Auto-releasable new danger mark buoy

Abstract

A buoy system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a buoy body configured to provide buoyance; a fixing belt configured to fasten the buoy body to a ship structure; an auto-release unit configured to release the buoy body to be buoyed by releasing the fixing belt when a predetermined water pressure is reached; and an auto-reel chain box fixed to the ship structure, being opened in conjunction with releasing of the fixing belt, and including a chain which is reeled out when the buoy body is buoyed, wherein the auto-reel chain box comprises: a weight provided in the auto-reel chain box and being movable upward and downward according to a water pressure and buoyance; a pulley provided in the auto-reel chain box, having the chain wounded thereon and a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a shaft having one end connected to the weight and the other end engaging with the teeth to fix the pulley and provided to be rotatable around a portion fixed in the auto-reel chain box.

Claims

1. A buoy system comprising: a buoy body configured to provide buoyance; a fixing belt configured to fasten the buoy body to a ship structure; an auto-release unit configured to release the buoy body to be buoyed by releasing the fixing belt when a predetermined water pressure is reached; and an auto-reel chain box to be fixed to the ship structure, being opened in conjunction with releasing of the fixing belt, the auto-reel chain box comprising: a chain which is reeled out when the buoy body is buoyed; a weight provided in the auto-reel chain box and being movable upward and downward according to a water pressure and buoyance; a pulley provided in the auto-reel chain box, having the chain wounded thereon and a teeth on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a shaft having a first end connected to the weight, a second end engaging with the teeth to fix the pulley and a portion fixed to the auto-reel chain box, the shaft provided to be rotatable around the portion fixed to the auto-reel chain box.

2. The buoy system of claim 1, wherein the weight is provided to move downward at a water pressure at which the fixing belt is released; the shaft is rotated by a downward movement of the weight so that engagement of the second end of the shaft and the teeth is released; and the chain wound on the pulley is reeled out as the engagement is released.

3. The buoy system of claim 2, wherein the weight is provided to move upward by the buoyance when the buoy body reaches a surface of water; the shaft is rotated in an opposite direction by an upward movement of the weight so that the second end of the shaft is engaged again with the teeth; and as the second end of the shaft is engaged with the teeth, reeling out of the chain is locked.

4. The buoy system of claim 1, wherein the auto-release unit includes: a water pressure measurement device configured to detect whether a water pressure on the buoy body reaches the predetermined water pressure; and hooks engaged with each other in a ring shape to fix the fixing belt and releasing the fixing belt when the water pressure measurement device detects the predetermined water pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a buoy system according to the present invention

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an auto-release unit according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an auto-reel chain system according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an auto-lighting lantern according to the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a state in which the buoy system according to the present invention is installed in a ship.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a state in which the buoy system according to the present invention operates to be buoyed to the sea surface according to the sinking of the ship.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The following description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art.

(8) Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. Also, terms described in below are selected by considering functions in the embodiment and meanings may vary depending on, for example, a user or operator's intentions or customs. Therefore, definitions of the terms should be made on the basis of the overall context. The terminology used in the detailed description is provided only to describe embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limitation. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms include the plural forms. It should be understood that the terms includes or includes specify some features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and/or combinations thereof when used herein, but do not preclude the presence or possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and/or combinations thereof in addition to the description.

(9) Further, a directional term, such as an upper portion, a lower portion, a one end, the other end, and the like, is used in relation to orientation of disclosed drawings. Since the elements according to an embodiment of the present invention may be positioned with various orientations, the directional term is used for illustrative purpose, rather than limiting in all aspects.

(10) The present invention relates to automatically releasable wreck marking buoy for marking a new danger on the basis of a maritime buoyage system internationally applied by International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), and provides a technique for automatically installing a light buoy for marking a new danger immediately upon occurrence of a marine accident, such as disappearance, overturning, or sinking of a ship, and accurately informing the location. A detailed description thereof is as follows.

(11) First, the present invention relates to an automatically releasable light buoy technology for auto-buoyance, which is small and easy to handle and can be automatically buoyed and be installed when a marine accident, such as disappearing, overturning, sinking of a ship, occurs. In the event of a marine accident, a small wreck buoy attached to a ship is automatically released by a certain pressure and automatically buoyed to indicate the location of an accident point, thereby preventing further accidents in the area and facilitating immediate searching and rescue. An auto-release unit for auto-buoyance is designed to usually fix the small wreck buoy located on a deck of the ship, and allow auto-buoyance of the wreck buoy that is automatically released when a predetermined water pressure is applied to an internal water pressure measurement device in the event of a marine accident.

(12) Second, the present invention relates to an auto-reel chain technology, which provides a chain that is automatically reeled out according to a water depth of an accident area when a marine accident occurs, and is automatically fixed when a buoy reaches the sea surface. For auto buoyance of a small wreck buoy that is automatically released in the event of a marine accident of a ship, the chain is automatically reeled out according to the depth of water in the accident area so that the buoy can reach the sea surface. In an illustrative embodiment, the chain may be designed to be reeled out up to 70 m based on the size and a main route of a ship on which the chain is installed, by taking into account a water pressure release device designed to automatically operate at depths between 1.5 and 4 m. Both ends of the chain are connected to the buoy and the ship, respectively, and the remaining loose rope is loaded in the buoy so that it can be automatically reeled out according to a water depth in the event of an accident and can be automatically fixed when the buoy reaches the sea surface.

(13) Third, the present invention relates to an auto-lighting lantern, which is of a watertight type and is automatically turned on to operate as a light buoy is released when the ship sinks. In order for the wreck buoy to clearly indicate the position of the buoy and a point of the ship accident after a marine accident occurs, a lighting lantern is installed on the buoy itself so that it can be automatically lighted.

(14) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a buoy system according to the present invention, and the buoy system may include a buoy body 10, a lighting lantern 20, a connecting line 22, a weight 30, a fixing belt 40, an auto-release unit 50, and an auto-reel chain box 60.

(15) The buoy body 10 may include a low-density material to provide buoyancy. The buoy body 10 may include a foam structure, for example, polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam. In addition, blue and yellow stripes may be formed in a vertical direction on a surface of the buoy body 10 according to the international standards. The buoy body 10 may be fixed to a buoy mount in the form of a box, which is installed on the ship, via the fixing belt 40.

(16) The lighting lantern 20 is installed on an upper portion of the buoy body 10 and includes a lamp so that the buoy system can be identified at night. The lighting lantern 20 according to the present invention may be an auto-lighting lantern that automatically operates when the buoy body 10 is buoyed.

(17) The weight 30 is installed at a lower portion of the buoy body 10 and is composed of a heavy material, such as metal, to hold the center of gravity of the buoy system.

(18) The fixing belt 40 fastens the buoy body 10 to the ship structure (buoy mount, etc.).

(19) When the ship sinks and reaches a certain pressure, the auto-release unit 50 releases the fixing belt 40 to automatically release and buoy the buoy body 10.

(20) The auto-reel chain box 60 may include a chain 68 which is automatically reeled out when the buoy body 10 is released from the ship and floats.

(21) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an auto-release unit according to the present invention, and the auto-release unit 50 may include a water pressure measurement device 52 and hooks 54.

(22) The water pressure measurement device 52 measures a water pressure. In an illustrative embodiment, the water pressure measurement device 52 may be designed to measure a pressure corresponding to a water depth of 1.5 to 4 m.

(23) The hooks 54 may be engaged in a ring shape to fix the fixing belt 40. When the water pressure measurement device 53 detects a predetermined water pressure in the event of a marine accident, the engaged hooks 54 may open to release the fixing belt 40.

(24) The fixing belt 40 may fasten the buoy body 10 to the buoy mount. When the hook 54 is opened, as indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2, in the event of a ship accident, the fixing belt 40 is released so that the buoy body 10 can be released and buoyed.

(25) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an auto-reel chain system according to the present invention, and the auto-reel chain system may include an auto-reel chain box 60, a weight 62, a shaft 64, a pulley 66, a chain 68, and the like. Here, the weight 62, the shaft 64, and the pulley 66 serve as a driving device to reel out the chain 68.

(26) That is, the auto-reel chain box 60 may be a box fixed onto the ship (e.g., a buoy mount) in order to store the driving device and the chain (rope) 68, and may be provided to operate in conjunction with opening of engaged hooks 54 of an auto-release unit 50.

(27) The weight 62 may be installed inside the chain box 60 and may be provided to move up and down according to a water pressure and buoyance. The weight 62 is connected to the shaft 64 to rotate the shaft 64.

(28) One end of the shaft 64 may be coupled to a lower part of the weight 62. The other end of the shaft 64 may engage with one of a plurality of teeth of the pulley 66. The shaft 64 may be provided in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to a vertical direction of the weight 62 in the chain box 60. The shaft 64 may be partially fixed to the chain box 60 and may be installed to be rotatable about the fixed portion. The shaft 64 may be rotated by an up and down movement of the weight 62 to engage with the teeth of the pulley 66 or to disengage from the teeth.

(29) The pulley 66 may be rotatably installed in the chain box 60. The chain 68 is wound on the pulley (66), and may have a plurality of teeth provided on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The size, number, spacing, and the like of the teeth may be suitably designed so that the teeth can engage with the shaft 64.

(30) The chain 68 may connect the buoy body 10 with the ship structure. The chain 68 may be automatically reeled out according to the water depth of an accident area when the buoyant body 10 is buoyed after being released.

(31) Hereinafter, operations of the auto-reel chain system will be described. When the weight 62 moves downward due to a water pressure caused by the sinking of the ship in the event of an accident, the shaft 64 rotates about the fixed portion in the chain box 60 and the other end of the shaft 64 is moved upward. At this time, engagement of the other end of the shaft 64 and the teeth of the pulley 66 is released. Then, the chain 68 wound on the pulley 66 is automatically released from the pulley 66 while the automatically released buoy body 10 floats, and the buoy body 10 reaches the surface of the water.

(32) Meanwhile, when the sinking ship reaches the seabed, the weight 62 stops for a moment and then moves upward by buoyancy. Then, the shaft 64 rotates about the portion fixed in the chain box 60, and the other end of the shaft 64 is moved downward. At this time, the other end of the shaft 65 is engaged again with the teeth of the pulley 66. As a result, unwinding of the chain 68 is stopped as the pulley 66 is fixed by the shaft 64, so that the chain 68 can be automatically fixed.

(33) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an auto-lighting lantern according to the present invention, and the auto-lighting lantern may be a watertight structure type lantern that automatically operates and indicates a location when a light buoy automatically released from the buoy mount floats in the event of a marine accident. The whole light lantern may be a watertight structure, and an automatic driving device is installed therein so that it can automatically operate when the light buoy is released.

(34) An auto-lighting lantern 20 may include a connection line 22, a watertight case 24, a lamp (not shown), a solar panel 26, and an auto-driving device 28.

(35) One end of the connection line 22 may be fixed to a light buoy mount and the other end of the connection line 22 may be connected to a switch of the auto-driving device 28. The connection line 22 serves to automatically supply power to the lighting lantern 20 by operating the switch of the auto-driving device 20 when the light buoy is released.

(36) The watertight case 24 is a sealed case and serves to protect the lamp, the solar panel 26, the auto-driving device 28, and the like, which are installed therein. The watertight case 24 may be made of a material, such as plastic, to ensure watertightness. The watertight case 24 may be made of a transparent material such that the solar panel 26 can absorb sunlight.

(37) At least one, preferably, a plurality of lamps (not shown) may be installed in the watertight case 24. The lamp may be configured with a light emitting diode (LED) or an organic LED (OLED).

(38) At least one, preferably, a plurality of solar panels 26 may be installed in the watertight case 24. When the buoy body 10 is buoyed to the surface of the water, the buoy body 10 can be continuously operated by being supplied with power from the solar panel 26.

(39) The auto-driving device 28 is installed in the watertight case 24 and serves to drive the lamp. The auto-driving device 28 may include an emergency power device (not shown) and a switch (not shown) connected to the emergency power device. When the buoy body 10 is released from the ship, the switch is operated by the connection line 22 so that the lamp can be operated by emergency power. The emergency power device may be a battery.

(40) FIG. 5 shows a state in which the buoy system according to the present invention is installed in a ship, and the buoy system may be installed on a deck of the ship, for example, on a buoy mount.

(41) FIG. 6 shows a state in which the buoy system according to the present invention operates to be buoyed to the sea surface according to the sinking of the ship, and shows a state in which, as the ship sinks, the buoy system is automatically released and then is buoyed to the sea surface by an automatic extension chain.

(42) The auto-lighting lantern is designed to operate at the same time as it is released from the ship, and the requirements thereof are reviewed through corrosion resistance test, temperature repetition test, strength test, and the like, as follows:

(43) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Requirement Description Corrosion Temperature: 35 3 C. resistance test Exposure time: 160 minutes Salt water: Salt water spray with 5% sodium chloride solution Temperature Temperature 30 to 60 C. repetition test Exposure time: 8 hours Times of repetition: 9 times repeated Strength test Load: minimum tensile load of 10 kN Exposure time: 30 minutes Others Watertightness test: assessment of watertightness within 10 m of water depth Operating time test: evaluation of maximum operating time of lighting lantern

(44) A number of examples have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.