Integrated umbilical delivery system for gas, data, communications acquisition/documentation, accessory power and safety for users in adverse environments

Abstract

A system for delivering multiple life-support services within a flexible protective covering, a plurality of different breathing gasses, safety tether, a plurality of ancillary lines for documentable, multidirectional, multi-format data/communications acquisition and delivery, personal/situational awareness and ancillary power sources for tool, accessory or device enervation, to a plurality of Users in an adverse environment.

Claims

1. A life-support system comprising a single integrated umbilical, a source-end service section, an integrated deployment section, and a user-end service section, wherein said source-end service section comprises: at least one high-pressure gas source which communicates a high-pressure gas through a high-pressure hose to said integrated deployment section; and at least one bi-directional data communications source which communicates data communications through a line to said integrated deployment section; wherein said integrated deployment section combines and deploys source-end services within a single, flexible, integrated umbilical, comprising: an independent tether; at least one independent power line; at least one independent high-pressure gas hose; at least one independent line for bidirectional data communication; and a flexible protective covering; wherein said integrated umbilical communicates with said user-end service section, comprising: a high pressure first-stage pressure reducing regulator which communicates with at least one user-end low-pressure device; at least one bidirectional data communication device; and at least one second stage pressure reducing regulator wherein said user-end service section is in communication with said independent tether.

2. The life-support system of claim 1, wherein said source-end service section high pressure gas source communicates with at least one high pressure inlet regulator, which communicates high pressure gas through said high-pressure hose to said integrated deployment section, which communicates with said user-end service section.

3. The life-support system of claim 1, wherein the source-end service section is further comprised of at least one power source which communicates with said integrated deployment section, which communicates with at least one independent power line within said umbilical, which communicates with at least one user-end service section power device.

4. The life-support system of claim 1, where said user-end service section comprises a high-pressure gas selector which communicates with a user-end service section high-pressure gas hose which communicates with said at least one high pressure first-stage reducing regulator which communicates with said at least one user-end low-pressure device.

5. The life-support system of claim 1, wherein said integrated deployment section high-pressure gas hose is made of flexible material of predetermined diameter, capable of retaining internal pressures equal to or greater than said high-pressure gas source.

6. The life-support system of claim 1, wherein said independent tether independently communicates said user-end service section to said deployment section.

7. The life-support system of claim 1, wherein the least one integrated deployment section high-pressure gas hose, the at least one integrated deployment section bidirectional data communication line, said at least one independent power line and said independent tether are combined into a single longitudinal group for deployment and storage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSYSTEM DIAGRAM

(1) FIG. 1 is a representation of the integrate umbilical delivery system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSYSTEM DIAGRAM

(2) The system incorporates numerous system components. In reference to FIG. 1, they are:

(3) System Group #1:

(4) Breathing Gas sources may include a single mix (of Oxygen with other gasses), or multiple alternative mixes, each requiring their own independent supply source. A Source Gas may include one or more tanks, or a compressor, capable of feeding an uninterrupted supply of gas to an Inlet Pressure Regulator. The IPR allows the Operator to selectively determine the operating High pressure level of the entire downstream system, for each gas source.

(5) System Group #2

(6) In the event of multiple mixes, coming from multiple sources, a high-pressure, multi-gas selector manifold may be used to select the appropriate gas to remain under sufficient pressure for the first and second stage regulators, located at the User/Responder's end, to operate nominally. If this selector is located at the User/Responder end of the system, (See System Group 7) this System Group may be eliminated.

(7) System Group #3

(8) This group is comprised of a plurality of modules, each supplying, acquiring, monitoring, distributing and recording a different set of data and communications. Also see System Group #13. The modules suggested below are offered only by way of example, without any limitation as to the types of systems that may be included within this System Group: Audio Communications: Operators a User/Responders will communicate audibly. In the event of Multiple Operators and User/Responders, all will be able to communicate with each other. All communications will be distributable and recordable, with or without synchronization with Video communications. All suggested systems include all possible perspectives: above, at and below the Operator and or User Level. Situational AwarenessVideo Communications: The term video is used generically. It encompasses the use of any system for observing, analyzing, distributing and recording the situational environment of the User/Responder. This includes non-visual sensors (including but not limited to toxicity, temperature, environmental current, electrostatic, electromagnetic, radioactivity, geo-location) that convert their respective data to visual media) User-mounted Systems (see System Group 12) may include traditional video cameras, with integrated illumination. It may include Infrared sensors. It may include multi-frequency sonar systems, for high resolution visualization for hundreds of feet distant, in an environment that offers zero visibility to the unaided human eye. The User mounted systems will deliver their respective data up the umbilical line to their respective devices, for monitory, analysis, recordation, and if required, conversion to visible light frequencies. The converted signals may then be sent back down the umbilical, to a in-mask screen for User application. Source material for user application, is not limited to that generated by the User-mounted sensors. It may also include audio/video/data (live or pre-recorded) generated at the Operator level. All suggested systems include all possible perspectives: above, at and below the Operator and or User Level. Situational AwarenessPersonal Diagnostics: This term is used generically, to include all forms of data collection and transmittal, relating to the physical well-being of the User/Responder. Example data includes, core body temperature, extremity temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, gas rate consumption, or any other vital statistics essential for analyzing the health of the User/Responder, and to predict/avoid any emergency that could be precipitated by an impaired User. Said data would be sent up the umbilical for monitoring and documentation by operator personnel. All suggested systems include all possible perspectives: above, at and below the Operator and or User Level.
System Group #4

(9) This group of modules may include power circuits of any type, including but not limited to electric, pneumatic and hydraulic. (See System Group #6) Electric: Moderately powered electric tools, instruments and accessories, operating with 12 VDC are commonplace. The same tools, instruments and accessories (Devices), may be powered by specially designed constant current low voltage, GFS protected DC circuits. Said devices, by way of example only, may include powered drills, drivers and cutting tools. They may include outboard electronic devices for analyzing systems, environments, locations and structures for integrity. They may also include circuits to supply current for electrically heated undergarments, in multiple zones, for increased user comfort and dexterity. Pneumatic: With the option of multiple independent, high-pressure gas lines, comes the option for powering pneumatic tools. High-pressure (HP) surface supplied gas may enervate both HP and low-pressure (LP) pneumatic tools, (with the insertion of a small step down, regulator between the tool and the HP line.) Hydraulic: With the option of multiple independent, high-pressure gas linescomes the option for powering tools and accessories through hydraulics.
System Group #5

(10) Deployment System: is any suitable system for mating a multiplicity lines, (gas, hydraulic, communications, data) with their constituent lines, within the overall umbilical, such that they all operational upon connection, irrespective of whether and or how much of the total umbilical lines is deployed. If the deployment system is rotational, the use of swivels, and slip rings may be incorporated, as required by their constituent sources (gas, hydraulic, data or communications)

(11) System Group #6

(12) Power Uses: This group encompasses the Devices (tools, instruments and accessories) that are powered by the Sources described in System Group #4. Said Devices may be powered by electrical current, or pneumatics, hydraulics or other suitable power sources.

(13) System Group #7

(14) In the event of multiple mixes, coming from multiple sources, a high-pressure, multi-gas selector manifold is required to select the appropriate gas to remain under sufficient pressure for the first and second stage regulators, located at the User/Responder's end, to operate nominally. If this selector is located at this end of the system, System Group 2 may (but is not required to) be eliminated.

(15) System Group #8

(16) Exposure Suit and Buoyancy Control: User/Responders who operate at depth, require protection from the environment, and the ability to control their depth. Environmental protection is commonly in the form of a dry suit that encapsulates and protects the User from the temperature and toxicity of the environment. Buoyance Control is accomplished by the use of a User inflatable bladder that can be adjusted to create neutral buoyancy at any depth. Traditionally, said gas delivery port may also deliver emergency breathing gas to a Rescuee/Third-party User/Responder. Each traditional application requires the insertion of additional air with increased depth, and the expulsion of that air, as the User ascends. Traditionally, the servicing of these devices comes from the tank on the User's back. The instant umbilical system, creates no need for change of this time tested method. The umbilical system, however, offers an alternative method, that is supplied directly from the umbilical, through the first stage regulator that accepts the HP breathing gas, that it delivers the User/Responder. If pre gas block first stage regulator (see System Group #10) includes additional LP gas OUT ports, these are connectable directly to the Exposure Suit, BCD and Third-party User/Responder. This arrangement allows Redundant tanks #1 and #3 to serve their primary function, only. (See System Group 11)

(17) System Group #9

(18) Multiple Port Low-pressure Gas Block: Delivery to the User, of any one from of a choice of alternative gas sources, requires a selector device or manifold. The instant invention offers a select of sources. First is the main source, delivered from the System Group #1, through System Group #5, (which may or may not include System Groups #2 & #7). In the event System Group #1 is interrupted, the User may select gas from either the first (back) or second (front) redundant tanks (See System Group #11), or an alternative external source that may be provided by another User or delivery method, i.e., tanks rotate-ably connected or a buddy hose from another User. (See System Group #12)

(19) System Group #10

(20) Each gas source, connected to the Multiple Port Gas Block, must be Low-pressure. This means the HP gas pressure, within the umbilical or alternate gas source, has been reduced to the Low-pressure required by the second stage regulator before it enters the Gas Block. This requirement is set by the second stage regulator, into which the Gas Block will directly feed, via a flexible low-pressure hose. Traditionally, this second stage regulator is located within the User's full face mask. Alternatively, it may be independent of the User's mask, if full User/Responder encapsulation was not operationally required.

(21) System Group #11.

(22) An umbilical system, requires back up redundancy, in the event of gas delivery interruption. The first redundancy is provided by the Back Tank as traditionally worn by User/Responders. In the event of first redundancy failure or depletion, the Gas Block (System Group #9) may select the Front Tank for redundancy.

(23) The terms Front Tank and Back Tank are used herein, generically to identify any two tank contained sources, of any size, attached anywhere on the User/Respondent's body.

(24) System Group #12

(25) An External Gas Source, includes any/every possible source of gas, whether it be delivered from additional tanks, that are rotate-ably connected, or a buddy system comprised of gas source delivered by hose connection, from another User/Respondent, (irrespective of their source of breathing gas: self-contained or surface supplied), or an additional surface gas supply, with an integrated first stage regulator, that is directly connectable to the gas block, per its low-pressure requirement.

(26) System Group #13

(27) As the reciprocal end to Source System Groups, Nos. 1, 3, 4 & 6 the User will generate the images, personal, situational and sensory data from the associated devices located at the User's end. The User will receive the breathing gas (through the second stage regulator) and tether for life sustenance and safety. The User will receive the power supply circuits to enervate all devices, tools and accessories, needed by User's mission.

(28) The following information and diagram hereinabove, represents the general design characteristics of the Umbilical Support System for Life, Safety, Data Delivery/Acquisition, Power, Situational Awareness and Communications for Persons in Adverse Environments

(29) It does not represent the manufacturing details of the final production product. Component shapes, sizes and fit will change in response to the requirements of various applications and evolving technologies and materials.

(30) Said Umbilical Support System consists one or more Operator selectable high-pressure gas sources, that one or mixers, which source one or more Inlet Pressure Regulators, which deliver a constant, Operator selectable high-pressure gas, independent of the variant pressures of each supply gas source.

(31) Said selectable high-pressure gas sources connect to a deployment system, that may concurrently deliver multiple gas mixtures, through high-pressure gas lines, for user selection, concurrently with other sources for communications, personal diagnostics, situational awareness enhancement, power distribution for accessory devices, and safety tether, all retained within a flexible covering, and easily deployed from a deployment system. Said non-gas-related delivery systems operate by a plurality of methods including but not limited to analog, digital, electrical wire, optical cables.

(32) At the User end, said system deploys said umbilical lines to the User/Responder, independently grouped within a flexible, protective covering. Said umbilical communicates with the User/Responder, as does each interior line (3) within the covering to independently communicate with each respective component connectors, as required by their respective function. Said tether terminates with a fastener, connected to the harness of the User/Responder. Said power distribution lines communicate with each accessory device requiring power. Said multidirectional, multi-format communication lines communicate with reciprocal lines arriving from their associated devices attached to the User/Responder. Said diagnostic lines communicate with reciprocal User/Responder sensory lines.

(33) At the Operator end, each gas, data and communications line within said deployment system independently communicates with each respective component connector, as dictated by their respective function. Said tether terminates with a deployment system. Said power distribution lines communicate with each power source, whether electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic. Said multidirectional, multi-format communication and data lines communicate with each respective component connectors, as dictated by their source function and the devices and or instruments to which they must be connected.

(34) At the User end, said constant high-pressure gas line(s), communicate either directly with a first stage regulator, which may communicate with a multi-port gas manifold, where in the User/Responder may also select from a plurality of alternative post-first-stage/redundant gas sources, either carried by the User/Responder or supplied tertiary from an external source such as back up RIT bottle, dive buddy or alternative surface supplied source. Said gas block communicates with User/Responder's second stage regulator. Said redundant tanks may also communicate with User/Respondent's Exposure Suit, BCD and or Third-party User/Responder. Said HP umbilical gas lines, may also communicate with said redundant tanks, to replenish them, in situ.

(35) The invention further allows for the in situ replenishment of high-pressure gas into both, the first redundant back tank, or the second redundant front tank. This is accomplished simply by the Operator, raising the internal High-pressure of the Surface supply to any PSI that his higher than the internal pressures of the redundant tanks. If incorporated within the system, this will automatically open a Gas IN Check Valve located within an integrated Tank valve/first stage regulator on each tank, to replenish said redundant tanks.

(36) At the User end, said Power lines communicate with their respected devices, tools and accessories, for application by the User/Respondent.

(37) The invention may be constructed of any suitable materials, natural or synthetic, that is sufficiently strong to withstand the internal gas pressures, be impervious to abrasion, corrosion and all other customary wear and tear factors, commonly experienced by systems and devices of this nature.