US3348517A - Underwater suction anchors - Google Patents

Underwater suction anchors Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3348517A
US3348517A US528635A US52863566A US3348517A US 3348517 A US3348517 A US 3348517A US 528635 A US528635 A US 528635A US 52863566 A US52863566 A US 52863566A US 3348517 A US3348517 A US 3348517A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
anchor
housing
water
pump
outlets
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
US528635A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jr Virgil E Johnson
William C Webster
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.)
Hydronautics Inc
Original Assignee
Hydronautics
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 Hydronautics filed Critical Hydronautics
Priority to US528635A priority Critical patent/US3348517A/en
Priority to GB2692/67A priority patent/GB1120914A/en
Priority to FR93267A priority patent/FR1511752A/fr
Priority to DE19671506257 priority patent/DE1506257B2/de
Priority to BE694256D priority patent/BE694256A/xx
Priority to NL6702461A priority patent/NL6702461A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3348517A publication Critical patent/US3348517A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • B63C7/16—Apparatus engaging vessels or objects
    • B63C7/22—Apparatus engaging vessels or objects using electromagnets or suction devices

Definitions

  • a self-propelled maneuverable anchor of ogive configuration including a water-tight chamber with a motor therein and an impeller chamber forward of the motor chamber, the housing having a centrally disposed pump inlet to the impeller chamber and rearwardly oriented water outlets therefrom with a sealing means thereon concentric with the inlet.
  • the rearward end of the housing adjacent the apex of the ogive, has vanes extending radially therefrom for guiding the anchor through the water, the vanes being adjustable to maneuver the anchor, or when not adjustable, maneuverability being accomplished by varying the discharge of the water from the impeller chamber outlets.
  • This invention relates generally to anchors and more particularly to maneuverable anchors which are attached to submerged objects.
  • Devices of the general class to which this invention pertains are used for marking, attaching to, retrieving or otherwise operating on submerged objects or formations. These devices generally include an attaching means, usually a suction apparatus to attach the device by hydrostatic pressure difierential, and a system for lowering the attaching means into a body of water.
  • an attaching means usually a suction apparatus to attach the device by hydrostatic pressure difierential
  • a system for lowering the attaching means into a body of water In the prior art, the suction power for the attaching means has generally been applied from a shipboard or surface pump through a hose associated with the lowering system.
  • This invention relates to improvements in the above described art and it is an object of this invention to furnish an anchor of the type described which has a capability for maneuvering by utilizing the suction producing source thereof as a means to maneuver and/ or propel the anchor.
  • FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of an anchor embodying features in accordance with the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatical view showing the operation of a device in accordance with the invention for application to the hull of a submerged vessel.
  • FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of a modi fied form of the invention.
  • the anchor comprises a housing 3,348,517 Patented Oct. 24, 1967 10 which encloses a motor 12 in a watertight chamber between bulkheads 14 and 16.
  • the motor 12 is connected to a centrifugal pump impeller 18, disposed in an impeller housing 20 in a forward portion of the device, through a pump shaft 22 rotatably mounted in a bearing 24 disposed in the bulkhead 16.
  • the impeller housing is provided with a pump inlet 26 concentrically disposed in a transverse forward wall and rearwardly oriented pump outlets 28 disposed equidistantly around the periphery thereof.
  • An annular elastomeric seal 30 is concentrically disposed on the forward wall of the housing 10 around the pump inlet 26 and serves to provide a suction attaching means for the anchor.
  • a supporting bale 32 is gimballed to the housing 10 proximate the suction attaching means through bearings 34.
  • This bale serves to provide support and a pivotal connection to a support cable 36 through an eye 38 on the end thereof.
  • Insulated electrical cable 40 extends from the support cable 36 to provide power for the motor 12 through a power conductor 41 and for other purposes to be decribed below.
  • Rotally disposed vanes 42 pivotally mounted on a ball joint 44, through openings 48 in the housing 10 are encompassed by an annular shroud 46 to form a tail vane assembly.
  • An electrically powered actuator 50 is mounted on the bulkhead 14 and is connected to the vanes 42 to provide means to change the orientation of the vanes and shroud with respect to the housing 10 for purposes to be described below. Power is supplied to the actuator 50 through a control conductor 52 which, combined with the electrical cable 40, is attached to the support cable 36 and connected to a control source (not shown) on the ship from which the anchor has been launched.
  • the rear portion of the housing 10 is configured in the form of a rearwardly tapering ogive having a decreasing diameter, behind the pump outlets 28, of sufficient magnitude to build up a large fluid boundary layer in this area to increase the effectiveness of the propulsion means as will be explained later.
  • the anchor 8 is suspended through the cable 36 from a mother ship 54 and, under power, is controlled from a mother ship toward the hull of a submerged vessel 56.
  • the anchor 8 is shown in contact with the surface of a submerged vessel 56 in phantom lines.
  • the anchor is lowered into the water from a mother ship 54 (FIG URE 2) and the motor 12 is energized to start the action of the pump impeller 18. Water drawn in through the inlet 26 is expelled through the outlets 28 in the form of high velocity jets directed into the above-mentioned large fluid boundary layer on the rear portion of the housing 10.
  • the boundary layer moving ata velocity substantially lower than that of free stream water increases the effectiveness of the jets from the outlets 28 in propelling the anchor through the water.
  • the anchor 8 propelled through the water by the jets, is maneuvered by change in orientation of the tail vane assembly by energizing the actuator 50 as required.
  • the pump in withdrawing water through the intake 26, creates a low pressure region within the space defined by the seal 30 and the pressure difference between this region and the water surrounding the anchor holds the anchor firmly on the surface. Small leakages due to surface irregularities and the like will not diminish the holding force since the pump will be continuously operating to withdraw water caused by such leaks from the low pressu-re area.
  • the arrangement of the gimballed connection 6 for the bale 32 nad the disposition of the connection between the bale and the housing 10 provides a minimum moment for any forces acting through the cable 36 which would tend to pry the anchor oil of the surface to which it is attached.
  • FIGURE 3 a variation of the embodiment of FIG- URE 1 is shown and the components thereof corresponding to equivalent components in the embodiment of FIG- URE 1 are indicated by like numerals only of the next higher order.
  • the primary distinction between the version of FIGURE 3 and that of the preceding figure lies in the apparatus for controlling the orientation of the housing or guiding the anchor through the water.
  • the vanes 142 and the shroud 146 are fixed to the housing 110.
  • a valve 160 operated by a solenoid 162 mounted on the bulkhead 116, is provided over each of the pump outlets 128 to control the effluent therefrom.
  • Each of the solenoids 162 is controlled through an electrical conductor 164 which ties in with the conductor cable 140 and extends up to the mother ship 54 (FIGURE 2) with the cable 136.
  • the efiluent through the outlets 128 can be controlled as desired to thereby guide the anchor in its passage through the water.
  • the unbalanced forces imposed on the anchor will cause it to turn in the direction of the closed outlets thereby providing means to alter the orientation of the anchor.
  • the operation of the remaining components of the anchor of FIG- URE 3 is identical to that of the corresponding components of FIGURE'l as described above.
  • a self-propelled maneuverable anchor for suction attachment to submerged surfaces comprising: a pump means including a housing; a pump inlet and at least one outlet through said housing, said outlet configured to direct the efiluent from said pump along said housing to propel the anchor through water; an annular seal disposed around said pump inlet, a support means connected to said housing for lowering the anchor into a body of water; and adjustable means to controllably guide the anchor through water.
  • a maneuverable anchor for suction attachment to submerged surfaces comprising: a pump means including a housing; a pump inlet and at least one outlet through said housing, said outlet configured to direct the efiluent from said pump along said housing to propel the anchor through water; an annular seal disposed around said pump inlet; a support means connected to said housing for lowering the anchor into a body of water; means to controllably guide the anchor through water, and wherein a plurality of outlets are provided in said housing and wherein said means to controllably guide the anchor through water comprises:
  • a valve associated with each of said outlets to independently control the effluent therefrom to alter the orientation of said housing when said anchor is moving through water.
  • a maneuverable anchor for suction attachment to submerged surfaces comprising: a pump means including a housing; a pump inlet and at least one outlet through said housing, said outlet configured to direct the effluent from said pump along said housing to propel the anchor through water; an annular seal disposed around said pump inlet; a support means connected to said housing for lowering the anchor into a body of water; means to controllably guide the anchor through water, and wherein radially extending vanes are pivotally mounted on said housing and wherein said means to controllably guide the anchor through water comprises:
  • At least one actuator connected between said vanes and said housing to change the orientation therebetween to alter the orientation of said housing when said anchor is moving through water.
  • a maneuverable anchor for suction attachment to submerged surfaces comprising: a pump means including a housing; a pump inlet and at least one outlet through said housing, said outlet configured'to direct the effiuent from said pump along said housing to propel the anchor through water; an annular seal disposed around said pump inlet; a support means connected to said housing for lowering the anchor into a body of water; means to controllably guide the anchor through water, and wherein said support means includes a bale pivotally connected to either side of said housing proximate said pump inlet; whereby said housing is movable relative to the supporting means.
  • a maneuverable anchor for suction attachment to submerged surfaces comprising: a pump means including a housing; a pump inlet and at least one outlet through said housing, said outlet configured to direct the effiuent from said pump along said housing to propel the anchor through water; an annular seal disposed around said pump inlet; a support means connected to said housing for lowering the anchor into a body of water; means to controllably guide the anchor through water, and wherein said housing includes a front portion having a substantially flat transverse forward wall and a rearwardly tapering rear portion having vanes adjacent the end of the rearwardly tapering portion of said housing, said vanes having their inner ends mounted on the housing and extending radially out from the housing.
  • a maneuverable anchor for suction attachment to submerged surfaces comprising: a pump means including a housing; a pump inlet and at least one outlet through said housing, said outlet configured to direct the eflluent from said pump along said housing to propel the anchor through water; an annular seal disposed around said pump inlet; a support means connected to said housing for lowering the anchor into a body of water; means to controllably guide the anchor through water, said housing including a front portion having a substantially fiat transverse forward wall and a rearwardly tapering rear portion having a radially extending vane mounted thereon, and wherein said inlet is centrally disposed in said forward wall and said outlets are rearwardly oriented and disposed through the periphery of said housing.
  • a valve associated with each of said outlets to independently control the effluent therefrom to alter the orientation of said housing when said anchor is moving through water.
  • At least one actuator connected between said vanes and said housing to change the orientation therebetween to alter the orientation of said housing when said anchor is moving through water.
  • a self-propelled maneuverable anchor having an ogive configuration for suction attachment to a submerged surface including:
  • said housing having a rearward water-tight motor chamber and an impeller chamber forward of the motor chamber
  • motor means within the motor chamber having a drive shaft extending into the impeller chamber
  • the impeller chamber being provided with a centrally located water inlet and rearwardly disposed water outlets,
  • a vane means securely mounted on the housing at the apex of the ogive and extending outwardly from the housing
  • adjustable means to controllably guide the anchor through the Water.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
US528635A 1966-02-18 1966-02-18 Underwater suction anchors Expired - Lifetime US3348517A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US528635A US3348517A (en) 1966-02-18 1966-02-18 Underwater suction anchors
GB2692/67A GB1120914A (en) 1966-02-18 1967-01-18 Under water suction anchors
FR93267A FR1511752A (fr) 1966-02-18 1967-01-31 Ancres pouvant être manoeuvrées pour les fixer par succion sur des objets immergés
DE19671506257 DE1506257B2 (de) 1966-02-18 1967-02-17 Sauganker
BE694256D BE694256A (el) 1966-02-18 1967-02-17
NL6702461A NL6702461A (el) 1966-02-18 1967-02-17

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US528635A US3348517A (en) 1966-02-18 1966-02-18 Underwater suction anchors

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3348517A true US3348517A (en) 1967-10-24

Family

ID=24106513

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US528635A Expired - Lifetime US3348517A (en) 1966-02-18 1966-02-18 Underwater suction anchors

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3348517A (el)
BE (1) BE694256A (el)
DE (1) DE1506257B2 (el)
FR (1) FR1511752A (el)
GB (1) GB1120914A (el)
NL (1) NL6702461A (el)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3520543A (en) * 1967-09-19 1970-07-14 Hydronautics Seal for suction type anchors
US3529919A (en) * 1967-10-13 1970-09-22 Wladimir Tiraspolsky Anchoring devices
US3892287A (en) * 1973-09-20 1975-07-01 Sun Oil Co Vacuum ice anchor
US4029039A (en) * 1974-11-05 1977-06-14 N.V. Industrieele Handelscombinatie Holland Mooring means, particularly for carrying out production tests for gas and oil drilling on the high seas
US4522532A (en) * 1983-07-25 1985-06-11 Fedrick Ronald M Bottom-seated portable cofferdam and method of use
US4695198A (en) * 1986-05-23 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Lip-type sealing system for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695200A (en) * 1986-06-02 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Membrane seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695199A (en) * 1986-06-02 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Elastomeric bearing pad and seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695201A (en) * 1986-08-21 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Removable bottom founded structure
US4695196A (en) * 1986-03-03 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Pad-type inflatable seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695197A (en) * 1986-03-13 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Elastomeric seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695192A (en) * 1986-03-03 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Flapper-type sealing system for a removable bottom founded structure
US6390012B1 (en) * 1999-09-20 2002-05-21 Coflexip, S.A. Apparatus and method for deploying, recovering, servicing, and operating an autonomous underwater vehicle
CN110185408A (zh) * 2019-05-24 2019-08-30 广州海洋地质调查局 一种应用于深水浅层钻井工程中的吸力锚及其安装方法

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2015454B (en) * 1978-03-06 1982-07-21 Bendix Corp Spherical vehicle to be self-propelled in a fluid medium
FR2549550B1 (fr) * 1983-07-20 1987-05-22 France Etat Armement Ventouse sous-marine du type a depression par aspiration

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2347491A (en) * 1941-08-29 1944-04-25 Lente Howard Otis Salvaging apparatus and system
US3263641A (en) * 1964-09-15 1966-08-02 Robert F Patterson Anchoring structure

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2347491A (en) * 1941-08-29 1944-04-25 Lente Howard Otis Salvaging apparatus and system
US3263641A (en) * 1964-09-15 1966-08-02 Robert F Patterson Anchoring structure

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3520543A (en) * 1967-09-19 1970-07-14 Hydronautics Seal for suction type anchors
US3529919A (en) * 1967-10-13 1970-09-22 Wladimir Tiraspolsky Anchoring devices
US3892287A (en) * 1973-09-20 1975-07-01 Sun Oil Co Vacuum ice anchor
US4029039A (en) * 1974-11-05 1977-06-14 N.V. Industrieele Handelscombinatie Holland Mooring means, particularly for carrying out production tests for gas and oil drilling on the high seas
US4522532A (en) * 1983-07-25 1985-06-11 Fedrick Ronald M Bottom-seated portable cofferdam and method of use
US4695196A (en) * 1986-03-03 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Pad-type inflatable seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695192A (en) * 1986-03-03 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Flapper-type sealing system for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695197A (en) * 1986-03-13 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Elastomeric seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695198A (en) * 1986-05-23 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Lip-type sealing system for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695200A (en) * 1986-06-02 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Membrane seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695199A (en) * 1986-06-02 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Elastomeric bearing pad and seal for a removable bottom founded structure
US4695201A (en) * 1986-08-21 1987-09-22 Chevron Research Company Removable bottom founded structure
US4755082A (en) * 1986-08-21 1988-07-05 Chevron Research Company Removable bottom founded structure
US6390012B1 (en) * 1999-09-20 2002-05-21 Coflexip, S.A. Apparatus and method for deploying, recovering, servicing, and operating an autonomous underwater vehicle
CN110185408A (zh) * 2019-05-24 2019-08-30 广州海洋地质调查局 一种应用于深水浅层钻井工程中的吸力锚及其安装方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1120914A (en) 1968-07-24
BE694256A (el) 1967-07-31
NL6702461A (el) 1967-08-21
DE1506257A1 (de) 1969-06-19
DE1506257B2 (de) 1970-10-01
FR1511752A (fr) 1968-02-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3348517A (en) Underwater suction anchors
US6581537B2 (en) Propulsion of underwater vehicles using differential and vectored thrust
US7290496B2 (en) Unmanned autonomous submarine
CN103921921B (zh) 吊舱式全回转泵喷射矢量推进器
US3101066A (en) Submarine hydrodynamic control system
US5174222A (en) Apparatus for cleaning of ship hulls
US2764954A (en) Propulsion apparatus for water vessels
US4455962A (en) Spherical underwater vehicle
US2377442A (en) Vessel for submarine navigation
US20070022935A1 (en) Unmanned submersible vehicle with on-board generating capability
KR20150106884A (ko) 수중 세정 시스템
US3098464A (en) Propulsion unit for shallow draft boats or the like
US6158371A (en) Hydraulic system for maneuvring boats, ships and crafts in general
US5140926A (en) Small boat thruster kit
US3158123A (en) Underseas vehicle
US2692570A (en) Ship propulsion device combined with hull structure
GB1302227A (el)
US4089492A (en) Ocean adapted airship
GB1328211A (en) Submersible dredger
US3933113A (en) Marine vessel propulsion system
US6024038A (en) Side thruster for small boats
US3179081A (en) Combined propulsion and steering apparatus for vessels
US4377982A (en) Spherical vehicle for operation in a fluid medium
US3256849A (en) Maneuver device for submergence vessels
KR20110010165A (ko) 접이식 안정핀과 벡터추진기를 가지는 무인잠수정