claim 2, wherein the first ballast bag includes an outer periphery and wherein the outer periphery of the first ballast bag is attached to the inner periphery of the first inflation tube.

7. The life raft of claim 3, wherein the first container half defines a first cavity and a first perimeter extending about the first cavity and wherein the first ballast bag is attached to the first container half proximate a first portion of the first perimeter.

8. The life raft of claim 7, wherein the second container half defines a second cavity and a second perimeter extending about the second cavity and wherein the first ballast bag is attached to the second container half proximate a second portion of the second perimeter.

9. The life raft of claim 1, further comprising a second ballast bag, the second ballast bag attached to the flotation platform and to the container.

10. The life raft of claim 9, wherein the container comprises a first container half and a second container half and wherein the first ballast bag is attached to the first container half and the second ballast bag is attached to the second container half.

11. The life raft of claim 10, further comprising a third ballast bag, the third ballast bag attached to the flotation platform and to the first container half, and a fourth ballast bag, the fourth ballast bag attached to the flotation platform and to the second container half.

12. The life raft of claim 11, wherein the flotation platform includes a floor.

13. The life raft of claim 12, wherein the flotation platform includes a first inflation tube and a second inflation tube attached to the first inflation tube.

14. The life raft of claim 13, wherein a portion of each of the first ballast bag, the second ballast bag, the third ballast bag and the fourth ballast bag is attached to at least one of the floor, the first inflation tube and the second inflation tube.

15. A life raft system, comprising:

a flotation platform;

a storage container, the storage container defining an interior cavity; and

a ballast bag attached to the flotation platform and to at least a portion of the interior cavity of the storage container,

wherein the storage container is configured to separate upon deployment of the life raft on a surface of a body of water and draw the ballast bag down into the body of water upon separation.

16. The life raft system of claim 15, wherein the flotation platform comprises an inflation tube and wherein at least a first portion of the ballast bag is attached to the inflation tube.

17. The life raft system of claim 15, wherein the flotation platform comprises a floor and wherein at least a first portion of the ballast bag is attached to the floor.

18. The life raft system of claim 15, wherein the storage container comprises a first container half and wherein a first portion of the ballast bag is attached to the first container half.

19. The life raft system of claim 18, wherein the storage container comprises a second container half and wherein a second portion of the ballast bag is attached to the second container half.

20. A life raft, comprising:

a flotation platform;

a storage container, the storage container defining an interior cavity; and

a ballast bag attached to the flotation platform and to the interior cavity of the storage container,

wherein the storage container is configured to separate upon deployment of the life raft on a surface of a body of water and draw the ballast bag down into the body of water upon separation.