US3858402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil storage terminals
Assignee: BALAEVA GROUP Ltd FORMERLY SEAWARD STRUCTURES INTERNATIONAL
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Filing: 1973-01-17
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of and terminal structure for oil storage at sea are characterised in that the structure is constructed as an elongated closed vessel, internally subdivided into separate compartments which have flooding valves enabling the structure to float like a ship for towing to its site of use, and then to be flooded sequentially with sea water to cause the vessel to tip to a vertical attitude and settle on the sea bed, being grounded by its own weight. Oil is stored in the compartments with concomitant displacement of sea water, and the vessel can be exhausted of liquid and refloated for removal if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Rowland Baker
- 👤 Gordon Norton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of oil storage in a storage terminal in the form of an elongated vessel subdivided by internal bulkheads into a plurality of separate compartments provided with flooding and venting valves comprising the steps of floating said vessel in an empty condition in a generally horizontal attitude and towing it to its site of intended use; free flooding said vessel with seawater by sequential operation of the said valves to flood said compartments successively, beginning at one of its ends to bring said vessel to a generally vertical attitude; further flooding said vessel causing it to sink and settle on the sea-bed with one said one end resting on said sea-bed; and at least partially filling said vessel with oil, with concomitant displacement of seawater from the interior of said vessel, said vessel remaining grounded by virtue of its own weight and ballast.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of oil storage in a storage terminal in the form of an elongated vessel subdivided by internal bulkheads into a plurality of separate compartments provided with flooding and venting valves comprising the steps of floating said vessel in an empty condition in a generally horizontal attitude and towing it to its site of intended use; free flooding said vessel with seawater by sequential operation of the said valves to flood said compartments successively, beginning at one of its ends to bring said vessel to a generally vertical attitude; further flooding said vessel causing it to sink and settle on the sea-bed with one said one end resting on said sea-bed; and at least partially filling said vessel with oil, with concomitant displacement of seawater from the interior of said vessel, said vessel remaining grounded by virtue of its own weight and ballast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
An oil storage or similar terminal for use at sea in the form of an elongated closed vessel of rectangular cross-section having transverse internal bulkheads defining a plurality of separate compartments, and provided with flooding and venting valves for the controlled free-flooding of different compartments in sequence from one end of said vessel to the other, the arrangement being such that said vesel can be floated in a generally horizontal attitude for towing, and flooded to a generally vertical attitude for grounding in the vertical attitude, to form a free standing storage vessel with one of its ends held down on the sea bed by the weight and ballast of said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
An oil storage or similar terminal for use at sea in the form of an elongated closed vessel of rectangular cross-section having transverse internal bulkheads defining a plurality of separate compartments, and provided with flooding and venting valves for the controlled free-flooding of different compartments in sequence from one end of said vessel to the other, the arrangement being such that said vesel can be floated in a generally horizontal attitude for towing, and flooded to a generally vertical attitude for grounding in the vertical attitude, to form a free standing storage vessel with one of its ends held down on the sea bed by the weight and ballast of said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A storage terminal according to claim 2 further comprising a superstructure at the upper end of the vessel serving in use to provide an accommodation and/or working area above the water line of the grounded vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A storage terminal according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of said vessels securely connected together to form a composite structure in which said vessels are disposed parallel with and spaced from each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A storage terminal according to claim 2, wherein said vessel is ballasted assymmetrically at its lower end, with a greater part of the ballast weight on one side of a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the vessel, and has a compensating buoyancy compartment near the upper end of the vessel lying on the same side of the said plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
An oil storage or similar terminal for use at sea in the form of an elongated vessel having a rectangular transverse cross-section and transversely divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment being provided with valve means for permitting the introduction of sea water and the displacement of air from said compartment individually whereby said compartments may be flOoded successively from one end of said vessel to the other, one of said ends being provided with an integral base portion which supports said vessel in a stationary position on the sea bed when said vessel is fully flooded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
An oil storage or similar terminal for use at sea in the form of an elongated vessel having a rectangular transverse cross-section and transversely divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment being provided with valve means for permitting the introduction of sea water and the displacement of air from said compartment individually whereby said compartments may be flOoded successively from one end of said vessel to the other, one of said ends being provided with an integral base portion which supports said vessel in a stationary position on the sea bed when said vessel is fully flooded.
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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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |