US3727418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sub-aqueous storage of liquefied gases
Assignee: Sun Oil Co
•
Filing: 1971-07-22
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-07-22
Abstract
Abstract Liquefied natural gas is stored under water in a submerged, jacketed container the interior of which is coupled to a balancing fluid in another container, the balancing fluid being in turn coupled to the water surrounding both containers. The containers are fastened together, and the assembly is ballasted as appropriate, or required.
Inventors
- 👤 F Glazier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:33
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C3/00; F17C3/005; F17C2201/00; F17C2201/01; F17C2201/0128; F17C2201/0176; F17C2201/0185; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/03; F17C2203/0304; F17C2203/0329; F17C2203/0333; F17C2203/06; F17C2203/0602; F17C2203/0612; F17C2203/0614; F17C2203/0619; F17C2203/0626; F17C2203/0629; F17C2205/00; F17C2205/01; F17C2205/0123; F17C2205/013; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/032; F17C2221/033; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; F17C2227/00; F17C2227/01; F17C2227/0128; F17C2227/0135; F17C2265/00; F17C2265/03; F17C2265/032; F17C2265/033; F17C2265/034; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/01; F17C2270/0102; F17C2270/0118; F17C2270/0128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A sub-aqueous storage arrangement for liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a first closed submersible container, means for transferring LNG to and from the interior of said container, a second submersible container secured to said first container, means providing a fluid connection between said containers, a body of a balancing fluid in said second container and adapted to flow into and out of said first container through said fluid connection, a partitioning means between the LNG in said first container and said balancing fluid, and a partitioning means between the balancing fluid in said second container and the water surrounding both of said containers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A sub-aqueous storage arrangement for liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a first closed submersible container, means for transferring LNG to and from the interior of said container, a second submersible container secured to said first container, means providing a fluid connection between said containers, a body of a balancing fluid in said second container and adapted to flow into and out of said first container through said fluid connection, a partitioning means between the LNG in said first container and said balancing fluid, and a partitioning means between the balancing fluid in said second container and the water surrounding both of said containers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first-mentioned partitioning means comprises a flexible impervious membrane mounted in said first container and physically separating said LNG from said balancing fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second-mentioned partitioning means comprises a flexible impervious membrane mounted in said second container and physically separating said balancing fluid from said water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Arrangement defined in claim 1, wherein said balancing fluid is 2-methyl butane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Arrangement of claim 1, including also a heat-insulating jacket on said first container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Arrangement defined in claim 5, wherein said jacket comprises a porous solid insulating material containing frozen water in its pores.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first-mentioned partitioning means comprises a flexible impervious membrane mounted in said first container and physically separating said LNG from said balancing fluid; and wherein the second-mentioned partitioning means comprises a flexible impervious member mounted in said second container and physically separating said balancing fluid from said water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
Arrangement defined in claim 7, wherein said balancing fluid is 2-methyl butane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Arrangement of claim 7, including also a heat-insulating jacket on said first container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Arrangement defined in claim 9, wherein said jacket comprises a porous solid insulating material containing frozen water in its pores.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
A sub-aqueous storage arrangement for liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a first closed submersible container, means for transferring LNG to and from the interior of said container, a second submersible container secured to said first container, means providing a fluid connection between said containers, a body of a balancing fluid in said second container and adapted to flow into and out of said first container through said fluid connection, and a partitioning means between the LNG in said first container and said balancing fluid, the upper portion of said second container being secured to and sealed to said fiRst container but the lower portion of said second container communicating with the water surrounding both of said containers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
A sub-aqueous storage arrangement for liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a first closed submersible container, means for transferring LNG to and from the interior of said container, a second submersible container secured to said first container, means providing a fluid connection between said containers, a body of a balancing fluid in said second container and adapted to flow into and out of said first container through said fluid connection, and a partitioning means between the LNG in said first container and said balancing fluid, the upper portion of said second container being secured to and sealed to said fiRst container but the lower portion of said second container communicating with the water surrounding both of said containers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |