Container for Storing an Inflatable Liferaft

• US 20070243779A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S (Claus Sørensen Fond Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S (Claus Sørensen Fond Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Jorgensen, Kent
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 441/35
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/22 Devices for holding or launching life-buoys, inflatable life-rafts, or other floatable life-saving equipment equipment for handling life-boats or the like B63B23/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for storing an inflatable liferaft, the container including a bag adapted to contain a deflated liferaft and means for inflating the liferaft using an inflating gas, preferably CO₂ or a mixture of gasses, wherein the substantial part is CO₂. The inflating means being connected to the liferaft, preferably being substantially contained inside the bag. The bag furthermore has means for measuring and/or monitoring at least the relative humidity (R.H.) and the CO₂-content of the gas inside the bag.

Claims

1. A container for storing an inflatable liferaft, comprising a bag adapted to contain a deflated liferaft, and means for inflating the liferaft by means of an inflating gas, preferably CO₂ or a mixture of gases, wherein the substantial part is CO₂, said means being connected to the liferaft, preferably being substantially contained inside the bag, wherein the bag further containing a gas such as air, wherein the bag comprises means for measuring and/or monitoring at least the relative humidity (R.H.) and the CO₂—

content of the gas inside the bag.

2. A container of claim 1, wherein a pressure in the bag is substantially equal to ambient pressure.

3. A container of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises at least one arrangement for providing a dehumidified environment in the bag.

4. A container of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a terminal for taking out at least part of the gas inside the bag.

5. A container of claim 4, wherein the terminal of the bag extends from the bag to the outside of the container.

6. A container of claim 4, wherein the terminal of the bag comprises a valve.

7. A container of claim 1, wherein the bag is made of a material which substantially is impermeable for gases and/or moisture.

8. A container of claim 1, wherein the material of the bag per se is breakable and/or comprises means for breaking the material.

9. A container of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises an opening arrangement adapted to provide access to the interior of the bag.

10. A container of claim 1, wherein a monitoring device for measuring at least the relative humidity (R.H.) and the CO₂—

content inside the bag is arranged in or in connection with the container.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the monitoring device is adapted to communicate wireless.

12. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the means for measuring and/or monitoring at least the relative humidity (R.H.) and the CO₂—

content of the gas inside the bag is directly connected to, or communicating wireless with, the monitoring device.

13. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a liner for protecting the bag, which liner is releasable from the container during inflating of the liferaft.

14. A bag for containing an inflatable liferaft, comprising means for at least measuring and/or monitoring the relative humidity (R.H.) and the CO₂—

content of the gas inside the bag.

15. A bag as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bag is made of a material which substantially is impermeable to gases and/or moisture.

16. A bag as claimed in, claim 14 wherein the material of the bag is breakable and/or comprises means for breaking the material.

17. A bag as claimed in, claim 14 wherein the bag comprises a terminal such as a valve.

18. A bag as claimed in, claim 14 wherein the bag comprises an opening arrangement adapted to provide access to the interior of the bag.

19. A monitoring device for measuring and/or monitoring at least the relative humidity (R.H.) and the CO₂—

content of the gas inside a bag according to claim 14.

20. A method for measuring and/or monitoring the environment parameters inside a bag which is adapted to contain a deflated liferaft, said bag comprises means for inflating the liferaft by means of an inflating gas, preferably CO₂ or a mixture of gases, wherein the substantial part is CO₂, said means being connected to the liferaft, preferably being substantially contained inside the bag, the bag further containing a gas such as air, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a monitoring device to a terminal arranged in connection with the bag,

taking out at least part of the gas inside the bag, and

measuring that part of the gas at least for its relative humidity (R.H.) and the CO₂—

content.

21. A method for controlling an imperviousness of a bag which is adapted to contain a deflated liferaft, said bag comprises means for inflating the liferaft by means of an inflating gas, preferably CO₂ or a mixture of gases, wherein the substantial part is CO₂, said means being connected to the liferaft, preferably being substantially contained inside the bag, the bag further containing a gas such as air, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a monitoring device to a terminal arranged in connection with the bag,

taking out at least part of the gas inside the bag until a predetermined pressure, e.g. vacuum, is obtained, and

measuring the pressure change as the function of time.