US3256539A - Variable buoyancy float - Google Patents

Variable buoyancy float Download PDF

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Publication number
US3256539A
US3256539A US386276A US38627664A US3256539A US 3256539 A US3256539 A US 3256539A US 386276 A US386276 A US 386276A US 38627664 A US38627664 A US 38627664A US 3256539 A US3256539 A US 3256539A
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buoy
section
distensible
rigid
variable buoyancy
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Expired - Lifetime
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US386276A
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Albert P Clark
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VARE IND Inc
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VARE IND Inc
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Priority to US386276A priority Critical patent/US3256539A/en
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00Buoys
    • B63B22/22Inflatable buoys with gas generating means
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2207/00Buoyancy or ballast means
    • B63B2207/04Pressure equalising or adjusting

Definitions

  • a still further object of the invention is to provide a variable buoyant float which permits the anchoring weight to be easily lifted and displaced to a new location either by the surface vessel or a vehicle underwater.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a schematic drawing of the variable buoyancy float system according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 show an enlarged drawing of the variable buoyant float partially sectioned showing the compressor therein and the expanded plastic section.
  • FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 2 with the plastic section collapsed.
  • FIGURE 1 a metallized variable buoyancy float 1 having an ellipsoidal configuration and moored beneath the sea surface via a' cable 2 to an anchoring station 3.
  • the cable 2 is an armored cable having encased therein the usual power lines and signal lines as they are connected to the surface vessel and the anchoring station 3.
  • the said station is in the form of a distribution box or center, housing all the heavy electrical gear necessary to provide an undersurface television search type vehicle 4, not a part of this invention, with the necessary power and control to sustain underwater operations using the said vehicle.
  • a compressor type member 5 Enclosed and anchored within the said buoy 1 is a compressor type member 5, having an exit nozzle- 6 extending without the buoy shell and extending into an area embraced and enclosed by a collapsible and distensible bag 7 made of plastic, rubber and other like materials having expandable and durable like qualities. nal control to the compressor from the surface vessel the function thereof will force air into the area embraced by the collapsible bag 7 to cause the expansion thereof, thus increasing the total volume displaced by the buoy and its corresponding upward buoyant force. The amount of expansion is controlled by the length of time the compressor is permitted to function.
  • the air for the com: pressor is obtained from the air which resides within the Upon proper sigmetallized buoy, there being no effect to the buoy since its buoyancy is a function of the rigid volume it displaces. To collapse the bag, or to reduce its volume, the compressor is reversed in operation so that air is withdrawn from the plastic bag area and urged into the rigid metallized buoy member. Hence, we have a two-Way flow of air, controllable in accordance with the degree of buoyancy desired.
  • Another possible method for providing inflation and deflation consists in supercharging the rigid volume of the metal buoy with air under pressure. Upon signal to a quick opening valve in the metal skin of the buoy near the compressor, air is allowed to pass rapidly into the inflatable member, thereby increasing the total buoyancy of the system in a very short time. To deflate the distensible member or plastic section, a signal is given to close the valve, then the compressor is started and pumps air back into the metal rigid section.
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 show enlarged fragmentary sectionalized views with the distensible bag inflated and collapsed. Power to operate the compressor mechanism is obtained via the cable 2 previously referred to.
  • a variable buoyancy float system comprising,
  • a buoy composed of a rigid section of predetermined volume and a distensible inflatable collapsible section fixed to the exterior of the rigid section and coextensive therewith, the said distensible section adhered to and conforming to the rigid section in its non-inflatable collapsible state,
  • variable buoyancy float system according to claim 1 and wherein the said gaseous means-includes air under compression in the said rigid section.
  • a variable buoyancy float system according to claim 2 and wherein the said compressor means includes rapid action valves to permit the air under compression to egress from the said rigid section to the distensible section to permit the rapid expansion thereof.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Description

June 21, 1966 A. P. CLARK 3,256,539
VARIABLE BUOYANCY FLOAT Filed July 30, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 COLLAPSIBLE 1 RIG/D BUOY I N7' 21 45 D/ATE /VEH/CLE INVENTOR. ALBEPT P CLAPK ATTORNEY June 21, 1966 A. P. CLARK 3,
VARIABLE BUOYANCY FLOAT Filed July 30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .EXPA -00 sag??? \(QZZ I? coup/255502 INVENTOR. ALBERT P CLAQK AT'T'OENEY United States Patent 3,256,539 VARIABLE BUOYANCY FLOAT Albert P. Clark, Verona, N.J., assignor to Vare Industries, Inc., Roselle, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed July 30, 1964, Ser. No. 386,276 3 Claims. (Cl. 98)
'therein resulting from such drifts and swells.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a variable buoyant float which permits the anchoring weight to be easily lifted and displaced to a new location either by the surface vessel or a vehicle underwater.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a reading of the specifications and a study of the accompanying drawings, and wherein;
FIGURE 1 shows a schematic drawing of the variable buoyancy float system according to the invention.
FIGURE 2 show an enlarged drawing of the variable buoyant float partially sectioned showing the compressor therein and the expanded plastic section.
FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 2 with the plastic section collapsed.
Now describing the invention there is shown in FIGURE 1 a metallized variable buoyancy float 1 having an ellipsoidal configuration and moored beneath the sea surface via a' cable 2 to an anchoring station 3. The cable 2 is an armored cable having encased therein the usual power lines and signal lines as they are connected to the surface vessel and the anchoring station 3. The said station is in the form of a distribution box or center, housing all the heavy electrical gear necessary to provide an undersurface television search type vehicle 4, not a part of this invention, with the necessary power and control to sustain underwater operations using the said vehicle.
Enclosed and anchored within the said buoy 1 is a compressor type member 5, having an exit nozzle- 6 extending without the buoy shell and extending into an area embraced and enclosed by a collapsible and distensible bag 7 made of plastic, rubber and other like materials having expandable and durable like qualities. nal control to the compressor from the surface vessel the function thereof will force air into the area embraced by the collapsible bag 7 to cause the expansion thereof, thus increasing the total volume displaced by the buoy and its corresponding upward buoyant force. The amount of expansion is controlled by the length of time the compressor is permitted to function. The air for the com: pressor is obtained from the air which resides within the Upon proper sigmetallized buoy, there being no effect to the buoy since its buoyancy is a function of the rigid volume it displaces. To collapse the bag, or to reduce its volume, the compressor is reversed in operation so that air is withdrawn from the plastic bag area and urged into the rigid metallized buoy member. Hence, we have a two-Way flow of air, controllable in accordance with the degree of buoyancy desired.
Another possible method for providing inflation and deflation consists in supercharging the rigid volume of the metal buoy with air under pressure. Upon signal to a quick opening valve in the metal skin of the buoy near the compressor, air is allowed to pass rapidly into the inflatable member, thereby increasing the total buoyancy of the system in a very short time. To deflate the distensible member or plastic section, a signal is given to close the valve, then the compressor is started and pumps air back into the metal rigid section.
FIGURES 2 and 3 show enlarged fragmentary sectionalized views with the distensible bag inflated and collapsed. Power to operate the compressor mechanism is obtained via the cable 2 previously referred to.
Having described the invention What is claimed is:
1. A variable buoyancy float system comprising,
(a) a buoy composed of a rigid section of predetermined volume and a distensible inflatable collapsible section fixed to the exterior of the rigid section and coextensive therewith, the said distensible section adhered to and conforming to the rigid section in its non-inflatable collapsible state,
(b) gaseous means in said buoy and compressor means mounted in the Wall of said rigid section and communicating with the interior of both of said sections in said buoy disposed to transmit and receive the gaseous means in the said buoy to and from its rigid and distensible sections to cause the inflation and deflation of the said distensible section thereby effecting a change in the buoyant forces of said buoy.
2. A variable buoyancy float system according to claim 1 and wherein the said gaseous means-includes air under compression in the said rigid section.
3. A variable buoyancy float system according to claim 2 and wherein the said compressor means includes rapid action valves to permit the air under compression to egress from the said rigid section to the distensible section to permit the rapid expansion thereof.
A References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,579,109 3/1926 Haseley 11416 2,126,559 3/1964- Alexander 910 3,154,043 101/1964 'Momsen 115.5 3,179,962 4/ 1965 Shear et al 9-8 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.
FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Examiner.
R. G. BESHA, A. E. CORRIGAN, Assistant Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. A VARIABLE BUOYANCY FLOAT SYSTEM COMPRISING, (A) A BUOY COMPOSED OF A RIGID SECTION OF PREDETERMINED VOLUME AND A DISTENSIBLE INFLATABLE COLLAPSIBLE SECTION FIXED TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE RIGID SECTION AND COEXTENSIVE THEREWITH, THE SAID DISTENSIBLE SECTION ADHERED TO AND CONFORMING TO THE RIGID SECTION IN ITS NON-INFLATABLE COLLAPSIBLE STATE, (B) GASEOUS MEANS IN SAID BUOY AND COMPRESSOR MEANS MOUNTED IN THE WALL OF SAID RIGID SECTION AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF BOTH OF SAID SECTIONS IN SAID BUOY DISPOSED TO TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE THE GASEOUS MEANS IN THE SAID BUOY TO AND FORM ITS RIGID AND DISTENSIBLE SECTIONS TO CAUSE THE INFLATION AND DEFLATION OF THE SAID DISTENSIBLE SECTION THEREBY EFFECTING A CHANGE IN THE BUOYANT FORCES OF SAID BUOY.
US386276A 1964-07-30 1964-07-30 Variable buoyancy float Expired - Lifetime US3256539A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4336709A (en) * 1979-11-07 1982-06-29 Ecomar, Inc. Retrieval of articles from beneath the surface of a body of water
US4498877A (en) * 1981-01-15 1985-02-12 Datawell B.V. Anchoring system for a buoy, specially a measuring buoy
US4996673A (en) * 1989-07-18 1991-02-26 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of Energy, Mines & Resources Underwater control system
US5303552A (en) * 1992-07-06 1994-04-19 Webb Douglas C Compressed gas buoyancy generator powered by temperature differences in a fluid body
US5449224A (en) * 1993-08-09 1995-09-12 Johnson; Kent H. Levered gravity-assisted side dump cart
US20060260210A1 (en) * 2005-05-20 2006-11-23 The Boeing Company Extremely rapid reversible barrier and formation method
US20110216625A1 (en) * 2004-01-21 2011-09-08 Cggveritas Services Sa System for Seismic Exploration A Submerged Subsurface Including Implanted Bases

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1579109A (en) * 1925-04-27 1926-03-30 Jonas J Haseley Displacement-varying means
US2126559A (en) * 1934-03-30 1938-08-09 Gen Electric Soldering iron
US3154043A (en) * 1962-10-08 1964-10-27 Jr Charles B Momsen Hydrodynamic travelling wave propulsion apparatus
US3179962A (en) * 1963-12-24 1965-04-27 John C Shear Flotation apparatus and mechanical control therefor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1579109A (en) * 1925-04-27 1926-03-30 Jonas J Haseley Displacement-varying means
US2126559A (en) * 1934-03-30 1938-08-09 Gen Electric Soldering iron
US3154043A (en) * 1962-10-08 1964-10-27 Jr Charles B Momsen Hydrodynamic travelling wave propulsion apparatus
US3179962A (en) * 1963-12-24 1965-04-27 John C Shear Flotation apparatus and mechanical control therefor

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4336709A (en) * 1979-11-07 1982-06-29 Ecomar, Inc. Retrieval of articles from beneath the surface of a body of water
US4498877A (en) * 1981-01-15 1985-02-12 Datawell B.V. Anchoring system for a buoy, specially a measuring buoy
US4996673A (en) * 1989-07-18 1991-02-26 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of Energy, Mines & Resources Underwater control system
US5303552A (en) * 1992-07-06 1994-04-19 Webb Douglas C Compressed gas buoyancy generator powered by temperature differences in a fluid body
US5449224A (en) * 1993-08-09 1995-09-12 Johnson; Kent H. Levered gravity-assisted side dump cart
US20110216625A1 (en) * 2004-01-21 2011-09-08 Cggveritas Services Sa System for Seismic Exploration A Submerged Subsurface Including Implanted Bases
US9151857B2 (en) * 2004-01-21 2015-10-06 Seabed Geosolutions B.V. System for seismic exploration a submerged subsurface including implanted bases
US20060260210A1 (en) * 2005-05-20 2006-11-23 The Boeing Company Extremely rapid reversible barrier and formation method
US7918167B2 (en) * 2005-05-20 2011-04-05 The Boeing Company Extremely rapid reversible barrier and formation method

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