US3710746A - Buoyancy lifting devices - Google Patents

Buoyancy lifting devices Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3710746A
US3710746A US00111074A US3710746DA US3710746A US 3710746 A US3710746 A US 3710746A US 00111074 A US00111074 A US 00111074A US 3710746D A US3710746D A US 3710746DA US 3710746 A US3710746 A US 3710746A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
hollow body
gas
buoyancy
pressure
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
US00111074A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donald I Mc
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.)
Cammell Laird and Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Cammell Laird and Co Ltd
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 Cammell Laird and Co Ltd filed Critical Cammell Laird and Co Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3710746A publication Critical patent/US3710746A/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
    • B63C7/06—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

  • a buoyancy operated lifting and/or lowering device comprises a hollowbody, means for flooding said hollow body, means for charging the hollow body with gas and at least one gas pressure relief tube extending downwardly from the upper or gas containing portion of the hollow body to a position below said hollow body.
  • the gas pressure relief tube relieves pressure in the hollow body, as the device ascends and the ambient pressure to which the hollow body is subjected decreases. The buoyancy of the device is thereby maintained substantially constant during said ascent.
  • the inlet for charging the hollow body with gas may have a valve which is responsive to the ambient pressure to which the hollow body is subjected.
  • buoyancy of the device is thereby maintained substantially constant during its descent.
  • This invention is for improvements in or relating to buoyancy operated lifting and/or lowering devices.
  • the lifting of heavy objects from the sea bed may be accomplished in calm water by using a floating crane or ships derrick as on land.
  • a floating crane or ships derrick as on land.
  • heave and roll of the ship cause motion of the crane hook and, therefore, difficulty and danger in attaching the load thereto.
  • Further difficulties arise because the load is not within the vision of the crane driver and communication between divers on the sea bed and the crane driver is usually imperfect.
  • Other problems arise in a tideway where the ship is likely to move on her moorings, particularly in deep water.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a buoyancy lifting device which does not suffer from this defect.
  • a buoyancy operated lifting and/or lowering device comprising a hollow body or vessel, means for flooding said hollow body of vessel, and a gas pressure relief means extending downwardly from an upper or gas containing portion of the hollow body or vessel.
  • a buoyancy operated lifting and/or lowering device comprising a hollow body or vessel, means for flooding said hollow body or vessel and discharging water from it, and gas inlet and gas pressure relief i means for said hollow body or vessel, the water level in the hollow body depending on the gas pressure therein and said gas pressure relief means relieving pressure in the hollow body as the latter ascends and the ambient pressure to which the hollow body is subjected decreases, whereby the buoyancy of the lifting device is maintained substantially constant during the ascent thereof.
  • the gas inlet of the hollow body is responsive to the ambient pressure to which'the hollow body is subjected so that the buoyancy of the lifting device is maintained substantially constant during the descent as well as dur-
  • a convenient source of gas for the hollow body is one or more compressed air or gas storage bottles mounted on it.
  • Relief of gas pressure in the hollow. body is conveniently effected by providing it with one or more gas pressure relief tubes which extend from the upper and gas containing part of the hollow body or vessel down to a position below it.
  • the gas inlet to the hollow body is conveniently controlled by a flow control valve (e.g., a spring loaded diaphragm valve) adjustable or adapted to deliver gas at a predetermined pressure above the ambient pressure through a one-way valve, the gas supplied to the flow control valve being from high pressure storage bottles via a sea water reference reducing valve, i.e., a reducing valve responsive to or adapted to be set in accordance with the ambient sea water pressure.
  • the flow control valve may be responsive to the ambient sea water pressure.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device
  • FIG. 2 shows the device during its ascent
  • FIG. 3 shows the device during its descent.
  • the buoyancy operated lifting device shown on the drawing comprises a drum 10 of light construction and with dimensions of, say, 22 inches in diameter and 35 inches high.
  • a large diameter stop valve 11 is provided at the top of the drum or hollow body 10.
  • a similar stop valve 1 1a is provided at the bottom of the drum.
  • Air is supplied into the top of the drum v10 via a spring loaded diaphragm valve 12 adjusted to deliver air at, say, 1.3 lbs per sq. inch above ambient pressure, through a one-way valve.
  • the air supply to the diaphragm valve 12 is from high pressure storage bottles 13 via a sea water reference reducing valve 14, i.e., a pressure reducing valve which can be set by reference to the ambient sea water pressure.
  • the valve 12 may be a known form of differential sensitive flow control valve which can be set to maintain a required differential in'the drum 10 to suit the required buoyancy of the device, particularly during a controlled descent.
  • the diaphragm of the valve 12 may, for example, be subjected, on one side, to the ambient sea water pressure.
  • the storage bottles 13 are detachably strapped or otherwise secured to the drum 10 so as to descend and ascend therewith.
  • the device To sink the device to the sea bed it is completely flooded by opening the top and bottom stop valves 11 and 11a with the air supply turned off. The device then has an approximate weight in water of, say, 30 lbs.
  • the device Prior to sinking the device to the sea bed it is, for example, attached to the falls of a ships crane so as to be lowered under the control thereof, the falls being allowed to slacken once the device is on the sea bed.
  • a diver will then attach one end of a long line to the lifting device and make the other end of the line fast to any convenient object capable of serving as a bollard. The diver then attaches the load e.g., by slings, to the lifting device.
  • the stop valve 11 is closed and the air supply turned on. Air will then flow via the reducing valve 14 and diaphragm valve 12 into the top of the drum 10 forcing water out through the bottom stop valve 11a. When the required buoyancy has been achieved, the bottom stop valve 11a is closed. Air will continue to flow into the drum 10 until the water level in the relief tubes 15 is below (e.g., 3 feet below) the diaphragm valve 12 when the air pressure will be, say, 1.3 lbs per sq. inch above sea water pressure at the diaphragm valve.
  • the opening of the bottom stop valve 11a will allow the gas pressure to blow out water so increasing the buoyancy.
  • the gas bottle capacity is preferably sufficient to fill completely the buoyancy device twice at 600 feet.
  • the device may draw its gas supply via an umbilical tube connected to a larger gas storage tank.
  • a quick release coupling may be provided on the umbilical tube so that the buoyancy device may be rendered self-contained when required.
  • a buoyancy device as above described may provide a controllableconstant lift throughout its depth range.
  • the drum 10 may be replaced by a rubber fabric bag or envelope, preferably enclosed in a cage or framework, since such an envelope or bag will only be called upon to' withstand an internal pressure of a few .pounds per square inch.
  • the pipes 15 may be flexible hose.
  • each pipe 15 There may be a lightly loaded (e.g., a spring loaded) relief valve in each pipe 15, particularly when the device is onl-y intended for lifting loads.
  • a lightly loaded (e.g., a spring loaded) relief valve in each pipe 15, particularly when the device is onl-y intended for lifting loads.
  • the device may be used as an under-water crane for moving loads from one place to another on the sea bed.
  • a buoyancy operated lifting and/or lowering device comprising a closed hollow body, valve controlled means at'the lower part of said hollow body whereby it may be flooded when immersed in a body of water so as to cause it to descend, valve controlled means at the upper part of the hollow body-for discharging gas therefrom during said flooding of the.
  • gas supply means connected to the upper part of the hollow body for charging it with gas to displace water from the interior of the hollow body to adjust its buoyancy
  • a pressure sensitive valve means in said gas supply means and positioned on the hollow body so as to respond to the changing hydrostatic pressure on the hollow body during its descent and provide a gas flow to the hollow body to maintain the internal pressure balance therein so that the water level in and buoyancy of the hollow body will not change during its descent
  • a gas pressure relief means connected to the upper part of the hollow body, said gas pressure relief means providing for the discharge of gas from the hollow body during its ascent, whereby the internal pressure within the body is maintained substantially the same as the ambient pressure.
  • a buoyancy operated lifting and/or lowering device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is an adjustable flow control'valve in the gas supply means whereby the gas supply can be adjusted to deliver gas at a predetermined pressure above the ambient pressure.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Control Of Fluid Pressure (AREA)
US00111074A 1970-01-31 1971-01-29 Buoyancy lifting devices Expired - Lifetime US3710746A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB477370 1970-01-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3710746A true US3710746A (en) 1973-01-16

Family

ID=9783544

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00111074A Expired - Lifetime US3710746A (en) 1970-01-31 1971-01-29 Buoyancy lifting devices

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3710746A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2104411B2 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2077633B1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1338560A (enExample)
NL (1) NL7101298A (enExample)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4078509A (en) * 1976-05-27 1978-03-14 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Salvage apparatus and method
US4658745A (en) * 1981-06-22 1987-04-21 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Collapsible salvage drum and method
WO1997023881A1 (de) * 1995-12-22 1997-07-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zum heben, senken und transport eines gegenstandes in einem flüssigkeitsgefüllten becken, insbesondere eines brennelementes einer kernkraftanlage, sowie verfahren zum transport eines solchen gegenstandes
US5755172A (en) * 1996-09-18 1998-05-26 Inflatable Technology Corporation Underwater lifting apparatus
WO2001036266A1 (en) * 1999-11-19 2001-05-25 Giuseppe Zingale Device for transporting loads under water and usable as a lifting pontoon
US6789587B2 (en) 2001-07-13 2004-09-14 Triton Logging Company Inc. Method and apparatus for underwater tree cutting and retrieval
US20150096483A1 (en) * 2013-10-03 2015-04-09 James Pirtle System for refloating grounded vessels

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2654409B1 (fr) * 1989-11-14 1995-04-07 Claude Bellamy Dispositif permettant de realiser la remontee du fond de l'eau d'objets lourds et encombrants.
DE19548510C1 (de) * 1995-12-22 1997-04-10 Siemens Ag Vorrichtung zum Heben, Senken und Transport eines Gegenstands in einem flüssigkeitsgefüllten Becken, insbesondere eines Brennelementes einer Kernkraftanlage

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB455824A (en) * 1935-03-07 1936-10-28 Rene Pierre Leroux Improvements relating to pontoons and the buoyancy control thereof
US3282238A (en) * 1965-07-20 1966-11-01 Tucker Augustine John Method and apparatus for discharging liquids from immersed vessels
US3623443A (en) * 1968-11-13 1971-11-30 Babcock & Wilcox Ag Underwater housing structure
US3659299A (en) * 1969-12-29 1972-05-02 Proteus Inc Variable displacement recovery devices

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB455824A (en) * 1935-03-07 1936-10-28 Rene Pierre Leroux Improvements relating to pontoons and the buoyancy control thereof
US3282238A (en) * 1965-07-20 1966-11-01 Tucker Augustine John Method and apparatus for discharging liquids from immersed vessels
US3623443A (en) * 1968-11-13 1971-11-30 Babcock & Wilcox Ag Underwater housing structure
US3659299A (en) * 1969-12-29 1972-05-02 Proteus Inc Variable displacement recovery devices

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4078509A (en) * 1976-05-27 1978-03-14 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Salvage apparatus and method
US4658745A (en) * 1981-06-22 1987-04-21 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Collapsible salvage drum and method
WO1997023881A1 (de) * 1995-12-22 1997-07-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zum heben, senken und transport eines gegenstandes in einem flüssigkeitsgefüllten becken, insbesondere eines brennelementes einer kernkraftanlage, sowie verfahren zum transport eines solchen gegenstandes
US5755172A (en) * 1996-09-18 1998-05-26 Inflatable Technology Corporation Underwater lifting apparatus
WO2001036266A1 (en) * 1999-11-19 2001-05-25 Giuseppe Zingale Device for transporting loads under water and usable as a lifting pontoon
US6575105B1 (en) 1999-11-19 2003-06-10 Giuseppe Zingale Device for transporting loads under water and usable as a lifting pontoon
US6789587B2 (en) 2001-07-13 2004-09-14 Triton Logging Company Inc. Method and apparatus for underwater tree cutting and retrieval
US20150096483A1 (en) * 2013-10-03 2015-04-09 James Pirtle System for refloating grounded vessels
US9139270B2 (en) * 2013-10-03 2015-09-22 James Pirtle System for refloating grounded vessels
US9475556B1 (en) * 2013-10-03 2016-10-25 James Pirtle System for refloating grounded vessels

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2104411B2 (de) 1974-03-21
FR2077633A1 (enExample) 1971-10-29
NL7101298A (enExample) 1971-08-03
DE2104411A1 (de) 1971-09-30
GB1338560A (en) 1973-11-28
FR2077633B1 (enExample) 1973-06-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2955626A (en) Pipe lines for loading and unloading ships and other vessels
US3860983A (en) Controllably submersible buoy
US3952349A (en) Variable buoyancy device
EP0653994B1 (en) A method of raising objects form the sea bed
US3782317A (en) Submersible salvage unit
US3710746A (en) Buoyancy lifting devices
US5655938A (en) Variable buoyancy ballast and flotation unit for submerged objects or structures
US3512493A (en) Adjustable buoyancy lift device
US5735719A (en) Combination inflatable dive flag and float
US3659299A (en) Variable displacement recovery devices
US20170096197A1 (en) Suction stabilized floats
US4658745A (en) Collapsible salvage drum and method
US4498408A (en) Lifting body for diving
US3675607A (en) Method and apparatus for controlling depth of submergence of an underwater vehicle
US4078509A (en) Salvage apparatus and method
US3541986A (en) Submersible salvage unit and method of operation
JP4255325B2 (ja) 水中運搬装置及びこの水中運搬装置を用いた引き上げ対象物の運搬方法
EP0056672B1 (en) Buoy for measuring wave slopes
US3732837A (en) Automatic salvage bag for underwater use
GB2169570A (en) Improvements in and relating to vessels
US3339513A (en) Pressure stabilizing air volume control system
US3080844A (en) Maritime salvage equipment
GB2131749A (en) A device for suspending and/or lifting objects under water
US3978810A (en) Mooring buoy
US3316871A (en) Stabilized vessel for open sea operations