Abstract: The invention belongs to the technical field of ships, and relates to an aerogel heat preservation ship rescue cabin, which comprises a cabin body. The cabin body and arc-shaped plates are made of aerogel materials. Water pumping devices are symmetrically sleeved outside the cabin body near two sides. A straight pipe is connected between the two water pumping devices. Strip-shaped water outlet holes are formed at front and rear sides of the straight pipe in a penetrating manner. A heat insulation plate is sleeved on the cabin body and hollow, and two ends thereof are communicated with the water outlet holes at front and rear sides of the straight pipe. Multiple drainage holes are formed in the inner wall, opposite to the cabin body, of the heat insulation plate in a penetrating manner. Multiple evaporation holes are formed in the top of the heat insulation plate in a penetrating manner.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an airflow to an engine via a primary air induction pathway or a secondary air induction pathway, where the secondary air induction pathway routes the airflow to the engine via a deployable snorkel system. Thus, in one example, a method comprises routing the airflow to the engine solely via the primary air induction pathway by commanding open a first air inlet valve and commanding closed a second air inlet valve, and responsive to a request to switch the routing, commanding closed the first air inlet valve and commanding open the second air inlet valve. In this way, the snorkel system may selectively be used in response to requests from a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing a lifeboat including identifying and accounting for individuals needing access to a lifeboat having one or more CPUs, one or more databases, a plurality mobile PDA, dependent on receiving an initiating signal, and thereafter receiving from receiver a lockout condition, that utilizes a register for decrementing the available space in a lifeboat dependent on a received lockout condition, at least on of the CPUs having a program for accounting for passengers, who require access to a available space on a lifeboat, mustering and re-routing the passengers to muster stations based an algorithm that calculates available space, and assigning passengers to a lifeboat, dependent on an algorithm that assigns passengers to available space on a lifeboat, so passengers will be safely and expediently assigned to fillable space on a serviceable lifeboat.

Abstract: A wave energy converter generates power from a wave-induced separation of a positively buoyant flotation module and a submerged negatively buoyant mass, using a rotating pulley to drive a power-take-off system.

Abstract: A tent for snow removal is provided. The tent comprises a tunnel portion comprised of a textile material. The tent further includes a front opening at a front side of the tunnel portion, a rear opening at a rear side of the tunnel portion, an enclosure affixed to the tunnel portion, a snow sensor mounted to the enclosure, wherein the snow sensor is configured and disposed to generate an electrical signal in response to snow contacting the sensor, and a heating system configured and disposed to heat the textile material, where the heating system is configured and disposed to be activated upon reception of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A wave energy converter generates power from a wave-induced separation of a positively buoyant flotation module and a submerged negatively buoyant mass, using a rotating pulley to drive a power-take-off system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise systems for providing a lifesaving apparatus to a distressed individual. Such systems may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to selectably support a lifesaving apparatus. The UAV may comprise a release mechanism configured to release the lifesaving apparatus when proximate a distressed person. The system may additionally comprise a control device configured to wirelessly communicate with the UAV such that a user can pilot the UAV from a distance and deliver the lifesaving apparatus to a distressed person. Methods of using the same may comprise piloting the UAV proximate a distressed person, providing a signal to the UAV to release the lifesaving apparatus by operating the release mechanism, and then pulling the lifesaving apparatus and the distressed person to safety via a control line secured to the lifesaving apparatus.

Abstract: An improved tsunami pod is described herein. In one embodiment, the tsunami pod can comprise a body and a skirt. 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 skirt can extend out around the base. In another embodiment, the tsunami pod can comprise a body. The body can comprise the base that can be wider than the top portion. The body can further comprise an inner shell, a middle layer and an outer shell. The middle layer can surround the inner shell. The outer shell can surround the middle layer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An emergency rescue pod which resists impacts from falling objects and float in the water is disclosed. The said emergency rescue pod comprises of a sphere enclosure and a circular base. The said sphere enclosure further comprises of an ingress/egress door, windows and vents. The said circular base further comprises of storage space for emergency supplies such as food, water and others. The said sphere enclosure and circular base are put together by means of fastening. The said emergency rescue pod may be made of fiberglass material or other similar materials.

Abstract: An evacuation cabin includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing has a joining portion along a bottom edge of the upper housing and an opening at middle of one side of the upper housing for receiving an upper part of a water-sealable door. The lower housing has a joining portion corresponding and sealed to the joining portion of the upper housing such that the upper housing and the lower housing are sealed integrally and water-sealably, and an opening corresponding to the opening of the upper housing and for receiving a lower part of the water-sealable door. There are accommodated in the lower housing a power source acting as a weight to lower the center of gravity of the evacuation cabin so as to maintain the evacuation cabin in a stable condition when water floods the ground. A chassis, provided underneath the evacuation cabin, is mounted with an axle for installing wheels so that the evacuation cabin can stand stationary or be transported as a trailer by a mobile.

Abstract: An upper smart arch extends upwardly from an inflatable upper tube and a lower smart arch extends downwardly from a lower inflatable. An orientation sensing transfer valve is located at each interface of the upper smart arch and upper tube and a lower orientation sensing transfer valve is located at each interface between the lower smart arch and the lower tube. Deployment of the upper smart arch along with an upper canopy will be deployed with the opening of the upper orientation sensing transfer valve and the lower smart arch and a lower canopy will not be deployed since the lower orientation sensing transfer valve remains closed.

Abstract: An evacuation cabin includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing has a joining portion along a bottom edge of the upper housing and an opening at middle of one side of the upper housing for receiving an upper part of a water-sealable door. The lower housing has a joining portion corresponding and sealed to the joining portion of the upper housing such that the upper housing and the lower housing are sealed integrally and water-sealably, and an opening corresponding to the opening of the upper housing and for receiving a lower part of the water-sealable door. There are accommodated in the lower housing a power source acting as a weight to lower the center of gravity of the evacuation cabin so as to maintain the evacuation cabin in a stable condition when water floods the ground. A chassis, provided underneath the evacuation cabin, is mounted with an axle for installing wheels so that the evacuation cabin can stand stationary or be transported as a trailer by a mobile.

Abstract: The FH2 1 Rescue Craft is to be used on Oil rigs, Passenger ships, Commercial fishing ships, Cargo ships or any other Sea Vessel. The Rescue Craft would take the place of existing life boats used today. The outer shape of the craft is ball shaped and houses another ball shaped sphere inside the unit. The second ball shape houses the evacuees. The inside sphere that houses the evacuees has a Gyro to keep its rescued occupants in a stable environment free from dangerous Ocean waves, Severe winds or Pack ice outside the unit. The inside sphere is on smooth rollers that press up against the outer ball from inside. The Gyro located in the inner sphere provides its evacuees with a smooth safe trip. FH2 1 Ocean Rescue Craft was designed to save the lives of its occupants even in the most dangerous of situations.

Abstract: A shelter bed comprising: a mattress on which at least one user can lie down; a frame on which the mattress is set, and which comprises legs supporting the entire shelter bed on a floor and a buoyancy device generating buoyancy holding the entire shelter bed on a water surface; and a protective shell for protecting the user, the protective shell being movable between a first position in which the protective shell covers the user lying on the mattress and a second position in which access to the mattress is released to the user.

Abstract: A maritime survival capsule is shaped like a somewhat elongted egg, and has an inside shell which is moulded slightly smaller.

Abstract: A self-righting inflatable life raft including a raft body having inflatable sidewalls and an inflatable member extending from the raft body having a buoyant portion sufficient to provide lifting force to move the raft's center of gravity beyond its point of rotation on the surface of water such that the raft will topple by gravity to an upright position. The inflatable member may include a plurality of inflatable tube portions which extend from an upper edge of the raft sidewalls to a first predetermined position upwardly and outboard from the upper edge and which then extend inboard to centrally converge with one another at a second predetermined position above the raft body.

Abstract: A single person survival craft having a bottom panel, and two side panels, formed of a plurality of hollow tubular structures progressively reducing in number towards each end, a releasable closure extending along edges of each of the side panels by which they may be opened up and closed, and a liquid tight air permeable membrane in at least one of the side panels.

Abstract: A self-bailing stabilized life raft includes a bailing chamber located between a stabilization chamber and a flotation platform. Water received from a flexible floor of the flotation platform is exhausted from the bailing chamber in response to wave and/or occupant interaction with the life raft. A raft inflation apparatus includes a pump chamber actuated by raft motion.

Abstract: A free fall, submersible life saving device for an offshore structure has a spherical pressure shell in a casing. The upper part of the device has a lifting frame and at least one manhole closed with a cover and the lower part has ballast, an anchor, and a windlass 5 for the anchor rope having automatic control of the tension in the anchor rope. The device is launched by a catapult on the offshore structure for horizontal movement in free fall to the water surface, where it submerges and is anchored until resurfacing, by release of the anchor, for rescue.

Abstract: A self-bailing stabilized life raft includes a bailing chamber located between a stabilization chamber and a flotation platform. Water received from a flexible floor of the flotation platform is exhaused from the bailing chamber in response to wave and/or occupant interaction with the life raft. A raft inflation apparatus includes a pump chamber actuated by raft motion.

Abstract: A life buoy 1 in the form of an inflatable ring with a floor 10 has a textile, invert cone keel 11 filled with water and held open by a ballast mass 14. Around the keel hangs an open mesh textile sea anchor 25. Steps 18, braced 20 to the keel, assist a man overboard in entering the life buoy. The life buoy is detachably provided with a sling 30, having a lifting eye 31 for lifting the man overboard from the life buoy.

Abstract: A free fall escape vehicle has surfaces of a deceleration structure that decelerate the vehicle upon entry into the water at a rate no greater than 4 g to 10 g by progressively increasing in area towards an escape vessel of the vehicle. In one form, the deceleration structure is circularly symmetrical normal to its axis, which can be approximated by a series of spaced-apart shells, each shell being a zone of a sphere the center of curvature of which is at or above the center of gravity of the escape vehicle; the condition can also be approximated by truncated sections of right circular cones. An escape vehicle similar to a lifeboat has a wedge-shaped deceleration structure with the sides of the wedge paralleling the fore-and-aft axis of the vessel, the structure can be approximated by a series of right circularly cylindrical shells or flat plates both having an effective center of curvature at or above the center of gravity of the vehicle.

Abstract: An offshore platform is shown in position over the seabed. An escape chamber in the form of a spar buoy is mounted on a platform and extends from the platform above the surface of the water to below the surface. A cable also extends between the buoy and an anchor located on the seabed remotely from the platform. When the buoy is released from its platform mount and cable winched from the buoy, the buoy is pulled over the anchor to float safely during adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: A system for limiting the air intake to a diesel engine or the like under restricted operating conditions. A closure valve is mounted in the air intake passage of a diesel engine. The system includes a fluid pressure responsive mechanism for closing the valve under restricted operating conditions, and an orifice positioned downstream of the valve and sized to the particular engine associated therewith. The orifice is sized to permit air flow into the air intake passage of the engine at a rate which is about 60% of the normal, full-flow rate for normal engine operation at specified RPMs. The pressure responsive mechanism is coupled to a closed atmosphere pressurizing system so as to be actuated in closing the air intake valve when the pressurizing system is activated and to automatically permit the air intake valve to be opened when the pressurizing system is deactivated or when its pressurized fluid is exhausted.

Abstract: A life survival capsule for use on shipboard, of substantially spheroidal shape, having self-contained life suporting facilities and supplies for approximately 16 occupants, with double-hulled construction and a thermal insulating material between the hulls, restraint devices to prevent injury to occupants, multiple entrances or exits, including an entrance from the interior of the ship on which it is mounted, and automatic and manual release devices to free it from the ship to which it is attached.

Abstract: Lifeboat in the general form of a hollow prolate spheroid having a hatchway opening in the upper portion and a weighted keel in the lower portion. The lifeboat comprises a main body having inner and outer skins spaced apart in a parallel relationship and a hollow ballast element extends entirely around the periphery of the inner chamber at the bottom and is divided by transverse walls into a plurality of fresh water compartments which also has a flat upper surface for use as a seat. The ballast element also includes a water compartment beneath the floor at the bottom portion of the inner chamber.

Abstract: The miniboats introduced in my U.S. Pat. 4,090,270 were basically novel in configuration, method of construction, ease of boarding by a swimmer, flotation effectiveness relative to lightness and compactness when stowed, degree of hypothermia protection achieved, and security in wind and water far beyond the capabilities of comparable pneumatic craft of traditional design; but they were not well adapted for entry by persons desiring to board them without a wetting. The vessels disclosed herein have overcome that problem. They have structurally integrated decks with dry-access openings that provide twice the retained buoyancy, a barrier to wave influx over the gunwales, an inherent self-righting capability, unprecedented storm security, ride stability, and magnified hypothermia protection. Some have integral leg articulation and propulsion and/or vessel-integrated suspension system for retarding descent to water from high elevations, auxiliary propulsion provisions, etc.