Tanker integrity system

Claim 2

In an elongated tanker having a hull with a bridge; a plurality of bulkheads, including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bulkheads separating the hull into a plurality of longitudinally spaced cargo sections, and an overlying deck together providing a plurality of separate substantially fluid tight holds; and a plurality of vent conduits connected to the holds for venting gases therefrom; a tanker integrity system comprising: a. vent conduit closure valves mounted in the vent conduits and operable for closing the vent conduits for closing the holds connected thereto, and valve operator means including control means connecting each valve with the bridge, and means effective upon severance of the control means to close the valve leading to the holds of any section of the ship severed from the bridge; b. a forward air compressor system at the stem of the tanker connected for supplying compressed air at least to the forward holds of the tanker; c. further control means connecting the bridge with the forward air compressor system; and d. means responsive to severance of the stem of the tanker from the bridge to actuate the forward air compressor system to supply compressed air to the holds of the severed forward section of the tanker.

Claim 3

a pump inlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck substantially the full horizontal distance between thE pumps;

Claim 4

a pump inlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck substantially the full horizontal distance between thE pumps;

Claim 5

a pump inlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck;

Claim 6

a pump inlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck;

Claim 7

longitudinally extending pump inlet and outlet conduits located above deck and connected to each of the pumps;

Claim 8

longitudinally extending pump inlet and outlet conduits located above deck and connected to each of the pumps;

Claim 9

A tanker integrity system according to claim 1 wherein the bridge is located generally amidships and further comprising an aft air compressor system at the stern of the tanker connected for supplying compressed air at least to the aft holds of the tanker, and aft control means connecting the bridge with the aft air compressor system, and means responsive to severance of the stern of the tanker from the bridge to actuate the aft air compressor system to supply compressed air to the holds of the severed aft section of the tanker.

Claim 10

In an elongated tanker having a hull with a bridge; a plurality of bulkheads, including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bulkheads separating the hull into a plurality of longitudinally spaced cargo sections, and an overlying deck together providing a plurality of separate substantially fluid tight holds; and a plurality of vent conduits connected to the holds for venting gases therefrom; a tanker integrity system comprising: a. vent conduit closure valves mounted in the vent conduits and operable for closing the vent conduits for closing the holds connected thereto, and valve operator means including control means connecting each valve with the bridge, and means effective upon severance of the control means to close the valves leading to the holds of any section of the ship severed from the bridge; b. an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, the auxiliary cargo handling system comprising:

Claim 11

In an elongated tanker having a hull with a bridge; a plurality of bulkheads, including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bulkheads separating the hull into a plurality of longitudinally spaced cargo sections, and an overlying deck together providing a plurality of separate substantially fluid tight holds; and a plurality of vent conduits connected to the holds for venting gases therefrom; a tanker integrity system comprising: a. vent conduit closure valves mounted in the vent conduits and operable for closing the vent conduits for closing the holds connected thereto, and valve operator means including control means connecting each valve with the bridge, and means effective upon severance of the control means to close the valves leading to the holds of any section of the ship severed from the bridge; b. an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, the auxiliary cargo handling system comprising:

Claim 12

branch conduits connecting the pump inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the holds;

Claim 13

branch conduits connecting the pump inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the holds;

Claim 14

an outlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck;

Claim 15

an outlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck;

Claim 16

an outlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck substantially the full horizontal distance between the pumps;

Claim 17

an outlet conduit connected to both pumps and extending above said deck substantially the full horizontal distance between the pumps;

Claim 18

branch inlet and outlet conduits connecting the primary inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the several holds;

Claim 19

branch inlet and outlet conduits connecting the primary inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the several holds;

Claim 20

branch inlet and outlet conduits connecting the primary inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the several holds;

Claim 21

branch inlet and outlet conduits connecting the primary inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the several holds;

Claim 22

valve means in the inlet and outlet conduits and operable from above deck for selectively isolating forward and aft auxiliary cargo handling subsystems of the auxiliary cargo handling system; and

Claim 23

valve means in the inlet and outlet conduits and operable from above deck for selectively isolating forward and aft auxiliary cargo handling subsystems of the auxiliary cargo handling system; and

Claim 24

In an elongated tanker having a plurality of separate substantially fluid tight holds, and a plurality of vent stacks extending upwardly from the deck connected to the holds for venting gases therefrom, a tanker integrity system comprising valve means in each vent stack operable for closing the stack for preventing the escape of gases from the holds connected thereto, valve operator means for selectively operating the valve means for closing the vent stacks, and a hold pressurizing system comprising a pair of independently operable air compressor systems, one at each end of the tanker, a primary conduit connected to the pair of air compressor systems for receiving compressed air therefrom, secondary conduits connecting the primary conduit to the holds for supplying compressed air from the primary conduit to the holds, control means for independently operating the air compressor systems for supplying compressed air to the holds via the primary and secondary conduits and valve means in the primary conduit for isolating forward and aft subsystems of the pressurizing system.

Claim 25

In an elongated tanker having a plurality of separate substantially fluid tight holds, and a plurality of vent stacks extending upwardly from the deck connected to the holds for venting gases therefrom, a tanker integrity system comprising valve means in each vent stack operable for closing the stack for preventing the escape of gases from the holds connected thereto, valve operator means for selectively operating the valve means for closing the vent stacks, and a hold pressurizing system comprising a pair of independently operable air compressor systems, one at each end of the tanker, a primary conduit connected to the pair of air compressor systems for receiving compressed air therefrom, secondary conduits connecting the primary conduit to the holds for supplying compressed air from the primary conduit to the holds, control means for independently operating the air compressor systems for supplying compressed air to the holds via the primary and secondary conduits and valve means in the primary conduit for isolating forward and aft subsystems of the pressurizing system.

Claim 26

valve means in the branch conduits and operaBle from above deck for withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into selected holds with the pump.

Claim 27

valve means in the branch conduits and operaBle from above deck for withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into selected holds with the pump.

Claim 28

A tanker integrity system according to claim 4, wherein the control means includes a common control station remote from both air compressor systems and means connecting the common control station to each of the air compressor systems; and each air compressor system includes means effective upon severance of the connecting means between the control station and the air compressor system to initiate operation of the air compressor system to supply compressed air to the hold of any severed end section of the ship upon severence of such end section from the rest of the ship.

Claim 29

valve means in the primary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for isolating forward and aft sections of said conduit; and

Claim 30

valve means in the primary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for isolating forward and aft sections of said conduit; and

Claim 31

valve means in the primary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for isolating forward and aft sections of said conduit; and

Claim 32

valve means in the primary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for isolating forward and aft sections of said conduit; and

Claim 33

valve means in the secondary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for selectively withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into the holds by means of the pumps.

Claim 34

valve means in the secondary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for selectively withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into the holds by means of the pumps.

Claim 35

valve means in the secondary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for selectively withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into the holds by means of the pumps.

Claim 36

valve means in the secondary inlet and outlet conduits and accessible from above the deck for selectively withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into the holds by means of the pumps.

Claim 37

A tanker integrity system according to claim 4, including a plurality of flow responsive valves in the primary conduit, each operable to close the primary conduit when the fluid flow therethrough exceeds a predetermined value.

Claim 38

In an elongated tanker having a hull with a bridge; a plurality of bulkheads, including a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending bulkheads, and an overlying deck together providing a plurality of substantially fluid tight holds; a plurality of vent stacks extending upwardly from the deck and connected to the holds for venting gases therefrom; a tanker integrity system comprising valve means in each vent stack operable for selectively closing the stack for preventing the escape of gases from the holds connected thereto, valve operator means for selectively operating the valve means for closing the vent stacks; a hold pressurizing system comprising an air compressor system at each end of the tanker, an above deck primary conduit connected for receiving compressed air from each of the air compressor systems, secondary conduits connecting the primary conduit to each of the holds for supplying compressed air from the compressor systems via the primary and secondary conduits to the holds, a plurality of spaced valve means along the primary conduit and operable from above deck for selectively isolating forward and aft subsystems of the hold pressurizing system, and control means for selectively operating each air compressor system for supplying compressed air to the primary conduit; and an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, the auxiliary cargo handling system comprising a pump at each end of the tanker and longitudinally extending inlet and outlet cargo conduits located above deck and connected to each of the pumps, branch conduits connecting the pump inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the holds, valve means in the inlet and outlet conduits and operable from above deck for selectively isolating forward and aft auxiliary cargo handling subsystems of the auxiliary cargo handling system, and valve means in the branch conduits and operable from above deck for withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into selected holds with the pumps.

Claim 39

In an elongated tanker having a hull with a bridge; a plurality of bulkheads, including a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending bulkheads, and an overlying deck together providing a plurality of substantially fluid tight holds; a plurality of vent stacks extending upwardly from the deck and connected to the holds for venting gases therefrom; a tanker integrity system comprising valve means in each vent stack operable for selectively closing the stack for preventing the escape of gases from the holds connected thereto, valve operator means for selectively operating the valve means for closing the vent stacks; a hold pressurizing system comprising an air compressor system at each end of the tanker, an above deck primary conduit connected for receiving compressed air from each of the air compressor systems, secondary conduits connecting the primary conduit to each of the holds for supplying compressed air from the compressor systems via the primary and secondary conduits to the holds, a plurality of spaced valve means along the primary conduit and operable from above deck for selectively isolating forward and aft subsystems of the hold pressurizing system, and control means for selectively operating each air compressor system for supplying compressed air to the primary conduit; and an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, the auxiliary cargo handling system comprising a pump at each end of the tanker and longitudinally extending inlet and outlet cargo conduits located above deck and connected to each of the pumps, branch conduits connecting the pump inlet and outlet conduits respectively to the holds, valve means in the inlet and outlet conduits and operable from above deck for selectively isolating forward and aft auxiliary cargo handling subsystems of the auxiliary cargo handling system, and valve means in the branch conduits and operable from above deck for withdrawing cargo from and discharging cargo into selected holds with the pumps.

Claim 40

A tanker integrity system according to claim 7 wherein the branch inlet conduits comprise an inlet hose in each hold for withdrawing cargo from the hold and means for selectively raising and lowering the inlet hose to withdraw cargo at a selected level within the hold.

Claim 41

A tanker, including: a. a hull, including a plurality of fluid tight holds; b. an overlying deck on the hull; c. a pair of independently operable air compressor systems, one at each end of the tanker; d. a primary conduit connecting the pair of air compressor systems for receiving compressed air therefrom; e. branch conduits connecting the primary conduit to the respective holds for supplying compressed air thereto; f. a common control station for said air compressor systems; g. means connecting the two air compressor systems to the common control station; h. means effective upon disconnection of either air compressor system from the common control station to initiate operation of the air compressor system to supply compressed air to the primary conduit; and i. valve means in the primary conduit closable to isolate a break in the primary conduit from either compressor.

Claim 42

A tanker, including: a. a hull, including a plurality of fluid tight holds; b. an overlying deck on the hull; c. a pair of independently operable air compressor systems, one at each end of the tanker; d. a primary conduit connecting the pair of air compressor systems for receiving compressed air therefrom; e. branch conduits connecting the primary conduit to the respective holds for supplying compressed air thereto; f. a common control station for said air compressor systems; g. means connecting the two air compressor systems to the common control station; h. means effective upon disconnection of either air compressor system from the common control station to initiate operation of the air compressor system to supply compressed air to the primary conduit; and i. valve means in the primary conduit closable to isolate a break in the primary conduit from either compressor.

Claim 43

A tanker, including: a. a hull, including a plurality of fluid tight holds; b. an overlying deck on the hull; and c. an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, comprising:

Claim 44

A tanker, including: a. a hull, including a plurality of fluid tight holds; b. an overlying deck on the hull; and c. an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, comprising:

Claim 45

A tanker, including: a. a hull, including a plurality of fluid tight holds; b. an overlying deck on the hull; c. a plurality of vent stacks and a plurality of vent conduit means, each connected to one of the holds and extending up through the deck to one of the vent stacks above the deck; d. a vent valve in each vent stack biased toward closed position; e. a common control station; f. valve operating means, including means connecting the common control station to the vent valves, for opening them against their bias; g. means effective upon disconnection of any vent valve from the common control station to release the valve for closure by its bias, so that upon separation of a hold from the common control station by severance of the ship, its associated valve is closed; h. a pair of independently operable air compressor systems, one at each end of the tanker; i. a primary conduit connecting the pair of air compressor systems for receiving compressed air therefrom; j. branch conduits connecting the primary conduits to the respective holds for supplying compressed air thereto; k. means connecting the two air compressor systems to the common control station; l. means effective upon disconnection of either air compressor system from the common control station to initiate operation of the air compressor system to supply compressed air to the primary conduit; m. valve means in the primary conduit closable to isolate a break in the primary conduit from either compressor; and n. an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, comprising:

Claim 46

A tanker, including: a. a hull, including a plurality of fluid tight holds; b. an overlying deck on the hull; c. a plurality of vent stacks and a plurality of vent conduit means, each connected to one of the holds and extending up through the deck to one of the vent stacks above the deck; d. a vent valve in each vent stack biased toward closed position; e. a common control station; f. valve operating means, including means connecting the common control station to the vent valves, for opening them against their bias; g. means effective upon disconnection of any vent valve from the common control station to release the valve for closure by its bias, so that upon separation of a hold from the common control station by severance of the ship, its associated valve is closed; h. a pair of independently operable air compressor systems, one at each end of the tanker; i. a primary conduit connecting the pair of air compressor systems for receiving compressed air therefrom; j. branch conduits connecting the primary conduits to the respective holds for supplying compressed air thereto; k. means connecting the two air compressor systems to the common control station; l. means effective upon disconnection of either air compressor system from the common control station to initiate operation of the air compressor system to supply compressed air to the primary conduit; m. valve means in the primary conduit closable to isolate a break in the primary conduit from either compressor; and n. an auxiliary cargo handling system for transferring cargo between holds, comprising: