Electronic deployment system and method for inflating a flotation device

Abstract

An inflatable flotation device mounted to a craft is provided. The device comprises an electronic deployment system for activating inflation of the flotation device. A method for inflating a flotation device mounted to a craft is also provided. The method comprises electrically activating the flotation device with a control system. The present invention further includes a two level switching mechanism providing a first alert level and a second alert level prior to deployment of the flotation device.

1 . An inflatable flotation device mounted to a craft, the inflatable flotation device comprising: 
 a self-testing electronic deployment system for testing system integrity and activating inflation of the flotation device.    
   
   
       2 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system automatically activates inflation upon a predetermined amount of water entering the craft.  
   
   
       3 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system activates inflation upon manual input.  
   
   
       4 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system performs a self-test upon powering of the electronic deployment system.  
   
   
       5 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system periodically performs a self-test at predetermined time intervals.  
   
   
       6 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 at least one sensor mounted to the craft and connected to the electronic deployment system, each sensor detecting presence of water within the craft.    
   
   
       7 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 6  wherein multiple water level intrusion sensors are positioned about the craft for detecting water at various positions within the craft.  
   
   
       8 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 7  wherein the electronic deployment system performs self-testing on each of the water level intrusion sensors.  
   
   
       9 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein each flotation device includes a flotation device integrity sensor.  
   
   
       10 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 9  wherein the flotation device integrity sensor includes an air pressure tube mechanism having a first pressure switch and a second pressure switch.  
   
   
       11 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 10  wherein upon a predetermined amount of water entering the tube, the first pressure switch activates and provides a warning alert.  
   
   
       12 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 10  wherein upon a predetermined amount of water entering the tube, the second pressure switch activates and deploys the flotation device.  
   
   
       13 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system performs self-testing on a backup battery system.  
   
   
       14 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system performs self-testing on deployment tank pressure.  
   
   
       15 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system performs self-testing on sensor wiring integrity.  
   
   
       16 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic deployment system performs self-testing on various components of the electronic deployment system which can be overridden if any component of the self-testing fails.  
   
   
       17 . A method for inflating a flotation device mounted to a craft, the method comprising: 
 providing an electronic deployment system;    self-testing components of the electronic deployment system upon powering of the electronic deployment system;    periodically self-testing the components of the electronic deployment system; and    activating the flotation device with the electronic deployment system.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  and further comprising: 
 automatically activating the flotation device upon a predetermined amount of water entering the craft.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  and further comprising: 
 manually activating the flotation device.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  and further comprising: 
 mounting at least one water level intrusion sensor to the craft; and    connecting each system to the electronic deployment system.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  and further comprising: 
 providing a warning alert upon a predetermined amount of water entering the craft.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17  and further comprising: 
 activating the flotation device upon a predetermined amount of water entering the craft.    
   
   
       23 . An inflatable flotation device mounted to a craft, the device comprising: 
 a two level switching mechanism having a first switch device and a second switch device, the first switch device providing a first alert level and the second switch device deploying the flotation device.    
   
   
       24 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 23  and further comprising: 
 a self-testing electronic deployment system connected to the two level switching mechanism for self-testing components of the flotation device and self-testing and activating the two level switching mechanism.    
   
   
       25 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 24  wherein the electronic deployment system performs a self-test of the components upon powering of the electronic deployment system.  
   
   
       26 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 24  wherein the electronic deployment system periodically performs a self-test of the components at predetermined time intervals.  
   
   
       27 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 24  wherein the components include at least one water level intrusion sensor mounted to the craft and connected to the electronic deployment system, each sensor detecting water within the craft.  
   
   
       28 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 27  wherein multiple water level intrusion sensors are positioned about the craft to detect water at various positions within the craft.  
   
   
       29 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 23  wherein the two level switching mechanism includes an air pressure tube mechanism having a first pressure switch and a second pressure switch.  
   
   
       30 . The inflatable flotation device of  claim 23  wherein the first switch device deploys the flotation device bypassing the second switch device.  
   
   
       31 . A method for inflating a flotation device mounted to a craft, the method comprising: 
 providing an electronic deployment system;    mounting at least one flotation device integrity sensor to the electronic deployment system;    determining integrity of each of the flotation device integrity sensors; and    mapping and determining defective flotation devices prior to inflation of each of the flotation devices.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 mapping the defective flotation devices with an algorithm.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 deploying the flotation devices in a symmetrical fashion.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 periodically self-testing the flotation device integrity sensors.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 manually activating the flotation device.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 mounting at least one water level intrusion sensor to the craft; and    connecting each system to the electronic deployment system.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 providing a warning alert upon a predetermined amount of water entering the craft.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 activating the flotation device upon a predetermined amount of water entering the craft.    
   
   
       39 . An inflatable flotation device mounted to a craft, the inflatable flotation device comprising: 
 an electronic deployment system for activating inflation of the flotation device.