GB2428994A

GB2428994A - A submersible vessel with a buoyant air supply hose

Info

Publication number: GB2428994A
Application number: GB0518221A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian David Shinn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-08
Filing date: 2005-09-08
Publication date: 2007-02-14
Also published as: GB0516252D0; GB0518221D0

Abstract

A submersible vessel comprises a body with an air supply comprising an air hose attached to the body at one extremity and a floatation device at the other and means of removing carbon dioxide. Ballast can be detached from the body allowing the vessel to ascend rapidly. The air supply further comprises a floatation device in the form of a buoyant platform which supports a reel for the releasing and braking of the air hose and a mast which has an air intake and a method of warning vessels near the floatation device. The flotation device can have a generator, batteries, thruters and an air pump attached. The submersible vessel has a communications and control system, propulsion systems, seats, a hatch and emergency and safety systems.

Description

A Submersible Vessel With Its Air Supplied Through a Flexible Hose Attac

To a Floatation Device This invention relates to a submersible vessel. The vessel will have a flexible air hose attached to a floatation device that will float on the surface whilst the vessel is submerged.

There are small submarines and submersibles available which are autonomous devices having an internal air supply which is self contained and therefore limits the time that the submersible can remain underwater. These submersibles are limited by varying factors in the number of passengers they can carry, the depth to which they can submerge and the amount of time they can remain underwater.

According to the present invention there is provided a submersible vessel comprising a body which is primarily though not necessarily constructed of transparent material, a door, a hose for air /communications leadsf power leads, the hose is attached to the body at one extremity and to a flotation device at the other, lead (or other suitable material) ballast which is configured that if required a proportion may be disconnected from the body of the submersible to facilitate rapid ascent, internal seating, motors for propulsion and steering, communications and control systems, batteries, an emergency air supply, carbon dioxide scrubbers, a reel system attached to the floatation device which will be capable of winding in, releasing and braking the air hose, an attachment to facilitate the lifting and lowering of the vessel, safety lighting and other warning indicators, lights attached to the body of the submersible, a floatation device which may have a generator or batteries, thruster(s) and an air pump attached, safety valves to prevent water entering the vessel, a release to disconnect the air hose, if necessary an additional a ballast system utilising water, sand or other suitable material which can alter the buoyancy of the vessel if necessary a toilet facility By use of this invention the occupants can spend unlimited time underwater without excessive cost and are able to enjoy a rapid ascent to the surface which is designed to add a popular feature to enhance the commercial appeal of the vessel.

By way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 1/12 Fig 1 Shows the vessel from the side with the floatation device attached.

1/12 Fig 2 Shows the vessel from the front with the floatation device attached.

2/12 Fig 3 Shows the vessel from the side with the floatati.on device detached.

2/12 Fig 4 Shows the vessel from the front with the floatation device detached.

3/12 Fig 5 Shows the vessel from the top with the floatation device attached.

4/12 Fig 6 Shows the vessel from the top with the floatation device detached * 5/12 Fig 7 Shows the vessel from the side with the floatation device & ballast detached.

5/12 Fig 8 Shows the vessel from the front with the floatation device & ballast * detached.

6/12 Fig 9 Shows the floatation device with the reel and air hose defined.

7/12 Fig 10 Shows the floatation device with the reel and air hose defined and batteries (which may be replaced by a generator), an air pump and a means of propulsion. 2.

8/12 Fig 11 Shows the vessel with an alternative shape from the front with the floatation device attached.

9/12 Fig 12 Shows the vessel with an alternative shape from the front with the floatation device detached 10/12 Fig 13 Shows the vessel with an alternative shape from the rear with the floatation device attached & ballast attached.

11/12 Fig 14 Shows the vessel with an alternative shape from the rear with the floatation device attached & ballast detached.

12/12 Fig 15 Shows the vessel with an alternative shape from the side with the floatation device attached.

12/12 Fig 16 Shows the vessel from the underside with an adjustable buoyancy system.

Claims

Claims 1. Asubmersible vessel comprising a body which is primarily though

not necessarily constructed of transparent material, a door, a hose for air (pumped if necessary) /communications leads! power leads, the hose is attached to the body at one extremity and to a flotation device at the other and is capable of being detached from the body of the vessel when required, ballast of lead (or other suitable material) which is configured that if required a proportion may be disconnected from the body of the submersible to facilitate rapid ascent, internal seating, motors for propulsion and steering, communications and control systems, batteries, an emergency air supply, carbon dioxide scrubbers, a reel system attached to the floatation device which will be capable of winding in, releasing and braking the air hose, an attachment to facilitate the lifting and lowering of the vessel, safety lighting and other warning indicators, lights attached to the body of the submersible, a floatation device which may have a generator or batteries, thruster(s) and an air pump attached, safety valves to prevent water entering, through the hose, a release mechanism to disconnect the air hose, if necessary an additional a ballast system utilising water, sand or other suitable material which can alter the buoyancy of the vessel. -
2. A submersible vessel substantially described with reference to Figures 1 - 16 of the accompanying drawings