US3831387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for salvaging oil from sunken vessels
Assignee: SALVAGE OIL SYST Ltd
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Filing: 1973-03-16
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-03-16
Abstract
Abstract According to the invention, removal of oil from a sunken vessel is obtained by means of a remotely controlled submersible ''''pumphouse'''' or salvage capsule which performs, without the services of divers, all the necessary functions to gain access to, and remove to the surface, oil contained in the sunken vessel. Instead of relying on manual operations performed by divers on the sunken vessel, the essential features of the present invention include remotely controlled means on and within the salvage capsule for effecting the necessary functions including: means for securely but detachably fixing the capsule in the decking or hull of the vessel in proximity to the compartment from which the oil is to be salvaged; drill means for providing access to the compartment through one or more openings, extensible oil suction pipe means for insertion into the compartment through the opening, first pump means for removing oil from the ship compartment into a holding chamber within the capsule and second pump means for removing oil from the holding chamber to the surface where it may be held in suitable storage such as balloons or salvage tankers.
Inventors
- 👤 J Rolleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:12
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C7/00; B63C7/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
Apparatus for salvaging fluid and fluidizable substances from closed compartments of sunken vessels which comprises: a submersible capsule having an interior space capable of pressurization to resist the pressure of surrounding water in which it is submerged; means for lowering said capsule to and raising it from a sunken vessel from which the salvable substance is to be salvaged; attachment means on said capsule for securely but detachably fixing said capsule to said sunken vessel; at least one holding chamber within said capsule, said chamber being sealed off from said interior space of said capsule and having an opening to the exterior of said capsule; drill means operative to extend through said chamber opening for drilling an opening through the wall of said compartment into said compartment; sealing means for preventing surrounding water from entering said holding chamber and said compartment through said openings; an elongated axially movable oil suction pipe extending into said holding chamber and having valves opening into said chamber; means for selectively axially moving said suction pipe to extend through said openings into said compartment; first pump means within said capsule for causing said salvable substance to flow from said compartment through said suction pipe and suction pipe valves into said holding chamber through said suction pipe; oil conduit means extending from said capsule to a container on the surface; second pump means within said capsule for removing oil from said holding chamber to the surface via said conduit means; and means for remotely controlling from the surface said attachment means, drill means, oil suction pipe moving means and first and second pump means whereby salvaging of said substance from the sunken vessel is effected without the aid of divers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
Apparatus for salvaging fluid and fluidizable substances from closed compartments of sunken vessels which comprises: a submersible capsule having an interior space capable of pressurization to resist the pressure of surrounding water in which it is submerged; means for lowering said capsule to and raising it from a sunken vessel from which the salvable substance is to be salvaged; attachment means on said capsule for securely but detachably fixing said capsule to said sunken vessel; at least one holding chamber within said capsule, said chamber being sealed off from said interior space of said capsule and having an opening to the exterior of said capsule; drill means operative to extend through said chamber opening for drilling an opening through the wall of said compartment into said compartment; sealing means for preventing surrounding water from entering said holding chamber and said compartment through said openings; an elongated axially movable oil suction pipe extending into said holding chamber and having valves opening into said chamber; means for selectively axially moving said suction pipe to extend through said openings into said compartment; first pump means within said capsule for causing said salvable substance to flow from said compartment through said suction pipe and suction pipe valves into said holding chamber through said suction pipe; oil conduit means extending from said capsule to a container on the surface; second pump means within said capsule for removing oil from said holding chamber to the surface via said conduit means; and means for remotely controlling from the surface said attachment means, drill means, oil suction pipe moving means and first and second pump means whereby salvaging of said substance from the sunken vessel is effected without the aid of divers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including two holding chambers, the first of said chambers being arranged to receive said salvable substance through said suction pipe and the second of said chambers being connected with water and air supply conduits to enable water and air to be forced into said compartment through said opening through said compartment wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including means within said second chamber for introducing steam directly into said compartment through said opening through said compartment wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wHerein said means for introducing steam is a self tapping plug connected to a steam inlet line and adapted to be threaded into the said opening through said compartment wall by said drill means within said compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for detachably fixing said capsule to said sunken vessel includes a plurality of remotely controlled electromagnets positioned on the outside of said capsule and effective for attaching said capsule to the hull of said sunken vessel, a plurality of anchor bolt chambers within each said capsule, said anchor bolt chamber being sealed off from the interior space of said capsule and having an opening to the exterior of said capsule; means within each said anchor bolt chamber for positioning a combination drill-tap-thread anchor bolt in said opening; and remotely controlled drill press means in said capsule having a drive shaft extending into each said anchor bolt chamber for drilling, tapping and securing said bolts into said hull to secure said capsule thereto, said drill press means also being effective to unscrew said bolts to permit the capsule to be detached therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 including a plurality of toothed studs on said capsule adapted to contact said hull to prevent side slippage of said capsule when it is attached thereto by means of said electromagnets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said drill means includes a hydraulically actuated drill press within said capsule having a drive shaft extended into said first holding chamber and a cutting head on said drive shaft for cutting a relatively large diameter disc from the hull of said sunken vessel to provide an opening thereinto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 including means within said first holding chamber for positioning self-tapping plugs over said opening through said compartment wall and means on said cutting head for inserting said plug into said opening to selectively seal it.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said cutting head includes a cylindrical body portion, an axially extending cutter blade attached to the periphery thereof, a magnetic torque wrench slidably mounted in said body portion and effective for engaging a corresponding socket portion in said self-tapping plugs and high intensity light and television camera means positioned within said body portion for enabling observation of conditions in the path of said cutter head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a first annular ring secured to said capsule around said opening into each said holding chamber, a second annular ring in sealing telescoping relationship within said first ring and an annular flange on said second ring carrying a sealing member for sealing engagement with said hull.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said oil suction pipe extends from outside of the capsule through an opening in said capsule and means are provided on said capsule for supporting the portion of said suction pipe extending from said capsule.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said oil suction pipe has a plurality of foot valves positioned along its length, said valves being operative to permit flow of fluid out of said suction pipe when the pressure outside said pipe is less than the pressure inside whereby by maintaining such lesser pressure only in said holding chamber, fluid is caused to flow from said compartment through said suction pipe into said holding chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said capsule has a plurality of remotely controlled water jet nozzles positioned on the outside thereof for assisting in controlling the attitude of said capsule in relation to the sunken vessel from which salvable substances are to be recovered.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pump means includes a submersible pump in the lower end of said suction pipe for pumping water into said compartment to form a mixture with said salvable substance and a second submErsible pump in the lower end of said suction pipe for pumping said mixture from said compartment through said oil suction pipe into said holding chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said drill means includes a cutting head on the lower end of said suction pipe for enabling penetration of said suction pipe into said compartment, drive means for rotating said suction pipe and expansible sealing means on the lower end of said suction pipe for providing a seal between said pipe and said opening after said pipe has penetrated said compartment.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for use in the recovery of oil and petroleum products from a closed compartment of a sunken vessel to surface containers for removal to shore comprising: a recovery capsule capable of being lowered from a recovery-supply vessel on the surface to the sunken vessel from which said products are to be salvaged; remotely controlled means for securely but detachably attaching said capsule on said vessel; an oil holding chamber within said capsule; remotely controlled means for providing access from within said holding chamber to within said closed compartment while preventing surrounding water from entering said chamber and compartment; remotely controlled pump means for removing said products from said compartment into said holding chamber and for removing said products from said holding chamber to said surface containers via a conduit connecting said capsule with the surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for use in the recovery of oil and petroleum products from a closed compartment of a sunken vessel to surface containers for removal to shore comprising: a recovery capsule capable of being lowered from a recovery-supply vessel on the surface to the sunken vessel from which said products are to be salvaged; remotely controlled means for securely but detachably attaching said capsule on said vessel; an oil holding chamber within said capsule; remotely controlled means for providing access from within said holding chamber to within said closed compartment while preventing surrounding water from entering said chamber and compartment; remotely controlled pump means for removing said products from said compartment into said holding chamber and for removing said products from said holding chamber to said surface containers via a conduit connecting said capsule with the surface.
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) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |