GB150365A - Improvements in or relating to means for raising submerged vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

150,365. Ryan, A. H. March 3, 1919. Sunken ships, raising. - A series of inflatable buoys a are secured along the sides of a submerged vessel by means of cables a<3> which pass through pockets a<2> formed along the upper and lower edges of the buoys, the latter being formed with a flat side to fit against the ship. The buoys are connected by air pipes c, and are preferably inflated from a forked supply pipe, one branch being connected to the port and the other to the starboard buoys. Each buoy is provided with a protective coating of chain mesh, or is enclosed by overlapping plates or staves g, Fig. 7, having inwardly and outwardly turned flanges g<2> which abut against each other in the expanded position. Eyes g<3> on each plate engage with pivoted rods h<1>, h<2>, which serve as guides during inflation and deflation. The protective means are preferably of aluminium or other light metal. Each buoy is provided with a non-return inlet-valve which may be a spring-pressed ball valve i, Fig. 8. Where a series of buoys is to be inflated from a common air pipe connexion, each buoy is also provided with an outlet valve which also consists of a spring- pressed ball valve j, Figs. 9 and 10. The valve j is normally held off its seat by sliding grids j<4> which are pulled towards each other by springs j<5> and pulled apart, as the buoy becomes inflated, by springs j<7>. The springs j<5> are made successively weaker in the buoys as they are further away from the air pump connexion, so as to prevent the buoys nearer the pump connexion from closing their outlets before the buoys further away are fully inflated. When the whole of the buoys are inflated and all the valves closed, the effects of any damage to a bouy are confined to that buoy, escape of air from the other buoys being prevented by the valves. Buoys may also be employed inside the sunken ship.