US3855803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of submerging a hollow structure
Assignee: Sea Tank Co SA
•
Filing: 1973-02-15
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of inserting in the structure floats which are substantially incompressible and have a density less than unity, progressively filling the structure with water, and then removing the floats at the end of the submersion.
Inventors
- 👤 R Lacroix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:38
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D23/00; E02D23/02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/06; E02D15/00; E02D15/08; E02D23/08; E02D27/00; E02D27/01; E02D27/04; E02D27/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of 1. inserting in the structure a plurality of floats which are substantially incompressible and which have a density less than unity, said plurality of floats being large enough in number so that said floats extend from a first inner wall of said structure to a second inner wall of said structure opposite to said first inner wall in contact with each other and with said walls, said floats being of a shape or shapes which leaves interconnecting volumes between said floats; 2. progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and finally 3. removing the floats at the end of the submersion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of 1. inserting in the structure a plurality of floats which are substantially incompressible and which have a density less than unity, said plurality of floats being large enough in number so that said floats extend from a first inner wall of said structure to a second inner wall of said structure opposite to said first inner wall in contact with each other and with said walls, said floats being of a shape or shapes which leaves interconnecting volumes between said floats; 2. progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and finally 3. removing the floats at the end of the submersion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and finally
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and finally
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interior of the hollow structure is kept in communication with the outside atmosphere by means of a column which projects above the surface of the water even at the end of the submersion, the hollow structure is formed with a ceiling the slope of which facilitates the passing of the floats, and the column is connected to the hollow structure at the upper part of its ceiling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
progressively filling the structure with water while keeping the interior of the hollow structure in communication with the outside atmosphere; and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
a plurality of floats located in the interior of said hollow tank, said plurality of floats being substantially incompressible and having a density less than unity, said plurality of floats furthermore being large enough in number so that said floats extend from a first inner wall of said hollow tank to a second inner wall of said hollow tank opposite to said first inner wall in contact with each other and with said walls, thereby acting as a structural support for said walls;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
a plurality of floats located in the interior of said hollow tank, said plurality of floats being substantially incompressible and having a density less than unity, said plurality of floats furthermore being large enough in number so that said floats extend from a first inner wall of said hollow tank to a second inner wall of said hollow tank opposite to said first inner wall in contact with each other and with said walls, thereby acting as a structural support for said walls;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
a hollow column connected to said hollow tank and in open communication therewith, said hollow column being long enough to extend from said hollow tank to the surface of the body of water in which the apparatus is intended to be submerged and having an opening on the end thereof remote from said hollow tank which, when the apparatus is in use, permits the interior of said hollow tank to be in communication with the outside atmosphere; and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
a hollow column connected to said hollow tank and in open communication therewith, said hollow column being long enough to extend from said hollow tank to the surface of the body of water in which the apparatus is intended to be submerged and having an opening on the end thereof remote from said hollow tank which, when the apparatus is in use, permits the interior of said hollow tank to be in communication with the outside atmosphere; and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
removing the floats from the hollow structure by dissolving them in place.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
removing the floats from the hollow structure by dissolving them in place.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said floats are hollow, convex bodies having thin, fluid-tight walls.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
removing the floats from the hollow structure by means including a system of nozzles under pressure located inside the hollow structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
removing the floats from the hollow structure by means including a system of nozzles under pressure located inside the hollow structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
9 words
removing the floats at the end of the submersion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
9 words
removing the floats at the end of the submersion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said floats are hollow spheres.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for removing said floats from the interior of said hollow tank.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for removing said floats from the interior of said hollow tank.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said floats have walls made of metal alloy treated to prevent corrosion thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said floats are hollow and are filled with gas.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said floats are made of expanded polystyrene.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said floats are made of cork.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
13 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of:
Claim 31
Independent Claim
13 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of:
Claim 32
Independent Claim
13 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of:
Claim 33
Independent Claim
13 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of:
Claim 34
Independent Claim
13 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of:
Claim 35
Independent Claim
13 words
A method of submerging a hollow structure in water comprising the steps of:
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
Submergible apparatus for storing liquids in a body of water, said apparatus comprising:
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
Submergible apparatus for storing liquids in a body of water, said apparatus comprising:
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said hollow tank is formed with a ceiling sloped upward to facilitate the passing of the floats and said hollow column is connected to said hollow tank at the upper part of its ceiling.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 and further comprising a system of nozzles through which fluid can be jetted to facilitate the removal of said floats.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said floats are hollow, convex bodies having thin, fluid-tight walls.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said floats are hollow spheres.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said floats have walls made of metal alloy treated to prevent corrosion thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said floats are hollow and are filled with gas.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said floats are made of expanded polystyrene.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
Submergible apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said floats are made of cork.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |