GB2115362A

GB2115362A - Sea anchor

Info

Publication number: GB2115362A
Application number: GB08205782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick Thomas Risk; Trevor Bailey; Eric Studley
Original assignee: BTR PLC
Current assignee: BTR PLC
Priority date: 1982-02-26
Filing date: 1982-02-26
Publication date: 1983-09-07
Also published as: DK86083D0; FR2522307A1; NO824315L; GB2115362B; DK86083A; DE3244512A1

Abstract

A sea-anchor comprises a body in the form of a tube (1) having a leading edge (4) and a trailing edge and a plurality of partitions (3) therein defining flow passages through the body, the partitions (3) extending forwardly of the body to an attachment point (2) for a towing line or cable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sea anchor This invention relates to a sea anchor or drogue which finds particular but not exclusive use on liferafts or other small vesseis.

It is necessary to use a sea anchor with a liferaftto reduce drift from the point where the liferaft was launched so that the latter may be located more easily by a rescuer. A sea anchor may also serve to stabilise a liferaft.

Existing sea anchors have suffered from the drawback that the trailing end tends to become fouled in the mouth of the sea anchor in certain wave conditions.

Anti-fouling lines or netting have been provided on the towing lines but such provisions are both expensive and inefficient.

According to the present invention a sea anchor comprises a plurality of flow channels separated by one or more partitions formed from a sheeting material, said one or more partitions extending from inlets of said flow channels towards an attachment point for a towing cable.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention a sea anchor comprises a tube one end of which comprises an intake and the other end incorporates an outlet, the interior of the tube being divided by one or more generally longitudinal partitions which extend from the intake towards a point of attachment of a towing line.

Preferably the partition divides the tube into a plurality of segments disposed about a longitudinal axis of the tube.

In the event that the outlet of a sea anchor in accordance with the present invention enters the mouth during use, the partitions ensure that only a singie flow channel is obstructed, the remaining channel or channels rapidly inflating with water and thereby urging the obstruction to clear. Extension of the partitions forward of the intake prevents the latter from being completely obstructed by the outlet portion of the drogue.

Preferably the intake has a greater area than the outlet. For example, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a tapering tube in the shape of a truncated cone, the partitions dividing the interior of the tube into segments. Alternatively the tube may have any convenient shape and may be square or rectangular in section.

The partitions preferably extend to a common apex at which a towing line is attached in use.

Furthermore the partitions may extend substantially to the outlet since strengthening of the anchor is achieved thereby.

Four partitions and corresponding flow channels are present in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. Such an embodiment achieves a balance between the enhanced strength of a large number of partitions and the cost of additional materials employed.

The rim of the inlet and edges of the partitions may be provided with stiffening means such as metal wires.

The invention will now be further described by way of examples with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 shows a sea anchor in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section along A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a second sea anchor in accordance with the invention; and Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 3.

The sea anchor shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a truncated conical tube 1 and four generally radially extending partitions 3, 5, 6, 7 which are stitched to the interior of the tube 1. The partitions 3, 5, 6, 7, are joined generally along the longitudinal axis 8, of the anchor and extend forwardly of the tube to a common apex at which an attachment 2 for a sea line is provided. The inlet of the tube 4 is optionally strengthened with a wire or other rigid support (not shown).

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention which comprises a square tube 9 which is closed at one end by a layer of sheeting 15 incorporating a hole 10 which serves as an outlet. Four partitions 11, 12, 13, 14 extend from the layer 15 to an apex at which there is an attachment 16 for a towing line (not shown). Stiffening wires are provided at both the periphery of the inlet 17 and at the leading edges of the partitions 18.

Sea anchors in accordance with this invention may be constructed from nylon, polyester or any other proofed or unproofed fabric.

CLAIMS (filed 29.3.82) 1. A sea-anchor comprising a body having a plurality of flow channels separated by one or more partitions formed from a sheet material, said one or more partitions extending from inlets of said flow channels towards an attachment point for a towing line or cable.

2. A sea-anchor as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a tube, ione end of which comprises an intake and the other end incorporates an outlet, the interior of the tube being divided by one or more generally longitudinal partitions which extend from the intake towards the attachment point for a towing line or cable.

3. A sea-anchor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the partition divides the tube into a plurality of segments disposed about a longitudinal axis of the tube.

4. A sea-anchor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the partitions extend forwards of the intake to prevent the latter from being completely obstructed by the outlet portion of the sea-anchor.

5. A sea-anchor as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the intake has a greater area than the outlet.

6. A sea-anchor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body comprises a tapering tube in the shape of a truncated cone, the partitions dividing the interior of the tube into segments.

7. A sea-anchor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the body is square or rectangular in section.

8. A sea-anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the partitions extend to a common

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sea anchor This invention relates to a sea anchor or drogue which finds particular but not exclusive use on liferafts or other small vesseis. It is necessary to use a sea anchor with a liferaftto reduce drift from the point where the liferaft was launched so that the latter may be located more easily by a rescuer. A sea anchor may also serve to stabilise a liferaft. Existing sea anchors have suffered from the drawback that the trailing end tends to become fouled in the mouth of the sea anchor in certain wave conditions. Anti-fouling lines or netting have been provided on the towing lines but such provisions are both expensive and inefficient. According to the present invention a sea anchor comprises a plurality of flow channels separated by one or more partitions formed from a sheeting material, said one or more partitions extending from inlets of said flow channels towards an attachment point for a towing cable. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention a sea anchor comprises a tube one end of which comprises an intake and the other end incorporates an outlet, the interior of the tube being divided by one or more generally longitudinal partitions which extend from the intake towards a point of attachment of a towing line. Preferably the partition divides the tube into a plurality of segments disposed about a longitudinal axis of the tube. In the event that the outlet of a sea anchor in accordance with the present invention enters the mouth during use, the partitions ensure that only a singie flow channel is obstructed, the remaining channel or channels rapidly inflating with water and thereby urging the obstruction to clear. Extension of the partitions forward of the intake prevents the latter from being completely obstructed by the outlet portion of the drogue. Preferably the intake has a greater area than the outlet. For example, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a tapering tube in the shape of a truncated cone, the partitions dividing the interior of the tube into segments. Alternatively the tube may have any convenient shape and may be square or rectangular in section. The partitions preferably extend to a common apex at which a towing line is attached in use. Furthermore the partitions may extend substantially to the outlet since strengthening of the anchor is achieved thereby. Four partitions and corresponding flow channels are present in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. Such an embodiment achieves a balance between the enhanced strength of a large number of partitions and the cost of additional materials employed. The rim of the inlet and edges of the partitions may be provided with stiffening means such as metal wires. The invention will now be further described by way of examples with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 shows a sea anchor in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section along A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a second sea anchor in accordance with the invention; and Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 3. The sea anchor shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a truncated conical tube 1 and four generally radially extending partitions 3, 5, 6, 7 which are stitched to the interior of the tube 1. The partitions 3, 5, 6, 7, are joined generally along the longitudinal axis 8, of the anchor and extend forwardly of the tube to a common apex at which an attachment 2 for a sea line is provided. The inlet of the tube 4 is optionally strengthened with a wire or other rigid support (not shown). Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention which comprises a square tube 9 which is closed at one end by a layer of sheeting 15 incorporating a hole 10 which serves as an outlet. Four partitions 11, 12, 13, 14 extend from the layer 15 to an apex at which there is an attachment 16 for a towing line (not shown). Stiffening wires are provided at both the periphery of the inlet 17 and at the leading edges of the partitions 18. Sea anchors in accordance with this invention may be constructed from nylon, polyester or any other proofed or unproofed fabric. CLAIMS (filed 29.3.82)

1. A sea-anchor comprising a body having a plurality of flow channels separated by one or more partitions formed from a sheet material, said one or more partitions extending from inlets of said flow channels towards an attachment point for a towing line or cable.

8. A sea-anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the partitions extend to a common apex at which a towing line or cable is attached in use.

9. A sea-anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the partitions extend substantially to the outlet, so achieving strenghthening of the seaanchor.

10. A sea-anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are four partitions and corresponding flow channels.

11. A sea-anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rim of the inlet and edges of the partitions are provided with stiffening means such as metal wires.

12. A sea-anchor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.