US3568737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore liquid storage facility
Assignee: Texaco Development Corp
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Filing: 1968-10-23
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-10-23
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an oil or liquid storage facility positioned at an offshore location in a relatively deep body of water and adapted for remote operation. The facility includes a main oil storage tank which is communicated with, and supplied by a plurality of satellite wells or smaller feeder tanks. A transfer tank is adapted for removable connection with the main tank to be periodically filled with oil stored in the latter. At predetermined intervals, the filled transfer tank is disconnected from the main tank, elevated to the surface of the water for removal, and replaced by an empty tank. The latter is then lowered to the main tank beneath the ocean surface where it is automatically connected to the main tank for continuing the filling operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B Burns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:06
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017; B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/78; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A submerged offshore facility for storing oil and other liquids which includes; a. a main liquid storage tank adapted to be positioned beneath the surface of a body of water, said liquid storage tank having a liquid holding compartment communicated with at least one remote source of said oil to receive and form a pool thereof in said compartment; b. a discharge tube having an inlet at one end communicated with said liquid holding compartment whereby said inlet opens into said pool, and a discharge nozzle at said tube other end disposed externally of said main tank; c. a transfer tank having a liquid storage chamber, coupling means depending from said transfer tank and communicated with said main tank holding compartment for receiving a flow of liquid from the latter, said coupling means being adapted for automatic removable connection with said discharge nozzle to form a flow passage therethrough during transfer of liquid therebetween, whereby said transfer tank, holding a quantity of said liquid may be elevated to the water surface for removal from said storage facility.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A submerged offshore facility for storing oil and other liquids which includes; a. a main liquid storage tank adapted to be positioned beneath the surface of a body of water, said liquid storage tank having a liquid holding compartment communicated with at least one remote source of said oil to receive and form a pool thereof in said compartment; b. a discharge tube having an inlet at one end communicated with said liquid holding compartment whereby said inlet opens into said pool, and a discharge nozzle at said tube other end disposed externally of said main tank; c. a transfer tank having a liquid storage chamber, coupling means depending from said transfer tank and communicated with said main tank holding compartment for receiving a flow of liquid from the latter, said coupling means being adapted for automatic removable connection with said discharge nozzle to form a flow passage therethrough during transfer of liquid therebetween, whereby said transfer tank, holding a quantity of said liquid may be elevated to the water surface for removal from said storage facility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a storage facility as defined in claim 1 including at least one tethering cable restrainably connecting said main tank to said transfer tank for guiding the latter during movement thereof between said main tank and the surface of said body of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a storage facility as defined in claim 1 including a docking slip means positioned adjacent to said main tank and being adapted to receive and align said transfer tank for loading thereof, said discharge tube nozzle protruding from said main tank into said docking means for engaging said transfer tank coupling means when the transfer tank is guidably urged into said docking slip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a storage facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said main liquid storage tank includes a shell forming an enclosure about said liquid holding compartment, and a cavity defined in said shell, said cavity including docking means for removably engaging said transfer tank prior to introduction to the latter of said flow of liquid said discharge nozzle at said tube other end being disposed in a generally upright disposition within said cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a storage facility as defined in claim 1 including; a carrier adapted to detachably engage said transfer tank and said main tank respectively, and control means connected to said carrier for remotely controlling and guiding the same during passage thereof between the main tank and the water''s surface, said carrier including a controllably submersible body having a face at one end adapted to engage said transfer tank, and seating meaNs at said body other end adapted to slidably engage said discharge tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a storage facility as defined in claim 2 including a cable windup mechanism positioned at said main storage tank and being operable to maintain tension on said at least one tethering cable during movement of said transfer tank between said main tank and the water surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a storage facility as defined in claim 5 wherein said carrier further includes buoyancy tanks located therein and a pumping means communicated with said buoyancy tanks regulating the attitude of said carrier in the water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a storage facility as defined in claim 5 wherein said control means includes at least one control cable extending from a position adjacent to the water surface to said main storage tank, and a submerged control capsule operably connected to the upper end of said control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3391734A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |