GB219011A - - Google Patents

Abstract

219,011. Kiwull, W. July 14, 1923, [Convention date]. Sunken ships, raising.-Sunken ships are raised by producing ice locally so as to close the aperture therein, or by means of lifting pontoons frozen on to the ship. Apertures in the deck or outer skin are closed by the local formation of ice which is solidly attached to the surrounding metal parts by cooling the latter by direct contact with pipes or other hollow members through which the refrigerating medium is circulated. Heat insulating layers are used to localize and regulate the ice formation. The apparatus comprises distribution tanks adapted to rest on the surface of the ship and flexible pipes adapted to be spread over the deck or hull to produce the ice coating where required. The method may be used to secure lifting pontoons to the ship by freezing them on. Access to the interior of the hull may be obtained by freezing the water in a compartment into a solid block and cutting shafts in the ice in communication with the air. A working buoy 1, Fig. 3, comprising, a chamber 2 and an outer casing 3 which encloses a trimming tank, is hauled down to the ship on anchored hawsers. The working chamber 2 is connected to the salvage ship by means of flexible piping 4, and is provided with a searchlight, a grab having scissors 5 for clearing, and a pump with jets 6 for scouring sand, weeds &c. Pipes are lowered from the salvage vessel connected to distribution tanks 10, flexible pipes 11 and insulated refrigerating pipes 12. The flexible pipes 11 are spread by operators in the buoy over the deck of the ship and over the damaged parts of the outer skin. Freezing mixture is then pumped through the pipes, producing a layer of ice so that the hull is completely closed. The water in the ship can then be pumped out. Alternatively, vessels 22, Fig. 4, enclosed with layers 23 of heat insulating material and filled with liqud air 20 or cooled by liquid carbon dioxide from cylinders 21 may be used. Lifting means such as pontoons 26 may be provided so arranged that the evaporated air or carbon dioxide passes into them to produce the buoyancy for raising the ship. Pontoons 30, Fig. 5, may be provided with refrigerating pipes 31 and frozen on to the ship by freezing medium supplied through pipes and tanks 33. Specification 183,536 is referred to.