US3602176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve means for apparatus for raising submerged vessels
Assignee: EQUITY BUILDERS Ltd
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Filing: 1969-04-01
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-04-01
Abstract
Abstract Valve means for buoyant hollow elements used in apparatus for raising submerged vessels constructed to require a predetermined pressure differential internally and externally of the buoyant elements to permit passage of either air or water into or out of the elements, and which will not allow passage of air or water in either direction until a predetermined pressure differential has been reached. The valve means may embody a flexible apertured diaphragm or a pair of ball valves which function to permit passage of air or water only when the aforementioned pressure differential exists.
Inventors
- 👤 Jim D Helbig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:31
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C7/00; B63C7/06; B63C7/12; B63C9/00; B63C9/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
Valve means for apparatus for raising submerged vessels, comprising a. a hollow buoyant element having an opening extending through the element wall, b. a diaphragm covering the opening in the element and having a flexible resilient portion provided with an aperture which does not permit passage of air therethrough when pressures inside and outside of the hollow element are substantially equal, said apertured portion of the diaphragm automatically becoming flexed in response to predetermined unequal pressures against opposite sides whereby the aperture is altered and permits passage of air through the aperture, and c. means mounting the diaphragm on the hollow element to cover the opening in the element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
Valve means for apparatus for raising submerged vessels, comprising a. a hollow buoyant element having an opening extending through the element wall, b. a diaphragm covering the opening in the element and having a flexible resilient portion provided with an aperture which does not permit passage of air therethrough when pressures inside and outside of the hollow element are substantially equal, said apertured portion of the diaphragm automatically becoming flexed in response to predetermined unequal pressures against opposite sides whereby the aperture is altered and permits passage of air through the aperture, and c. means mounting the diaphragm on the hollow element to cover the opening in the element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The valve means defined by claim 1, in which the diaphragm includes peripheral flange means which overlie the outer and inner surfaces of the hollow element surrounding the opening in the element and form a recess for reception of the edge of the element adjacent the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The valve means defined by claim 1, in which the aperture in the diaphragm is a slit extending at a right angle to the major surfaces of the diaphragm, the angles of the surfaces defining the slit being altered when the diaphragm is flexed in response to predetermined unequal pressures against opposite sides of the diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The valve means defined by claim 1, in which the diaphragm is flexed to move inwardly or outwardly of the hollow element in response to predetermined unequal pressures on opposite sides of the diaphragm, and the aperture in the diaphragm is enlarged when the diaphragm is flexed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve means defined by claim 2, in which the peripheral flange means are flexible and manually disengageable to remove the diaphragm from the hollow element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |