Capsular-type underwater release lifeboat

Abstract

Disclosed is a capsular-type underwater release lifeboat that can be operated in davit mode, freefall mode and underwater mode. The lifeboat comprised of an outer shell, and fitted inside with engines that aid in forced and normal propulsions of the lifeboat. Two air pockets are arranged in both the ends of the outer shell to sustain underwater pressure and to aid increased buoyancy of the lifeboat. A fixed Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is provided inside the lifeboat for rescuers to easily locate the survivors and a double water tight entrance door is formed on the top portion to resist the underwater pressure. The present invention also provides a method for releasing the lifeboat underwater. The reinforced lifeboat discussed herein shall be deployed on the sea and also underwater in order to rescue the people during a disaster in the sea vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A capsular-type underwater release lifeboat, characterized in that the lifeboat comprises:
 an aerodynamic double-walled outer shell;   a first engine and a second engine, wherein the first engine is arranged in the front portion of the outer shell, and the second engine is arranged in the aft portion of the outer shell;   wherein the first engine is arranged in such a way to aid the lifeboat in forced propulsion underwater, and the second engine is arranged in such a way for normal propulsion when the lifeboat is at the surface of the water;   a forward air pocket and an aft air pocket disposed on the respective ends of the outer shell, wherein the air pockets are arranged in such a way to sustain the underwater pressure and to aid increased buoyancy of the lifeboat;   a fixed Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) arranged inside the lifeboat;   a double water tight entrance door to resist the underwater pressure;   a plurality of water tight port holes, wherein four water tight port holes of the plurality of water tight port holes are arranged at the port side of the lifeboat and four other water tight port holes of the plurality of water tight port holes are arranged at the starboard side the lifeboat for aiding in outside observation   a plurality of tubes arranged interior to the shell, wherein the plurality of tubes is made of plates and supporting structures;   a mini lavatory for privacy use, by the survivors, inside the lifeboat in case of delay in the rescue; and   a plurality of aero navigational glasses.   
     
     
         2 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the first engine is arranged in the forced propelling direction. 
     
     
         3 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the second engine is arranged in the normal propelling direction. 
     
     
         4 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the first engine is disposed in the forward engine room. 
     
     
         5 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the second engine is disposed in the aft engine room. 
     
     
         6 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tubes is made up of aluminum plates, and aluminum supporting structures to form a cylindrical tube structure. 
     
     
         7 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tubes is made to form a cylindrical tube structure using a hydraulic roller bender. 
     
     
         8 . The lifeboat of  claims 1  and  6 , wherein the supporting structures include frames, braces, or the like. 
     
     
         9 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tubes is made up of at least 12 aluminum plates and at least 24 aluminum supporting structures. 
     
     
         10 . The lifeboat of  claims 1  and  6 , wherein the edges of each of the plurality of tubes are welded to form reinforced and water-sealed cylindrical tube structure. 
     
     
         11 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the ends of the outer shell where the air pockets are provided include front end and the aft end. 
     
     
         12 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is molded with heat resistant special fiberglass materials to resist the underwater pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein the EPIRB can be switched on when the lifeboat floats on the surface of the water to easily locate the survivors by the rescuers. 
     
     
         14 . The lifeboat of  claim 1 , wherein each aero navigational glass is made up of a sheet sized about 10 mm thickness, 2 feet wide and 3 feet long and fixed by at least 15 pieces of stainless bolts and nuts. 
     
     
         15 . A method of releasing a capsular-type underwater release lifeboat in underwater, the method involves:
 accommodating the survivor crew, through a passage of a double watertight entrance door, inside the watertight room of the lifeboat;   closing the double watertight entrance door; and   releasing the lifeboat underwater by manually disengaging the stainless wing screws and nuts located at the top portion of the double watertight entrance door, wherein the lifeboat afloat rapidly on the surface of the water or underwater by propelling in forced propelling direction by a forward engine.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the lifeboat is located at a second deck side of a sea vessel.