The obj ect of the invention is a rescue apparatus, a so-called rescue capsule , for sea distress . Using the in- vention, sea rescue shall take place so that all the people in sea distress get into the rescue capsule, and they can be substantially safely rescued .

In this field of technology, the known methods are mostly rescue boats and rubber rafts , which are not covered, used in ships , oil rigs , and generally in vessels operating at sea .

Because of its size, in sea conditions and at high sea, a traditional rescue boat capsizes easily. As it is not covered, water easily floods it and it is a cold place for people rescuing from a sinking vessel . When wet, a traditional rescue rubber raft is slippery, whereupon, when the rubber raft tilts , the people who are rescuing slide into the same direction, with the result that the center of gravity shifts to the side of the rubber raft and, consequently, that the raft substantially probably capsizes . This is what happened, among others , when the Estonia car ferry sank in the fall of 1995. It is difficult for people at the mercy of water to get into a rescue boat, over its high sideboard . Equipped only with oars and without an engine and a naviga- tion system, a traditional rescue boat or rubber raft is also completely at the mercy of sea, driven by wind and waves without any destination .

The purpose of this invention is to get people in sea distress rescued into a non-sinking, enclosed, if de- sired, and substantially non-capsizing rescue capsule . Using

a special boarding platform, the purpose of the rescue capsule according to the invention is also to get the people in water substantially easily and safely into the rescue capsule . One rescue capsule, with a diameter of 5 meters or more, fits several persons, preferably at least 20 persons . Using the rescue capsule, based on the rescue capsule' s automatic navigation system and motorization, one can navigate and head toward the closest shore, other vessel, or other chosen target . In accordance with the invention, by using water- tightly enclosed, motorized rescue capsule equipped with a mechanism keeping the rescue capsule in an upright position and afloat and with an orientation and navigation system, the purpose can be achieved. To keep the rescue capsule in an upright position, the rescue capsule contains a so-called stabilizer, which operates similar to a ship or boat keel of known technology, but deviates from the known technology, among others , in that the stabilizer is lowered into the draft depth only when the rescue capsule is lowered into the water . The stabilizer is lowered into the draft depth by moving two or more internally interconnected cylinders in relation to each other . The outer or outermost of the cylinders is attached to the middle part of the rescue capsule and the inner or innermost cylinder to the stabilizer or vice versa . By attaching the stabilizer to the interrelat- edly movable cylinders , for storing the rescue capsule, less space than that of the draft is needed. The need for space is especially important for placing the rescue equipment in the ship . Beside the force of byuoance, a watertight enclo- sure of the rescue capsule and a tube of elastic material,

preferably rubber, inflatable with air other gas , surrounding the rescue capsule contribute to the rescue capsule staying afloat . To enter the rescue capsule from water, with the help of the opening cylinders, a so-called boarding platform can be expanded around the rescue capsule . The operation of the cylinders can be based on hydraulics , pneumatics , or mechanic tension, for instance, on a spring . The expansion of the boarding platform can take place automatically immediately after the lowering of the stabilizer, be- fore it, or concurrently with it . The height of the boarding platform is close to the water level and preferably a little below the water level, whereupon it is easier to climb onto the boarding platform from water than, for instance, over the board of a rescue boat . The boarding platform can be a net-like or solid carpet, preferably made of rubber or other elastic material or alloy or other material . The rescue capsule also contains an automatic distress rocket launch system, which launches the distress rockets after having received a signal, for instance, from a helicopter or a vessel coming for help in the radar or GPS system of the rescue capsule, whereupon it is easier for the rescuing vessel to locate the position of the rescue capsule . The rescue capsule can also contain solar cells for additional energy . Due to its shape, i . e . , it narrows from its upper and lower ends, the rescue capsule, loaded with people, can be dropped into water without generating an impact on it as a result of a sudden stop . The different sides of the rescue capsule are equipped with loops for easy fastening, for instance, to a towing vessel or a lifting helicopter .

To put it more precisely, characteristic to the rescue capsule according to the invention is what is presented in the characteristics of claims 1 and 3.

The following is a more detailed description of the invention, with references to the appended drawings , in which

Figure 1, as a partial sectional drawing, illustrates one rescue capsule according to the invention proj ected on a horizontal plane, Figure 2 , as a partial sectional drawing, illustrates one rescue capsule according to the invention projected on a vertical plane,

Figure 3, as a partial sectional drawing, illustrates one rescue capsule according to the invention pro- j ected on a horizontal plane with the stabilizer lowered and with the blower cap lifted open,

Figure 4 , as a partial sectional drawing, illustrates one steam-power-based application of the rescue capsule according to the invention proj ected on a horizontal plane,

Figure 5 , as a partial sectional drawing, illustrates one turbine engine application of the rescue capsule according to the invention proj ected on a horizontal plane .

The rescue capsule is a vessel similar to a cov- ered boat floating and operating on water, in which the main material can be metal, preferably aluminum, other metal, metal alloy, plastic, rubber, or some other waterproof material . The hull of the rescue capsule preferably consists of a truncated cone-shaped upper cover 1, an arched, preferably circular side cover 2 attached to the upper cover 1, a pref-

erably truncated-cone-shaped lower cover 3 attached to the side cover 2 , as well as a inner tube casing 4 attached both to the upper cover 1 and to the lower cover 3. Various beam structures , preferably steel or aluminum profiles , can be used to strengthen the hull . The structure of the inner tube casing 4 is substantially thick and the material preferably steel or aluminum, with which arrangement, in case of an accident, unwanted release of pressure into the rescue capsule is minimized. A tube 5 surrounds the side cover 2 , which tube 5 fits substantially tightly the surface of the side cover 2 , is preferably divided into several segments 6 with dividing walls 7 , filled with air or gas, preferably of rubber or other elastic material or alloy and which tube 5 can be attached with an adhesive or bands etc . to the side cover 2. Compared to, for instance, metallic or other hard structure, when the tube 5 is made of rubber or other such elastic material , it is safer to board the rescue capsule, as , thanks to its elasticity, any possible bumping and impacts against the side of the rescue capsule received by people rescuing are softer . The hull parts are preferably joined together by welding . Other methods of j oining them together are also possible . The upper cover 1 contains one or more watertight hatch (es) 32 for entering and exiting the rescue capsule as well as one or more watertight window ( s ) 33 for light . An emergency exit 34 , equipped with watertight covers , is located in the rescue capsule' s floor 11, made of metal, plastic, wood or other suitable material (s ) and also in its lower cover 3. People stay on the floor 11 of the rescue capsule or on separate mats 50 which are part of the floor 11 and, for children, child seats 49 are attached to

the inner tube casing 4. The inner tube casing 4 contains equipment for stabilizing the flotation of the rescue capsule and for getting air for breathing . The equipment for stabilizing flotation consists of a cylinder group 12 of two or more nested cylinders , of which cylinders, the innermost cylinder 42 serves as the pressure tanklβ, which pressure tank 16 is pre-pressurizable . The interrelatedly movable cylinders , i . e . , the innermost cylinder 42 , the middle cylinder 44 , and the outermost cylinder 43 are equipped with collars 69 restricting movement at one or both end ( s) . The flotation is stabilized employing the water-motion-resisting property and rigidity torque as well as by shifting lower the rescue capsule' s center of gravity. This shifting of the center of gravity is realized by releasing the pressure in the innermost cylinder 42 serving as the pressure tank 16 through a valve 13 , preferably a magnet valve receiving its power from the energy unit 37 consisting of an accumulator and power unit through a wire 14 , into the pressure space

41 , which pressure release causes the cylinders 42 , 43 , and 44 to move in relation to one another, transforming the cylinder group 12 from the shortened form into the elongated form. As the valve 13, preferably a magnet valve can substantially be used, which operates with a substantially low current . It is also possible to replace the cylinder group' s 12 external power sources with an accumulator or a battery, preferably a gel battery, included in the innermost cylinder

42 , middle cylinder 44 , or outermost cylinder 43, in which case there is no need to wire the cylinder (s ) through a wall . In accordance with the invention, the operation of the magnet valve can be controlled with a wireless remote con-

trol system based, for instance, on audio and/or radio technology . Consequently, the innermost cylinder 42 partially proj ects outward from the middle cylinder 44 and the middle cylinder 44 partially proj ects outward from the outermost cylinder 43. The protrusion takes place within the limits allowed by the collars 69 restricting the space for movement . Moving the cylinder group 12 from the shortened form into the elongated form shifts the stabilizer 15, preferably of a cone, truncated-cone, or cylinder or other form, at- tached to the other end of the innermost cylinder 42 , farther away from the rest of the rescue capsule, whereupon the shifting lower of the rescue capsule' s center of gravity and the increase in the rigidity torque make the rescue capsule more stable . The shifting lower of the stabilizer 15 can be improved with ports 57 made into the stabilizer 15 cover, which ports 57 are preferably equipped with shutters 58 , which shutters 58 close, when pulling the stabilizer 15 up, and open when pushing the stabilizer 15 down, which shutters 58 can preferably be equipped with hinges and/or of rubber or similar material . The energy unit 37 , consisting at least of accumulators and power units , included in the bottom part of the stabilizer 15 also contributes to the rescue capsule' s stability. The operation of the stabilizer 15 can be controlled from the rescue capsule or, using a remote con- trol unit, from outside the capsule, for instance, from the sinking ship or other vessel . The upper cover 1 , the lower cover 3, and the stabilizer 15 cover can also be in part on in whole of a shape other than what is stated above, and, for instance, a paraboloid, a hyperboloid, an ellipsoid, a

ball surface, or some other mathematical surface are preferably possible choices .

The release of overpressure in the innermost cylinder 42 serving as the pressure tank 16 into the pressure space 41 also moves the piston 23 included in the other, pressure space 41 end of the outermost cylinder 43, which piston 23 rod 45 extends at the minimum through the control unit 22 attached at least to one end of the outermost cylinder 43 and is attached to the power unit' s 25 control unit 46 equipped with a ventilation duct 24 and the power unit 25 on to the blower control unit 30 and the blower control unit 30 on to the blower- 29 protecting blower cap 28 , equipped with a gasket 27 , preferably a rubber gasket . Consequently, the blower cap 28 rises , i . e . , detaches itself from the rest of the rescue capsule and air is allowed to flow into the rescue capsule through one or more air inlet (s ) 31 , one or more duct ( s) 26, and one or more inlet ( s) 70 in the inner tube casing 4 for this purpose . Preferably with the help of, for instance, the so-called flashlight ■ "beacon" attached to the blower cap 28 and electrically connected from the pressure switch/pressure gauge, the pressure gauge and/or pressure switch included in the pressure space 41 can be used to let those outside the rescue capsule know that the stabilizer 15 has been lowered . This is an automatic function based on the lowering of pressure in the pressure space 41.

When the cylinder group 12 is in the elongated form and, hence, the stabilizer 15 father away from the rest of the rescue capsule and the blower cap 28 in the open position, i . e . , detached from the rescue capsule' s upper cover 1, driven by waves , the equipment, equipped with a gaskets

21 , attached to the control unit 22 , and operating with substantially low power, is allowed to move back and forth longitudinally parallel with the inner tube casing 4 , which to- and-fro pumping movement in the blower cap 28 generates air ventilation in the rescue capsule . For damping hard impacts , for stopping the movement, and for minimizing and preventing damage to the equipment and parts included in the inner tube casing 4 , a shock-absorbing device 56 can be included between the control unit 22 and the stopper 55 restricting the movement of the control unit 22 , which device can preferably be a spiral spring, a rubber etc . tube or some other shock- absorbing device; and a shock absorber 17 of rubber or other damping material is attached to the other, i . e . , the lower, end of the inner tube casing 4 , which shock absorber 17 re- ceives the stabilizer 15 impact from the collar 18 attached to the other end of the outermost cylinder 43. To prevent damage to the lower cover 3 caused by an impact, a rubber or similar curb is attached to the other, i . e . , upper edge of the stabilizer 15. In addition to the above, employing the blower 29 , preferably using the power from the accumulators included under the floor 11 , air can be pumped into the rescue capsule through one or more air inlet (s ) 31 , duct ( s ) 26 and inlets 70 in the inner tube casing 4. In an emergency situation, the blower cap 28 can be closed, i . e . , pulled to the upper cover 1 , thereby preventing, for instance, water flooding the rescue capsule by using the power unit 25, which power unit 25 can preferably be a solenoid, an electric motor, equipped with a screw plug, etc .

For people rescuing from a sinking vessel and even those already in water to board the rescue capsule , a board-

ing platform 8 is attached around the rescue capsule, which boarding platform 8 can preferably be a rubber net, etc . , however, in no way restricting materials or structure being used . When the rescue capsule is not being used, for saving space, this boarding platform 8 is rolled around the expansion rolls 9 and it can be spread into a carpet surrounding the rescue capsule by opening the expansion cylinders 10 , preferably equipped with rubberized ends to prevent damage, on different sides of the rescue capsule . The expansion cyl- inders 10 , the expansion rolls 9 , and the boarding platform 8 wrapped around the expansion rolls 9 are preferably placed partially under the tube 6, in which case, the height level of the boarding platform 8 is close to the water level or below it . The power needed for opening the expansion cylin- ders 10 can preferably be taken from the power source 19. The expansion of the boarding platform 8 with the help of the expansion rolls 9 and the expansion cylinders 10 can also be realized with the automation based on the aforementioned lowering of pressure in the pressure space 41 as a result of the elongation of the cylinder groupl2. The boarding platform 8 can also be extended manually from the control board or with a remote control unit .

For operating the rescue capsule on water, the rescue capsule is equipped with one or more the power unit ( s ) 39, preferably a combustion engine . The power unit 39 and the fuel tank 47 are included in the tube 5 surrounding the rescue capsule and divided with separation walls 48 into their own compartments , through which tube 5 an intake air valve 40 is installed. An outboard-motor-type combustion en- gine, equipped with an electric and/or manual starter, whose

exhaust gases are emitted through an exhaust pipe included in the casing waterproof vulcanized onto the hull of the rescue capsule made for the shaft of the propeller, can preferably be used as the power unit 39. In case of a fire in, or dangerous overheating of, the power unit 39, fire is extinguished with an automatically reacting fire extinguishing system preferably included in the same space with the power unit 39. Electrical starting of the power unit 39, the use thereof, and steering as well as orienteering and navi- gation of the rescue capsule is realized with the required equipment of known basic technology, such as the GPS system, included in the control board ( 38 ) . The turbine engine known for its so-called water j ets can be used as an alternative power unit 39. The turbine engine can also preferably be placed in the lower and/or front part of the rescue capsule . In the turbine engine application, the rescue capsule can be steered with an application in accordance with Figure 5 , in which the turbine engine sucks water through the suction pipe 71 into the ball valve 75 , and, by turning this ball valve 75 , water can be directed through the flow channel 76 in the ball valve 75 either into the left discharge pipe 72 , turning the rescue capsule left, into the right discharge pipe 74 , consequently, turning the rescue capsule right, or into the middle discharge pipe 73 , consequently, driving straight ahead. As an alternative, the turbine engine can be attached to the bottom part of the stabilizer, substantially axially in the middle, in which case the rescue capsule is steered by turning the turbine engine equipped with the control equipment . Also, any water having possibly seeped into the rescue capsule can be sucked through the turbine en-

gine' s valve, in which case, the water is first collected into the receptacle placed under the floor 11 , from where, through the valve, the turbine engine sucks the water into its suction pipe 71. The valve used is a valve shutting off automatically, when the water level in the receptacle is sufficiently low and then opens up when the water level reaches a certain level . In case the rescue capsule is not equipped with a turbine engine, the water having seeped into the rescue capsule is also managed using the aforementioned receptacle and valve, but the pumping is based is the to- and-fro pumping movement of the control unit 22 or is managed with a separate pump, which pump can be electronically or manually operated.

To improve the sea mobility of the rescue capsule, the stabilizer 15 cover, preferably of a cone or truncated- cone shape can be manufactured from various materials . The stabilizer 15 cover, with the basic solution preferably of aluminum, can be replaced with a cover, which is divided into at least two elastic parts 53 of elastic material, preferably rubber, etc . ; at least two turning parts 62 of hard material, preferably aluminum, etc . , attached to the elastic parts ; at least two hinge parts 54 to be attached to the turning parts, which hinge parts 54 can be a traditional metal or plastic hinge, or elastic material, preferably rub- ber etc . , can function as the hinge part 54 ; a base part 61 of a hard material attached to the hinge parts 54 and elastic parts 53 , which base part 61 can preferably be of aluminum, steel, etc . ; and one or more pulling extension ( s ) 59, equipped at least with one pulling apparatus 60 , attached to the base part 61. The pulling apparatus 60 consists of a

power unit, preferably an electric motor, a roller and a power source, i . e . , an accumulator or battery, attached to its shaft and a wire cable, etc . , attached to the roller, which wire cable' s other end is attached to the turning part 62. The power and/or rotation power needed for the pulling apparatus can also be taken from the energy unit 37. Using the aforementioned parts , employing the pulling apparatus 60 , the stabilizerlδ can be transformed into a so-called keel stabilizer better resembling the traditional ship keel by pulling closer to each other the turning parts 62 , which are attached to the other end ( s ) of the cable wire ( s ) 63 and hinged from the other end . As an alternative, a remote control unit can also control the operation of the pulling apparatus 60. To facilitate the lifting of the rescue capsule from the sea and the stabilizer 15 into an upward position, the parts for this purpose can be included in the stabilizer 15, which parts consist of at least one buoyance tank 51 , preferably a tube, which is substantially empty and col- lapsible, of elastic material, preferably rubber, etc . , inflatable, expandable, attached to the stabilizer 15 , preferably to the stabilizer 15 cover; and of one filling material tank 52 filled with the filling material; as well as of one or more remotely controlled valve (s) 68 , preferably mag- net valve ( s ) , between the buoyance tank 51 and filling material tank 52. When lifting the stabilizerlδ up, the liquid gas , preferably carbon acid, which is lighter than air and/or water, in the filling material tank 52 ^' is released by opening the valve between the filling material tank 52 , and the buoyance tank 51 , whereupon the state of liquid gas

changes from liquid into gas and fills and expands the buoy- ance tank 51. Consequently, based on the Archimedean law and on general liquid mechanism, the buoyance in the rescue capsule lightens the mass of the stabilizer 15 at least in wa- ter and, consequently pushes the stabilizer 15 up, and when the pressure in the pressure space 41 inside the cylinder group 12 is also released either into the buoyance tank 51 or into atmosphere, the buoyance in the buoyance tank 51 and the overpressure in the air space 20 between the walls of the cylinders 42 , 44 , and 43 move the cylinder group' sl2 cylinders 42 , 43 , and 44 in relation to one another, transforming the cylinder group 12 from the elongated form into the shortened form..

Alternatively, the pressurization of the cylinder group 12 in the rescue capsule can be realized by including an apparatus for generating aqueous or other steam in the cylinder group 12 , preferably at the other end of the innermost cylinder 42 , which apparatus preferably is a glow plug 64 , equipped with a protective cover 66, receiving power from the energy unit 37 or from another energy source through the wires 65 or other apparatus suitable for vaporizing water or other non-combustible liquid . The apparatus for generating steam is included in the cylinder group 12 so that it remains below the water level 67 in the cylinder group 12. A glow plug 64 or other such device, heated with power fed into the apparatus , vaporizes the liquid, preferably water 67 , and the steam pressure hereby generated makes the cylinders 42 , 43 , and 44 of the cylinder group 12 move in relation to one another, transforming the cylinder group 12 from the shortened form into the elongated form.

Oxygen tanks 35 and fresh water tanks 36 are preferably placed under the floor 11 of the rescue capsule . The rescue capsule is also equipped with other foodstuffs , first aid supplies , covers , blankets , and fire extinguishers, etc .

Beside the solar cells , additional energy can also be supplied by at least one generator powered by water motion and/or wind energy .