1. A rescue and safety apparatus for receiving personnel in aquatic environments of the type having an inflatable grille structure formed by one or more peripheral members defining an enclosed area and a plurality of internal members to thereby define a plurality of regularly-spaced open regions within the enclosed area, the peripheral and internal members being tubular and formed from a flexible, collapsible watertight material, and having a flexible open-mesh netting extending over the open regions and secured to at least one of the one or more peripheral members and the internal members, said netting being provided with at least one resealable personnel access opening that is located in an open region between the adjacent members, the inflatable grille structure having substantially similar opposing surfaces when inflated,
a) a plurality of fastening elements secured to each of the opposing surfaces of the grille structure,
b) at least one floor and shelter forming module releasable secured to the inflatable grille structure in a compactly folded configuration,
whereby said floor and shelter forming module, when released and unfolded, is attachable to the upper surface of the inflated grille to provide a modular personnel shelter having a floor panel supported by the open-mesh netting, the shelter extending upwardly over the floor panel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shelter is extended by support means, the support means being selected from the group consisting of rigid rods, flexible rods, studs, posts, fluid-tight inflatable channels provided with valves, and combinations thereof.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one wall of the shelter is provided with a sealable personnel access opening.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shelter is provided with at least one sealable ventilation opening.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unfolded floor and shelter module is attached to the upper surface of the inflated grille by attachment means selected from the group consisting of zippers, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, flexible tie cords, interlocking loops, manually releasable interlocking male and female connectors, and combinations thereof.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compactly folded floor and shelter forming module is disposed in a bag that is releasably secured to a surface of the grille structure.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 which further comprises earth-engaging tent pegs secured in the bag, whereby the floor and shelter forming module can be erected on, and secured to land.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a weight-supporting element joined to the inflatable grille, a weight-containing member releasably attachable to fasteners secured to opposing surfaces of the weight-supporting element and a stabilizing weight element positioned for suspension in the weight-containing member, whereby the relative position of the weight-containing member can be changed in order to suspend the stabilizing weight element below the inflated grille, regardless of the initial orientation of the grille in the aquatic environment.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the weight-supporting element is releasably attached to the weight-containing member by engagement of snap-hooks with receiving rings.
10. A rescue and safety device, comprising:
an inflatable grille forming a periphery of said device and having a plurality of meshes coupled within the inner periphery of said grille, each mesh having a netting disposed therein, wherein said plurality of meshes and corresponding nettings form opposing and reversible underside and topside surfaces of said device;
at least one bag removably coupled to one of the surfaces of said device, each bag including a first membrane being extendable from said bag across one of the meshes and corresponding netting and defining a floor surface along the topside surface, a second membrane being expandable from said bag and positioned over said floor, and a plurality of posts positioned in an upright direction between the floor surface and the second membrane to maintain said second membrane over the corresponding floor surface and define a shelter area therebetween;
a plurality of handles removably attached to said opposing underside and topside surfaces of the device; and
wherein each netting includes a sealable opening to provide access there through from either of the underside or topside surfaces.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one bag comprises a plurality of adjacent bags, wherein the first and second membranes from each bag are adapted for coupling to adjacent first and second membranes to form contiguous floors and corresponding shelters on said topside surface.
12. The device of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of safety belts removably attached to said opposing underside and topside surfaces of the device.
13. The device of claim 10, wherein said underside and topside surfaces comprise a plurality of fasteners for removebly attaching said first and second membranes about their respective peripheries.
14. The device of claim 10, wherein said second membrane expands into two parallelepipeds interconnected by an H-shaped structure, said H-shaped structure formed by a pair of opposing leg portions attached to opposing ends of a central portion, and a pair of rectangular fabric panels and four integral triangular panels, where the leg portions of the H-structure rotatably fold to a position substantially parallel with the central portion of the H-structure, said H-structure being stored in its folded position with said first and second membranes in said bag, said H-structure being reinforced when filled with one of water, gas, air, rods, or pipes on the sides of the H-structure, said H-structure having a pair of rectangular fabric panels and four integral triangular panels coupled over the H-structure, and wherein said four panels are formed as triangles and allow, when the H-structure is raised over the floor, closure of the shelter by fixing, on each side, one of said triangular panels over the other, and fixing a bottom periphery of the shelter to the top surface of the device.
15. The device of claim 10, wherein said at least one bag comprises at least two bags that are expandable into corresponding at least two structures, each structure including an H-shaped structure formed by a pair of opposing leg portions attached to opposing ends of a central portion, and a pair of rectangular fabric panels and four integral triangular panels, said at least two structures being interconnected by the central portion of the H-structure, which forms a roof, said structures being reinforced when filled with one of water, gas, air, rods, or pipes on the sides of the H-structure, and wherein said panels are formed as equilateral triangles that form sides and allow, when the structure is raised over the floor, closure of the shelter by connecting two triangles of the structure at each end one above the other in order to form a multiple shelter in the a form of a tunnel, wherein one rectangular fabric panel of each H-structure forms an inner wall that can be removeably attached to the floor, and wherein the periphery along the bottom of the shelter is fixed to the top surface of the device.
16. The device of claim 10, wherein said shelter comprises membranes associated with six bags that are expandable into corresponding six structures, each structure including an H-shaped structure formed by a pair of opposing leg portions attached to opposing ends of a central portion, and a pair of rectangular fabric panels and four integral triangular panels, said six structures being interconnected by the central portion of the H-structure, which forms a roof, said structures being reinforced when filled with one of water, gas, air, rods, or pipes on the sides of the H-structure, and wherein said panels are formed as equilateral triangles that form sides of the shelter and allow, when the structure is raised over the floor, closure of the shelter by connecting external two triangles of the structure at each end one above the other, and fixing two internal triangles of the structure to the rectangular panels forming the roof in order to form a multiple shelter in the a form of a tunnel, and wherein the periphery along the bottom of the shelter is fixed to the top surface of the device.
17. The device of claim 10, wherein said upright posts consist of folds, and are adapted to receive one of a fluid, a rod and a pipe.
18. The device of claim 10, wherein said shelter area is shaped as a pyramid having three sides that are inflatable by at least one of a pump, an air generator and a gas generator.
19. The device of claim 10, wherein said floor surface includes a plurality of apertures, where each aperture is sized to accommodate handle.
20. The device of claim, 10, wherein said second membrane includes three sides formed by panels having accordions for extending said panels to adjacent spaces.
21. The device of claim 10, wherein said at least one bag further comprises a telescoping mast and oars, the mast and oars being stored therein.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
The invention claimed is:
1. An RF switch comprising:
a first transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer, for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal, for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition; and
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal, for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition.
2. The RF switch of claims 1 wherein said first transformer is a BALUN transformer.
3. The RF switch of claim 1 wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include a biasing element through which said RF signal does not flow.
4. The RF switch of claim 3 wherein said biasing element through which said RF signal does not flow includes a PIN diode.
5. The RF switch of, claim 1 further including a second transformer, electrically coupled to said first output port biasing circuit, for receiving said RF input signal and for providing said RF input signal to said first output; and
said RF switch further including a third transformer, electrically coupled to said second output port biasing circuit, for receiving said RF input signal and for providing said RF input signal to said second output.
6. The RF switch of claim 5 wherein said first, second, and third transformers are BALUN transformers.
7. The RF switch of claim 1 wherein said first transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable.
8. The RF switch of claim 5 wherein said first transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, wherein said second transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, and wherein said third transformer is a coaxial cable having a length selected such that a phase of said RF signal provided at said second output port is the same as a phase of said RF signal provided at said first output port.
9. The RF switch of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits includes at least one DC current blocking capacitor.
10. The RF switch of claim 4 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits include first and second DC current blocking capacitors.
11. The RF switch of claim 10 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits include a bias injection inductor.
12. The RF switch of claim 11 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits include said injection inductor electrically connected to said PIN diode and coupled to said first or second output port biasing circuit control signal inputs and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said first transformer output and said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode, and wherein said second DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode and said first or second output port.
13. The RF switch of claim 12 wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor in said second output biasing circuit is electrically connected between a ground side of said first transformer input port and ground; and further including a fourth DC current blocking capacitor disposed between said first transformer input port, and ground.
14. The RF switch of claim 13 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits include a third DC blocking capacitor electrically connected between an input port of each of said injection inductors and ground.
15. The RF switch of claim 8 wherein each of said first and second output, port biasing circuits include first and second DC current blocking capacitors.
16. The RF switch of claim 15 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits include a bias injection inductor.
17. The RF switch of claim 16 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits include said injection inductor electrically connected to said PIN diode and coupled to said first or second output port biasing circuit control signal inputs and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said first transformer output and said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode, and wherein said second DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode and said first or second output port.
18. The RF switch of claim 17 wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor in said second output biasing circuit is electrically connected between a ground side of said first transformer input port and ground; and further including a fourth DC current blocking capacitor disposed between said first transformer input port and ground.
19. The RF switch of claim 18 wherein each of said first and second output port biasing circuits include a third DC blocking capacitor electrically connected between an input port of each of said injection inductors and ground.
20. The RF switch of claim 19 wherein said first and second output ports include a fourth DC current blocking capacitor electrically coupled between said first and second output ports and ground.
21. The RF switch of claim 8 further including a first DC current blocking capacitor in said second output port biasing circuit disposed between a ground side of said first transformer input port and ground, and wherein said second output port biasing circuit control signal is electrically connected between the ground side of said input port of said first transformer and said first DC current blocking capacitor;
a fourth DC current blocking capacitor, electrically coupled between said first transformer input port and ground;
wherein said first output port biasing circuit includes a first DC current blocking capacitor electrically coupled between an output port or said first transformer and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said second end of said PIN diode is connected to ground;
wherein said second output port biasing circuit includes a second DC current blocking capacitor electrically coupled between a first end of a PIN diode and an input port of said third transformer, and wherein a second end of said PIN diode is coupled to ground;
wherein said first and second output ports include a fourth DC current blocking capacitor electrically coupled between said first and second output ports and ground; and
further including a fifth DC current blocking capacitor, electrically coupled between a ground side of said second transformer and ground, and wherein said first output port biasing circuit control signal is electrically connected between said ground side of said second transformer and said fifth DC current blocking capacitor.
22. The RF switch of claim 1 further including an output port biasing circuit control signal generator, for selectively generating said first and second output port biasing circuit control signals, wherein said output port biasing circuit control signal generator generates only one of said first or second output port biasing circuit control signals at any one time, thereby biasing one of said first or second output port biasing circuits while simultaneously unbiasing the other of said first or second output port biasing circuits.
23. An RF switch comprising:
a first BALUN transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition, wherein said first output port biasing circuit includes a PIN diode biasing element through which said RF signal does not flow, said first output port biasing circuit also including at least first and second DC current blocking capacitors and a first bias injection inductor, wherein said bias injection inductor is electrically connected to said PIN diode and coupled to said first output port biasing circuit control signal input and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said first BALUN transformer output and said electrical connection of said bias injection inductor and said PIN diode, and wherein said second DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said electrical connection of said injection inductor and said PIN diode and said first output port; and
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition, wherein said second output port biasing circuit includes a PIN diode biasing element through which said RF signal does not flow, said second output port biasing circuit also including at least first and second DC current blocking capacitors and a second bias injection inductor, wherein said second bias injection inductor is electrically connected to said PIN diode and coupled to said second output port biasing circuit control signal input and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said first BALUN transformer output and said electrical connection of said second bias injection inductor and said PIN diode, and wherein said second DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said electrical connection of said second injection inductor and said PIN diode and said second output port.
24. An RF switch comprising:
a first transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
an output port biasing circuit control signal generator, for selectively generating said first and second output port biasing circuit control signals, wherein said output port biasing circuit control signal generator generates only one of said first or second output port biasing circuit control signals at any one time, thereby biasing one of said first or second output port biasing circuits while simultaneously unbiasing the other of said first or second output port biasing circuits;
further including a second BALUN transformer, electrically coupled to said first output port biasing circuit, for receiving said RF input signal and for providing said RF input signal to said first output;
a third BALUN transformer, electrically coupled to said second output port biasing circuit, for receiving said RF input signal and for providing said RF input signal to said first output; and
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include at least one DC current blocking capacitor.
25. An RF switch comprising:
a first transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal, a second transformer and a third transformer, wherein said first transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, wherein said second transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, and wherein said third transformer is a coaxial cable having a length selected such that a phase of said RF signal provided at said second output port is the same as a phase of said RF signal provided at said first output port;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include first and second DC current blocking capacitors and a bias injection inductor; and
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuit including said injection inductor electrically connected to said PIN diode and coupled to said first or second output port biasing circuit control signal input and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said first transformer output and said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode, and wherein said second DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode and said first or second output port.
26. An RF switch comprising:
a first transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal, a second transformer and a third transformer, wherein said first transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, wherein said second transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, and wherein said third transformer is a coaxial cable having a length selected such that a phase of said RF signal provided at said second output port is the same as a phase of said RF signal provided at said first output port;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include first and second DC current blocking capacitors and a bias injection inductor, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor in said second output biasing circuit is electrically connected between a ground side of said first transformer input port and ground; and further including a fourth DC current blocking capacitor disposed between said first transformer input port and ground;
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuit including said injection inductor electrically connected to said PIN diode and coupled to said first or second output port biasing circuit control signal input and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said first transformer output and said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode, and wherein said second DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode and said first or second output port;
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include said injection inductor electrically connected to said PIN diode and coupled to said first or second output port biasing circuit control signal input and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said first DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said first transformer output and said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode, and wherein said second DC current blocking capacitor is disposed between said electrical connection of said injunction inductor and said PIN diode and said first or second output port; and
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include a third DC blocking capacitor electrically connected between an input port of each of said injection inductors and ground.
27. An RF switch comprising:
a first transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal, a second transformer and a third transformer, wherein said first transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, wherein said second transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, and wherein said third transformer is a coaxial cable having a length selected such that a phase of said RF signal provided at said second output port is the same as a phase of said RF signal provided at said first output port;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
an output port biasing circuit control signal generator, for selectively generating said first and second output port biasing circuit control signals, wherein said output port biasing circuit control signal generator generates only one of said first or second output port biasing circuit control signals at any one time, thereby biasing one of said first or second output port biasing circuits while simultaneously unbiasing the other of said first or second output port biasing circuits;
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include at least a first DC current blocking capacitors;
wherein said second output port biasing circuit includes a first DC current blocking capacitor disposed between a ground side of said first transformer input port and ground, and wherein said second output port biasing circuit control signal is electrically connected between the ground side of said input port of said first transformer and said first DC current blocking capacitor;
wherein said first output port biasing circuit includes a first DC current blocking capacitor electrically coupled between an output port of said first transformer and a first end of a PIN diode, and wherein said second end of said PIN diode is connected to ground;
wherein said second output port biasing circuit includes a second DC current blocking capacitor electrically coupled between a first end of a PIN diode and an input port of said third transformer, and wherein a second end of said PIN diode is coupled to ground;
wherein said first and second output ports include a fourth DC current blocking capacitor electrically coupled between said first and second output ports and ground; and
further including a fifth DC current blocking capacitor, electrically coupled between a ground side of said second transformer and ground, and wherein said first output port biasing circuit control signal is electrically connected between said ground side of said second transformer and said fifth DC current blocking capacitor.
28. An RF switch comprising:
a first BALUN transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
an output port biasing circuit control signal generator, for selectively generating said first and second output port biasing circuit control signals, wherein said output port biasing circuit control signal generator generates only one of said first or second output port biasing circuit control signals at any one time, thereby biasing one of said first or second output port biasing circuits while simultaneously unbiasing the other of said first or second output port biasing circuits; and
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include a biasing element through which said RF signal does not flow, said biasing element including a PIN diode.
29. An RF switch comprising:
a first transformer having an input port for receiving an RF input signal, and an output port for providing said RF input signal, a second transformer and a third transformer, wherein said first transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, wherein said second transformer is a broadband ferrite loaded transformer wound with coaxial cable, and wherein said third transformer is a coaxial cable having a length selected such that a phase of said RF signal provided at said second output port is the same as a phase of said RF signal provided at said first output port;
a first output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a first output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said first output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a first output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition;
a second output port biasing circuit, electrically coupled to said transformer for receiving said RF input signal, and responsive to a second output port biasing circuit control signal for selectively operating said second output port biasing circuit in one of either a biased condition or an unbiased condition, for providing said RF input signal to a second output port in said biased condition, and for providing a high impedance to said output port in said unbiased condition; and
wherein said first and second output port biasing circuits include a biasing element through which said RF signal does not flow, said biasing element including a PIN diode.