US3868921A - Normally vented liquid-storage tank for ships, with closure device for automatically preventing leaking if the ship should sink - Google Patents

Normally vented liquid-storage tank for ships, with closure device for automatically preventing leaking if the ship should sink Download PDF

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Publication number
US3868921A
US3868921A US26274172A US3868921A US 3868921 A US3868921 A US 3868921A US 26274172 A US26274172 A US 26274172A US 3868921 A US3868921 A US 3868921A
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United States
Prior art keywords
tank
conduit
pressure
valve
closure
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Expired - Lifetime
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English (en)
Inventor
David Jackson Seymour
Norman Macritchie
Parker J Matthews
Thomas A Clark
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to US26274172 priority Critical patent/US3868921A/en
Priority to GB482276A priority patent/GB1439863A/en
Priority to GB2710873A priority patent/GB1439862A/en
Priority to NO241073A priority patent/NO138622C/no
Priority to NL7308178A priority patent/NL7308178A/xx
Priority to JP6595573A priority patent/JPS5545434B2/ja
Priority to ES415877A priority patent/ES415877A1/es
Priority to SE7308339A priority patent/SE393350B/xx
Priority to IT6873773A priority patent/IT986453B/it
Priority to FR7321548A priority patent/FR2187599B1/fr
Priority to DE2330114A priority patent/DE2330114C3/de
Priority to ES422009A priority patent/ES422009A1/es
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3868921A publication Critical patent/US3868921A/en
Priority to HK65678A priority patent/HK65678A/xx
Priority to HK65578A priority patent/HK65578A/xx
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B63C7/006—Emptying the contents of sunken, stranded, or disabled vessels, e.g. by engaging the vessel; Underwater collecting of buoyant contents, such as liquid, particulate or gaseous contents, escaping from sunken vessels, e.g. using funnels, or tents for recovery of escaping hydrocarbons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63B25/02—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
    • B63B25/08—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
    • B63B25/082—Arrangements for minimizing pollution by accidents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63J—AUXILIARIES ON VESSELS
    • B63J2/00—Arrangements of ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning
    • B63J2/02—Ventilation; Air-conditioning
    • B63J2/10—Ventilating-shafts; Air-scoops
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/1842—Ambient condition change responsive
    • Y10T137/2036—Underwater

Definitions

  • a vent and overflow conduit is provided.
  • the invention provides an anti-pollution valve installed in the conduit, which automatically closes the conduit, should the ship sink.
  • the anti-pollution valve is actuated to its closed position by the hydrostatic pressure as the ship sinks and it automatically equalizes the pressures between the sea and the liquid within the tank as the vessel sinks to deeper depths. Transient effects, such as surface waves, are prevented from actuating the valve.
  • the anti-pollution valve also includes means that make it possible to dump the liquid out from the tanks of sunken ships and thereby salvage it.
  • Liquid cargo and bunker tanks aboard a ship as parts of the ships structure have long been provided with vents and overflow pipes, mainly to enable the escape of air from the tanks during the filling and vacating operations, to prevent harmful vacuum conditions during off-loading, and to avoid the buildup of high pressures in the tanks during loading.
  • These overflow pipes also prevent subjecting the ships structure to excessive pressures during the filling operation in the event of overfilling.
  • the overflow pipes terminate in a gooseneck about three of four feet above the deck, depending on the depth of the tank. Some vent pipes may terminate at higher levels to avoid the accumulation of noxious or explosive gases at the deck level.
  • vents and overflow conduits provide free venting at all times, for heretofore no vlaves or other restrictions have been incorporated in them.
  • the American Bureau of Shipping does, however, required means for closing the openings in an emergency.
  • This closure means is generally located at the end of the gooseneck and may comprise a floating ball check or hinged flap, operable either by hand or by the force of a submerging wave washing over the deck. Wooden plugs have often been inserted during heavy weather. Other types of closures are also in use.
  • vents from tanks of gasoline and other volatile liquids are provided with screen-type flame arresters. All the closure devices are meant solely to prevent the entrance of sea water during temporary conditions of heavy weather when green water washes over the decks.
  • the present invention is concerned especially with what happens when a ship sinks and carries down tanks containing liquid petroleum products, chemicals, or other liquids which may be a source of pollution. Should the ship sink, many of her tanks will remain intact structurally, and, in fact, all may be intact if the sinking is solely due to flooding of reserve buoyancy compartments, such as the engine spaces or other dry compartments of the ship. If the vessel should sink while her vents are open, as may very well more often than not be the case, then as she sinks, water enters the tanks and replaces any air volume above the liquid, while that air escapes through the vents. Air that cannot escape, being pocketed or trapped, will then be compressed.
  • the present invention provides an overflow antipollution valve which a. does not restrict the vent or overflow passage area or otherwise prevent the vent or overflow function under normal operating conditions;
  • g. provides means for attaching a hose to enable a salvage ship to pump liquids out from the tanks of a sunken vessel;
  • h. can be installed on existing vessels with minimum alteration to the ships structure.
  • the invention provides a shipboard storage tank for liquids, whether they are cargo or for fuel, in which there is a vent and overflow conduit having an outlet and an anti-pollution valve installed in the outlet.
  • the anti-pollution valve includes a closure device that automatically closes the conduit against the passage of liquids from the tank to the outlet.
  • Latching means normally latches the closure device in its open position so as not to interfere with the normal venting and overflow function, but a pressureactuated latch release acts on the latch means upon the application of a predetermined hydrostatic pressure, such as is exerted by water when the ship sinks.
  • a conduit leading to the atmosphere from the pressureactuated latch release has an orifice in it that prevents actuation by transient effects, such as waves, while enabling prompt actuation by the ambient water pressure that is exerted by the closing of sea water over the ship.
  • the closure device preferably comprises a pivoted disc or clapper member and a strong spring for forcing the closure member to its closed position, once the latching means has been released.
  • the invention also includes access means for salvaging the liquid from the tank.
  • FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a liquid cargo tank embodying the principles of the invention and adapted for use in a vessel, such as a ship or a barge.
  • FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in side elevation of a cargo vessel embodying the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in section of a typical prior-art tanker or bulk liquid cargo vessel, the section being taken through three tanks, each of which is fitted with two vents and overflow valves, one of which is shown in the drawing. There is some air in the top of each tank while the ship is floating on the sea, since such tanks are normally filled to about 95 to 98 percent of capacity in order to enable thermal expansion.
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing what happens when a prior-art vessel sinks and how oil leaks out through the vent under the prior-art conditions.
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except that the vessel has sunk so that it lies on one side. 7
  • FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except that the vessel has turned over when sinking, so that the vents are on the bottom.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a tank embodying the principles of the invention showing the two vents, one at each end of the tank, with the tank trimmed to a typical position in a sunken vessel.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view with respect to FIG. 7 of one vent embodying the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a further enlarged view in elevation and in section of a portion of the vent of FIG. 8 showing a closure valve embodying the principles of the invention with the valve in its open or latched position and with the closed position indicated in broken lines.
  • FIG. 10 is view similar to FIG. 9 with the closure valve in its unlatched and closed position.
  • FIG. 11 is a view in section taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view in which a salvage operation is being carried on from a sunken vessel embodying the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged view in perspective of an .indicator that indicates from the exterior what position the valve is in.
  • FIG. 14 is an enlarged view in section taken along the line l4l4 in FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 with the member in a different position.
  • FIG. 16 is a view taken along the line l6-16 in FIG. 9.
  • the present invention relates to the problem of preventing pollution from a sunken tanker or other vessel carrying polluting liquid, whether as fuel or as cargo.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross section through a vessel 10 having three tanks 11, 12, and 13 eachholding oil or some other polluting liquid.
  • Each one of these tanks ll, 12, 13 has its corresponding set of vents, there being at least two for each tanks, although only one of them is shown in FIG. 1.
  • a vent conduit 14 vents the tank 11
  • vent conduit 15 vents the tank 12
  • vent conduit 16 vents the tank 13.
  • oil 17 fills about 95 to 98 percent of each of the tanks 11, 12,and 13, in order to enable thermal expansion safely, thereby leaving a small air volume 18 at the top of each tank.
  • vents 14, 15, and 16 prevent the buildup of pressure, and during a filling of the tanks with oil, provides for overflow in case the tank is overfilled, and also provides for escape of air during filling.
  • the vents 14, 15, and 16 are open to accommodate change in the pressure due to thermal effects.
  • they may, under the prior art, have been closed by wooden plugs or similar means, which can still be used, if desired, but these afford no protection if the vessel 10 should sink.
  • a ship 20 has a tank 21 with a normal pair of vents 22 and 23, shown in FIG. 1. These enable the normal functions of vention and overflow.
  • each one of the vents 22 and 23 is provided with a closure or valve sector 25, which may be retrofitted on existing vessels or may be provided as part of the original equipment on new vessels.
  • the retrofit lies below the outlet 24 for the vent 22 and is directly in the conduit line between the main tank 21 and the outlet 24 of the vent and overflow conduit 22.
  • the valve sector 25 may be provided with a pair of flanges 26 and 27 and the conduit 22 may be provided with flanges 28 and 29 to receive the flanges 26 and 27, so that the sector 25 is removable and installable in existing installations.
  • the valve can be designed to fit any size vent and overflow line from as small as one-half inch in diameter to the largest diameters used on liquid bulk cargo vessels.
  • this closure device 25 incoporates an interior conduit 30 between the two flanges 26 and 27 having a valve seat 31 as an annular projection near its upper end facing down.
  • a closure valve 32 may comprise a flat plate of suitable closure material having a latched extension 33 thereon with a latch dog 34 and the valve 32 may be mounted on an offset pivot 35 by means of a pivot lug 36.
  • a coil spring 37 somewhat like the spring in a clock, may be used to provide a constant force tending to close the valve member 32, and the valve member 32 is prevented from closing only by the fact that the latch dog 34 holds the closure member 32 latched to an open position by engaging a latch 38, which itself is on an arm 40 that is mounted on a pivot 41.
  • the latch arm 40 has at the opposite end from the latch 38 a clevis 42 secured by a pin 43 to a rod 44.
  • the rod 44 extends up into a cylinder 45 and a piston 46 is secured to its upper end.
  • the piston 46 is mounted very close to the top of the cylinder 45 opposite to a cylinder head 47 and is backed up by a spring 48 which provides a desired pressure lower than that which will be applied to the piston 46 after the ship has sunk a few feet, if it should sink, but higher than anything that could be provided by the atmosphere.
  • Air is normally led into the cylinder 45 at the head end just above the piston 46 by a conduit 50 having an orifice 51 of reduced size which prevents the entry of any substantial amount of water during the mere passage of a wave, even though the wave may be of large size.
  • the conduit 50 leads up through a vertical portion 52, turns a right angle, and through a reduced portion 53, which also helps to prevent passage of transient effects, goes into a small chamber 54 above the piston 46.
  • a pipe 55 is connected to an external protective strainer 56 to prevent foreign matter form entering and plugging it, and it is provided with a structure which prevents tampering.
  • this can be done by applying a suitable pressure of compressed air, as by a hose fitting to the conduit 50.
  • the valve 25 can then be reopened manually.
  • the tank 21 is vented,just as it is in the present-day fully vented operation.
  • the ship should sink, water 19 coming through the pipe 55, the orifice 51, and the conduit 50 gets into the chamber 54, pressure builds up rapidly, and moves the piston 46 down against the pressure of the spring 48.
  • the large clock-type spring 37 quickly urges the valve member 32 to its closed position against the seat 31 and holds it closed with a very strong force. Some air may escape during this time, but little or no oil escapes, and then the device remains closed.
  • the tank 21 is not full when the vessel sinks, then as the vessel sinks, the increasing hydrostatic pressure of the sea water forces the valve member 32 to open slightly and admit water until the inside and outside pressures are balanced. if the tank 21 is full, there is no access for water to force out the oil and the spring 37 holds the valve 32 closed with sufficient force so that there is unlikely to be any such pressure developing.
  • the developing of additional pressure in the cylinder 45 has no ef fect, since the rod 44 bottoms on a portion 57 of the housing and cannot go any further, and even if it could, there would be no substantial effect. Thus, the tank 21 is locked closed and the contents are prevented from polluting the ocean.
  • the pivot member 37 has an exterior indicator arm 58 secured thereto, which turns 90 with the pivot member 37 when the valve 32 closes.
  • Electronic circuitry can also be connected to transmit a signal of the position of the valve to a remote indicator panel, which may be located in the vessels wheelhouse or in its engine room.
  • a salvage ship 60 locates the position of the sunken ship 20 and sends down a line 61 with a diver. The diver, on descending, comes to the closure fitting of one of the two vents 22 and 23. Upon determining the angle or trim of the vessel, he can select whichever vent 22 or 23 is higher than the other, and he should operate on the high vent 22.
  • the closure fixture 25 is provided with a fitting such as a nipple 62 at one side that is normally closed completely snugly by a hose cap or threaded plug 63.
  • the device 25 is also provided with a quadrant member 64 which indicates the position of a cam latch 65, which extends through the conduit 22 parallel to the valve seat 31 and may be used to hold the closure valve 32 completely closed at this time it is in an unlatched position, but the diver moves the quadrant 64 through a desired angle to 'move the cam latch 65 to a position where it engages a latch 66 on the valve member 32.
  • the diver uses a wrench that he has to withdraw the hose cap 63 and to attach a conduit 67 to it. This can be done with loss of very little oil done quickly and properly.
  • the salvage ship 60 begins pumping, and as it pumps, water flows into the tank 21 from the lower vent 23 by virtue of the decrease of pressure inside, and gradually fills up the tank 21, replacing the oil as it is withdrawn, keeping the pressures balanced.
  • the tank 21 may have a typical ullage opening 70, with ullage cover 71 and a pair of Butterworth openings 72 closed by suitable covers 73.
  • the vent 22 may have at its mouth 24 (FIG. 8) a suitable ball valve stop 74, if desired, a vacuum relief valve 75, and a flame screen 76.
  • FIG. 2 shows that filling may be via a deck fill header 77, a vertical line 78 and a bottom fill and discharge header 79, with the usual branches port and starboard to wing tanks.
  • a valve control 80 may be provided for a branch gate valve 81 having a suction and fill bell mouth 82 at each tank 21.
  • a shipboard storage tank for liquids comprising in combination a vent and overflow conduit having an outlet, and an anti-pollution valve installed in said conduit and comprising closure means for automatically closing said conduit against the passage of liquids to said outlet, latching means for normally latching said closure means in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting and overflow functions, pressure-actuated means for unlatching said latching means upon the application thereto of a predetermined pressure well above atmospheric pressure, a control conduit leading from the atmosphere to said pressure-actuated means and having orifice means therein preventing actuation of said pressure actuated means by transient effects while enabling prompt actuation by the permanent hydrostatic pressure exerted by water when the ship sinks, and biasing means for normally holding the closure means closed after said unlatching, said biasing means including means for momentarily opening said closure means for inflow of ambient water through the outlet and into the interior of the storage tank when the ambient pressure outside the storage tank exceeds the internal pressure within the storage tank by an amount greater than the force exert
  • closure means includes indicator means extending outside said conduit and outside said tank for giving visual indication of the position of said closure means.
  • conduit means includes training means to prevent entry of foreign matter.
  • a shipboard storgage tank for liquids comprising in combination a vent and overflow conduit having an outlet, and
  • an anti-pollution valve installed in said conduit and comprising closure means for automatically closing said conduit against the passage of liquids to said outlet
  • latching means for normally latching said closure means in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting and overflow functions
  • said anti-pollution valve includes manually operable means exterior to said tank for locking said closure means in its closed position
  • access means for affording access from outside said tank and said conduit to the interior of said vent and overflow conduit between said tank and said valve
  • a shipboard storage tank for liquids having an upper wall, comprising in combination a plurality of vent and overflow conduits, each having an outlet extending up from spaced-apart portions of said upper wall to provide conduit outlets at different levels when said tank and upper wall are inclined from the horizontal, and
  • an anti-pollution valve installed in each said conduit and comprising closure means for automatically closing said conduit against the passage of liquids to said outlet,
  • latching means for normally latching said closure means in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting and overflow functions
  • control conduit leading from the atmosphere to said pressure actuated means and having an orifice therein preventing actuation of said pressurcactuated means by transie'nteffects while enabling prompt actuation by the permanent hydrostatic pressure exerted by water when the ship sinks, and
  • biasing means associated with each closure means for normally holding the closure means closed after said unlatching, said biasing means including means for momentarily opening said closure means for inflow of ambient water through the outlet and into the interior of the storage tank when the ambient pressure outside the storage tank exceeds the internal pressure within the storage tank by an amount greater than the force exerted on the closure means by the biasing means.
  • each said antipollution valve includes manually operable means exterior to said tank for locking said closure member in its closed position
  • normally closed access means enabling attachment from outside said tank and from outside said vent and overflow conduits of a pumping conduit to the tank interior at a location closelyadjacent said closure member and on the tank side thereof,
  • An anti-pollution valve for installation in a vent and overflow conduit of a shipboard storage tank for liquids, comprising closure means for automatically closing said conduit against the passage of liquids to the outlet of said conduit,
  • latching means for normally latching said closure means in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting and overflow functions
  • control conduit leading from the atmosphere to said pressure actuated means and having an orifice therein preventing actuation of said pressureactuated means by transient effects while enabling prompt actuation by the permanent hydrostatic pressure exerted by water when the ship sinks, and
  • biasing means for normally holding the closure means closed after said unlatching said biasing means including means for momentarily opening said closure means for inflow of ambient water through the outlet and into interior of the storage tank when the ambient pressure outside the storage tank exceeds the internal pressure within the storage tank by an amount greater than the force exerted on the closure means by the biasing means.
  • closure means includes a pivoted closure member and-said biasing means include spring means for swinging said closure member to its closed position when said latching means is unlatched.
  • closure means includes indicator means extending outside said conduit and giving visual indication ofthe position of said closure means.
  • conduit means includes straining means to prevent entry of foreign matter.
  • An anti-pollution valve for installation in a vent and overflow conduit of a shipboard storage tank for liquids, comprising closure means for automatically closing said conduit against the passage of liquids to said outlet,
  • latching means for normally latching said closure means in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting and overflow functions
  • pressure-actuated means for unlatching said latching means upon the application thereto of a predetermined pressure well above atmospheric pressure, and a control conduit leading from the atmosphere to said pressure-actuated means and having an orifice therein preventing actuation of said pressureactuated means by transient effects while enabling prompt actuation by the permanent hydrostatic pressure exerted by water when the ship sinks and wherein said anti-pollution valve includes manually operable means exterior to said tank for locking said closure means in its closed position,
  • access means for affording access from outside said tank and said conduit to the interior of said vent and overflow conduit between said tank and said valve
  • an anti-pollution valve installed in said conduit and comprising a valve housing having a valve seat, a closure member below said valve seat pivoted to said valve seat and having a latching dog thereon,
  • latching means for normally engaging said dog and latching said closure member in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting or overflow functions
  • pressure-actuated means for moving said latching means away from said dog upon the application to said pressure actuated means of a predetermined pressure well above atmospheric pressure
  • control conduit leading from the atmosphere to said pressure-actuated means and having a reduced-area passage preventing actuation of said pressure-actuated means by transient effects while spect to the valve seat as to permit momentary opening of the closure means and inflow of ambient water through the outlet and into the interior of the storage tank when the ambient presssure outside the storage tank exceeds the internal pressure within the storage tank by an amount greater than the force exerted on the closure means by the spring means.
  • closure means and spring means are so oriented with reand an anti-pollution valve installed in said conduit and comprising a valve housing having a valve seat.
  • a closure member below said valve seat pivoted to said valve seat and having a latching dog thereon.
  • latching means for normally engaging said dog and latching said closure member in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting or overflow functions
  • pressure-actuated means for moving said latching means away from said dog upon the application to said pressure-actuated means of a predetermined pressure well above atmospheric pressure
  • valve housing comprises a nipple below said seat
  • a removable threaded plug normally closing said nip- V ple, whereby in a sunken ship the plug can be removed and a salvage line attached to said nipple.
  • an anti-pollution valve installed in said conduit and comprising a valve housing having a valve seat
  • latching means for normally engaging said dog and latching said closure member in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting or overflow functions
  • pressure-actuated means for moving said latching means away from said dog upon the application to said pressure-actuated means of a predetermined pressure well above atmospheric pressure
  • valve housing comprises a nipple below said seat
  • a second locking member having a handle extending outside said valve housing and indicating the position thereof
  • a shipboard storage tank for liquids comprising in combination:
  • an anti-pollution valve installed in said conduit and comprising closure means for automatically closing said conduit against the passage of liquids to said outlet, latching means for normally latching said closure means in the open position so as normally not to interfere with venting and overflow functions, and means for unlatching said latching means upon said outlet reaching a predetermined depth when the ship sinks, and
  • biasing means for normally holding the closure means closed after said unlatching, said biasing means including means for momentarily opening said closure means for inflow of ambient water through the outlet and into the interior of the storage tank when the ambient pressure outside the storage tank exceeds the-internal pressure within the storage tank by an amount greater than the force exerted on the closure means by the biasing means.
  • an outer housing for connection to the vent conduit to control all fluid flow both out of the conduit from the tank and into the conduit to the tank,
  • valve seat defining an opening for fluid flow into and out of the vent conduit and storage tank
  • valve element movable with respect to the valve seat between open positions off the valve seat and a closed position against the valve seat
  • biasing means for biasing the valve element to the closed position
  • retaining means operatively associated with the valve element for retaining the valve element in a first open position for free flow of vent gases through the vent opening and into and out of the storage tank
  • ambient pressure responsive means operatively connected to the retaining means and actuated in response to a certain level of ambient pressure corresponding to submergence of the valve unit to a certain underwater depth for disassociating the retaining means from the valve element to permit the biasing means to move the valve element to the closed position
  • said biasing means following actuation of the ambient pressure responsive means, normally holding the valve element in the closed position to prevent outflow of fluid from the storage tank through the vent opening, said biasing means including means for momentarily opening said valve by movement of the valve element off the valve seat and against the biasing means when the ambient pressure outside the valve housing exceeds the pressure on the tank side of the valve seat by more than the force of the biasing means,
  • valve unit prevents polluting outflow of liquid from the sunken storage tank while while said means for momentarily opening said valve enables sufficient inflow of ambient water into the storage tank to maintain the differential between the ambient pressure outside the tank and the internal pressure within the tank at a level that will not rupture the tank.
  • valve unit of claim 18 including a nipple on the housing on the tank side of the valve seat and cap means removably connected to the nipple whereby the cap means can be removed and a salvage hose connected to the nipple to pump liquid out of the tank while the valve element remains engaged with the valve seat in the closed position.
  • closure means include:
  • a valve seat facing the interior of the tank and de fining an opening for fluid flow into and out of the vent and overflow conduit
  • said biasing means cooperating with said valve element to exert a biasing force on said valve element in a direction to move said valve element into engagement with said inwardly facing valve seat and to hold it there, facing outwardly from said tank, and

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Ship Loading And Unloading (AREA)
  • Control Of Non-Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)
US26274172 1972-06-14 1972-06-14 Normally vented liquid-storage tank for ships, with closure device for automatically preventing leaking if the ship should sink Expired - Lifetime US3868921A (en)

Priority Applications (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US26274172 US3868921A (en) 1972-06-14 1972-06-14 Normally vented liquid-storage tank for ships, with closure device for automatically preventing leaking if the ship should sink
GB482276A GB1439863A (en) 1972-06-14 1973-06-06 Antipollution valves
GB2710873A GB1439862A (en) 1972-06-14 1973-06-06 Ship storage tanks
NO241073A NO138622C (no) 1972-06-14 1973-06-08 Anordning i lufteledningene fra oljetanker paa skip
SE7308339A SE393350B (sv) 1972-06-14 1973-06-13 Ventilanordning for automatisk avstengning av en utat mynnande ventilations- och overstromningsledning till en vetsketank vid fartyg i hendelse av forlisning
ES415877A ES415877A1 (es) 1972-06-14 1973-06-13 Perfeccionamientos introducidos en depositos de almacena- miento de liquidos a bordo de buques.
NL7308178A NL7308178A (no) 1972-06-14 1973-06-13
IT6873773A IT986453B (it) 1972-06-14 1973-06-13 Serbatoio per navi con chiusura atta ad impedire automaticamente fughe in caso di inabissamento delle navi
FR7321548A FR2187599B1 (no) 1972-06-14 1973-06-13
DE2330114A DE2330114C3 (de) 1972-06-14 1973-06-13 Vorrichtung in den Entlüftungsleitungen von Öltanks auf Schiffen zur Verhütung der Verschmutzung durch auslaufendes öl
JP6595573A JPS5545434B2 (no) 1972-06-14 1973-06-13
ES422009A ES422009A1 (es) 1972-06-14 1974-01-04 Una valvula anticontaminacion para instalacion en un con- ducto de ventilacion y rebose en un deposito de almacena- miento de liquidos a bordo de buques.
HK65678A HK65678A (en) 1972-06-14 1978-11-16 Improvements in or relating to ship storage tanks
HK65578A HK65578A (en) 1972-06-14 1978-11-16 Improvements in or relating to antipollution valves

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US26274172 US3868921A (en) 1972-06-14 1972-06-14 Normally vented liquid-storage tank for ships, with closure device for automatically preventing leaking if the ship should sink

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US3868921A true US3868921A (en) 1975-03-04

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Country Status (11)

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US (1) US3868921A (no)
JP (1) JPS5545434B2 (no)
DE (1) DE2330114C3 (no)
ES (2) ES415877A1 (no)
FR (1) FR2187599B1 (no)
GB (2) GB1439862A (no)
HK (2) HK65678A (no)
IT (1) IT986453B (no)
NL (1) NL7308178A (no)
NO (1) NO138622C (no)
SE (1) SE393350B (no)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4143672A (en) * 1977-06-21 1979-03-13 Apv Corporation Anti-pollution valve for use with shipboard storage tanks
US4157072A (en) * 1978-02-06 1979-06-05 Apv Corporation Combination pressure-vacuum relief and antipollution valve
US4389959A (en) * 1978-06-09 1983-06-28 Conway Charles S Cargo handling system for tanker vessels
US5086722A (en) * 1990-07-23 1992-02-11 Sloope Charles E Transient Damage Strategy
WO2002060751A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2002-08-08 Pres-Vac Engineering A/S Vacuum relief unit with means preventing the effects of an accident
WO2007128849A1 (es) * 2006-05-09 2007-11-15 Ignacio Borras Llompart Válvula, contenedor con válvula y el uso de la válvula
ES2285935A1 (es) * 2003-02-27 2007-11-16 Ignacio Borras Llompart Mejoras introducidas en la patente de invencion 200300479 por "sistema de equilibrado de las fuerzas que actuan sobre un contenedor hermetico durante su hundimiento en un liquido".
US20080190353A1 (en) * 2003-02-27 2008-08-14 Ignacio Borras Llompant System for Balancing Forces Acting on a Hermetically-Sealed Container Ship Which is Sinking in a Liquid
US20100078076A1 (en) * 2006-12-04 2010-04-01 Tool-Tec AS device for an inert gas installation on a floating vessel
WO2010061159A1 (en) * 2008-11-03 2010-06-03 Toby Priestly Improvements in valves
EP3222512A1 (en) * 2016-03-22 2017-09-27 Niikura Kogyo Co., Ltd Automatic closing device of ship air pipe
CN110082064A (zh) * 2019-04-16 2019-08-02 河海大学 滑轨式螺旋桨射流和船行波扰动模拟实验装置及模拟方法

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5053898U (no) * 1973-09-17 1975-05-22
GB2207223A (en) * 1987-07-14 1989-01-25 Bryan Donkin Co Ltd Gas valve

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US726947A (en) * 1902-12-30 1903-05-05 Simon Lake Combined ventilating and observing tube for submarine boats.
US803176A (en) * 1905-02-17 1905-10-31 Simon Lake Air-supply apparatus for submarine vessels.
US1414560A (en) * 1921-10-24 1922-05-02 Fat Joseph K Chun Water-tight ventilator for ships
US1851084A (en) * 1931-05-01 1932-03-29 Brown Martin Wilcox Inverted vent check valve
US2327055A (en) * 1941-10-31 1943-08-17 Fred W Mcrae Automatic shutoff valve
US2357059A (en) * 1942-03-31 1944-08-29 William A Ray Indicator for manual reset valves
US2587934A (en) * 1947-09-15 1952-03-04 Alexander S Volpin Valve indicator

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL6817299A (no) * 1968-12-03 1970-06-05
DE2131073A1 (de) * 1971-06-23 1973-01-11 Bernhard Luepkes Vorrichtung zum selbsttaetigen schliessen einer tankentlueftungsoeffnung bei binnen- und kuestenschiffen

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US726947A (en) * 1902-12-30 1903-05-05 Simon Lake Combined ventilating and observing tube for submarine boats.
US803176A (en) * 1905-02-17 1905-10-31 Simon Lake Air-supply apparatus for submarine vessels.
US1414560A (en) * 1921-10-24 1922-05-02 Fat Joseph K Chun Water-tight ventilator for ships
US1851084A (en) * 1931-05-01 1932-03-29 Brown Martin Wilcox Inverted vent check valve
US2327055A (en) * 1941-10-31 1943-08-17 Fred W Mcrae Automatic shutoff valve
US2357059A (en) * 1942-03-31 1944-08-29 William A Ray Indicator for manual reset valves
US2587934A (en) * 1947-09-15 1952-03-04 Alexander S Volpin Valve indicator

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4143672A (en) * 1977-06-21 1979-03-13 Apv Corporation Anti-pollution valve for use with shipboard storage tanks
US4157072A (en) * 1978-02-06 1979-06-05 Apv Corporation Combination pressure-vacuum relief and antipollution valve
EP0003591A1 (en) * 1978-02-06 1979-08-22 Apv Corporation Venting and anti-pollution device for a shipboard liquid storage tank
US4389959A (en) * 1978-06-09 1983-06-28 Conway Charles S Cargo handling system for tanker vessels
US5086722A (en) * 1990-07-23 1992-02-11 Sloope Charles E Transient Damage Strategy
WO2002060751A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2002-08-08 Pres-Vac Engineering A/S Vacuum relief unit with means preventing the effects of an accident
US20040065385A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2004-04-08 Sorensen Emil Aarestrup Vacuum relief unit with means preventing the effects of an accident
US20080190353A1 (en) * 2003-02-27 2008-08-14 Ignacio Borras Llompant System for Balancing Forces Acting on a Hermetically-Sealed Container Ship Which is Sinking in a Liquid
ES2285935A1 (es) * 2003-02-27 2007-11-16 Ignacio Borras Llompart Mejoras introducidas en la patente de invencion 200300479 por "sistema de equilibrado de las fuerzas que actuan sobre un contenedor hermetico durante su hundimiento en un liquido".
US20100006570A1 (en) * 2006-05-09 2010-01-14 Ignacio Borras Llompart Valve, container with valve and use of the valve
WO2007128849A1 (es) * 2006-05-09 2007-11-15 Ignacio Borras Llompart Válvula, contenedor con válvula y el uso de la válvula
US20100078076A1 (en) * 2006-12-04 2010-04-01 Tool-Tec AS device for an inert gas installation on a floating vessel
US8186293B2 (en) 2006-12-04 2012-05-29 Tool-Tech As Device for an inert gas installation on a floating vessel
WO2010061159A1 (en) * 2008-11-03 2010-06-03 Toby Priestly Improvements in valves
US8757192B2 (en) 2008-11-03 2014-06-24 Toby Priestly In valves
EP3222512A1 (en) * 2016-03-22 2017-09-27 Niikura Kogyo Co., Ltd Automatic closing device of ship air pipe
CN107218399A (zh) * 2016-03-22 2017-09-29 新仓工业株式会社 船舶用空气管的自动封闭装置
CN107218399B (zh) * 2016-03-22 2019-02-26 新仓工业株式会社 船舶用空气管的自动封闭装置
CN110082064A (zh) * 2019-04-16 2019-08-02 河海大学 滑轨式螺旋桨射流和船行波扰动模拟实验装置及模拟方法
CN110082064B (zh) * 2019-04-16 2020-10-30 河海大学 滑轨式螺旋桨射流和船行波扰动模拟实验装置及模拟方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2330114A1 (de) 1974-01-03
DE2330114C3 (de) 1979-02-08
FR2187599B1 (no) 1977-12-30
DE2330114B2 (de) 1978-06-08
ES422009A1 (es) 1976-12-01
HK65578A (en) 1978-11-24
FR2187599A1 (no) 1974-01-18
NL7308178A (no) 1973-12-18
NO138622C (no) 1978-10-11
NO138622B (no) 1978-07-03
JPS5545434B2 (no) 1980-11-18
JPS4963177A (no) 1974-06-19
SE393350B (sv) 1977-05-09
GB1439863A (en) 1976-06-16
GB1439862A (en) 1976-06-16
ES415877A1 (es) 1976-02-01
IT986453B (it) 1975-01-30
HK65678A (en) 1978-11-24

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