US1729120A - Nonsinkable hull for vessels - Google Patents

Description

Patented Sept. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. OWEN, F IDALOU, TEXAS, ASSIGNQR OFl ONZE-IFO'UR'IH` TO WILLIAM GROAT, 0F IDALOU, TEXAS, AND ONE-FOURTH T0 J. W. HUFF, 0F LUBBOCK COUNTY,

TEXAS NoNsINxABLE HULL VForv vEssELs lApplication filed November 10, 1926. Serial No. 147,492.

' The present invention relates to a non-sinkable hull .for vessels and aims to pro-vide a hull of this character having a series of air containing cells, compartments, or chambers therein constructed and arranged in such a manner that the walls of each cell or compartment will support other cells or compartments so as to eliminate damage to a great extent to a great number of compartments in Case of damage to the hull.

Another object of the invention is to provide a series of cells or compartments in the hull of a vessel around and below the water level, each cell or compartment having lint cotton, or like material, tightly packed therein and air forced therein under pressure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an air line to each cell or compartment, each of said lines having an air gauge and check valve thereon so that all cells or compartments may be regulated to contain the same pressure therein and to permit the determining without delay what cells are leaking or have been damaged in case of an accident.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved hull of this character which is substantial in construction, may be easily constructed during the construct-ing of a hull of a vessel, and which will be thoroughly eiiicient and practical in use.

lith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangementl of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made Within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a horizontal section taken through the upper series of cells or compartments,

i Figure 2 is a like section taken through the lower cells or compartments, and

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In carrying out the invention, the hull 10 is constructed with the usual side walls 11,

andbottom wall 12. Spaced from the boti tom Wall 12 to extend across the hull and attached to the side walls 11 is a partition 13` the center portion of which forms a floor. Between the horizontal partition 13 and the bottom 12 are a series of longitudinally eX- tending Walls or partitions 14, between which andthe sides ofthe vessel are diagonal partition plates 15, providing compartments 16 triangular in cross section. The partition y plates 15 are arranged so that the corners of each compartment connect at the corners of contiguous compartments, thus providing a rigid structure for the hull which will reduce to a great extent the collapsing or damaging of a great number of compartments when a severe blow or shock occurs at the walls of the hull of the'vessel. j By referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, it can be seen how each compartment is'reinforced or supported against damage by other compartments.

Supported 'upon the Vpartitionor Hoor 13 at each side of the hull and at each end thereof' are longitudinal and diagonal partitions 19 and 2O respectively providing compartments 18 triangular in cross section. There are no compartments 18 in the center of the vessel but'only at the sides and ends of the hull thereof, thereby providing a longitudinal chamber or room at the center of the hull of which the central portion ofthe partition 13 forms -the floor. The longitudinal partitions` 19 extend the full length of the hull and the diagonal partitions between the same and the sides of the vessel form the triangularly shaped compartments. It will be noted at the ends of the hull the triangularly shaped compartments are arranged at right angles to those at the side walls so that incase the bow or stern of the vessel strikes an object or is struck by an object, the undamaged comi partments will support the hull being braced against Water pressure inthe damaged compartments. l v l i Each of the compartments is iilled with lint 9? cotton, or like material, packed in very-tightly, and connected to each of Ithe ,compart-y ments is an air' line 22 which extends to a point above the floor 13 at the center of theV hull. Each air line is provided with an air 190 gauge 23 and a check valve 24 so that air pressure in each compartment can be determined from the center of the hull. At the end of each air line beyond the check valve is a nipple or coupling member 25 so as to permit an air hose to be attached thereto in order to supply air to the compartment the line leads to.

By providing lint cotton, or like material, in each compartment, when the sides or bottom of the hull of the vessel is punctured or broken, the air in the compartment adjacent thereto will immediately start escaping through the hole, thus jamming or packing the ylint cottonin the hole and closing the same so as to prevent water entering the hull of the Vessel. In case waterdoes enter theA hull, the compartments are air-tight and water will only enter the compartment which has been damaged. j The lint cotton also provides a cushioning means which will be found ver eicient during time of war, as alarge shel striking the hull of the vessel will be retarded against'forward movement due to the reaction of the packing. Also, when a large object has been struck by the vessel, such as aniceberg, or the like, very little harm is done, as the cotton in the hull will act to absorb the shock and prevent serious damage to the hull. vllien an object is struck by the sides or bottom of the hull, it will bend until the contiguous compartment is tightly packed relieving strain on the` wall of the hull by imparting it to the compartment and compartments adjacent thereto. By forming the compartments in triangular shape and having the corners of the walls thereof connected at the corners of other contiguous compartments, the hull ofthe vessel is reinforced so that it is practically one yieldable unit provided with air-tight cells each protected and supported by cells adj acent thereto. By providing'the valves at the ends of the air lines and locating them within the chamber or room between the upper set of compartments andy above thelower set of compartments access to said valves may be easily gained in case ofleakage of a valve, thus eliminating the necessity of tearing compartments out in order to repair a valve. Also, by arranging the valves and gauges yat a point wherev access may be easily gained thereto, it can be determined loo' easily which cell has been damaged and the extent of damage by observing the air gaugel in the line leading thereto.

, Havingthus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

In combination with the sides and bottom of a vessel of a horizontal partition above the bottom withspaced longitudinal and diag onal vertical partitions intermediate said horizontal partition and bottom of the vessel to provide a large number of reinforced compartments triangular in cross-section, longitudinal and transverse partitions above said horizontal partition at opposite sides of the center of the hull and extending slightly above the Water line, horizontal partitions connecting the upper ends of the last mentioned longitudinal partitions to leave an open space at the center of the hull above the lower horizontal partition, and diagonal partitions between the aforesaid longitudinal and transverse partitions to form a large number of compartments triangular. in crosssection around the vessel at the water line; together with pipe lines leading fromV the compartments to the open space or room at the center of the hull between the compartments at the water line.

l uIn testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature.

WILLIAM H. OWEN.

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