GB190624696A - Improved Method of and Arrangement for Keeping Constant the Weight of a Submarine Boat. - Google Patents

Abstract

24,696. Winand, P. Nov. 3, 1905, [date applied for under Patents Act, 1901], Submarine vessels.-The weight of a submarine vessel is maintained constant when at work by replacing the substance consumed by an equal weight of water. The invention consists in separating the water by a movable body from the liquid substance consumed, using the same containers for each. It is stated to be specially applicable where the substance consumed is soluble in water. The movable separating-body may be eitber a solid, a liquid, cr a gas which is both insoluble in water and the substance consumed. When a solid piston is used, the water may be introduced by means of a pump connected with the fuel pump in such a manner that the volumes pumped are inversely proportional to the specific gravities. To avoid mixing the liquids when a liquid separator is used, the container may be divided by thin vertical partitions into cells of small area. In one arrangement, the containers are provided with floats S', S<2>, S<3>, the specific gravities of which are between that of water and that of the liquid consumed. Each float has a valve at the top and another at the bottom. Water introduced into the tank B<1> passes through the pipe O<1> into the tank B<2> and displaces the air contained in it; the air is thus forced through the pipe O<2> into the tank B<3> and drives the liquid out of the tank B3 through the pipe u<3> until the surface of the liquid falls to the float S<3>, when it sinks and admits air to the next container. In a modified arrangement, the upper connexion is through an open pipe of such form that the liquid forms a seal. The lower connexions contain ball valves to replace the floats shown in Fig. 2.