GB2519529A

GB2519529A - Clamping seal

Info

Publication number: GB2519529A
Application number: GB1318688.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Bowlt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-22
Filing date: 2013-10-22
Publication date: 2015-04-29
Also published as: GB201318688D0

Abstract

A hole sealing device that prevents or regulates the transfer of liquids or gases through puncture holes in a vessel. A temporary sealing device to prevent or reduce water penetrating into a ship or other vessel with a holed hull by means of a clamp passing through the hole in the hull and installed and operated from one side of the hull and facilitates pumping out unwanted liquid back through the hole in which it came. The device comprises a hollow tube 3 that supports an external clamp unit 8 and a sealing pan unit 1 with a flexible seal 2. In use the device is passed through the hole 22 with the external clamp unit in a collapsed state. Once through the hole the external clamp unit may be expanded by a rubber ball 11 to block the hole and the sealing pan then seals against the other side of the vessel. The hollow tube may then be used to pass liquid through the sealed hole.

Description

Sealing regulating clamp to prevent or regulate liquid or gases escaping from one area to another This invention relates to a device for the temporary sealing of an accidental hole in a storage container or a ship's hull at or below the water line whilst at sea in order that the ship may return to land or dry dock for permanent repair.

When a ship's hull is holed by an explosive shell or debris it allows water to penetrate the vessel which may lead to the ship sinking.

However, the conventional use of several square cut timber wedges hammered into the jagged hole can be time consuming and lead to a number of difficulties. Wedges may fall through the hole and be lost; several smaller holes around perimeter may permit several smaller leaks. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes stopping the water without repairing or plugging the hole by means of a sealing regulator clamp that may be installed quickly by one man, the clamp which is attached to a hollow tube with threaded outer surface and is expandable after being pushed through the hole in the hull and drawn back against the outer face of the hull, the opposite end of the tube passes through the centre of the sealing pan which is fitted with a flexible seal around the open end of the pan, The sealing pan slides along the hollow tube up to and seals against the inner face of the hull by means of washers and wing nut on the outside of the pan, The inboard end of the hollow tube is fitted with a stop/regulator valve, The stop valve in the open position reduces the water pressure against the sealing pan whilst the device is being installed, Once installed the valve is turned to the closed position preventing water penetration. This valve may then be connected by means of a flexible hose to a non-return valve and water pump in order that water may be pumped back out of the vessel through the same hole in which it came. Alternatively it may be connected to a fire hose for use in extinguishing fire. Alternatively it may be used the opposite way round to stop oil leaking from a tanker into the sea or road with the valve transferring the content to another tanker. The device eliminates the need for plugging or repairing the hole.

The device may be used in pairs or multiple units to accommodate elongated holes, splits or tears.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the sealing pan unit, expanding clamp and the connecting hollow tube in the first stage of operation passing through the hole in hull stages of operation.

Figure 2 shows the sealing pan unit, expanding clamp and the connecting hollow tube in the second stage of operation with the legs having been expanded by the rubber ball and the rubber ball being held pushed against the hole by the legs and flow of water.

Figure 3 shows the sealing pan unit, expanding clamp and the connecting hollow tube in the third stage of operation with the sealing pan tightened up against the hull and ready for the regulating valve to be turned off or connected to a pump for pumping the water back out through the same hole in which it came or for use in fighting fires via a fire hose.

Figure 4 shows the sealing pan unit with an alternative swivel clamp and a connecting rod with trigger grip tightening.

Figure 5 shows an alternative flexible wire operated expanding clamp in the compact ready to deploy mode being passed into the hole in the hull Figure 6 shows an alternative flexible wire operated expanding clamp in the expanded by wire deployed mode on the outer side of the hull.

Figure 7 shows an alternative flexible wire operated expanding clamp in the deployed mode showing the wire tensioning screw and regulating valve.

In figure 1, a sealing pan unit1 includes a flexible seal2 is located on the hollow tube3; the tube is externally threaded to accept sealing washers4 Metal washers5 and wing nut6. Open/close valve7 is fitted to end of the hollow tube3.

The external clamp unit8 is made up of a fixed plate° to which three or more extendible legs1° are loosely hung by their lugs penetrating through holes in the fixed plate9 Within the legs1° a compressible rubber ball11 is held compacted by the legs1° when the device is in the closed ready to deploy mode. When needed to expand a retaining tube12 is pulled off the legs1° allowing the rubber ball11 to expand, pushing the legs1° out. Once pulled towards the outer surface21 of the hull20 the rubber ball11 will be forced into the hole22 in the hull2° by the flow of water23 and fully or partially blocking the hole22 reducing the volume of water23 from entering the ship.

Alternatively the rubber ball11 may be substituted for springs14 in order to expand the legs1° Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the hollow tube3 is replaced by a solid bar25 with a pivoting section26 The wing nut6 is replaced with a trigger mechanism27 with quick release28 allowing fast locking against a seal gasket29 and sealing pan unit1 Figure 7 shows a further alternative embodiment in which a flexible cable / wire30 connects the sealing pan unit1 with an expanding clamp31 comprising of one central bar32 with two end bars33 pivoted at the ends of central bar32 The central bar32 and the two end bars33 are held in a line, ready to deploy mode, until pushed through the hole in the hull. After pushing through hole in hull the flexible wire30 is drawn back inboard which pulls the end bars33 to right angles with the central bar32 and back until it comes into contact with the outer face of the hull. The sealing pan unit1 is then pushed along the flexible wire30 until hard up against the hull20 and tied off at the end of the tensioning unit34 fitted to the external side of the sealing pan unit1 the tensioning unit34 may then be adjusted to further tighten the seal against the hull.