Patent US3837310A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3837310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater oil storage
Assignee: Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-09-08
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-09-08
Abstract
Abstract An underwater oil storage apparatus having an oil storage tank moored to the sea bottom and a buoyancy adjusting tank secured to the oil storage tank, characterized by producing a substantially constant small buoyancy for a whole oil storage equipment by introducing or draining water in the buoyancy adjusting tank according to the amount of stored oil.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Toyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of controlling the buoyancy of an underwater oil storage apparatus comprising an oil storage tank, a buoyancy adjusting tank secured to the oil storage tank, means for mooring the oil storage tank to the sea bottom, a port provided in the oil storage tank for oil, a port provided in the oil storage tank for water, a port provided in the buoyancy adjusting tank for water, and a port provided in the buoyancy adjusting tank for air, comprising the steps of charging and discharging oil and water into or from the oil storage tank in displacing relation, charging and discharging air and water into or from the buoyancy adjusting tank in displacing relation, and controlling said charging and discharging of the storage tank and the discharging and charging of thebuoyancy tank together to charge water into said oil storage tank concurrently with discharge of water from said buoyancy adjusting tank and vice versa, whereby the floating oil storage apparatus is controlled to have a relatively small buoyancy at all times.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of controlling the buoyancy of an underwater oil storage apparatus comprising an oil storage tank, a buoyancy adjusting tank secured to the oil storage tank, means for mooring the oil storage tank to the sea bottom, a port provided in the oil storage tank for oil, a port provided in the oil storage tank for water, a port provided in the buoyancy adjusting tank for water, and a port provided in the buoyancy adjusting tank for air, comprising the steps of charging and discharging oil and water into or from the oil storage tank in displacing relation, charging and discharging air and water into or from the buoyancy adjusting tank in displacing relation, and controlling said charging and discharging of the storage tank and the discharging and charging of thebuoyancy tank together to charge water into said oil storage tank concurrently with discharge of water from said buoyancy adjusting tank and vice versa, whereby the floating oil storage apparatus is controlled to have a relatively small buoyancy at all times.
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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |