Self-inflating device
View Patent ↗A self-inflating device can include a container configured to receive a chemical compound, a one-way valve covering an opening leading to an inner volume of the container, and an inflatable portion fluidly connected to the inner volume of the container and configured to inflate with gas produced when the chemical compound is exposed to water. The inflatable portion can be configured to inflate when a gas pressure inside the self-inflating device exceeds a water pressure outside the self-inflating device. As the inflatable portion inflates with gas produced by the chemical reaction of the chemical compound, the inflatable portion can increase in volume and can displace water in a body of water. Consequently, the overall buoyancy of the self-inflating device can increase, causing the self-inflating device to rise in the water column toward the surface of the body of water where a user can easily retrieve the self-inflating device, as well as any object that is attached to the self-inflating device.
1. A self-inflating device comprising:
a container configured to receive a chemical compound, wherein the chemical compound is configured to produce a gas when exposed to water;
a one-way valve covering an opening leading to an inner volume of the container, wherein the one-way valve is configured to open and allow water into the inner volume of the container when the self-inflating device is submerged in water to a depth where a pressure applied against an outer surface of the one-way valve is greater than or equal to an actuation pressure; and
an inflatable tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are each fluidly connected to the inner volume of the container to form a lanyard, the inflatable tube configured to inflate with gas produced when the chemical compound is exposed to water.
2. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , wherein the actuation pressure of the one-way valve is greater than atmospheric pressure.
3. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , wherein the actuation pressure of the one-way valve is about 14.9-23.6 psi.
4. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable tube is gas-impermeable and waterproof, and wherein the inflatable tube comprises an elastomer.
5. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , wherein the chemical compound comprises an acidic component and a basic component.
6. The self-inflating device of claim 5 , wherein the basic component comprises sodium bicarbonate and the acidic component comprises citric acid.
7. The self-inflating device of claim 5 , wherein the basic component comprises sodium bicarbonate and the acidic component comprises tartaric acid.
8. The self-inflating device of claim 5 , wherein the basic component comprises sodium perborate and the acidic component comprises acetic acid.
9. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , further comprising a protective covering over the inflatable tube, wherein the protective covering comprises nylon multifilament.
10. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve has a fixed actuation pressure.
11. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve has an adjustable actuation pressure.
12. The self-inflating device of claim 1 , further comprising a removable cap attached to the container, wherein the removable cap allows the inner volume of the container to be accessed for cleaning or insertion of the chemical compound.
13. A self-inflating device comprising:
an inflatable portion configured to receive a chemical compound, wherein the chemical compound is configured to produce a gas when exposed to water;
a one-way valve covering an opening in the inflatable portion, wherein the opening leads to an inner volume of the inflatable portion, wherein the one-way valve is configured to open and allow water into the inner volume of the inflatable portion when the self-inflating device is submerged in water to a depth where a pressure applied against an outer surface of the one-way valve is greater than or equal to an actuation pressure of the one-way valve, and wherein the inflatable portion is configured to inflate with gas produced when the chemical compound is exposed to water; and
a multifilament protective covering over the inflatable portion.
14. The self-inflating device of claim 13 , wherein the actuation pressure of the one-way valve is greater than atmospheric pressure.
15. The self-inflating device of claim 13 , wherein the inflatable portion is gas-impermeable and waterproof, and wherein the inflatable portion comprises an elastomer.
16. The self-inflating device of claim 13 , wherein the chemical compound comprises an acidic component and a basic component.
17. The self-inflating device of claim 16 , wherein the basic component comprises sodium bicarbonate, and the acidic component comprises citric acid.
18. The self-inflating device of claim 16 , wherein the basic component comprises sodium bicarbonate, and the acidic component comprises tartaric acid.
19. The self-inflating device of claim 16 , wherein the basic component comprises sodium perborate, and the acidic component comprises acetic acid.