US3189922A - Variable-buoyancy floats - Google Patents

Variable-buoyancy floats Download PDF

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Publication number
US3189922A
US3189922A US335296A US33529664A US3189922A US 3189922 A US3189922 A US 3189922A US 335296 A US335296 A US 335296A US 33529664 A US33529664 A US 33529664A US 3189922 A US3189922 A US 3189922A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
water
gas
tank
float
valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US335296A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Margot Jean
Grivory Gabriel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electricite de France SA
Engie SA
Original Assignee
Electricite de France SA
Gaz de France SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electricite de France SA, Gaz de France SA filed Critical Electricite de France SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3189922A publication Critical patent/US3189922A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/12—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/20—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats, weights
    • F16L1/24—Floats; Weights
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B1/00—Installations or systems with accumulators; Supply reservoir or sump assemblies
    • F15B1/02—Installations or systems with accumulators
    • F15B1/04—Accumulators
    • F15B1/08—Accumulators using a gas cushion; Gas charging devices; Indicators or floats therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2207/00—Buoyancy or ballast means
    • B63B2207/02—Variable ballast or buoyancy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/20—Accumulator cushioning means
    • F15B2201/205—Accumulator cushioning means using gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/30—Accumulator separating means
    • F15B2201/305—Accumulator separating means without separating means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/40—Constructional details of accumulators not otherwise provided for
    • F15B2201/41—Liquid ports
    • F15B2201/411—Liquid ports having valve means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/40—Constructional details of accumulators not otherwise provided for
    • F15B2201/415—Gas ports
    • F15B2201/4155—Gas ports having valve means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of floats or floatable chambers for use in underwater operations, and more specially to chambers of the variable floatability type, which may conveniently be used, in particular, in the laying of submarine pipes and conduits for the transportation of fluids or the housing of cables.
  • One such technique of pipe-laying consists in joining the sections of pipe together on the surface, on the bow of a pipe-laying ship, for example, and to permit the joined sections of pipe gradually to settle to the bottom as additional sections of pipe are added.
  • One of the type curves which best satisfy the above requirements is a curve of the compound type comprised of two catenaries, one of which is concave upward from the ocean floor to a point of inflection situated between the surface and the ocean floor, and which is concave downward from the point of inflection to the surface.
  • variable floatability floats attached at regular intervals along the length of pipe just behind the pipe-laying vessel. These floats are designed to have a buoyancy which remains constant above a predetermined depth, and which decreases gradually with further increases of depth below said predetermined depth.
  • floats Many varieties of such floats have already been suggested, among them being types utilizing a deformable, gas filled bladder whose volume is decreased in proportion to the external water pressure, and types utilizing a rigid gas-filled tank equipped with a pressure operated valve which permits the entry of sea-water whenever the external water pressure exceeds the gas pressure within the tank.
  • the prior art gas-filled metal tank of the latter type is so designed that entering sea water is in direct contact with the gas filling the tank so that, no matter how chemically inert the gas may be, some of it must inevitably dissolve in the sea-water and be lost when the water is expelled.
  • the pressure operated valve is required to provide a tight seal against gas leakage.
  • the present invention contemplates overcoming these dificulties by providing a rigid gas filled tank which is adapted to eliminate the above noted objectionable features of the prior-art rigid, variable-floatability tanks.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to prevent the buoyancy of a variable-floatability device from ever assuming a negative value.
  • a further object of this invention is to prevent leakages of gas through the valve-seating.
  • FIGURE 1 is a partially cross-sectional elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 are partially cross-sectional elevation views of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 showing the float in two different states of immersion.
  • the device of the present invention is essentially constituted by a rigid tank filled with gas and having a pressure actuated valve situated in its base.
  • the tank is also provided with a quantity of liquid having a lower density than water.
  • This liquid serves the double function of isolating the gas both from incoming sea water and from the valve seating and of preventing the tank from ever having a negative buoyancy.
  • the latter advantage is produced because of the fact that the light liquid, being practically incompressable (as is true of liquids in general), prevents the sea water from ever filling the entire tank. Therefore, when the quantity and density of this liquid are properly chosen, the tank will always retain a positive buoyancy.
  • FIGURE 1 there is shown a float or buoy of variable floatability constituted essentially by a rigid casing adapted to contain a substance under pressure.
  • This casing is composed of a hollow cylindrical section 1 which has each of its ends welded to a respective domeshaped base 2, 3.
  • the center of base 2 comprises a circular opening 4 which opens into a hollow tubular section 5.
  • the section 5 is welded to the base 2 and carries with it a flange 6 which is designed to connect with a cover-plate 7.
  • This plate serves to seal off the interior of the float and to support the mooring unit 3 which is fastened to the mooring cable 9.
  • in the center of the cover-plate 8 there is provided a small opening it) which is provided with gasket 11 and which serves as a valve seat.
  • section 12 comprising a flange l3 and a series of perforations 14 which permit the flow of liquid from the opening to the interior of the float.
  • a flange 15, which is rigidly fastened to a cylindrical passage 16 is fastened to flange 13 in such a way as to permit tubular section 13 and passage 16 to form a linear path.
  • the passage 16 is closed at its upper end by base 17 and comprises a series of slits 18 and perforations 19 which constitute flow paths between the inside of the passage and the interior of the float.
  • a valve 20, which will float in water, is disposed within the passage 16 and is so formed as to be able to slide freely therein and when seated in opening 1th, to provide a fluid-tight contact with gasket 11.
  • the plate 7 is also provided with a second opening 21 which is associated with a safety valve 22.
  • a base plate 27 attached to a tube 23.
  • the tube 23 carries a gas-inlet valve 25 which is protected by a hollow screwplug 26.
  • a band 28 is welded to the periphery of cylinder 1 and carries a reinforcing ring 22 which serves to facilitate the handling of the float.
  • the float thus constructed is partially filled with a liquid 29 which is lighter than water and in which valve 20 will sink.
  • a liquid 29 which is lighter than water and in which valve 20 will sink.
  • valve 25 For example an appropriate variety of petroleum could be used.
  • the remainder of the hollow volume 34 is then filled by means of valve 25 with air or nitrogen, or any other suitable gas, to a predetermined pressure.
  • the float is then submerged and as long as the pressure of the gas filling volume is greater than that of the water surrounding the float, the valve will remain seated on gasket 11 and no water will enter the float.
  • the float descends to a depth where the ambient water pressure exceeds this gas pressure, this depth depending of the initial gas pressure, the water will force the valve from its seat and will enter the tank. The entering water will force the light liquid upward, thus compressing the gas until a point is reached where the gas pressure has risen to a value equal to that of the water pressure.
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 illustrate two states of immersion of the float of FIGURE 1.
  • the primed numbers indicate elements similar to those having the same reference numbers unprimed in FIGURE 1.
  • the float ll contains a quantity of liquid 29 having a light density.
  • the remainder of the float chamber is filled with air or nitrogen or any other convenient gas through valve 25', under a pressure which is adjusted to control the submersion depth at which water will begin to enter the chamber.
  • the quantity of liquid 29' is so chosen that when the chamber is completely filled by this liquid and water, the former will still give the entire unit a positive buoyancy.
  • the liquid 29 also serves to isolate the gas from the entering Water and thus prevents loss of gas through dissolution in the water.
  • liquid 29' Some gas may dissolve in liquid 29', but since this liquid remains permanently in the chamber such dissolution will be terminated by the saturation of the liquid. Further, since the rate of transfer of dissolved gas from one liquid to another is very small almost no dissolved gas will be lost to the sea water passing into and out of the chamber.
  • the float thus constituted is able to undergo many submersions without losing any of its original quantity of gas or lighter than water liquid.
  • the float of the present invention otters a further improvement over prior art floats due to the fact that leakage of gas is entirely eliminated by the presence of the light liquid;
  • a variable-buoyancy float comprising:
  • a closed hollow rigid tank comprising a filling valve disposed on its surface and a water orifice formed with a valve-seating and disposed in the lowest portion of its surface;
  • a device as recited in claim El wherein the body of said tank is in the form of a surface of revolution and said water orifice is aligned with the longitudinal axis thereof.
  • valve is lighter than its equivalent volume of water and heavier than its equivalent volume of said lighter than water liquid, and is dipsosed within said hollow tank in communication with said water orifice, so as to rise clear of said seating for opening said orifice when immersed in water, and to sink back on its seating for closing said orifice when immersed in said lighter than water liquid.
  • a device as recited in claim 4 further comprising a guiding cage for said valve, said cage being fastened to the interior surface of said tank, surrounding said valve and being positioned coaxial with said water orifice.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Float Valves (AREA)
US335296A 1963-01-16 1964-01-02 Variable-buoyancy floats Expired - Lifetime US3189922A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR921557A FR1361334A (fr) 1963-01-16 1963-01-16 Réservoir de pression et ses applications

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3189922A true US3189922A (en) 1965-06-22

Family

ID=8794791

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US335296A Expired - Lifetime US3189922A (en) 1963-01-16 1964-01-02 Variable-buoyancy floats

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3189922A (xx)
DK (1) DK106840C (xx)
ES (1) ES295307A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR1361334A (xx)
GB (1) GB992898A (xx)
NL (1) NL6400056A (xx)
OA (1) OA00738A (xx)
SE (1) SE316697B (xx)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3756179A (en) * 1970-07-24 1973-09-04 Elf Entreprise Immersion process for heavy underwater structures with particular applications for underwater oil tanks
US4336709A (en) * 1979-11-07 1982-06-29 Ecomar, Inc. Retrieval of articles from beneath the surface of a body of water
US4448266A (en) * 1980-11-14 1984-05-15 Potts Harold L Deep water riser system for offshore drilling
US5460556A (en) * 1993-12-30 1995-10-24 Loral Corporation Variable buoyancy buoy

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111874184B (zh) * 2020-08-18 2024-05-14 交通运输部北海航海保障中心天津海事测绘中心 一种海洋设备用防丢失装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1959322A (en) * 1931-12-29 1934-05-15 Boston Blacking & Chemical Co Methods and step-products for use in securing together pieces of stock
US2919670A (en) * 1955-11-03 1960-01-05 Martin Co Self-sealing one-way drain valve
US3066324A (en) * 1960-02-12 1962-12-04 Us Industries Inc Floats
US3114920A (en) * 1960-06-02 1963-12-24 Electricite De France Floats
US3125975A (en) * 1964-03-24 Submergible hull propulsion and control system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3125975A (en) * 1964-03-24 Submergible hull propulsion and control system
US1959322A (en) * 1931-12-29 1934-05-15 Boston Blacking & Chemical Co Methods and step-products for use in securing together pieces of stock
US2919670A (en) * 1955-11-03 1960-01-05 Martin Co Self-sealing one-way drain valve
US3066324A (en) * 1960-02-12 1962-12-04 Us Industries Inc Floats
US3114920A (en) * 1960-06-02 1963-12-24 Electricite De France Floats

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3756179A (en) * 1970-07-24 1973-09-04 Elf Entreprise Immersion process for heavy underwater structures with particular applications for underwater oil tanks
US4336709A (en) * 1979-11-07 1982-06-29 Ecomar, Inc. Retrieval of articles from beneath the surface of a body of water
US4448266A (en) * 1980-11-14 1984-05-15 Potts Harold L Deep water riser system for offshore drilling
US5460556A (en) * 1993-12-30 1995-10-24 Loral Corporation Variable buoyancy buoy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6400056A (xx) 1964-07-17
OA00738A (fr) 1967-07-15
GB992898A (en) 1965-05-26
SE316697B (xx) 1969-10-27
DK106840C (da) 1967-03-20
ES295307A1 (es) 1964-08-16
FR1361334A (fr) 1964-05-22

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