GB122393A - Improvements in and relating to Submarine Salvage. - Google Patents

Abstract

122,393. Vito, J. A. de. Jan. 15, 1918, [Convention date]. Sunken ships, raising.-Pontoons 1 are connected to each other by pivoted arms 31 beyond the bow and stern of the sunken vessel and are moved together to positions on opposite sides of the sunken vessel a. The pontoons carry series of jaws 5, which are closed towards each other, so as to engage the bottom of the vessel a, by the partial rotation of the pontoons. To effect this rotation, links 35 are pivoted at one end on the arms 31 and at the other on a pin 39 which is mounted on the piston-rod 49 of a fluid-pressure cylinder 41 carried on the shaft 33 to which the arms 31 are pivoted. The admission of pressure fluid to the cylinder 41 is controlled from surface salvage vessels, and when the pistonrod has been driven outwardly from the cylinder to close the jaws under the vessel a, they are locked in this position by spring pawls 59 engaging a rack 45 on the piston-rod. The pontoons are preferably moved obliquely, as shown in Figs. 17, 18, and 19, during the lowering and raising operation, and this may be effected by controlling the admission and expulsion of water into and from the compartments into which the pontoons are divided, so as to vary their buoyancy, or by suitably operating lifting tackle 81 connected with the pontoons. In each case the obliquity is controlled from the surface of the water. The buoyancy of the pontoons may be controlled by air compressors carried by the salvage vessels B, and compressed air may be employed for operating the link 35 to close the jaws, which may be arranged so that if any one of them is obstructed it may be released, so that the movement of approach of the other jaws is not interfered with.