US20040192128A1 - Buoyancy device - Google Patents
Buoyancy device Download PDFInfo
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- US20040192128A1 US20040192128A1 US10/471,347 US47134704A US2004192128A1 US 20040192128 A1 US20040192128 A1 US 20040192128A1 US 47134704 A US47134704 A US 47134704A US 2004192128 A1 US2004192128 A1 US 2004192128A1
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- Prior art keywords
- buoyancy device
- buoyancy
- restriction
- restriction device
- inflated
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C7/00—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects
- B63C7/06—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects in which lifting action is generated in or adjacent to vessels or objects
- B63C7/10—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects in which lifting action is generated in or adjacent to vessels or objects using inflatable floats external to vessels or objects
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a buoyancy device particularly, but not exclusively, for attachment to large structures requiring to be lifted, lowered, positioned and transported via the ocean.
- a buoyancy device for attachment to a structure to be floated or sunk, the buoyancy device comprising a restriction device and an inflatable member located substantially within the restriction device, such that the restriction device restricts inflation of the inflatable member, characterised in that the inflatable member comprises a first and second flexible portions, the first portion being coupled to the restriction device and the second portion being coupled to the first portion.
- the second portion may be a bag, a diaphragm or a bladder
- the first portion may be a bag and more preferably is a cylindrical bag.
- the first portion or cylindrical bag is open ended at both ends and is preferably coupled to the restriction device at both of its ends.
- the restriction device permits the ingress and/or egress of fluid from within the buoyancy device, and typically, the restriction device has at least one aperture to permit fluid to flow therethrough.
- the buoyancy device is arranged such that water located outwith the restriction device can enter at least a portion of the restriction device and act upon the surface of the first and second portions.
- the restriction device is of a substantially tubular nature, and is preferably open ended at both ends.
- one end of the first portion is secured to one end of the restriction device, and typically, the said one end of the first portion is coupled to a first fluid inlet and/or outlet port, and which may be a gas, such as pressurised air inlet/outlet port.
- a first fluid inlet and/or outlet port which may be a gas, such as pressurised air inlet/outlet port.
- the other end of the first portion is secured to the other end of the restriction device, and typically, the said other end of the first portion is coupled to a second fluid inlet and/or outlet port, and which may permit water from outwith the buoyancy device to pass therethrough.
- the first and second portions are preferably formed from a substantially flexible material, and the restriction device is preferably formed from a rigid material.
- an end of the second portion is secured to the first portion at substantially the mid-point of the interior of the first portion, and typically, one face of the second portion is in fluid communication with the said one end of the restriction device and hence the first fluid inlet and/or outlet port.
- the other face of the second portion is in fluid communication with the said other end of the restriction device and hence the second fluid inlet and/or outlet port.
- the diaphragm or bladder is preferably formed from a substantially flexible material, and the restriction device is preferably formed from a substantially rigid material.
- the first portion is secured to the second portion by welding and the first portion is secured to the restriction device by means of a pair of annular rings, which preferably comprise bores to provide the first and second fluid inlet and/or outlet ports.
- the first portion is substantially tubular when inflated, and the second portion is substantially semi-circular or dome-shaped when inflated.
- the first portion is restrained at substantially all points along its longitudinal axis by the restriction device when inflated
- the second portion is restrained at substantially all points along its longitudinal axis by the first portion and the restriction device when inflated.
- the buoyancy device may be operated between three configurations:
- FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a buoyancy device in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a flexible joint of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 prior to inflation with any fluid
- FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 3 after inflation of the buoyancy device with air;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 4 after evacuation of the air and the inflation of the buoyancy device with water;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 showing the three different configurations thereof as shown previously in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 combined;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the outer and inner bag of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4.
- FIG. 1 shows a buoyancy device 1 which may be arranged in any suitable arrangement, such as that shown in FIG. 12 of WO 00/29285 and hence which may be attached in a substantially vertical orientation to legs of an offshore drilling structure requiring to be lifted from the ocean floor and moved to a remote location.
- buoyancy device 1 may be attached in any suitable arrangement to objects other than offshore drilling structures, such as large ships, super tankers, cruise liners, etc. which may be required to be lifted in order to allow them to clear the open-sea end of dry docks.
- a clamping device similar to the clamping device 207 of WO 00/29285 may be used to clamp around a suitable number of buoyancy devices 1 of the present invention to attach them to the structure to be moved.
- the buoyancy device 1 comprise a rigid outer hull 3 which may be formed from suitable material such as glass reinforced plastic (GRP), carbon fibre or any other suitable material; it should be noted that GRP is preferred.
- GRP glass reinforced plastic
- FIG. 3 shows the buoyancy device prior to inflation with either water or air;
- the outer bag 5 (shown in long dotted lines) is substantially cylindrical in nature and, when deflated, can be thought of having substantially the same shape as a windsock.
- the outer bag 5 is coupled to the outer shell 3 at both ends 5 A, 5 B by means of an adapter ring flange 7 .
- the “wet” end 5 B of the outer bag 5 is open to the outer environment, such that sea water can pass into the interior of the outer bag 5 via the opening or bore 14 B in the annular flange 7 B.
- An anti-extrusion sieve plate 9 B is formed across the end 5 B and is arranged such that it permits water to pass through itself, but prevents the passage of other unwanted solid material into the interior of the outer bag 5 .
- a similar anti-extrusion sieve plate 9 A is located across the other end 5 A of the outer bag 5 .
- the “dry” end 3 A of the outer shell 3 and the outermost end of the adapter flange 7 A are coupled to a shell closure plate 10 which provides rigidity to the dry end 3 A.
- An aperture 12 is provided at the centre point of the shell closure plate 10 and an air line 11 is secured to the aperture 12 via a valve 13 , such that pressurised air can be introduced into the bore 14 of the adapter flange 7 A by opening the valve 13 .
- the air line 11 is coupled to a compressor which provides the pressurised air. In this manner, air can be introduced into the interior of the outer bag 5 .
- An inner half bag 15 or diaphragm 15 is secured around the diameter of the middle of the outer bag 5 and a suitable fixing is shown in the form of a flexible joint in FIG. 2.
- Both the outer bag 5 and the diaphragm 15 are preferably formed from a suitably strong and flexible material or fabric and a most preferred material is polyester coated with a plasticised PVC which may have a weight of in the region of 900 mg per square metre.
- a suitable example of such a material is sold under the Trade Mark DURASKIN( RTM ).
- the joint 17 is preferably formed by using known and conventional welding techniques to weld mid-pieces 19 , 21 to the outer bag 5 and the diaphragm 15 . Indeed, the welding process makes the joint 17 or hinge 17 stronger than the outer bag 5 or diaphragm 15 alone. Accordingly, the joint 17 will act as a soft flexible hinge to permit the diaphragm 15 to move from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 to the configuration shown in FIG. 4 and all points in between, including the non-inflated configuration shown in FIG. 3.
- the outer bag 5 and diaphragm 15 Prior to introduction of the buoyancy device 1 into water, the outer bag 5 and diaphragm 15 will take up a configuration something akin to that shown in FIG. 3. However, when the buoyancy device 1 is introduced into water, the water will flow into the interior of the outer bag 5 and will move the outer bag 5 toward the inner surface of the outer shell 3 . At the same time, the diaphragm 15 will move from right to left as shown in FIG. 3 until it takes up the configuration as shown in FIG. 1. The air that was previously in section A (as shown in FIG. 3) of the interior of the outer shell 3 is able to escape through a pair of non-return valves 23 , 24 provided in respective adapter rings 7 A, 7 B.
- the non-return valves 23 , 24 communicate with the interior of the outer shell 3 to permit air to escape the interior. However, the non-return valves 23 , 24 prevent air from passing through themselves in the direction from outside the outer shell 3 to inside Section A of the interior of the shell 3 .
- the anti-extrusion sieve plate 9 A also has the important task of preventing the diaphragm 15 from over inflation, that is, passing into the bore 14 of the adapter ring 7 A.
- the valve 13 When the time has come to inflate the buoyancy device 1 to aid in lifting a structure to be moved in the water, the valve 13 is opened and pressurised air will enter into bore 14 and hence into the interior of the outer bag 5 . Since the joint 17 also provides a seal between the outer bag 5 and the diaphragm 15 , the pressurised air in Section B (see FIG. 3) will cause the diaphragm 15 to move from left to right as shown in FIG. 1 until it takes up the fully inflated configuration shown in FIG. 4. It is thought that the working pressure of the buoyancy device 1 ; that is the pressure of the air within the buoyancy device 1 ; will be in region of 2.5 atmospheres, although it is likely to be operable up to in the region of 6 atmospheres or higher.
- the anti-extrusion sieve plate 9 B also has the important task of preventing the diaphragm 15 from moving into the bore 14 B of the flange 7 B.
- the main purpose of the outer bag 5 is to provide a reasonably flexible mounting point for the joint 17 and diaphragm 15 .
- the advantage provided by such a flexible joint 17 is that there is a far reduced risk of localised stresses building up in the wall of the outer shell 3 .
- FIGS. 1 to 7 are not to scale. Indeed, the outer shell is in the region of 16 m in length and approximately 2.3 m in diameter.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Pipe Accessories (AREA)
- Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
A buoyancy device (1) is attached to a structure to be floated or sunk. The buoyancy device (1) comprises a restriction device such as a rigid tube (3) and an inflatable member (5, 15) located within the restriction device (3). The restriction device (3) restricts inflation of the inflatable member (5, 15). The inflatable member (5, 15) comprises a first flexible portion (5) and may be in the form of a tube (5) and a second flexible portion (15) which may be in the form of a diaphragm (15). The tube (5) is coupled to the restriction device (3) and the diaphragm (15) is coupled to the tube (5).
Description
- The present invention relates to a buoyancy device particularly, but not exclusively, for attachment to large structures requiring to be lifted, lowered, positioned and transported via the ocean.
- Conventionally, when an offshore drilling structure comes to the end of its working life, it is decommissioned. In the past, it was thought that decommissioning could entail sinking the drilling structure at the point where it once stood.
- However, amongst other factors, environmental factors have recently increased the need for offshore drilling structures to be moved to shallower and calmer waters, or back on land so that the drilling structures can be dismantled safely.
- Previously, moving the drilling structures has involved the use of flat back barges, onto which the drilling structures are hauled. However, these barges are expensive and costly in terms of manpower requirements.
- Our previous PCT Publication Nos. WO 97/43172 and more particularly WO 00/29285 concern types of buoyancy devices upon which the present invention seeks to improve, and the disclosure of both WO 97/43172 and WO 00/29285 is incorporated herein by reference.
- According to a the present invention, there is provided a buoyancy device for attachment to a structure to be floated or sunk, the buoyancy device comprising a restriction device and an inflatable member located substantially within the restriction device, such that the restriction device restricts inflation of the inflatable member, characterised in that the inflatable member comprises a first and second flexible portions, the first portion being coupled to the restriction device and the second portion being coupled to the first portion.
- The second portion may be a bag, a diaphragm or a bladder, and the first portion may be a bag and more preferably is a cylindrical bag. Preferably the first portion or cylindrical bag is open ended at both ends and is preferably coupled to the restriction device at both of its ends.
- Preferably, the restriction device permits the ingress and/or egress of fluid from within the buoyancy device, and typically, the restriction device has at least one aperture to permit fluid to flow therethrough. Typically, the buoyancy device is arranged such that water located outwith the restriction device can enter at least a portion of the restriction device and act upon the surface of the first and second portions.
- Typically, the restriction device is of a substantially tubular nature, and is preferably open ended at both ends.
- Preferably, one end of the first portion is secured to one end of the restriction device, and typically, the said one end of the first portion is coupled to a first fluid inlet and/or outlet port, and which may be a gas, such as pressurised air inlet/outlet port.
- Typically, the other end of the first portion is secured to the other end of the restriction device, and typically, the said other end of the first portion is coupled to a second fluid inlet and/or outlet port, and which may permit water from outwith the buoyancy device to pass therethrough.
- The first and second portions are preferably formed from a substantially flexible material, and the restriction device is preferably formed from a rigid material.
- Preferably, an end of the second portion is secured to the first portion at substantially the mid-point of the interior of the first portion, and typically, one face of the second portion is in fluid communication with the said one end of the restriction device and hence the first fluid inlet and/or outlet port. Preferably, the other face of the second portion is in fluid communication with the said other end of the restriction device and hence the second fluid inlet and/or outlet port.
- The diaphragm or bladder is preferably formed from a substantially flexible material, and the restriction device is preferably formed from a substantially rigid material. Typically, the first portion is secured to the second portion by welding and the first portion is secured to the restriction device by means of a pair of annular rings, which preferably comprise bores to provide the first and second fluid inlet and/or outlet ports.
- Preferably, the first portion is substantially tubular when inflated, and the second portion is substantially semi-circular or dome-shaped when inflated.
- Typically, the first portion is restrained at substantially all points along its longitudinal axis by the restriction device when inflated, and the second portion is restrained at substantially all points along its longitudinal axis by the first portion and the restriction device when inflated.
- Typically, the buoyancy device may be operated between three configurations:
- a) a non-inflated configuration;
- b) a water inflated configuration; and
- c) a gas inflated configuration.
- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
- FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a buoyancy device in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a flexible joint of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 prior to inflation with any fluid;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 3 after inflation of the buoyancy device with air;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 4 after evacuation of the air and the inflation of the buoyancy device with water;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 showing the three different configurations thereof as shown previously in FIGS. 3, 4 and5 combined; and
- FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the outer and inner bag of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4.
- FIG. 1 shows a buoyancy device1 which may be arranged in any suitable arrangement, such as that shown in FIG. 12 of WO 00/29285 and hence which may be attached in a substantially vertical orientation to legs of an offshore drilling structure requiring to be lifted from the ocean floor and moved to a remote location.
- However, it should be noted that the buoyancy device1 may be attached in any suitable arrangement to objects other than offshore drilling structures, such as large ships, super tankers, cruise liners, etc. which may be required to be lifted in order to allow them to clear the open-sea end of dry docks.
- A clamping device, similar to the clamping device207 of WO 00/29285 may be used to clamp around a suitable number of buoyancy devices 1 of the present invention to attach them to the structure to be moved.
- The buoyancy device1 comprise a rigid
outer hull 3 which may be formed from suitable material such as glass reinforced plastic (GRP), carbon fibre or any other suitable material; it should be noted that GRP is preferred. - FIG. 3 shows the buoyancy device prior to inflation with either water or air; the outer bag5 (shown in long dotted lines) is substantially cylindrical in nature and, when deflated, can be thought of having substantially the same shape as a windsock. The
outer bag 5 is coupled to theouter shell 3 at both ends 5A, 5B by means of an adapter ring flange 7. It should be noted that the “wet” end 5B of theouter bag 5 is open to the outer environment, such that sea water can pass into the interior of theouter bag 5 via the opening or bore 14B in the annular flange 7B. An anti-extrusion sieve plate 9B is formed across the end 5B and is arranged such that it permits water to pass through itself, but prevents the passage of other unwanted solid material into the interior of theouter bag 5. A similar anti-extrusion sieve plate 9A is located across the other end 5A of theouter bag 5. - The “dry” end3A of the
outer shell 3 and the outermost end of the adapter flange 7A, are coupled to ashell closure plate 10 which provides rigidity to the dry end 3A. Anaperture 12 is provided at the centre point of theshell closure plate 10 and anair line 11 is secured to theaperture 12 via avalve 13, such that pressurised air can be introduced into the bore 14 of the adapter flange 7A by opening thevalve 13. Theair line 11 is coupled to a compressor which provides the pressurised air. In this manner, air can be introduced into the interior of theouter bag 5. - An
inner half bag 15 ordiaphragm 15 is secured around the diameter of the middle of theouter bag 5 and a suitable fixing is shown in the form of a flexible joint in FIG. 2. - Both the
outer bag 5 and thediaphragm 15 are preferably formed from a suitably strong and flexible material or fabric and a most preferred material is polyester coated with a plasticised PVC which may have a weight of in the region of 900 mg per square metre. A suitable example of such a material is sold under the Trade Mark DURASKIN(RTM). - The
joint 17 is preferably formed by using known and conventional welding techniques to weldmid-pieces outer bag 5 and thediaphragm 15. Indeed, the welding process makes thejoint 17 or hinge 17 stronger than theouter bag 5 ordiaphragm 15 alone. Accordingly, thejoint 17 will act as a soft flexible hinge to permit thediaphragm 15 to move from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 to the configuration shown in FIG. 4 and all points in between, including the non-inflated configuration shown in FIG. 3. - Prior to introduction of the buoyancy device1 into water, the
outer bag 5 anddiaphragm 15 will take up a configuration something akin to that shown in FIG. 3. However, when the buoyancy device 1 is introduced into water, the water will flow into the interior of theouter bag 5 and will move theouter bag 5 toward the inner surface of theouter shell 3. At the same time, thediaphragm 15 will move from right to left as shown in FIG. 3 until it takes up the configuration as shown in FIG. 1. The air that was previously in section A (as shown in FIG. 3) of the interior of theouter shell 3 is able to escape through a pair ofnon-return valves non-return valves outer shell 3 to permit air to escape the interior. However, thenon-return valves outer shell 3 to inside Section A of the interior of theshell 3. - The anti-extrusion sieve plate9A also has the important task of preventing the
diaphragm 15 from over inflation, that is, passing into the bore 14 of the adapter ring 7A. - When the time has come to inflate the buoyancy device1 to aid in lifting a structure to be moved in the water, the
valve 13 is opened and pressurised air will enter into bore 14 and hence into the interior of theouter bag 5. Since thejoint 17 also provides a seal between theouter bag 5 and thediaphragm 15, the pressurised air in Section B (see FIG. 3) will cause thediaphragm 15 to move from left to right as shown in FIG. 1 until it takes up the fully inflated configuration shown in FIG. 4. It is thought that the working pressure of the buoyancy device 1; that is the pressure of the air within the buoyancy device 1; will be in region of 2.5 atmospheres, although it is likely to be operable up to in the region of 6 atmospheres or higher. - The anti-extrusion sieve plate9B also has the important task of preventing the
diaphragm 15 from moving into the bore 14B of the flange 7B. - Accordingly, the main purpose of the
outer bag 5 is to provide a reasonably flexible mounting point for the joint 17 anddiaphragm 15. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the advantage provided by such a flexible joint 17 is that there is a far reduced risk of localised stresses building up in the wall of theouter shell 3. - It should also be noted that FIGS.1 to 7 are not to scale. Indeed, the outer shell is in the region of 16 m in length and approximately 2.3 m in diameter.
- Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims (23)
1. A buoyancy device (1) for attachment to a structure to be floated or sunk, the buoyancy device (1) comprising a restriction device (3) and an inflatable member (5, 15) located substantially within the restriction device (3), such that the restriction device (3) restricts inflation of the inflatable member (5, 15), characterised in that the inflatable member (5, 15) comprises a first (5) and second (15) flexible portions, the first portion (5) being coupled to the restriction device (3) and the second portion (15) being coupled to the first portion (5).
2. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion (15) comprises a diaphragm (15).
3. A buoyancy device (1) according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (5) comprises a cylindrical bag (5).
4. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical bag (5) is open ended at both ends (5A, 5B).
5. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical bag (5) is coupled to the restriction device (3) at both of its ends(5A, 5B).
6. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the restriction device (3) permits the ingress and/or egress of fluid from within the buoyancy device (1).
7. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the restriction device (3) has at least one aperture (9B, 14B) to permit fluid to flow therethrough.
8. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy device (1) is arranged such that water located outwith the restriction device (3) can enter at least a portion of the restriction device (3) and act upon a surface of the first (5) and second portions (15).
9. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the restriction device (3) is substantially tubular.
10. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 9 , wherein the restriction device (3) is open ended at both ends (3A, 3B).
11. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 10 , wherein one end (5A) of the first portion (5) is secured to one end (3A) of the restriction device (3), and the other end (5B) of the first portion (5) is secured to the other end (3B) of the restriction device (3).
12. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 11 , wherein the said one end (5A) of the first portion (5) is coupled to a first fluid inlet and/or outlet port (7A, 14A).
13. A buoyancy device (1) according to either of claims 11 or 12, wherein the said other end (5B) of the first portion (5) is coupled to a second fluid inlet and/or outlet port (7B, 14B).
14. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 13 , wherein the second fluid inlet and/or outlet port (7B, 14B) permits water from outwith the buoyancy device (1) to pass into the buoyancy device (1).
15. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the first (5) and second (15) portions are formed from a substantially flexible material, and the restriction device (3) is formed from a rigid material.
16. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein an end of the second portion (15) is secured to the first portion (5) at substantially the mid-point of the interior of the first portion (5).
17. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 12 , or to any of claims 13 to 16 when dependent upon claim 12 , wherein one face of the second portion (15) is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and/or outlet port (7A, 14A).
18. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 17 , wherein another face of the second portion (15) is in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet and/or outlet port (7B, 14B).
19. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the first portion (5) is secured to the second portion (15) by welding and the first portion (5) is secured to the restriction device (3) by means of a pair of annular rings (7A, 7B).
20. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim 19 , wherein the pair of annular rings (7A, 7B) comprise bores (14A, 14B) to provide the first (7A, 14A) and second fluid inlet and/or outlet ports (7B, 14B).
21. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the first portion (5) is substantially tubular when inflated, and the second portion (15) is substantially semi-circular or dome-shaped when inflated.
22. A buoyancy device (1) according to any preceding claim 1 , wherein the first portion (5) is restrained at substantially all points along its longitudinal axis by the restriction device (3) when inflated, and the second portion (15) is restrained at substantially all points along its longitudinal axis by the first portion and the restriction device (3) when inflated.
23. A buoyancy device (1) according to claim any preceding claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy device (1) may be operated between three configurations:
a) a non-inflated configuration;
b) a water inflated configuration; and
c) a gas inflated configuration.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0105830.4A GB0105830D0 (en) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-03-09 | A bouancy device |
GB0105830.4 | 2001-03-09 | ||
PCT/GB2002/000953 WO2002072416A1 (en) | 2001-03-09 | 2002-03-08 | A buoyancy device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040192128A1 true US20040192128A1 (en) | 2004-09-30 |
Family
ID=9910315
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/471,347 Abandoned US20040192128A1 (en) | 2001-03-09 | 2002-03-08 | Buoyancy device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20040192128A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB0105830D0 (en) |
NO (1) | NO20033958L (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002072416A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0604719D0 (en) * | 2006-03-09 | 2006-04-19 | Pritchard Philip A | A floatation device |
US7500439B2 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2009-03-10 | Ythan Environmental Services Ltd. | Method and apparatus |
US7841917B2 (en) | 2008-08-20 | 2010-11-30 | Deep Sea Recovery Ltd | Floatation device |
GB2465170C (en) * | 2008-11-06 | 2017-04-26 | Deep Sea Recovery Ltd | A floatation device with a buoyancy chamber and cryogen reservoir |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US2299611A (en) * | 1942-06-03 | 1942-10-20 | United Aircraft Prod | Pressure accumulator |
US2928108A (en) * | 1958-01-08 | 1960-03-15 | Cochrane John | Inflatable life boat |
US3814043A (en) * | 1972-07-25 | 1974-06-04 | L Krout | Ship salvage apparatus |
US5655938A (en) * | 1994-04-11 | 1997-08-12 | Huguenin; John E. | Variable buoyancy ballast and flotation unit for submerged objects or structures |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB9610216D0 (en) * | 1996-05-16 | 1996-07-24 | Prosyst Limited | Inflatable lifting device |
GB2359280B (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2002-06-12 | Controlled Variable Buoyancy S | A buoyancy device |
-
2001
- 2001-03-09 GB GBGB0105830.4A patent/GB0105830D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-03-08 GB GB0321044A patent/GB2389341B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-03-08 WO PCT/GB2002/000953 patent/WO2002072416A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-03-08 US US10/471,347 patent/US20040192128A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2003
- 2003-09-08 NO NO20033958A patent/NO20033958L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2299611A (en) * | 1942-06-03 | 1942-10-20 | United Aircraft Prod | Pressure accumulator |
US2928108A (en) * | 1958-01-08 | 1960-03-15 | Cochrane John | Inflatable life boat |
US3814043A (en) * | 1972-07-25 | 1974-06-04 | L Krout | Ship salvage apparatus |
US5655938A (en) * | 1994-04-11 | 1997-08-12 | Huguenin; John E. | Variable buoyancy ballast and flotation unit for submerged objects or structures |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0321044D0 (en) | 2003-10-08 |
GB2389341A (en) | 2003-12-10 |
NO20033958L (en) | 2003-11-10 |
GB2389341B (en) | 2006-03-15 |
GB0105830D0 (en) | 2001-04-25 |
NO20033958D0 (en) | 2003-09-08 |
WO2002072416A1 (en) | 2002-09-19 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONTROLLED VARIABLE BUOYANCY SYSTEMS LIMITED, UNIT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MCGARRY, JOHN PETER;EMERSON, ANTHONY RICHARD WARWICK;REEL/FRAME:015335/0244;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040506 TO 20040510 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |