SELF-STRAIGHTENING INFLATABLE LIFE RAFT Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: life-saving appliances.

SUBSTANCE: proposed life raft has hull with inflatable side walls and bottom in between them; it is also provided with at least two inflatable tubular members forming arches extending from one side of raft to other. Each arch extends upward and outside from perimeter of hull at angle relative to perpendicular to raft hull. Life raft has central axis of symmetry and CG through which its mass acts for turn on water surface from unstable turned-over position to stable vertical position. Tubular members possess buoyancy sufficient for application of righting moment to life raft causing turn of life raft to vertical position under action of gravity force. At least one inflatable connecting tube is located between arches at shift relative to central axis of symmetry of life raft.

EFFECT: increased righting moment.

16 cl, 14 dwg