DIY Survival Capsule/Escape Pod

Votes: 24
Views: 12925

This DIY Survival Capsule (Escape Pod, Storm Shelter) was designed to save the lives of its occupants, in case of natural disasters. The picture show the first capsule (MKPOD1), used for real scale and FEA (Structural and CFD) tests.

BASIC SPECIFICATIONS:
-Capacity: 5 people - 1,250 lbs [567 Kg]
-Dimensions: Height: 41 in [1041 mm], Width (max): 78 in [1981 mm]
-Weight (approx.): 160 lbs [73 Kg]
-Two access/exit hatches (main and emergency exit)
-Equipped with breathing / sighting fittings
-Lifting/anchoring lugs (also designed for helicopter lift)
-Construction Materials: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP), Plywood, Aluminum Alloy, high strength PVC, Stainless Steel and Galvanized Carbon Steel.
-No special tools required for fabrication. No metal welding required.
-It can be fixed (anchored) as storm shelter, or allowed to move (float) in case of flood or tsunami.
-It is portable; can be handled, relocated or transported with ease.

APPLICATIONS:
•Storm Shelter •Hurricanes •Cyclones •Typhoons •Tornadoes (twisters)
•Tsunamis •Floods
•Earthquakes •Landslides •Avalanches
•Emergency shelter for High Mountain or Arctic/Antarctic
•Extreme/Dangerous Environments
•Severe Weather

ACCESSORIES:
•Support Plans for "Pod & Electric Motor"
•Anchoring Details Plans.

MORE DETAILS:
The capsule was designed and tested to withstand impact loads, strong water waves and wind loads, collapsing compression (force) loads and pressure (fluid) loads, using advanced finite element analysis (FEA) - structural and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and real scale tests. The internal aluminum alloy structure combined with the external composite shield, were specifically designed for high strength but low weight.

Related videos:
- FEA/Structural analysis: http://youtu.be/VF8NGHJM8oM />- CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) analyses: http://youtu.be/0SEMEEZaJbg />- In Action at the Sea: http://youtu.be/86ZXiY4tfcE

Video

Voting

Voting is closed!

  • ABOUT THE ENTRANT

  • Name:
    Xabier Sanjuan
  • Type of entry:
    individual
  • Profession:
    Engineer/Designer
  • Number of times previously entering contest:
    2
  • Xabier's favorite design and analysis tools:
    Finite Element Analysis (Structural, Thermal and Computational Fluid Dynamics)
  • Xabier's hobbies and activities:
    Kayaking and Canoeing.
  • Xabier is inspired by:
    To help making a better, safer and sustainable World.
  • Software used for this entry:
    ANSYS, AutoCAD
  • Patent status:
    pending