Ocean survival unit

Abstract

A life raft or ocean survival unit ( 1 ) is capable of self-righting upon capsize, even when occupied by one or more survivors. The life raft ( 1 ) comprises a hull-shaped ballast chamber ( 5 ) which fills with water upon inflation of the life raft and provides added stability to the vessel and in part see self-righting capabilities to the life raft. Water is sucked in through membrane valves located at the rear of the ballast chamber. The life raft also comprises a canopy ( 4 ) and inflatable base section ( 3 ), wherein the inflatable base section may be compartmentalised to prevent sinking of the unit in the event of a puncture deflation.

1 . An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when occupied by passengers, the ocean survival unit comprising an inflatable base, a canopy and a ballast chamber located below the surface of the inflatable base.  
     
     
         2 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the canopy is supported by a cage structure.  
     
     
         3 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the cage structure is inflatable.  
     
     
         4 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ballast chamber is hull-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ballast chamber fills with water upon inflation of the ocean survival unit.  
     
     
         6 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein water is drawn, pumped or sucked into the ballast chamber through one or more membrane valves.  
     
     
         7 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the one or more membrane valves are located on the lower surface of the ballast chamber.  
     
     
         8 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the one or more membrane valves are one-way valves which allow water to enter, but do not allow water to leave the ballast chamber.  
     
     
         9 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in Clai  1 , wherein the ballast chamber comprises a plurality of tensile membranes which prevent the raft collapsing under the weight of the volume of water in the ballast chamber.  
     
     
         10 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the tensile members are rib-like structures.  
     
     
         11 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the tensile members act as stiffening batons for the ballast chamber.  
     
     
         12 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more tensile membranes extend along the length of the vessel.  
     
     
         13 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more tensile membranes support the floor and seating in the event of the ocean survival unit capsizing.  
     
     
         14 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more tensile membranes work as baffles when the raft is in an upright orientation, reducing the flow of water inside the ballast chamber and therefore reducing roll and the effects of free water.  
     
     
         15 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more tensile membranes in the ballast chamber provide a rigid flooring system.  
     
     
         16 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the rigid floor cannot be compressed.  
     
     
         17 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 1  having a self draining floor.  
     
     
         18 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the floor comprises a plurality of tubes of varying diameter wherein the tubes of greatest diameter act as seats.  
     
     
         19 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 1  which can be rolled in a compact form when not in use.  
     
     
         20 . An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when occupied by passsengers, the ocean survival unit comprising an inflatable base and a canopy, wherein the inflatable base is divided into a plurality of independent inflatable compartments or sections, wherein deflation of one of the compartments or sections does not affect the integrity of the remaining compartments or sections.  
     
     
         21 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the inflatable section is compartmentalised or sectioned, such that if the raft sustains a puncture deflation, deflation is isolated to that particular compartment or section of the raft.  
     
     
         22 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the inflatable base into divided into the plurality of compartments or sections by one or more tensile members.  
     
     
         23 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the compartments or sections of the inflatable base are separated by a series of blow out valves which, upon reaching a specified pressure, will blow out and stop the passage of air in any direction.  
     
     
         24 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein a deflated compartment or section of the inflatable base can be inflated with expanding foam.  
     
     
         25 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the expanding foam is polyurethane foam.  
     
     
         26 . An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when occupied by passengers, said ocean survival unit comprising an inflatable base and a canopy, wherein the unit is accessed via an opening in the unit, and wherein access into the interior of the unit is not impeded by a barrier, door, or wall at the opening.  
     
     
         27 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein there is no barrier between the interior of the unit and the ocean.  
     
     
         28 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein a semi-rigid step is positioned at the opening to allow easy access to the vessel.  
     
     
         29 . An ocean survival unit which is capable of self-righting when occupied by passengers, the ocean survival comprising an inflatable base and a canopy, wherein the ocean survival unit has an integral drogue.  
     
     
         30 . An ocean survival unit as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the drogue is positioned such that the raft always points into the wind when inflated, and wherein the entry point into the ocean survival unit is positioned at the rear and is sheltered from the wind, rain and breaking waves.  
     
     
         31 . An ocean survival unit capable of self-righting when occupied by one or more persons, the ocean survival unit comprising an inflatable base and a canopy, wherein the canopy comprises both transparent and opaque sections.