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EP-4739571-A1 - AN INFLATABLE EVACUATION SLIDE

EP4739571A1EP 4739571 A1EP4739571 A1EP 4739571A1EP-4739571-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an inflatable evacuation slide for a maritime evacuation system, the slide having a first end, a second end, a length and a width, the slide comprising a central section extending along the length and having a central face, a first side section arranged adjacent to the central section and having a first side face, a second side section arranged adjacent to the central section on the opposite side of the first side section and having a second side face, the first side section and the second side section are extending along the length of the slide and the central section, wherein the first side face and the second side face, respectively, are arranged with an angle being less than 180 degrees relative to the central face.

Inventors

  • RASMUSSEN, GERT SMEDMANN
  • BIRKEMOSE, Brian
  • NIELSEN, Sinne

Assignees

  • Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240705

Claims (20)

  1. 1. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) for a maritime evacuation system (100), the slide having a first end (2), a second end (3), a length (L) and a width (W), the slide comprising - a central section (4) extending along the length and having a central face (5), - a first side section (6) arranged adjacent to the central section and having a first side face (7), - a second side section (8) arranged adjacent to the central section on the opposite side of the first side section (6) and having a second side face (9), - the first side section (6) and the second side section (8) are extending along the length of the slide and the central section, wherein the first side face (7) and the second side face (9), respectively, are arranged with an angle (a) being less than 180 degrees relative to the central face (5).
  2. 2. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to claim 1, wherein the angle (a) is between 90 and 175 degrees.
  3. 3. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to claim 1, wherein the angle (a) is less than 165 degrees.
  4. 4. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the central face (5), the first side face (7) and the second side face (9) defining a slide path (10).
  5. 5. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a first gunwale (15) is connected to the first side section (6) opposite to the central section (4), and a second gunwale (16) is connected to the second side section (8) opposite to the central section (4).
  6. 6. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first gunwale (15) and the second gunwale (16) have a gunwale extension (17), the gunwale extensions (17) being substantially perpendicular to the central face (4).
  7. 7. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first side face (7) and/or the second side face (9) have a curved extension along the width (W).
  8. 8. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the slide is made of a drop-stitch material.
  9. 9. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to claim 8, wherein the dropstitch material is made of PU, natural rubber, or other materials, or a combination thereof.
  10. 10. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the slide comprises one inflatable chamber, or comprises a plurality of inflatable chambers.
  11. 11. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the central face (5) has a friction along the length (L).
  12. 12. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to claim 11, wherein the friction of the central face (5) is higher at the second end (3) than at the first end (2).
  13. 13. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to claim 11 and/or 12, wherein the friction of the central face (5) vary from the first end (2) to the second end (3).
  14. 14. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first side face (7) and the second side face (9) have a side friction.
  15. 15. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to claim 14, wherein the side friction vary along the width (W) of the slide.
  16. 16. An inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of claims 14 to 15, wherein the side friction is highest furthest away from the central face (5).
  17. 17. A maritime evacuation system (100) comprising an inflatable evacuation slide (1) according to any of the preceding claims.
  18. 18. A maritime evacuation system (100) according to claim 17, further comprising an inflatable liferaft and/or an inflatable platform (50).
  19. 19. A maritime structure such as a vessel (70), comprising a maritime evacuation system (100) according to claims 17 to 18.
  20. 20. A maritime structure according to claim 19, wherein the vessel (70) is a passenger ship or ferry.

Description

AN INFLATABLE EVACUATION SLIDE Description The present disclosure relates to an inflatable evacuation slide for a maritime evacuation system. Inflatable, floatable units, such as liferafts or platforms are often used in the evacuation of the passengers or crew members from a maritime structure, such as a vessel. The decent from the maritime structure to the liferaft or platform may be done in numerous way, for instance via an inflatable slide. However, the rigidity of these inflatable slides are not always so high and especially in circumstances where the height difference between the deck of the maritime structure and the liferaft/platform is little, the small inclination of the slide make it difficult to descend, whereby the slide will be exerted for higher person loads at a longer time, and thereby the known slides often will bend more. This is a disadvantage. It is an object of the present disclosure to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved inflatable evacuation slide with enhanced rigidity and stiffness independent of inclination of the slide in the length direction. The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present disclosure according to an inflatable evacuation slide for a maritime evacuation system, the slide having a first end, a second end, a length and a width, the slide comprising - a central section extending along the length and having a central face, - a first side section arranged adjacent to the central section and having a first side face, - a second side section arranged adjacent to the central section on the opposite side of the first side section and having a second side face, - the first side section and the second side section are extending along the length of the slide and the central section, wherein the first side face and the second side face, respectively, are arranged with an angle being less than 180 degrees relative to the central face. By the present disclosure, an inflatable evacuation slide is obtained with high rigidity and stiffness which is less sensitive to small height differences between the maritime structure and the liferaft or platform. In addition, due to the geometrically configuration of the slide increasing the stiffness it is furthermore obtained that the persons sliding on the slide is being guided towards the centre of the slide. A more safe and stable descend for the persons are obtained. Due to the geometrical form and thereby the rigidity of the slide, it may also be possible to move upwards of the inclined slide, or even use the slide in both directions when it is substantially horizontal. A multi-purpose inflatable slide is obtained by the present disclosure. Different examples are defined in the related dependent claims. Furthermore, the angle may be between 90 and 175 degrees. A technical advantage may include better control over the descent speed, minimizing the risk of injury by providing an optimal sliding angle. In addition, the angle may be less than 165 degrees. A technical advantage may include enhanced directional control, ensuring evacuees are less likely to veer off the slide path, thus improving overall safety. Moreover, the central face, the first side face and the second side face may define a slide path. A technical advantage may include a clearly defined and continuous path for evacuees, reducing confusion and facilitating a more orderly evacuation process. A first gunwale may be connected to the first side section opposite to the central section, and a second gunwale may be connected to the second side section opposite to the central section. A technical advantage may include additional lateral support, which helps prevent evacuees from sliding off the sides, thereby increasing safety. In addition, the gunwales may also increase the rigidity of the slide. Furthermore, the first gunwale and the second gunwale may have a gunwale extension, the gunwale extensions being substantially perpendicular to the central face. A technical advantage may include improved structural integrity and resistance to lateral forces, ensuring the slide remains stable even in turbulent conditions. Moreover, the first side face and/or the second side face may have a curved extension along the width. A technical advantage may include better aerodynamics and reduced wind resistance, which can enhance the stability and performance of the slide during deployment. Also, the rigidity and stiffness of the slide is enhanced while the person sliding on slide will be guided towards the centre of the slide. Additionally, the slide may be made of a drop-stitch material. A technical advantage may include increased rigidity and durability, allowing the slide to maintain its shape under heavy loads and in harsh conditions. Th