WO2016180998A1

WO2016180998A1 - Shark-simulating hydrodynamic diving suit with mechanical self-propulsion

Info

Publication number: WO2016180998A1
Application number: PCT/ES2016/000056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrés CERVIÑO BERASATEGUI; De Jesús De La Horra Aguirre Maria
Original assignee: Cerviño Berasategui Andrés; De Jesús De La Horra Aguirre Maria
Priority date: 2015-05-11
Filing date: 2016-04-27
Publication date: 2016-11-17
Also published as: ES1141884U; ES1141884Y

Abstract

The invention relates to a shark-simulating hydrodynamic diving suit with mechanical self-propulsion, comprising a neoprene suit, to which a carbon fibre structure is attached, consisting of a head and a back, joined by means of a retaining spring, the latter consisting, in turn, of a breathing box attached to the rear part of the neoprene suit by means of coupling plates and to the front part of the neoprene suit by means of holding straps, and a spine fixed to the back by means of an anchoring plate and consisting of a succession of parts called upper bones and lower bones inserted between each other by rivets, said diving suit being characterised in that it has a propulsion ring at the end of the carbon fibre structure and a belt system formed by a whole belt which completely surrounds the neoprene suit, an outer belt fixed to the side of the whole belt, and tension cables, which, when closed, are pulled taut by the belts, closing the suit and taking on the definitive form of a shark.

Description

DRESS HYDRODINAMIC DIVING SUIT WITH

MECHANICAL SELF-PROPULSION

DESCRIPTION

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention belongs to the sector of technical equipment for underwater activities related to experimentation and research of seabed as well as for rescue, possibility of military uses and obviously a possible personal enjoyment as leisure.

The object of the present invention is a shark simulation hydrodynamic diving suit with mechanical self-propeller that provides the best hydrodynamic form of advancement in aquatic environment both for its shape, structure, its surface and its fin system, providing it with a propulsion ring that connected to the caudal fin generates great speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The underwater activities of experimentation, research, leisure activities, ... etc, are carried out by means of conventional wetsuits, which are adapted to move fins and oxygen cylinders to breathe in case of immersion. Neoprene is a synthetic material that adapts to the curves of the human body, to offer the least resistance to water. The human body surrounded by this suit is directly exposed to outside influences underwater, such as cold or animal attacks. As a result of our anatomy, because we do not have a good hydrodynamic profile, we offer resistance to water advance.

Our advance is made in an oscillating way with a movement accompanied by arms, and through a parallel vertical movement of our feet, which by means of fins, moves a volume of water from top to bottom, generating the advance. This mechanism causes great energy consumption and a great loss of hydrodynamic energy. Parallel to this there are other models in the state of the art such as the ES2245467T T3 model that discloses an immersion apparatus composed of an elongated hollow body in the form of fish, which can fully accommodate the body of a person extended in the longitudinal direction of the body and it is provided with an actuation fin which, through the actuation of the feet, produces a vertical movement of the fin, analogous to that of a fish.

Another model of the state of the art is GB795477 A which discloses a diving suit, in which it is introduced and filled with water to give it the hydrodynamic shape.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

Taking into account the above described, the first objective of the invention is to provide a diving suit, which protects from environmental influences, such as cold, attack by other animals, giving it a camouflage appearance on its skin and shape. All this is achieved with a suit equipped with a structure articulated in carbon fiber and tensioned by external stainless steel cables, which attached to the belt, make when it is closed, a tension is transmitted to the outer fabric acquiring its definitive shape .

The suit is lined with an outer fabric called "shark skin." This skin is formed by denticles that interrupt the fluidity of the water on the surface reducing friction. With this "skin", water resistance is reduced, increasing speed and camouflage in the presence of other animals.

With the acquired form of shark, which differs from the traditional human form, it is possible to mislead the other animals, remain surrounded by them without attracting attention, achieve the least possible resistance to the environment, as it is the best existing hydrodynamic form and with it the highest speed and the lowest energy consumption when advancing in the water, object of the invention.

The suit, according to the invention, is provided with an articulated structure in carbon fiber, material that provides lightness, flexibility, resistance to external agents, corrosion and pressure, and thermal insulation, advantageous conditions for the advancement in the water and durability of the suit.

In another variant of the invention, the suit is provided with carbon fiber and rubber fins that act as movement stabilizers, an advantageous condition to give the right direction without oscillating movements as in traditional diving, taking advantage of all the force created in the impulse of the caudal fin generated by the driving force. It highlights the shape of the suit on its sleeves by acquiring the shape of pectoral fins, actuated by the movement of the arms inside, which provide adequate direction and flexibility while maintaining the hydrodynamic shape of the shark and saving all the energy created unlike traditional bracing.

The next major objective of the invention is based on the generation of the driving force through the lower appendix of the suit called caudal fin. The force is generated in the propulsion ring, which is a system of structured steel levers that culminates in the caudal fin. The force is generated by the parallel longitudinal movement of the feet that exert a pressure on the axis of levers, transmitted by the triangular structure, a lateral movement of the caudal fin according to figure 2. The great advantage is that using the position length of the body and feet in diving, with a simple pressure on the axis of levers, natural movement of the feet, a lateral movement is transmitted to the caudal fin. This longitudinal movement, being our natural movement, requires a lower consumption of strength and energy by the person, than the traditional movement of the feet with the fins from the top down, more energetic and more resistant to water along the way performed, resulting in a lateral movement of the caudal fin, analogous to that of a shark, faster than the upward and downward movement of the conventional system, also characteristic of a fish. This advantage is reinforced with the greater speed generated by the manufacture of this caudal fin in carbon fiber and rubber, which with its elasticity displaces more water volume than a conventional one. In another consideration of the invention, in relation to the breathing system, to expose that attached to the head of the suit by means of fastening springs, there is a carbon fiber box that houses a space to place the oxygen cylinders made of fiber of glass, lighter than conventional ones. The regulators of the cylinders are connected to the vision glasses by means of vent tubes. There are gill slits for the removal of C02 (cuts of the outer fabric).

A possible alternative breathing system based on a vent formed by a gap with holes in its surface, into which a buoy and a steel cylinder or ball, housed in the first dorsal fin and communicated is contemplated, is contemplated. with the breathing box located in the back through an upper hole extended by a tube, so that it can constitute a complete reserve of oxygen when filled in its entirety. The operation of this system is according to the level of the water, so that when it is outside the surface, the buoy is at the bottom of the hole and the air enters the hole through the surface holes and propagates through the upper hole and the tube and circulating through the assembly arrives at the box filling the capacity in its entirety. When the water is submerged and therefore enters the hole through the holes, the buoy rises and obstructs the inlet hole, not allowing water access to the box. In case of turning the body in the immersion and keeping the dorsal fin down, the entrance hole would be located at the bottom, needing the weight of the steel ball to lower the buoy, and thus continue obstructing the hole input

In summary, the object of the invention consists of a shark simulation hydrodynamic diving suit with mechanical self propeller. This invention is composed of a wetsuit to which a complete carbon fiber structure is attached from the head to the tail, which is opened and closed by a system of belts, a zipper and tension cables that make the closing the suit adopts the hydrodynamic form of a shark, the main object of the invention. This diving suit is covered with a cloth exterior called "shark skin" and endowed with appendages along the body simulating the natural fins of a shark.

The object of the invention seeks to find advantages over the existing conventional finned diving system or other models in the state of the art. Taking into account that the most hydrodynamic form of advancement in the aquatic environment is that of the shark, both for its shape, for its surface, and for its fin system, generating great speed through the lateral movement of its caudal fin, Main advantages sought reside in:

- Have a wetsuit attached to a carbon fiber structure that, through a system of belts, tension cables and zipper, allows it to have a natural suit when open and acquires the hydrodynamic shape of a shark when closed to make the dive. Its easy assembly and conservation, being a suit give it a great advantage when it comes to transport and entry and exit of water compared to models in the form of a cabin or prototypes to stay inside. The achievement of this form gives the suit the possibility of reaching a higher speed due to its lower resistance to the environment and, consequently, advantage over the conventional suit with fins, which by adapting to the natural human form, offers greater resistance to the advance and therefore, lower speed. -Give this suit a carbon fiber structure, because it is a material resistant to shock and water corrosion, elastic to give great flexibility to the movements, and lightweight to provide greater speed without providing weight to the suit. This structure in fiber gives a great advantage in the flexibility of movements and durability for being resistant to the environment against rigid models in their form in the state of the art.

- Have an outer fabric called "shark skin", which covers the entire suit, making water flow over its surface fluently, reducing friction. With this "skin" water resistance is reduced, increasing the speed and making camouflage in the presence of other animals, great advantage over the neoprene or other prototypes that do not allow this fluidity on the surface, being able to remain in the water without attracting the attention of other animals.

- Have a system of appendages in carbon fiber and rubber to make a perfect shark simulation, getting its natural fins. This simulation of fins generates a greater speed because due to their flexibility they are able to displace a large volume of water, a great advantage with respect to having only fins on the feet, which generate less speed and on the other hand, act as stabilizers providing direction adequate, mainly the pectoral fins, giving greater stability than with conventional scuffing and not needing an energy consumption for this scuffing, due to its natural planning movement. The construction of sleeves in the suit in the form of pectoral fins give the arms the function of directing, providing without consuming energy, greater ease of movement, against the neoprene or other prototypes, with greater limitation of movements. The caudal fin, located at the end of the structure, generates the motive force of the movement.

- Have an alternative breathing system based on a cabin called a breathing box that, through a vent attached to it, is capable of having a complete reserve of oxygen when filled in its entirety. In line with this, note the presence of compressed air bottles, attached to some floats, to be refilled and act in this way as a security system to access the surface, in case of depletion of the oxygen reserve. This alternative system is an innovation and advantage by not needing cylinders, reducing the weight of the suit, giving greater lightness and speed and being able to have a greater amount of oxygen and consequently greater permanence in the water, by being able to deplete the oxygen reserve by having of a float safety system to access the surface.

-To have a propulsion ring consisting of an articulated structure of steel levers that by means of a longitudinal movement of the feet, natural due to the diving position, presses the axis of the structure and transmits a lateral movement to the caudal fin generating the final movement. The great advantage of this system is that through a minimum energy consumption due to a natural movement due to the diver's position, it achieves a lateral movement! of the caudal fin, the natural one produced by a shark, achieving the highest possible speed, and not the traditional system of fins or other prototypes, which is produced by a vertical movement of the feet that requires greater energy consumption, not being a natural movement, and generates less speed.

For all the aforementioned and mentioned, the shark simulation hydrodynamic diving suit with mechanical self-propeller constitutes an inventive model capable of being patented for its industrial development and subsequent usefulness due to its innovative and advantageous characteristics with respect to the conventional systems currently in existence. The state of the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where illustrative and non-limiting nature has been represented. next:

Figure 1. - It shows a general sketch of the invention, with details A and B, corresponding to the alternative breathing system and the belt system respectively.

Figure 1.1. -Shows view of the alternative lighting system through batteries.

Figure 1, 2.-Shows outer fabric of the suit called "shark skin". Figure 2 - Shows a propulsion ring view, formed by an articulated structure of levers, defining a scheme of movement phases.

Figure 3. - Front view of the suit's opening and closing belt system, in the open position

Figure 4. - Front view of the opening and closing belt system of the suit, in a semi-closed position. Figure 5 - It shows a side view of the suit open at the bottom to contemplate its disassembly, being a structure coupled to a wetsuit.

Figure 6-Shows view of the phases of the breathing system called vent and its housing.

Below is a list of the different elements represented in the figures that make up the invention: 1 = Head of the suit

2 = Head and back support spring

3 = C02 gill ejection grooves

4 = breathing box

5 = Breathing box closure caps

6 = Hook plates from the breathing box to the wetsuit

7 = 1 ^to dorsal fin

8 = Outer fabric in "shark skin"

9 = Wetsuit

10 = Upper spine vanes

11 = Tension wire of outer fabric

12 = Rubber studs for flexibility 12 = Rubber studs for flexibility

13 = 2 ^to dorsal fin

14 = Wide leg of propulsion ring curve

15 = caudal fin

16 = Connecting piece of the propulsion ring with the caudal fin

17 = Curved drive ring lever

18 = Anal fin

19 = Propulsion ring shaft

20 = Cable extension spring 22

21 = He stops the feet

22 = External fabric extension cable

23 = Suit closure cable

24 = Upper backbone

25 = Lower backbone

26 = Fastening rivets between belts

27 = Pelvic fins

28 = outer belt

29 = Full belt

30 = Holes for lead supports

31 = Belts fastening the breathing box to the front of the wetsuit

32 = Rubber air intake tubes

33 = Vision glasses

34 = Bottle holder plate or other mechanism inside the breathing case

35 = Breathing system coupling valves

36 = Rubber plugs

37 = Air intake tube

38 = Buoy

39 = Steel ball

40 = Air inlet hole 41 = Back of the suit

42 = Propulsion ring

43 = Bottles of compressed air

44 = Spine Breathing Box Anchor Plate

45 = Spine

46 = Backbone Flex Cable

47 = Tension cable and fastening to the outer fabric

48 = Lamps

49 = Breathing box hinges

50 = Batteries

51 = Light wires

52 = Air floats

53 = Neoprene wetsuit zipper PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

The object of the invention is described according to a figure 1 that begins at its top by a head (1), provided with an upper plate of carbon fiber in an almost triangular shape with two supports for fastening the vision glasses (33 ), and attached to the back (41) by means of a spring (2). From the mask of the glasses (33), two rubber tubes of air intake (32), to the breathing box (4), made of carbon fiber.

Attached to the head (1) begins the back of the suit (41), formed by the breathing box (4), which is fixed to the back of the wetsuit (Q) by hook plates (6) and in turn, to the front of the wetsuit (9) by fastening straps (31). The breathing box (4) is formed by two covers (5) in its upper part that are tightly closed to accommodate fas oxygen cylinders inside, or the oxygen captured according to vent A, or other possibilities in the future. The vent A is an alternative breathing system, object of our invention, based on a small device that houses a hollow inside, in which a buoy (38) and the steel cylinder or ball (39) is inserted and with an entry hole in the upper part (40). This vent A is hosted on 1 ^to dorsal fin (7) communicating with the breathing box (4) through an intake pipe (37). The operation of this system is detailed in the explanation of the invention and is described according to figure 6. In the inner part of the breathing box (4) there is a clamping plate (34) that fixes the cylinders to the breathing box (4). The hinges (49) for opening and closing the case are located on the side of the breathing box (4). There are also rubber earplugs (4) in the breathing box (36) to open them in case of using cylinders and in this way, let the water in through them inside the box (4) and thus submerge with more easily The possibility of incorporating compressed air bottles (43) in the front of the box (4) is also considered in the embodiment of the invention. These bottles (43) are connected to floats (52) to be filled and activated by means of a trigger in case of need to rise to the surface. The main advantage of this consideration lies in having an emergency solution in the event of a diver problem (fainting, hitting ...) or depletion of the oxygen reserve. The box (4) has air intake coupling valves (35), being used depending on whether cylinders are used to circulate the oxygen through them, or directly through them of the stored oxygen coming from the box (4) if respirator A or other possible alternative breathing systems are used in the future. In the lateral parts of the box (4) holes (30) are arranged for placing lead supports to facilitate immersion. In the lower part of the box (4) there is a plate (44) that proposes the anchoring of the box (4) to the continuation of the structure called spine (45).

Spine (45) is a carbon fiber structure formed by a succession of pieces called upper spines (24) and lower spines (25) joined together by rivets (26). These spines are aligned from top to bottom in the downward direction of the suit by means of rubber studs (12) for the flexibility of the structure. In the initial part of the spine (45) is the complete belt (29) in carbon fiber that completely surrounds the wetsuit (9). From the sides of the complete belt (29) and anchored to it, there is an outer tension belt (28) that opens and closes forming only one around the whole according to figures 3 and 4. This outer belt (28) is attached to the outer fabric called "shark skin ^* (8), configuring the closed hydrodynamic shape of the shark, object of the invention. This belt system is described according to figure B. Joining the spine (45) at the top a cable (46) is found crossing the spines by its vanes (10), to give flexibility to the spine as a whole, opening and closing it.On the side is the cable (22), which tensiones the outer fabric through a spring (20), providing the hydrodynamic form object of the invention In the lower part is the cable (23) that joins the sheath of the propulsion ring (42) with the outer belt (28) closing the suit and contributing to the external form sought in the outer part ior is also the cable (47) leading from the bottom of the 1 ^to dorsal fin (7) to the flow (15) fin through the 2 ^to dorsal fin (13) and its function is to give shape and support to The outer fabric. On the outside there is also the cable (11) that goes from the bottom of the breathing box (4) to the caudal fin (15) through the sheath of the propulsion ring (42), whose function is to provide the shape of the suit, object of the invention. In the internal part of the spine (45) there is a rubber separator (21) that prevents one of the legs from overlapping the other. This separator (21) is anchored with rivets on the third lower rib starting at the bottom, and extends to the propulsion ring (42).

Once finished the spine (45), attached to its structure, is the axis of the propulsion ring (19), which starts the so-called propulsion ring (42), whose operation consists of a movement of force transfer according to a system of steel levers described in figure 2. This ring is a system of structured steel levers that is inserted into the caudal fin (15) through a connecting piece (16). The lever system is structured along an axis (19) on which our feet press, which two curved levers (14) and (17) articulate.

The complete structure can be made in kevlar instead of carbon fiber, as it is a material with lower economic cost, although on the other hand there is the fact that it is less light than fiber.

This suit of our invention is completely covered by an outer fabric called "shark skin" (8) that gives the suit a fluidity of water on its surface, reducing friction. With this "skin" (8) it is possible to reduce water resistance, increasing speed and camouflage in the presence of other animals. There are some cuts in the fabric (8) on the side of the head (1), called gill slits (3) for expulsion of C02.

This suit of our invention, in turn, is provided with a system of appendages in carbon fiber and rubber, on the outer fabric (8), constituting a perfect simulation of the natural fins of a shark, due to its shape and functionality These fins are in order from head to tail of the suit, the two pectoral fins, formed by the union of the outer fabric (8) to the wetsuit (9) by square brackets, giving it the shape analogous to that of the pectoral fins of a shark, as figures 3 and 4. then, in descending order, are placed 1 ^to dorsal fin (7), the two pelvic fins (27) and its corresponding across the dorsal 2'aleta (13) , the anal fin (18), and finally the caudal fin (15), all of them made of carbon fiber and rubber.

The possibility of providing a lighting system with the location of batteries (50) at the rear of the breathing box (4), coupled to it, is also contemplated, and by means of a cable system (51) it is connected to the lamps (48) existing at the front of the head (1) as described in figure 1.1.

Claims

1.-Shark simulation hydrodynamic diving suit with mechanical self-propeller comprising a wetsuit (9), to which a carbon fiber structure composed of a head (1), a back (41), is attached which is connected by a clamping spring (2), which is in turn constituted by a breathing box (4) that is fixed to the back of the wetsuit (9) by means of hook plates (6) and to the front part of the wetsuit (9) by means of fastening straps (31), and a spine (45) anchored to the back through an anchor plate (44) and constituted by a succession of pieces called upper spines (24 ) and lower spines (25) inserted together by rivets (26) characterized by having a propulsion ring (42) at the end of the carbon fiber structure and a belt system formed by a complete belt (29), which completely surrounds the wetsuit (9), and an outer belt r (28) anchored to the side of the complete (29), and tension cables (23), (22), (46), (11) and (47), which when the belts (28) and (29) are closed ) tighten the wires by closing the suit and adopting the definitive shape of a shark.

2.-Diving suit according to claim 1 characterized in that the structure is covered with an outer fabric called "shark skin" (8).

3.-Diving suit according to claim 1 characterized by being provided with a carbon fiber structure simulating hydrodynamic shark shape.

4.-Diving suit according to claims 1 and 2 characterized by having on the outer fabric (8) a system of appendages in carbon fiber and rubber simulating the natural fins of a shark. This system appendixes comprises two pectoral fins built naturally by gripping the outer fabric (8) of the suit by brackets to sleeves wetsuit (9), 1 ^to dorsal fin (7), the two flaps pelvianas (27) and its corresponding across the 2 ^to dorsal fin (13), the anal fin (18) and the tail fin (15).

5. Diving suit according to claim 1 characterized by having a breathing box (4) equipped with air intake coupling valves (35). Rubber plugs (36) according to breathing mechanism, and holes (30) for placing lead brackets and covers (5) on the top of the box (4) with their corresponding hinges (49) on the side.

6.-Diving suit according to claims 4 and 5, characterized by having an alternative breathing system called a vent A which is a device that houses a hole inside, in which a buoy (38) is inserted and the cylinder or steel ball (39) and with an entry hole (40). This vent is hosted on 1 ^to dorsal fin (7) communicating with the breathing box (4).

7.-Diving suit according to claim 1, characterized by having at the end of the spine (45) a propulsion ring (42) which is a system of structured steel levers that is inserted into the caudal fin (15) through the connecting piece (16). The lever system is structured along an axis (19), to which two curved levers (14) and (17) are articulated.