DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC SINKING OF CONTAINERS AND HULLS

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, including: valves, installed in a first closed configuration and having an airtight seal, susceptible of assuming a second configuration that is irreversibly opened when the external pressure exceeds a predetermined tolerance threshold, the second open configuration being adapted to make air exit from the internal space and make water enter from the outside, the at least two valves being positioned in proximity to two edges, opposite each other, belonging to two lateral surfaces of a container; support which surrounds each valve and adheres to the lateral surface of the container, by way of a coupling system that is adapted to ensure impermeability; protection grids, one placed on the outer side and one on the inner side of each valve, adapted to protect from impact and from extraneous objects which could compromise the functioning thereof.

Claims

1. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, further comprising: A) a pair of valves (2), installed in a first closed configuration and having airtight seal, susceptible of assuming a second configuration that is irreversibly opened when the external pressure exceeds a predetermined tolerance threshold, said second open configuration being adapted to make air exit from the internal space and make water enter from the outside, said at least two valves (2) being positioned in proximity to two edges, opposite each other, belonging to two lateral surfaces (1.1) of a common container (1); B) a support (2.1) adapted to surround each of said valves (2) and to stably adhere to the lateral surface (1.1) of the container (1), by means of any one coupling system (2.2) commonly found on the market that is adapted to ensure impermeability; C) a pair of protection grids (2.3), one placed on the outer side and one on the inner side of each valve (2), adapted to protect the corresponding valve (2) from accidental impact and from extraneous objects that, being stuck therein, could compromise the functioning thereof.

2. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 1, wherein said container (1) is provided with a plurality of valves (2) freely arranged on its lateral surfaces (1.1), on its openable surface (1.2), on its cover (1.3) and on its base (1.4), arranged in a manner such that, regardless of the position of the container (1) in the sea, at least one valve (2) is placed on the surface closer to the water surface.

3. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 1, wherein the support (2.1) of each valve (2) is made of any natural or artificial polymer, adapted to resist mechanical stresses, chemical and atmospheric agents and adapted to be irreversibly fixed with the surface of the container (1) on which the valve (2) is installed.

4. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 1, wherein all the valves (2) installed on the same container (1) are connected to a pressure sensor (2.4), adapted to simultaneously make all said valves (2) assume said second open configuration when an external pressure is detected that exceeds a specific tolerance threshold.

5. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, further comprising: A) a pair of valves (2), installed in a first closed configuration having an airtight seal, susceptible of assuming a second irreversibly open configuration upon remote control of the user, said second open configuration being adapted to make air exit from the internal space and to make water enter from outside, said at least two valves (2) being positioned in at least two diametrically opposite points of any one hull (3); B) a support (2.1) adapted to surround each of said valves (2) and to stably adhere to the hull (3), by means of any one coupling system (2.2) commonly found on the market, adapted to ensure impermeability; C) a pair of protection grids (2.3), one placed on the outer side and one on the inner side of each valve (2), adapted to protect the corresponding valve (2) from accidental impact and from extraneous objects which, by being stuck therein, could comprise the functioning thereof.

6. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 5, wherein said hull (3) is provided with a plurality of valves (2) freely arranged on its surface, arranged in a manner such that, regardless of the position of the hull (3) in the sea, at least one valve (2) is placed at the water surface.

7. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 5, wherein the support (2.1) of each valve (2) is made of any natural or artificial polymer, adapted to resist mechanical stresses, chemical and atmospheric agents and adapted to be irreversible fixed with the surface of the hull (3).

8. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 5, wherein all the valves (2) installed on the same hull (3) are connected to an activation device (4) adapted to simultaneously make all said valves (2) assume said second open configuration; said activation device (4) remotely connected to a common control device (5) actuated by a user.

9. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 8, wherein the control device (5) is remotely connected to at least two activation devices (4) installed on different hulls (3).

10. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 1, wherein said coupling system (2.2) can be constituted by a welding, by a plurality of rivets or by any one glue that can be found on the market or by any other system adapted to irreversibly and sealingly fix the valve (2) with the relative support (2.1) to the surface of the container (1) or of the hull (3) and to maintain the impermeability and strength over time.

11. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 2, wherein the support (2.1) of each valve (2) is made of any natural or artificial polymer, adapted to resist mechanical stresses, chemical and atmospheric agents and adapted to be irreversibly fixed with the surface of the container (1) on which the valve (2) is installed.

12. The device of claim 3, wherein the support comprises a type of metal plate that constitutes the surfaces of the container (1).

13. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 2, wherein all the valves (2) installed on the same container (1) are connected to a pressure sensor (2.4), adapted to simultaneously make all said valves (2) assume said second open configuration when an external pressure is detected that exceeds a specific tolerance threshold.

14. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 3, wherein all the valves (2) installed on the same container (1) are connected to a pressure sensor (2.4), adapted to simultaneously make all said valves (2) assume said second open configuration when an external pressure is detected that exceeds a specific tolerance threshold.

15. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 6, wherein the support (2.1) of each valve (2) is made of any natural or artificial polymer, adapted to resist mechanical stresses, chemical and atmospheric agents and adapted to be irreversible fixed with the surface of the hull (3).

16. The device of claim 7, wherein the support comprises the same polymer that constitutes the hull (3).

17. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 6, wherein all the valves (2) installed on the same hull (3) are connected to an activation device (4) adapted to simultaneously make all said valves (2) assume said second open configuration; said activation device (4) remotely connected to a common control device (5) actuated by a user.

18. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 7, wherein all the valves (2) installed on the same hull (3) are connected to an activation device (4) adapted to simultaneously make all said valves (2) assume said second open configuration; said activation device (4) remotely connected to a common control device (5) actuated by a user.

19. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 2, wherein said coupling system (2.2) can be constituted by a welding, by a plurality of rivets or by any one glue that can be found on the market or by any other system adapted to irreversibly and sealingly fix the valve (2) with the relative support (2.1) to the surface of the container (1) or of the hull (3) and to maintain the impermeability and strength over time.

20. Device for the automatic sinking of containers and hulls, according to claim 3, wherein said coupling system (2.2) can be constituted by a welding, by a plurality of rivets or by any one glue that can be found on the market or by any other system adapted to irreversibly and sealingly fix the valve (2) with the relative support (2.1) to the surface of the container (1) or of the hull (3) and to maintain the impermeability and strength over time.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The invention will be described hereinbelow in at least one preferred embodiment by way of a non-limiting example, with the aid of the enclosed figures, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a container 1 constituted by three lateral surfaces 1.1, an openable surface 1.2, a cover 1.3 and a base 1.4, in which two valves 2 are seen which are placed on opposite edges of two lateral surfaces 1.1 and constituted by a support 2.1, a coupling system 2.2 and the relative grids 2.3; the pressure sensor 2.4 connected to both valves 2 is also visible;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of two-dimensional drawings representing the perspective views of a container provided with the sinking device, in particular FIG. 2A shows the cover 1.3 on which four circular valves 2 are installed at the four corners; FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal lateral surface 1.1 on which four circular valves 2 are installed at the four corners; FIG. 2C shows the base 1.4 on which valves 2 are not installed; FIG. 2D shows the openable surface 1.2 on which installed valves 2 are not installed; FIG. 2E shows the transverse lateral surface 1.1 on which four circular valves 2 are installed at the four corners;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a hull 3 provided with two valves 2 connected to an activation device 4 remotely connected to a control device 5; each valve 2 is constituted by a support 2.1, a coupling system 2.2 and a pair of protection grids 2.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, a common ISO container 1 is represented, provided with the automatic sinking device that is the object of the present invention.

[0023] Such device is composed of at least two valves 2 placed at the opposite edges of two lateral surfaces 1.1 of a container 1. Said valves 2 are surrounded by a support 2.1, preferably made of the same material as the surface on which it adheres by means of a common coupling system 2.2. Specifically, if the valve 2 is installed on the lateral surface 1.1 of a container 1, the support 2.1 will preferably made of metal plate; if instead the valve 2 is installed on a hull 3, the support 2.1 will be made of aluminum or fiberglass-reinforced plastic in accordance with the construction method of the hull 3 itself. The objective of said support 2.1 is to provide mechanical strength and resistance to atmospheric and chemical agents to the entire valve 2.

[0024] Depending on the material constituting both the support 2.1 and the container 1 or the hull 3, said valve 2 will be provided with the suitable coupling system 2.2 which irreversibly connects it to the container 1 or to the hull 3. Said coupling system 2.2 can be, by way of a non-limiting example, a welding, a plurality of pins or rivets or any one glue.

[0025] Still with reference to FIG. 1, one sees that both the inner surface and the outer surface of the valve 2 is protected by a grid 2.3 which, in addition to providing resistance to accidental impact, prevents any extraneous object from being inserted in the open valve 2, blocking the flow of air or water.

[0026] Said valves 2and of course more than two of these can also be presentare adapted to be automatically opened when they detect an external pressure that exceeds a certain tolerance threshold. The opening, which is irreversible, causes the entrance of water and the exit of air from the interior of the container 1 or of the hull 3 and causes the quick sinking thereof.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, the six sides are shown which constitute a common ISO container 1. In this preferred embodiment, by way of a non-limiting example, valves 2 are used with cylindrical shape, which are positioned at the four corners of the cover 1.3 and at the four corners of all the lateral surfaces 1.1, the two longitudinal surfaces as well as the bottom transverse surface. The only two surfaces on which valves 2 are not installed are the openable surface 1.2 and the base 1.4 of the container 1.

[0028] In order to be certain of device functioning, it is also possible to install double valves 2, i.e. constituted by two separate openings, adapted to be irreversibly opened when a pressure is detected that is greater than a tolerance threshold. In this manner, in case of lack of functioning of one of the two openings, for any reason, the functioning of the valve 2 will be ensured by the opening of the other opening.

[0029] In the case of a container 1, which in normal conditions travels not in contact with water, it is possible to connect the opening of the valves 2 to a pressure sensor 2.4 which, when it detects an external pressure higher than the tolerance threshold, simultaneously and irreversibly opens all the valves 2.

[0030] Said pressure sensor 2.4 is not applicable to a hull 3, since the latter is still at least partially immersed in water. As represented in FIG. 3, the valves 2 of an automatic sinking system applied to a hull 3 are connected to an activation device 4 which simultaneously and irreversibly opens all the valves 2 upon remote control of a control device 5 actuated by a user.

[0031] If the boat is composed of more than one hull 3 (in the case of a catamaran or a trimaran), the control device 5 can be remotely connected to more than one activation device 4, each situated in a different hull 3 and connected to the valves 2 relative to that hull 3. In this manner, in the case of a naval disaster, after having saved the entire crew, one can decide to sink the hull 3 or hulls 3 of a boat, in order to prevent their drifting on the sea from forming a sailing/navigation danger.

[0032] Finally, it is clear that in the invention described up to now, there can be modifications, additions or variants that are obvious for a man skilled in the art, without departing from the protective scope which is provided by the enclosed claims.