GB2244680A - Magnetic array bag system for sealing metallic members - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnetic array bag system (10) e.g. a breach mat for emergency sealing of an opening (14) in a metallic panel-like member (12) e.g. a hull plate comprises a frame having a first and second member (16a, 16b) having at least one surface of a magnetized metal (20) for releasably attaching the frame to the panel-like member (12) on opposite sides of the opening (14), and a bag member (18) extending between the first and second members (16a, 16b). The bag member (18) has a valve (30) for receiving a fluid, whereby inflation of the bag member with a fluid expands the bag member to forceably abut the bag member against the panel-like member (12), thereby sealing the opening (14). <IMAGE>

Description

MAGNETIC ARRAY BAG SYSTEM APPARATUS FOR THE EMERGENCY SEALING OF A METALLIC PANEL-LIKE MEMBER This invention relates to the emergency sealing of an aperture in a metallic plate or panel. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for attachment over an aperture in a ship's hull to provide emergency sealing. Such apparatus could be used to prevent water seeping into the ship's hold through the unwanted opening or prevent fluid such as crude oil from escaping to the surrounding waters.

Various attempts have been made in the past to provide emergency devices for the quick blocking of apertures in a ship's hull. In order to be effective, such apparatus must be capable of being quickly installed before the ship takes on too much water. In the case of an oil tanker, a sudden puncture in the steel hull of the tanker will result in spillage of the crude oil cargo into the seas. This could result in an ecological disaster.

The applicant has devised a magnetic array bag system apparatus which can be carried in the deck house of the ship and quickly installed by divers. This installation can be executed in about five minutes after a minimum of specialized training and practice.

It is therefore an object of one aspect of the invention to provide an emergency apparatus for the quick sealing of an aperture in a metallic plate.

It is an object of another aspect of the invention to provide an emergency sealing apparatus using a liquid filled bag applied against the aperture and held in place by connected panels containing an array of magnetic retainers.

In the Drawings: Figure 1 is a partially schematic elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, shown positioned over an aperture in a ship's hull; Figure 2 is a partially schematic elevational view of the apparatus of Figure 1 aligned in upright position to accommodate the contour of the aperture; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one end of the apparatus in collapsed form suitable for storage; Figure 4 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus positioned over an aperture in a ship's hull; Figure 5 is a partially schematic elevational view of two units of the apparatus aligned in series over a ship's hull to accommodate a relatively large size aperture; and, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown partially opened for purposes of illustration.

In Figure 1, the magnetic array bag system apparatus 10 is shown mounted on the side of a metallic hull 12 of a ship such as an oil tanker. An aperture or gash 14 is shown in broken outline in the drawing for purposes of illustration. It must be appreciated that the apparatus is mounted over the aperture 14 and consequently it would not usually be visible through the water filled bag.

Apparatus 10 includes a pair of buoyant panels 16a and 16b in substantial parallel alignment with an enclosed bag member 18 therebetween and secured at each respective end. Bag member 18 is made of neoprene rubber or a tough flexible material which is both water tight and impervious to petroleum products, such a kevlar-neoprene polymer.

Panels 16 include an array of spaced apart magnet 20 (Figure 3), which may be natural magnets or electromagnets activated electrically from a connection on board ship. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the electromagnets are activated by a magnetic power line 22.

When a gash or tear occurs on the hull of the tanker, the apparatus 10 is taken by a trained crew from the deck house of the ship where it is usually stowed in the collapsed form shown in Figure 3. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a unit of the array system apparatus would weight approximately 200 pounds and could be carried along the deck by two men.

Divers would go over the side with the unit, which because of the buoyancy of panels 16, would be easy to handle in the water. After securing band 26 is removed, the panels are aligned against the steel hull by means of guide handles 24. One panel is placed on each side of the gash or tear with the array of magnets 20 aligned against the steel hull. When natural magnets are used in panels 16, the panels are immediately clamped onto the hull. In the case of electromagnet, the panels are aligned on the hull and, upon a signal from the divers, power is turned on above deck to activate the electromagnets.

A hose line 28 is mounted in bag inlet 30. This is connected to a ship fire hydrant 32 before the apparatus is lowered over the side with the divers. Upon a signal from the divers, deck hands open hydrant 32 and pump water into a bag. Water pressure in the hydrants is usually at a pressure of 120 psi. This water pressure within the bag is enough to counteract outside pressure from the surrounding seas at the depths where this apparatus would be effectively used. Such emergency openings in a ship's hull would not normally be more than 20 feet below the water line.

When the panels with their array of magnets are in place and the bag is filled with water from the hydrant lines, restraining straps 34 are drawn to secure the wall of the bag from bulging outwardly due to the internal water pressure in the bag. The drawn straps are secured in snatch blocks on the panels. The focus of the internal pressure in the bag is therefore directed towards the side lying on the aperture, so that the internal water pressure will force the overlying back wall into the aperture and assist in closing the aperture itself.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each panel includes an array of natural magnets which provide a holding power against the steel hull of approximately 3600 pounds of force to give a total holding power of the apparatus against the hull of 7200 lbs. force. When electromagnets are used through activation from the ship's power supply, a total holding force of 10,000 lbs. force or more is possible.

The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is substantially the same as described in Figure 1, but it might be noted that the apparatus is aligned in a substantially vertical position to accommodate the particular gash 14 in the ship's hull. The same reference numerals are used in Figure 2 and in the previous Figure.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, two units of the apparatus are shown connected in series to cover the open area caused by a larger aperture 14. In the case of aperture of this size, a crew usually consisting of four divers would descend over the side of the ship, each pair of divers handling one of the units. The bag 18 of each of the units would be connected to its respective fire hydrant 32 on the ship's deck and the panels 16a and 16b clamped on each side of the aperture and held in place either by an array of natural magnets within the panels or an array of electromagnets which are electrically connected to a power line 22 to the ship's electrical supply.

As may be noted in Figure 5, the units are so positioned that their panels align and the ends of bags abut at approximately the center of the aperture 14 in the hull.

When a signal is given from the divers, water is pumped into the bag from the hydrant lines 28 and the bags are filled. Retaining straps 34 are tightened by the divers and held in place through a series of snatch blocks 36. These retaining straps inhibit the water filled bag from extending outwardly and the pressure of water from hydrant lines is directed against the rear wall of the bag which is forced towards the aperture 14.

The effect of tightening of retaining straps 34 can be seen in Figure 4, which shows the bag in cross section in position on a ship's hull and overlying an aperture 14. The bag is shown having been positioned in the manner described above with hydrant water pumped into the bag at a pressure of approximately 120 pounds per square inch and retaining straps 34 are drawn tightly around the outside of the bag and held in snatch blocks (not shown). The pressure of the incoming hydrant flow thereby causes the wall of the bag facing the aperture to expand and assist in closing off the aperture itself.

Figure 6 shows the apparatus of the present invention partially opened and ready to be lowered over the side with the divers. The ship's fire hose line has not been connected to inlet 30. The walls of the bag are still partially collapsed as water has not yet been pumped in and retaining straps 34 are loosely positioned in snatch blocks 36. As the bag expands when filled with water, these retaining straps 34 will be tightened and the tightening can be adjusted by releasing and reconnecting the straps within the respective snatch block.

It must be appreciated that minor modifications can be made to the applicant's invention without departing from the scope of the invention described.

Claims (19)

1. A magnetic array bag system for emergency sealing of an opening in a metallic panel-like member, comprising: a frame having first and second members having at least one surface of a magnetized metal for releasably attaching said frame to said panel-like member on opposite sides of said opening; and a bag member extending between said first and second members, said bag member having valve means for receiving a fluid, whereby inflation of said bag member with a fluid expands said bag member to forceably abut said bag member against said panel-like member to seal said opening.

2. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame further includes electro-magnetic means for selectively increasing the magnetic force between said frame and said panel-like member.

3. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said first and second frame members have means for neutralizing the buoyancy of said frame and bag member.

4. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said bag system includes a hose member connectable between said valve means and a pump means.

5. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said frame further includes straps means extending between said first and second frame members for restraining said bag member from separating from said panel-like member when said system is installed thereon.

6. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said bag member is collapsible for folding when not in use and said frame members have retaining straps for retaining the frame members together for storage.

7. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said frame further includes line means extending from opposite ends of said frame members for manoeuvring said frame.

8. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said bag member is made from a flexible material which is impervious to water and petroleum products.

9. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in at least claim 4 wherein said panel-like member is the hull of a vessel and said pump means is a fire hydrant of said vessel for pumping water.

10. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said pump means produces at least 120 feet of pressure.

11. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said system is installed on the hull of a vessel less than 20 feet below the water line of the vessel.

12. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in at least claim 2 wherein said electro-magnetic means includes an electric magnet connectable to a power supply for activating said electric magnet.

13. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said magnetized metal from each of said frame members produces approximately 3600 pounds force.

14. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said electro-magnetic means and said magnetized metal produce approximately 10,000 pounds force.

15. A magnetic array bag system as claimed in any one of clairns 1 to 14 wherein like systems are ganged together for covering larger openings.

16. A method for emergency sealing of an opening in a metallic panel-like member using a magnetic array bag system comprising (i) a frame having first and second members having at least one surface of a magnetized metal for releasably attaching said frame to said panel-like member on opposite sides of said opening, said frame having electro-magnetic means for increasing the magnetic force between said frame and said panel-like member, said frame having straps means extending between said first and second frame members for restraining said bag member from separating from said panel-like member, and (ii) a bag member extending between said first and second members, said bag member having valve means for receiving a hose member, whereby inflation of said bag member with a fluid expands said bag member to forceably abut said bag member against said panel-like member to seal said opening, the method comprising the steps of: (a) applying said first and second members substantially parallel to said opening for covering said opening with said bag member; (b) connecting said hose member between said valve and a pump means; (c) connecting said electro-magnetic means to a power supply and activating same; (d) tightening said strap means; and (e) activating said pump means for inflating said bag member with fluid.

17. A magnetic array bag system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

18. A method for emergency sealing of an opening in a metallic panel-like member, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. All novel features and combinations thereof.