WO1988003110A1

WO1988003110A1 - Surface and underwater handling device

Info

Publication number: WO1988003110A1
Application number: PCT/AU1987/000365
Authority: WO
Original assignee: HIND RAYMOND STENTON
Current assignee: HIND RAYMOND STENTON
Priority date: 1986-10-28
Filing date: 1987-10-28
Publication date: 1988-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-28
Also published as: AU8176287A; ZA878084B

Abstract

A salvage, handling and recovery mechanism including a pressure separator casing (29), a fluid extraction device (1) and an energy supply means, the arrangement being such that the pressure separator casing (29) is shaped and constructed to withstand forces created by a pressure differential created between the interior and exterior of the casing, the outer peripheral edge of the separator casing being either itself flexible or having a flexible means (35) therearound which enables the establishment of a seal around the periphery of the casing to thereby create within the separator a low pressure cell from which fluid is extracted by the liquid extraction device (1) which is mounted on or in the casing and is powered by the energy supply means to thereby create the pressure differential.

Description

SURFACE AND UNDERWATER HANDLING DEVICE

The invention relates to salvage and recovery and more particularly relates to devices for salvaging, recovering or handling articles from underwater and/or above ground. A broadest object of the invention is to provide a salvage, handling or recovery mechanism for use underwater or above ground.

According to another object of the invention there is provided a device for maintaining attachment between personnel or equipment and articles both underwater and above ground.

According to yet another object of the invention there is provided a device which utilizes pressure differentials between ambient pressure at a required underwater depth or above ground and a low pressure within the mechanism itself to hold the mechanism relative to an article.

Further objects and advantages of the invention

SUBSTITUTESHEET will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example.

According to a broadest aspect of the present invention there is provided a salvage, handling and recovery mechanism including a pressure separator casing, a fluid extraction device and an energy supply means, the arrangement being such that the pressure separator casing is shaped and constructed to withstand forces created by a pressure differential created between the interior and exterior of the casing, the outer peripheral edge of the separator casing being either itself flexible or having a flexible means therearound which enables the establishment of a seal around the periphery of the casing to thereby create within the separator a low pressure cell from which fluid is extracted by the liquid extraction device which is mounted on or in the casing and is powered by the energy supply means to thereby create the pressure differential. The pressure separator casing can be manufactured as a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible membrane of a variety of shapes which are designed and selected to conform to the shape of the equipment or article on which the casing is to be used. The mechanism can include a means for guiding and controlling movement of the casing.

The pressure separator casing can consist of a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible plastics membrane of a shape designed to withstand forces created by the establishment of a pressure differential between the interior of the casing and the exterior thereof.

The outer peripheral edge of the casing is either flexible or has a flexible seal which establishes an initial seal on the outer edge of the membrane

SUBSTITUTESHEET against an article or surface on which it is to be used. The central core or space formed by the casing constituting a low pressure cell. The fluid displaced from within the cell creates on the surface of the membrane a pressure which causes compression of the outer edge of the membrane onto a surface against which the casing has been placed.

Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only.

Examples of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: shows a cross section of a mechanism according to the invention in which part thereof is exploded apart;

Figure 2: shows a cross section of an example of power module for incorporation in the mechanism shown in Figure 1; Figure 3: shows a cross section through an example of load ring for incorporation in the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4: shows a plan view of the power module shown in Figure 2; Figure 5; shows a plan view of the load ring shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6; shows a schematic diagram of a compressed air circuit for operating the mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 7: shows a calculated load capacity chart for the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 5 is a diagrammatic version of a mechanism designed and capable of use either underwater or above ground.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET The mechanism generally consists of a power module 1 (shown in detail in Figures 2 and 4), load ring 2 (shown in detail in Figure 3 and 5) and mat 3 (Figure 1). The power module 1 has a base plate 4 in which is an intake 5 which is surrounded by an O-ring groove

6. The base plate 4 can be formed from a rigid and compression resistant plastics material. Alternatively the plate 4 can be formed from a metal or metal alloy material. The base plate 4 has mounted thereon either a series of generally annular shaped spacing rings or a single large spacing ring. In the example shown the base plate 4 has three rings

7, 8 and 9 mounted thereon. The rings 7, 8 and 9 form, with an upper plate 10, a space 11 in which a pumping or evacuating mechanism is mounted.

In the example the pumping or evacuating mechanism includes a non-return valve 12, an ejector 13, regulator 14, release valve 15 and can include a gauge or gauges 16. The parts forming the mechanism are mounted in the space 11 with the intake 5 connected to the non-return valve 12. The outlet of the valve 13 passing the ejector 13 to an exhaust connection 17 so that fluid from intake 5 is expelled or evacuated from outlet connection 17. The ejector 13 is supplied with compressed air via air intake 18 mounted on the upper plate 10. The air passing through the regulator 14 to the ejector 13. The pressure in the intake 5 is etered via pipe 19 to the gauges 16 to which the release valve 15 can be attached. The release valve being connected to an outlet or release duct 21.

The compressed air passing the non-return valve 12 maintains the valve in its open position allowing

SUBSTITUTESHEET for evacuation via the intake 5. Once a pressure differential is established and the supply of compressed air removed or shut-down the non-return valve 12 closes. The non-return valve prevents pressure equalization and thus maintains the pressure differential without further energy consumption.

The power module 1 is mounted relative to a load ring 2 (Figures 3 and 5) which in the example is circular in plan. It is envisaged that the load ring 2 can be circular, square, rectangular or other shapes to suit any particular user's requirements. The load ring 2 is preferably constructed of a material of sufficient strength to suit. For example it can be formed from a carbon fibre reinforced plastics material or a metal alloy which is corrosion resistant like stainless steel.

The ring 2 has a base plate 22 on which is a retaining ring 23. The ring 23 is dimensioned to have mounted therein the power module 1. The base plate 22 has an aperture 20 over which the intake 5 is positioned. The plate 22 also has threaded holes 24 for lock bolts 25 (Figures 2 and 4) used to mount the power module 1 to the plate 22.

The plate 22 also has a series of lugs 26 positioned to suit equipment to be used with the mechanism.

The plate 22 also has holes 27 through which retaining bolts 28 extend to support relative thereto a mat 3 (Figure 1) . The mat 3 in the example is a semi-rigid plastics or rubber one piece or combination skirt. In Figure 1 the mat 3 is formed in two parts being a shaped base platform 29 with a circular recess 30 into which the bottom 31 of the plate 22 fits. The platform 29

SUBSTITUTESHEET may have grooves 32 for O-ring seals 33 which in association with a nut and bolt assembly 28 locates them together via holes 27. The platform 29 can be formed from a semi-rigid material if desired. The 5 platform 29 having a dovetail shaped or the like recess 34 in which a sealing ring 35 is fitted. As shown a fixing member 36 (annular in plan) is used to hold the sealing ring 35 in position. The ring 35 can be of a variety of profiles in section with, for 0 example, an outer sealing flap 37 and inner deformable sealing undulations 38.

The bottom surface of the platform 29 preferably has a shaped housing 39 for an inlet fitting 40 located opposite the aperture 20 into which the 5 fitting 40 is screwed. Alongside the inlet fitting 40 is a mounting recess 41 into which can be situated a spacing member 42 positioned centrally of the platform 29 and load ring 2. The spacing member 42 being adapted to ensure that, in use, on a surface

20 and with a pressure differential between a space 43 under the platform 29 and the outside of the mechanism no distortions therein occur.

The low pressure cell is maintained by the liquid extraction device which is controlled from either a

25 pump system adjacent either a pump system the mechanism or via a flexible tube (not shown) connected to the intake 18. Once a desired pressure differential is obtained this can be maintained automatically until activation of the release valve

3015.

If the power source is mounted on the surface appropriate pipes, cables and leads for supplying electrical or hydraulic pneumatic power to the device are provided.

SUBSTITUTESHEET The position and operation of the salvage and recovery device underwater can be guided and controlled by a variety of means and this can include surface operated or a submerged system to suit the particular application of the device.

The energy supply system for the salvage, handling and recovery device can be electrically driven, fluid driven or any other suitable system designed for the use of a device at a particular depth or on ground.

In use the mechanism can be used to carry items above ground or more than one thereof or underwater. Alternatively the mechanism can be used to support a platform or scaffold for a worker and underwater constitutes a connecting point for a diver to operate from without the need for larger weights.

In an alternative construction (not shown) a manifold can be attached to input 5 of the power module so that a plurality of individual, discrete, and in use spaced apart mat units consisting of an evacuatable housing with peripheral skirt of generally the same construction as the lower region of the mechanism according to the invention can be linked together. All the evacuatable housings having a pressure differential created by the one power module.

As an aid for boat recovery a device can be used to right a vessel by fixing same alongside a bilge or keel and via cables and winches and a buoyant device alongside the vessel can pull itself upright without aid from salvage vessels.

It is envisaged that the mechanism has a wide variety of uses and the examples are alterations indications of its uses only.

SUBSTITUTESHEET The information shown in Figure 7 is a table indicating theoretic calculated load carrying capacity above ground and below water at specific depths for the example shown in Figures 1 to 5. Thus by this invention there is provided a salvage, handling and recovery device which utilizes pressure differentials between pressure within the recovery and handling device itself.

Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications thereto can take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A salvage, handling and recovery mechanism including a pressure separator casing, a fluid extraction device and an energy supply means, the arrangement being such that the pressure separator casing is shaped and constructed to withstand forces created by a pressure differential created between the interior and exterior of the casing, the outer peripheral edge of the separator casing being either itself flexible, or having a flexible means therearound which enables the establishment of a seal around the periphery of the casing to thereby create within the separator a low pressure cell from which fluid is extracted by the liquid extraction device which is mounted on or in the casing and is powered by the energy supply means to thereby create the pressure differential.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure separator casing is manufactured as a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible membrane.

3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mechanism includes a means for guiding and controlling movement of the casing.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure separator casing consists of a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible plastics membrane of a shape designed to withstand forces created by the establishment of a pressure differential between the interior of the casing and the exterior thereof.

5. A mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer peripheral edge of the casing is either flexible or has a flexible seal which establishes an initial seal on the outer edge of the membrane against an article or surface on

SUBSTITUTESHEET which it is to be used.

6. A damage control mechanism utilising the salvage, handling and recovery mechanism of any one of the preceding claims and adapted for placement over a damaged area or opening to effect a seal and/or allow for evacuation of fluid therethrough.

7. A damage control mechanism as claimed in claim 6 wherein the damaged area or opening is part of a ship, tank, or article containing a liquid or fluid.

8. A machinery support mechanism utilising the salvage, handling and recovery mechanism of any one of the preceding claims and adapted for supporting a scaffold, machinery support or other support for surfaces manufactured from a ferrous or non-ferrous materials.

9. A machinery support mechanism as claimed in claim 8 usable on bridges, buildings, tanks and other plant.

10. A salvage, handling and recovery mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUBSTITUTESHEET