Rapid Auto-Inflation Safety Equipment

To address the Navy’s need for a new automatic inflation device compatible with the LPU-23D/P and LPU-36A/P series Life Preserver Unit (LPU), Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) developed and successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the Rapid Auto-Inflation Safety Equipment (RAISE). RAISE uses ultralow-power sensors based on microelectronics and a self-contained microelectromechanical inflation mechanism without the need for any cartridge-activated devices. The RAISE inflation system consists of a simple mechanism that uses the potential energy of a spring to puncture a CO2 cartridge with the tip of a cylindrical needle. When the mechanism is submerged, a low-power circuit measures water conductivity to detect immersion and trigger the device. Upon detection, a micro element automatically releases the trigger linkage, puncturing the CO2 cartridge that inflates the LPU. The trigger linkage is contained within the packaging and poses no risk to the LPU bladder or the user. The inflator assembly is also designed to enable the user to trigger manual inflation more easily than legacy inflators, with a reduced pull force of less than 5 lbf in any direction, while ensuring no accidental triggering. The innovative micropower water detection sensor enables RAISE to be used without servicing on a single commercially available battery for up to 10 years or until it is inflated, providing a long lifespan for the inflator and reduced sustainment costs. As a result, the RAISE device eliminates all Navy logistic, servicing, and sustainment challenges faced with the current inflator assembly. In Phase I, Intellisense demonstrated the feasibility of RAISE in a chlorinated pool, validating the key performance parameters. In Phase II, Intellisense plans to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of RAISE to TRL 6/7 through redesign based on extensive analytical evaluation, followed by mature prototype development and physical testing and demonstration of production-ready samples. In particular, Intellisense plans to optimize the size, weight, and power of RAISE. This will include reducing the size of the mechanical inflator and electronics used to activate the automatic inflator and reducing the force of the spring, which reduces its size and weight, all while still meeting Navy requirements. These optimizations will result in a smaller inflator assembly, an optimized electronics circuit, a ~30% reduction in the overall size of RAISE, and a package that can easily be integrated into the LPU. In addition, RAISE will be tested to verify that it will be able to pass environmental testing per MIL-STD-810. Furthermore, Intellisense will address any electromagnetic interference/compatibility susceptibility requirements per MIL-STD-461, such that RAISE will not have any electromagnetic compatibility challenges during operation.