US3675427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater storage device
Assignee: Arcadia Refining Co
•
Filing: 1969-11-25
•
Granted: 1972-07-11
•
Expires: 1989-11-25
Abstract
Abstract An underwater storage device for storing fluids lighter than water wherein a tank is formed of a cylindrical wall having a top closure and an open bottom so that the fluids will enter into the tank and pass upwards toward the top closure. The tank is adapted to be positioned in the water without any rigid restraints.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles M Hix Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An underwater storage system for storing fluid lighter than water comprising a tank including a flexible dome-shaped top, and a compression ring fixed to said dome-shaped top and extending around the periphery of said dome-shaped top, means positioning said tank completely underwater in a surrounding body of water buoyantly suspending said tank from the bed of said surrounding body of water, the bottom of said tank being formed to provide fluid communication between surrounding water and the inside of said tank so that an interface is formed in said tank between the body of fluid stored in said tank and the water in which said tank is suspended whereby changing the amount of stored fluid in said tank will displace said interface in said tank, said compression ring being placed in and resisting compressive stress applied by the buoyant force of the lighter than water fluid stored in said tank transmitted to said compression ring by said flexible dome-shaped top.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An underwater storage system for storing fluid lighter than water comprising a tank including a flexible dome-shaped top, and a compression ring fixed to said dome-shaped top and extending around the periphery of said dome-shaped top, means positioning said tank completely underwater in a surrounding body of water buoyantly suspending said tank from the bed of said surrounding body of water, the bottom of said tank being formed to provide fluid communication between surrounding water and the inside of said tank so that an interface is formed in said tank between the body of fluid stored in said tank and the water in which said tank is suspended whereby changing the amount of stored fluid in said tank will displace said interface in said tank, said compression ring being placed in and resisting compressive stress applied by the buoyant force of the lighter than water fluid stored in said tank transmitted to said compression ring by said flexible dome-shaped top.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An underwater storage system as recited in claim 1 wherein said tank includes a cylindrical sidewall fixed to said compression ring extending downwardly from said compression ring and sealed to said dome-shaped top.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An underwater storage system as recited in claim 2 wherein a second compression ring is fixed to the bottom of said cylindrical sidewall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An underwater storage system as recited in claim 2 wherein said cylindrical sidewall includes an outer cylindrical rigid wall member and an inner cylindrical rigid wall member defining a hollow water tight space therebetween, whereby said tank is buoyant in water without any fluid lighter than water stored therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
An underwater storage system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for buoyantly suspending said tank comprises a plurality of cables fixed at one end to the top of said dome-shaped top and held at the other end at the bed of the body of water in which said tank is located.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An underwater storage system as recited in claim 5 wherein said cables are held at said bed by anchors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
An underwater storage system for storing fluid lighter than water comprising a tank having a fLexible dome-shaped top, and means for buoyantly suspending said tank completely under water comprising cables each extending to and fixed at one end to the top of said dome-shaped top and extending to and held at the other end at the bed of the body of water in which said tank is located.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
An underwater storage system for storing fluid lighter than water comprising a tank having a fLexible dome-shaped top, and means for buoyantly suspending said tank completely under water comprising cables each extending to and fixed at one end to the top of said dome-shaped top and extending to and held at the other end at the bed of the body of water in which said tank is located.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An underwater storage system as recited in claim 7 wherein anchors hold said cables at said bed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2383840A
Cited
US2487786A
Cited
US3267685A
Cited
US3389559A
Cited
US3339512A
Cited
US3472033A
Cited
US3429128A
Cited
US3518836A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |