US3686875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submerged storage unit
Assignee: SUBSEA EQUIPMENT ASS Ltd
•
Filing: 1970-05-01
•
Granted: 1972-08-29
•
Expires: 1990-05-01
Abstract
Abstract The unit has a concrete dome fixed to a base also made of concrete. The dome has interlaced prestressed wire ropes, or cables, placing the dome in compression thereby allowing the dome to withstand the tension force resulting when the unit is stored with a fluid lighter than water. The cables are arranged preferably in a predetermined pattern to allow efficient use of material.
Inventors
- 👤 George W Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:47
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H7/00; E04H7/02; E04H7/18; E04H7/20; B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A storage unit comprisIng: a base, a hemispheric dome disposed over the base, a cap disposed on the top of said dome, a first plurality of wire ropes each engaging said cap by one end and extending along respective first great circles to said base, and means for anchoring the other ends of the first plurality of wire ropes to said base and for producing a tension force within said wire ropes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A storage unit comprisIng: a base, a hemispheric dome disposed over the base, a cap disposed on the top of said dome, a first plurality of wire ropes each engaging said cap by one end and extending along respective first great circles to said base, and means for anchoring the other ends of the first plurality of wire ropes to said base and for producing a tension force within said wire ropes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein: said first plurality of ropes is an odd number and said ropes are evenly disposed around said dome, a second plurality of wire ropes equal in number to said first plurality is disposed on respective second great circles on said dome, said second great circles are equally spaced from said cap and each one of said second great circles are disposed normal to a respective one of said first great circles, means are provided for anchoring both ends of each of said second plurality of wire ropes to said base and for producing a tension force within said second wire ropes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
The unit of claim 2 wherein: a third plurality of wire ropes are disposed on said dome, said third plurality of wire ropes is divided into a plurality of groups that are equal in number to the wire ropes in said first plurality of wire ropes and which each of said groups contain more than one wire rope, the wire ropes of said groups are disposed on circles that are substantially parallel to respective ones of said second great circles, and means are provided for anchoring both ends of each wire rope in said third plurality to said base and for producing a tension force within the wire ropes in said third plurality.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The unit of claim 3 wherein the number of wire ropes in said first plurality is five.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The unit claim 3 wherein said second great circles are rotated from the vertical approximately 20*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The unit of claim 4 wherein said second great circles are rotated from the vertical approximately 20*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The unit of claim 6 wherein the number of wire ropes in each of said groups is two.
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) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |