US3688720A - Bathyal unit - Google Patents
Bathyal unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3688720A US3688720A US51420A US3688720DA US3688720A US 3688720 A US3688720 A US 3688720A US 51420 A US51420 A US 51420A US 3688720D A US3688720D A US 3688720DA US 3688720 A US3688720 A US 3688720A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pressure
- float chamber
- ballast water
- gas
- unit
- 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
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
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/34—Diving chambers with mechanical link, e.g. cable, to a base
- B63C11/36—Diving chambers with mechanical link, e.g. cable, to a base of closed type
- B63C11/42—Diving chambers with mechanical link, e.g. cable, to a base of closed type with independent propulsion or direction control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/14—Control of attitude or depth
- B63G8/22—Adjustment of buoyancy by water ballasting; Emptying equipment for ballast tanks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/14—Control of attitude or depth
- B63G8/26—Trimming equipment
Definitions
- TYPE A Deep-sea units in which the crew are accommodated in a pressure-resistant cabin, the cabin having no buoyancy per se.
- the required buoyancy is in this instance provided by a container (balloon) of thin metal, filled with a liquid which is lighter than the ambient water, for example, Prof. Piccards Bathyscaph, or by floats consisting of syntactic foam (hollow glass spheres) embedded in a plastics material.
- TYPE B Deep-sea units in which the pressurized cabin itself provides the buoyancy or a predominant part thereof. In this case, the crew is likewise accommodated in the pressurized cabin. Examples of this type are the diving saucer of Cousteau in France, and the Aluminaut of the Reynolds Metals Co. and General Dynamics in America.
- A-type vessels have the disadvantage that the float is highly voluminous on account of the small difference in specific gravity between the available liquids which are lighter than water and the water itself, as a result of which they are highly vulnerable and unwieldy.
- the liquid used is preferably gasoline.
- syntactic foam is rather expensive, its specific gravity is still rather high (about 0.7), and nothing is as yet known of its long-term behavior.
- B-type vessels have the disadvantage that the pressure-resistant cabin accommodating the crew must be of as light a construction as possible in order to provide the highest possible buoyancy. This is only possible by tolerating very high stresses in the material. In particular for depths of several thousands of meters, very special and expensive materials must be used in constructing this vessel on the verge of the impossible. For example, for a diving depth of 4,000 meters a sphere diameter of 2 meters and a wall thickness of 30 mm, the compressive stress in the wall is 6,600 kg/cm In testing according to proper engineering practice, at a depth 50 percent deeper, this stress is as high as 10,000 kg/cm The front of the pressurized cabin with the window is always unprotected to ensure proper view. For an apparatus designed for heavy and rough work in unknown waters with often very powerful currents at great depths, in which the vessel may be thrown onto rocks and shipwrecks with great force, it is insufficiently reliable.
- a bathyal unit comprising a working compartment, and at least one separate float chamber secured to said working compartment, said float chamber being adapted to receive gas under such a high pressure that, at the operating depths, the most favorable stress occurs in the wall of the float chamber, there being provided means for letting ballast water into, and out of, the float chamber while maintaining the gas content thereof.
- the unit is preferably so designed that the means for letting out ballast water from the float room comprise a valve operable from the working compartment, it being possible to increase the gas pressure to such an extent that is becomes considerably higher than the pressure at the operating depths, the means for letting in ballast water being arranged to be connected to a pump on board an auxiliary surface vessel.
- the apparatus can then be lowered by pumping ballast water into the float chamber from the auxiliary vessel, or by means of a pump on board of the submerged unit, which may be operable by hand.
- To raise the unit only requires opening a valve of the float chamber, whereby the buoyancy will be increased owing to the ballast water being expelled by the gas under high pressure present therein.
- the unit Even if, for any reason whatsoever, the unit should occupy an extremely slanting position or should even be turned upside down, it is possible to cause the unit to resume a floating position owing to a suitable construction of the ballast water discharge openings, of which, for that purpose, atleast one should always terminate below the water level. Furthermore, an extremely stable control of the buoyancy of the unit will be obtained owing to the fact that the pressure in the float and bal last chamber is independent of the ambient pressure, so that there will be no changes in buoyancy during rising or diving.
- ballast chamber in which the pressure is equalized to the pressure of the surrounding water, so that when the ballast chamber is partly filled with gas, the gas will expand as the vessel is rising, as a result of which an additional amount of ballast water will be expelled and the buoyancy increases during rising.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic part-sectional elevation of a bathyal unit according to the invention
- FIG. 2 is a plan view
- FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view, taken on the III of FIG. 1.
- the unit comprises at least one pressurized cabin l for the crew, a frame generally designated by 2 and built up from tubes and pipes, which frame accommodates auxiliary equipment; a combined float and ballast tank 3; a pair of longitudinal runners 4 mounting batteries; a steering en driving unit 5; and a streamlined line Illhull 6 shown in dot-dash lines.
- the pressurized cabin I is of approximately spherical, well-known construction and is provided with seats or lying places 7 for the crew, a plurality of windows 8 (in this example six), a manhole 9, and a turret 10.
- the whole unit, and in particular the front of the cabin is surrounded by a fender structure 11. Secured to the cabin and/or the fender structure may be grabs, feelers and search lights.
- atmospheric pressure suction level
- the cabin will be relatively thick-walled in order that no highalloy metals need be used. As a consequence, its own buoyancy is insufficient by itself.
- the frame 2 comprises a pair of substantially cylindrical longitudinal tubes 12, at the trailing ends of which auxiliary batteries 13, and in the middle of which a hydraulic pump unit 14 and protective and auxiliary equipment 15 are accommodated.
- the leading ends of these longitudinal tubes connect with the cabin l, which provides space for the crew to occupy a horizontal position.
- the float and ballast tank 3 is arranged between and above the longitudinal tubes 12, and is divided into four compartments by means of three partitions 16.
- the partitions are for the greater part water-tight, but communicate with each other at the top, so that the quantity of ballast water can be independently controlled in each compartment, but the same pressure prevails in each compartment.
- ballast water can be pumped into the tank 3.
- connection 18, by means of which ballast water and/or gas can be pumped into the float and ballast tank 3 from an auxiliary surface vessel.
- a ballast water outlet 19 Provided at the bottom of the ballast tank 3 is a ballast water outlet 19.
- the float tank provide sufficient buoyancy for the entire unit with the cabin and apparatus, but owing to the use of a gas filling there is obtained a very high carrying capacity, for example, for transporting heavy loads from or to the sea bed.
- the two runners 4 are each secured to the frame 2 by means of a pair of legs hinged at both ends.
- the position of the runners relative to the unit can be changed by means of hydraulic trimming jacks 21.
- the steering and driving unit 5 is mounted for pivoting movement about a vertical axis.
- the position of thesteering and driving unit can be controlled from an hydraulic steering cylinder 22.
- the driving unit comprises an electric DC motor 23 which drives a variable-pitch propellor 24, mounted in a jet tube 25, through reduction gearing.
- the hull 6 surrounds the frame 2 and the float and ballast tank 3 in order that the unit may encounter less resistance in the water, but is not water or air tight.
- a bow jet tube 26 housing a hydraulically driven propellor for making the unit still better steerable.
- an oxygen tank 28 storing a reserve supply of oxygen for the crew.
- the deep-sea unit is lowered into water by an auxiliary vessel, and the ballast tank is pressurized to the desired pressure through connection 18.
- the pressure is so selected that, at the operating depth, there will still be an over-pressure of at least 2 kg/cm relative to the ambient water. It is thus achieved that the vessel is under an omnilateral internal overpressure in all circumstances.
- a lighter construction may be used as compared with a float tank without an overpressure.
- the float tank will be filled with a light gas, such as hydrogen or helium at a high pressure.
- the pressurized cabin is made of alloyed steel having a tensile strength of, for example, 50 kg/mm or more.
- the windows are provided with plexiglass of a suitable thickness.
- components not subjected to loads are made of a light material, such as glass fiber reinforced polyester. These are components for the hull, the stern jet tube, the bow jet tube, and the turret.
- the batteries for example, lead-acid batteries provide the energy for the DC drive motor 23 of the propellor 24 as well as for driving a hydraulic pump 14 for operating the hydraulic equipment.
- the controls are mounted in the working cabin, which in addition accommodates the navigation and communication equipment.
- the various hydraulic valves and conduits are known per se and can be electrically controlled from the pressurized cabin by means of a 24 V electrical circuit and various solenoids.
- a manually operable hydraulic pump is provided for operating the auxiliary equipment.
- the oil reservoir is of the closed type and is provided with a pressure cushion of innert gas for taking up the changes in volume of the hydraulic cylinders.
- a separate manually operated hydraulic system for which are accommodated in the working cabin.
- the ballast tank comprises a plurality of small hydraulic jacks for opening and closing the valves.
- the vertical displacement of the unit is controlled by the crew, employing the ballast system.
- the ballast tank will commonly be half filled with water, with the pressure being adapted to the operating depth.
- the water can be pumped into each of the four compartments of the ballast tank from outside against the pressure prevailing in the tank.
- ballast water will be forced out of the ballast tank by the gas present therein even at the operating depth.
- the outlet valves are positioned so that the ballast water can be expelled in all positions of the unit without the escape of gas.
- the arrangement is such that, upon breakdown of the hydraulic system, a normally closed, throttled passage opening is opened, through which the ballast water will be slowly and automatically expelled, so that the unit will rise to the surface.
- a large outlet valve which is opened when the carrying capacity of the unit must be considerably increased.
- the adjustment of the units position relative to the horizontal can be effected by distributing the ballast water over any or all of the four compartments of the ballast tank in a suitable manner, or by changing the position of the runners.
- the unit will normally rise or dive at an angle of the position of the unit being adapted by moving the runners forwardly or backwardly, it being possible to increase the angle of inclination to about
- the extreme position of the runners is indicated by dot-death lines in FIG. 1.
- Diving will normally be efiected with a slightly positive buoyancy, the unit being driven downwardly by the driving unit by being trimmed at an angle of possibly 15.
- An apparatus for deep-sea operations comprising a working compartment, and at least one separate float chamber secured to said working compartment, said float chamber being sealed against the normal ingress of water and having gas therein under a high pressure that'is greater than the external pressure at the selected operating depths and wherein tensile stress occurs in the entire wall of the float chamber under all operating conditions, and means for forcing ballast water into the float chamber directly with said gas and means for letting ballast water out of the float chamber under controlled conditions while maintaining the gas content thereof.
- ballast water from the float chamber comprise a valve operable from said working compartment with the gas pressure of a value considerably higher than that of the external pressure at the operating depth functioning as means for expelling ballast water.
- ballast water is supplied under pressure from an external source.
- Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the means for forcing ballast water into the float chamber comprise a pump operable from the working compartment.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
- Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL6910140A NL6910140A (pt) | 1969-07-02 | 1969-07-02 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3688720A true US3688720A (en) | 1972-09-05 |
Family
ID=19807368
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US51420A Expired - Lifetime US3688720A (en) | 1969-07-02 | 1970-07-01 | Bathyal unit |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3688720A (pt) |
DE (1) | DE2032718A1 (pt) |
GB (1) | GB1274378A (pt) |
NL (1) | NL6910140A (pt) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3800722A (en) * | 1971-03-08 | 1974-04-02 | Petroles Cie Francaise | Self-propelled, cable-supported diving bell |
US4166462A (en) * | 1975-09-04 | 1979-09-04 | Ellis James M | Self-propelled shark-proof cage |
US4947782A (en) * | 1988-08-30 | 1990-08-14 | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. | Remotely operated vehicle |
US20090140117A1 (en) * | 2004-06-15 | 2009-06-04 | Rodney Nairne | Turret mount system and method |
CN103863533A (zh) * | 2014-03-19 | 2014-06-18 | 中国船舶重工集团公司第七○二研究所 | 深海移动工作站出入水自动脱挂钩装置 |
US20140193206A1 (en) * | 2013-01-10 | 2014-07-10 | Julien Montousse | Underwater personal submersible |
US8869724B2 (en) | 2012-01-05 | 2014-10-28 | Canopy Enterprises, Inc. | System and method for underwater observation |
US20150284063A1 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2015-10-08 | Sophie Baron | Device for Marine Exploration |
CN113443108A (zh) * | 2021-08-31 | 2021-09-28 | 南通光擎科技有限公司 | 一种水下机器人导航避障装置 |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2164607B (en) * | 1984-09-20 | 1988-09-28 | Karl Heinz Lipschutz | Improvements in or relating to submersible craft |
GB2167352B (en) * | 1984-11-20 | 1988-11-23 | John Glover Smith | Underwater craft |
CN110329443A (zh) * | 2019-08-05 | 2019-10-15 | 蚌埠市建金智能科技有限公司 | 一种分体式船 |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3204596A (en) * | 1960-10-12 | 1965-09-07 | Ewan S Fallon | Hydroglider |
US3261317A (en) * | 1964-07-27 | 1966-07-19 | Cosmic Inc | Method and vessel for deep diving |
US3335684A (en) * | 1964-01-17 | 1967-08-15 | Ernest Himmelein | Submersible watercraft |
-
1969
- 1969-07-02 NL NL6910140A patent/NL6910140A/xx unknown
-
1970
- 1970-07-01 GB GB31906/70A patent/GB1274378A/en not_active Expired
- 1970-07-01 US US51420A patent/US3688720A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1970-07-02 DE DE19702032718 patent/DE2032718A1/de active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3204596A (en) * | 1960-10-12 | 1965-09-07 | Ewan S Fallon | Hydroglider |
US3335684A (en) * | 1964-01-17 | 1967-08-15 | Ernest Himmelein | Submersible watercraft |
US3261317A (en) * | 1964-07-27 | 1966-07-19 | Cosmic Inc | Method and vessel for deep diving |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3800722A (en) * | 1971-03-08 | 1974-04-02 | Petroles Cie Francaise | Self-propelled, cable-supported diving bell |
US4166462A (en) * | 1975-09-04 | 1979-09-04 | Ellis James M | Self-propelled shark-proof cage |
US4947782A (en) * | 1988-08-30 | 1990-08-14 | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. | Remotely operated vehicle |
US20090140117A1 (en) * | 2004-06-15 | 2009-06-04 | Rodney Nairne | Turret mount system and method |
US8869724B2 (en) | 2012-01-05 | 2014-10-28 | Canopy Enterprises, Inc. | System and method for underwater observation |
US9540083B2 (en) | 2012-01-05 | 2017-01-10 | Canopy Enterprises, Inc. | System and method for underwater observation |
US20150284063A1 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2015-10-08 | Sophie Baron | Device for Marine Exploration |
US9975615B2 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2018-05-22 | Sophie Baron | Device for marine exploration |
AU2018201865B2 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2020-01-30 | BARON, Cécile | Device for marine exploration |
US20140193206A1 (en) * | 2013-01-10 | 2014-07-10 | Julien Montousse | Underwater personal submersible |
US10071792B2 (en) * | 2013-01-10 | 2018-09-11 | Julien Montousse | Underwater personal submersible |
CN103863533A (zh) * | 2014-03-19 | 2014-06-18 | 中国船舶重工集团公司第七○二研究所 | 深海移动工作站出入水自动脱挂钩装置 |
CN103863533B (zh) * | 2014-03-19 | 2016-05-11 | 中国船舶重工集团公司第七○二研究所 | 深海移动工作站出入水自动脱挂钩装置 |
CN113443108A (zh) * | 2021-08-31 | 2021-09-28 | 南通光擎科技有限公司 | 一种水下机器人导航避障装置 |
CN113443108B (zh) * | 2021-08-31 | 2021-11-16 | 南通光擎科技有限公司 | 一种水下机器人导航避障装置 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NL6910140A (pt) | 1971-01-05 |
DE2032718A1 (de) | 1971-01-07 |
GB1274378A (en) | 1972-05-17 |
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