CA1112952A - Vessels - Google Patents
VesselsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1112952A CA1112952A CA296,031A CA296031A CA1112952A CA 1112952 A CA1112952 A CA 1112952A CA 296031 A CA296031 A CA 296031A CA 1112952 A CA1112952 A CA 1112952A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- skirt
- water
- submersible
- vessel
- volume
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/40—Rescue equipment for personnel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
Abstract
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VESSELS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A submersible or the like includes an opening in its external wall and a water tight closure for the opening. An open ended skirt depends from the wall so as to surround the opening and the volume within the skirt is linked to a tank in the submersible by a conduit.
The conduit enables the volume within the skirt to be depressurised by allowing water to flow from within the skirt into the tank during mating of the skirt with a sub surface chamber. Transfer between the submersible and the chamber can then be effected at substantially atmospheric pressure and optionally in dry conditions.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A submersible or the like includes an opening in its external wall and a water tight closure for the opening. An open ended skirt depends from the wall so as to surround the opening and the volume within the skirt is linked to a tank in the submersible by a conduit.
The conduit enables the volume within the skirt to be depressurised by allowing water to flow from within the skirt into the tank during mating of the skirt with a sub surface chamber. Transfer between the submersible and the chamber can then be effected at substantially atmospheric pressure and optionally in dry conditions.
Description
5~, This invention relates to submersibles or like vessels such as submarines.
According to the present invention there is provided a submersible or like vessel comprising propulsion means to enable the vessel to be positioned in a desired location, a tank to receive water, a compartment having water tight external walls including an opening and a water tight closure for the opening, and a means facilitating personnel and/or equipment transfer between said compartment and a sub-surface chamber having a hatch, said means comprising:-(i) an open ended skirt depending from the walls so as to surround said opening, and (ii) a conduit system connecting the tank and the volume ; defined by the skirt whereby said volume can be .
. depressurised by allowing water to pass from said volume to said tank.
. . In use, the vessel is manoeuvred by its propulsion .~ . means until the skirt is in alig nment with the hatch in the sub-surface chamber. Then, the skirt volume is depressurised by means of eaid conduit system so that the ambient water pressure ~
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.
, , '' ' ' / ,' ' , v ~ ~
causes the vessel to be urged towards the chamber so that the mating surface of the skirt is sealingly engaged with a mating seat located around the sub-surface chamber hatch. The water in the skirt 701urne will then be at a pressure equivalent to the hydrostatic head in the skirt volume and thus personnel working in or passing through that water will not be subjected to full ambient pressure. Alternatively, the water within the skirt volume may be removed so that personne:L may work, or transfer, in dry conditions. In this case the water may be pumped to the surrounding water or, in a particularly preferred embodiment, drained into the subsurface chamber.
In a particularly prefer:red embodiment, the skirt is detachably secured to the vessel wall. In this way the skirt can be removed when it is desired to use the vessel for, for example, survey work and quickly and easily attached to the vessel when it is desired to transfer personnel and/or equipment to a sub-surface chamber.
When the transfer of personnel and/or equipment has been completed and it is desired to separate the submersible from the sub-surface chamber, the skirt volume has to be pressurised. This can be effected by allowing water to enter the skirt volume from the surrounding body of water via the aforementioned conduit system. Alternatively the water used for pressurisation may be the aforementioned water drained into the sub-sea chamber. In this case, after the water has been pumped into the skirt volume from the 5 ~
sub-sea chamber, the skirt volume should be opened up to the surrounding body of ~ater so as to raise the pressure in the skirt volume to the ambient pressure.
In order to assis~in separating the submersible from the sub-sea chamber, a means is preferably provided to pump water into the skirt via said conduit system so as to overpressurise the skirt volwne.
In a further embodiment it is particularly preferred to provide an emergency means for pressurising the skirt volume. In this case, a second conduit system may be provided linking the gas storage tanks or the compressed air supply of the submersible with the skirt volume.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a partly sectioned side elevation ofa submersible in accordance with the present invention, Figur 2 is a schematic section of a part of the submersible of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a portion of the part of Figure 2 on a greatly increased scale.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a submersible including a water-tight hull 1, enclosing forward and aft water-tight compartments 2 and 3 respectively. The forward compartment 2 is occupied by the pilot of the vessel and thus includes all the necessary controls for the ordinary functions of the vessel. The aft compartment 3 is a diver lock out compartment and includes in its bottom wall an opening closable in a water-tight manner by a hatch cover 4.
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The submersible has a pr~pulsion means comprising a main propeller 31 powered by a motor 32. The propulsion means also includes fore and a~t thrusters (33 ~nd 34 respectively) to provide the submersible with the ability to move laterally and twin thrusters (only one of which is shown and denoted by reference numeral 35) to provide the submersible with the ability to move vertically.
A skirt 5 of substantially part-spherical shape and formed of glass fibre reinforced plastics material is removably secured to the hull 1 around the periphery of the opening in a water-tight manner. The skirt 5 has an open end - /' , /
, ~"' ..
- . , -: 5 5 ~
defined by a rim including a resilient sealing arrangement having a sealing surface 5b. The sealing arrangement may be in accordance with our copending patent application 296,030 filed February 2, 1978.
The arrangement whereby the skirt 5 is secured to the hull 1 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. It can be seen that the skirt 5 is effectively secured to trunking flange 6 surrounding the hatch opening by means of a plurality of individual stainless steel dogs 7 arranged around the periphery of the flange 6 and by metal rings 8, 9 and 10.
Ring 8 is formed of stainless steel and rings 9 and 10 are aluminium. Each dog 7 has a lip which fits over the flange 6 of the hatch opening and is secured to the skirt clamping ring 8 by means of stainless steel bolts. That end of the skirt 5 nearest the hatch opening is bifurcated sothat it includes a branched portion 5_ which is bolted to the skirt clamping ring 8 via the segmented clamping rings 9 and 10. The skirt clamping ring includes two O-ringsll and 12, ring 11 sealing the skirt clamping ring 8 to the end of the skirt 5 and ring 12 sealing the skirt clamping ring 8 to the flange 6.
Provided in the diver lock out compartment 3 are the aft trim tanks 13. The location of the trim tanks 13 with respect to the hatch opening is such that the centre of gravity of the water in the trim tanks passes through the centre of the opening and is approximately on the same verti-cal line as the center of gravity of the submersible itself.
A pipe is provided to link the skirt volume with the interior of the compartment 3 and is in the form of a penetration through the hatch and fitted with vent valves VJ on the inside.
A first conduit system is provided to link the volume defined by the skirt 5 with the trim tanks 13. This system comprises a pipe 14 extending from the trim tanks 13 and .
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out through the hull 1 via a pe~letrator (not shown) to commun-icate with a further pipe 15 having one end venting externally of the submersible via a ball valve VA and another end extending via a penetrator (not shown) through the wall of the skirt 5 and 1:erminating in two hull stops in the form o~ ball valves VB and VC. Pipe 14 carries a first branch including decompression valve V63 and communicating ith the atmosphere in the diver lock-out compartment 3 and a second branch incorporating a valve ~3 communicating via a pump P, with the forward trim tank 16 (partly shown in dotted line only in ]?igure 2) contained in the pilot compartment 2. l~ ball valve VF is provided between the first and second branches in pipe 14 to isolate the aft trim tanks 13 and the second branch passes through the water-tight partition between compartments 2 and 3 by way of a penetrator (not shown). Further, pipe 14 includes a hull stop valve V6l and an aft trim fill valve V62 internally of the hull.
The valve VA is mounted l~xternally of the hull and is operated by a double acting hydraulic ram 17 linked to the manifold of the emergency hydraulic system 20 illustrated diagrammatically in dotted line only of the submersible via hydraulic pipes 18 and 19 passing through the hull via penetrators (not shown) and incorporating hull stops in the form of ball valves VM and V~ respectively. Control valves VK and VL are incorporated in the pipes l~ and l9 respectively. A hand pump 21 for the hydraulic system is also provided.
The submersible includes an emergency pressurisation system in the form of a second conduit system extending from a storage sphere of mixed gas (not shown) or from a source of compressed air (not shown) to the skirt volume.
This second conduit system com?rises an external pipe 22.
~t one end this pipe passes through the skirt 5 via a penetrator (not shown) and terminates in hull StDpS in the form of ball valves VD and V~ in the interior of the skirt volume. At its other end, pipe 22 passes through the hull via a penetrator (not shown) ~nd a hull stop in the form of a ball valve VH and then terminates in branches 23 and 24.
Located between the hull stop ball valve VH and the pipe branches are a check valve NRl and a control valve VG. Branch 23 is connected to the storage sphere for mixed gas and branch 24 is connected to the compressed air system of the submersible.
The submersible is normally launched with valves V~, VB, VCJVD and VE in the open position . Air will generally be trapped in the skirt volume upon launching and this should be vented since its presence will reduce the sta~ility of the submersible~ This venting is effected via valves VA, VB
and VC so that the air may pass from the skirt volume 5 along pipe 15 and out of valve VA (valves V61 and V62 being closed at this time). In this way, water will enter the skirt volume up until the level of valve ~'C. The residual air trapped in the upper portion of the skirt volume between valve VC and the hatch 4 is vented into compartment 3 by means of valves VJ.
In use of the submers:ihle to transfer personnel to or from a sub-sea chamber, the .,ubmersible is submerged in conventional manner and manonuvred by the pilot using the t~rusters 33, 34, and 3.s and pro~eller 31 of the submersible until the skirt is in its mating position .
.
J ~ ~ ~
with respect to the sub-sea chamber i.e. the open end of the skirt 5 is in alignment with a hatch within a mating seat provided in the outer wall of the sub-sea chamber and the sealing surface 5b is coplanar with the mating seat of the sub-sea chamber. At this stage, as a safety precaution, the second conduit system should be pressurised up to the hull stop VH by opening valve VG. ~ith the valve VA closed, the hull stop ~61 and the aft trim fill valve V62 are opened.
Because of the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure in the compartment 3 and the ambient pressure in the skirt u~ume, water will flow from the skirt volume through the pipes 15 and 14 and into the aft trim tanks 13. Thus the downward force of the submersible is increased and the submersible is urged towards the sub-sea chamber. Because of the symmetrical distribution of the aft trim tanks 13 about the centre of gravity, the increased downward force occurs without significantly upset~ng the trim of the submersible. Once the sealing surface 5b of the skirt is sealingly engaged with the mating seat of the sub-sea chamber, th~e will be a rapi(l decrease in pressure in the skirt volume as the water flows into the aft trim tanks 13.
When the seal has been obtained, and the pressure in the skirt volume has ~come substantiaily equal to the pressure in compartment 3 i.e. substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, the valves V61 and V62 are closed. The pressure difference between the skirt volume 5 and the ambient pressure serves to clamp the submersible tightly against the sub-sea chamber. In the event that~ after depressurising, the pressure in the compartment 3 is slightly lower than that in the skirt _9_ volume 5 due to the water remaining in the external pipework 15, this can be eliminated by opening valve VJ. The hatch 4 can then be opened and personnel can transfer into the skirt volume 5. At this stage, the skirt will still contain water and this can be drained down into the sub-sea chamber or alternatively be pumped out into the surrounding body of water. It is then possible to make a dry transfer from the compartment 3 into the sub-sea chamber or vice versa.
After the transfer has been completed and it is desired to separate the submersible and the sub-sea chamber, then it is necessary to re-pressurise the skirt volume after the hatch 4 has been closed so that the pressure in the skirt volume is substantially equal to the ambient pressure.
Ordinarily, this is done by filling the skirt vo~ume with water. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this is effected by pumping back into the skirt volume the water which was drained down into the sub-sea chamber followed by opening valve VA (whilst valves V61 and V62 are closed) in order to open the skirt volume to the surrounding body of wàter and thereby increase the pressure in the skirt to ambient pressure. In this case, there may be provided, within the skirt, an electrical connector (not shown) to connect the electric power supply of the submersible to the electric pump in the sub-sea chamber. The skirt volume may however be flooded directly from the sea by opening valve VA whilst valves V61 and V62 are closed. In this case the air in the skirt volume is displaced in-to compartment 3 via valves VJ
by the incoming water and co~partment 3 is subsequently depressurised when the submersible is at the suriace by opening valve V63 when valves V61 and V62 are open.
After pressurisation has been completed, it may be necessary to provide an overpressure in the skirt volume in order to break the seal. This can be achieved by closing valves VA and VFJopening valves V61, V62 and ~, and pumping water into the skirt volume from the forward trim v~8 tank 16 via pump P. Thereafter valves V61, V62 and VC8 should be closed and valves VA and VF should be opened.
Once the seal has been broken, control valve VG can be closed since the emergency pressurisation system will not then be needed.
In the event that a rapid separation is clesired in an emergency this can be effect:ed by ensuring that valves V61, V62, and VA are closed and then opening valve V~I (valves VD and VE already being open).In this way, either mixed gas from the storage sphere or compressed air can be rapidly introducecd into the skirt volume to rapidly pressurise the -same. Once the seal has been broken, valve VA should then be opened.
In the event that valve VA should fail in the closed position, the skirt volume can be pressurised with valve ~/S~
VF closed and valves ~, V61, V62 and V59 open to allow seawater to enter the skirt volurne via pipes 1~ and 15.
According to the present invention there is provided a submersible or like vessel comprising propulsion means to enable the vessel to be positioned in a desired location, a tank to receive water, a compartment having water tight external walls including an opening and a water tight closure for the opening, and a means facilitating personnel and/or equipment transfer between said compartment and a sub-surface chamber having a hatch, said means comprising:-(i) an open ended skirt depending from the walls so as to surround said opening, and (ii) a conduit system connecting the tank and the volume ; defined by the skirt whereby said volume can be .
. depressurised by allowing water to pass from said volume to said tank.
. . In use, the vessel is manoeuvred by its propulsion .~ . means until the skirt is in alig nment with the hatch in the sub-surface chamber. Then, the skirt volume is depressurised by means of eaid conduit system so that the ambient water pressure ~
: . ,, - , ,. ..
.
, , '' ' ' / ,' ' , v ~ ~
causes the vessel to be urged towards the chamber so that the mating surface of the skirt is sealingly engaged with a mating seat located around the sub-surface chamber hatch. The water in the skirt 701urne will then be at a pressure equivalent to the hydrostatic head in the skirt volume and thus personnel working in or passing through that water will not be subjected to full ambient pressure. Alternatively, the water within the skirt volume may be removed so that personne:L may work, or transfer, in dry conditions. In this case the water may be pumped to the surrounding water or, in a particularly preferred embodiment, drained into the subsurface chamber.
In a particularly prefer:red embodiment, the skirt is detachably secured to the vessel wall. In this way the skirt can be removed when it is desired to use the vessel for, for example, survey work and quickly and easily attached to the vessel when it is desired to transfer personnel and/or equipment to a sub-surface chamber.
When the transfer of personnel and/or equipment has been completed and it is desired to separate the submersible from the sub-surface chamber, the skirt volume has to be pressurised. This can be effected by allowing water to enter the skirt volume from the surrounding body of water via the aforementioned conduit system. Alternatively the water used for pressurisation may be the aforementioned water drained into the sub-sea chamber. In this case, after the water has been pumped into the skirt volume from the 5 ~
sub-sea chamber, the skirt volume should be opened up to the surrounding body of ~ater so as to raise the pressure in the skirt volume to the ambient pressure.
In order to assis~in separating the submersible from the sub-sea chamber, a means is preferably provided to pump water into the skirt via said conduit system so as to overpressurise the skirt volwne.
In a further embodiment it is particularly preferred to provide an emergency means for pressurising the skirt volume. In this case, a second conduit system may be provided linking the gas storage tanks or the compressed air supply of the submersible with the skirt volume.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a partly sectioned side elevation ofa submersible in accordance with the present invention, Figur 2 is a schematic section of a part of the submersible of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a portion of the part of Figure 2 on a greatly increased scale.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a submersible including a water-tight hull 1, enclosing forward and aft water-tight compartments 2 and 3 respectively. The forward compartment 2 is occupied by the pilot of the vessel and thus includes all the necessary controls for the ordinary functions of the vessel. The aft compartment 3 is a diver lock out compartment and includes in its bottom wall an opening closable in a water-tight manner by a hatch cover 4.
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12I~JZ
The submersible has a pr~pulsion means comprising a main propeller 31 powered by a motor 32. The propulsion means also includes fore and a~t thrusters (33 ~nd 34 respectively) to provide the submersible with the ability to move laterally and twin thrusters (only one of which is shown and denoted by reference numeral 35) to provide the submersible with the ability to move vertically.
A skirt 5 of substantially part-spherical shape and formed of glass fibre reinforced plastics material is removably secured to the hull 1 around the periphery of the opening in a water-tight manner. The skirt 5 has an open end - /' , /
, ~"' ..
- . , -: 5 5 ~
defined by a rim including a resilient sealing arrangement having a sealing surface 5b. The sealing arrangement may be in accordance with our copending patent application 296,030 filed February 2, 1978.
The arrangement whereby the skirt 5 is secured to the hull 1 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. It can be seen that the skirt 5 is effectively secured to trunking flange 6 surrounding the hatch opening by means of a plurality of individual stainless steel dogs 7 arranged around the periphery of the flange 6 and by metal rings 8, 9 and 10.
Ring 8 is formed of stainless steel and rings 9 and 10 are aluminium. Each dog 7 has a lip which fits over the flange 6 of the hatch opening and is secured to the skirt clamping ring 8 by means of stainless steel bolts. That end of the skirt 5 nearest the hatch opening is bifurcated sothat it includes a branched portion 5_ which is bolted to the skirt clamping ring 8 via the segmented clamping rings 9 and 10. The skirt clamping ring includes two O-ringsll and 12, ring 11 sealing the skirt clamping ring 8 to the end of the skirt 5 and ring 12 sealing the skirt clamping ring 8 to the flange 6.
Provided in the diver lock out compartment 3 are the aft trim tanks 13. The location of the trim tanks 13 with respect to the hatch opening is such that the centre of gravity of the water in the trim tanks passes through the centre of the opening and is approximately on the same verti-cal line as the center of gravity of the submersible itself.
A pipe is provided to link the skirt volume with the interior of the compartment 3 and is in the form of a penetration through the hatch and fitted with vent valves VJ on the inside.
A first conduit system is provided to link the volume defined by the skirt 5 with the trim tanks 13. This system comprises a pipe 14 extending from the trim tanks 13 and .
.~ , .
out through the hull 1 via a pe~letrator (not shown) to commun-icate with a further pipe 15 having one end venting externally of the submersible via a ball valve VA and another end extending via a penetrator (not shown) through the wall of the skirt 5 and 1:erminating in two hull stops in the form o~ ball valves VB and VC. Pipe 14 carries a first branch including decompression valve V63 and communicating ith the atmosphere in the diver lock-out compartment 3 and a second branch incorporating a valve ~3 communicating via a pump P, with the forward trim tank 16 (partly shown in dotted line only in ]?igure 2) contained in the pilot compartment 2. l~ ball valve VF is provided between the first and second branches in pipe 14 to isolate the aft trim tanks 13 and the second branch passes through the water-tight partition between compartments 2 and 3 by way of a penetrator (not shown). Further, pipe 14 includes a hull stop valve V6l and an aft trim fill valve V62 internally of the hull.
The valve VA is mounted l~xternally of the hull and is operated by a double acting hydraulic ram 17 linked to the manifold of the emergency hydraulic system 20 illustrated diagrammatically in dotted line only of the submersible via hydraulic pipes 18 and 19 passing through the hull via penetrators (not shown) and incorporating hull stops in the form of ball valves VM and V~ respectively. Control valves VK and VL are incorporated in the pipes l~ and l9 respectively. A hand pump 21 for the hydraulic system is also provided.
The submersible includes an emergency pressurisation system in the form of a second conduit system extending from a storage sphere of mixed gas (not shown) or from a source of compressed air (not shown) to the skirt volume.
This second conduit system com?rises an external pipe 22.
~t one end this pipe passes through the skirt 5 via a penetrator (not shown) and terminates in hull StDpS in the form of ball valves VD and V~ in the interior of the skirt volume. At its other end, pipe 22 passes through the hull via a penetrator (not shown) ~nd a hull stop in the form of a ball valve VH and then terminates in branches 23 and 24.
Located between the hull stop ball valve VH and the pipe branches are a check valve NRl and a control valve VG. Branch 23 is connected to the storage sphere for mixed gas and branch 24 is connected to the compressed air system of the submersible.
The submersible is normally launched with valves V~, VB, VCJVD and VE in the open position . Air will generally be trapped in the skirt volume upon launching and this should be vented since its presence will reduce the sta~ility of the submersible~ This venting is effected via valves VA, VB
and VC so that the air may pass from the skirt volume 5 along pipe 15 and out of valve VA (valves V61 and V62 being closed at this time). In this way, water will enter the skirt volume up until the level of valve ~'C. The residual air trapped in the upper portion of the skirt volume between valve VC and the hatch 4 is vented into compartment 3 by means of valves VJ.
In use of the submers:ihle to transfer personnel to or from a sub-sea chamber, the .,ubmersible is submerged in conventional manner and manonuvred by the pilot using the t~rusters 33, 34, and 3.s and pro~eller 31 of the submersible until the skirt is in its mating position .
.
J ~ ~ ~
with respect to the sub-sea chamber i.e. the open end of the skirt 5 is in alignment with a hatch within a mating seat provided in the outer wall of the sub-sea chamber and the sealing surface 5b is coplanar with the mating seat of the sub-sea chamber. At this stage, as a safety precaution, the second conduit system should be pressurised up to the hull stop VH by opening valve VG. ~ith the valve VA closed, the hull stop ~61 and the aft trim fill valve V62 are opened.
Because of the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure in the compartment 3 and the ambient pressure in the skirt u~ume, water will flow from the skirt volume through the pipes 15 and 14 and into the aft trim tanks 13. Thus the downward force of the submersible is increased and the submersible is urged towards the sub-sea chamber. Because of the symmetrical distribution of the aft trim tanks 13 about the centre of gravity, the increased downward force occurs without significantly upset~ng the trim of the submersible. Once the sealing surface 5b of the skirt is sealingly engaged with the mating seat of the sub-sea chamber, th~e will be a rapi(l decrease in pressure in the skirt volume as the water flows into the aft trim tanks 13.
When the seal has been obtained, and the pressure in the skirt volume has ~come substantiaily equal to the pressure in compartment 3 i.e. substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, the valves V61 and V62 are closed. The pressure difference between the skirt volume 5 and the ambient pressure serves to clamp the submersible tightly against the sub-sea chamber. In the event that~ after depressurising, the pressure in the compartment 3 is slightly lower than that in the skirt _9_ volume 5 due to the water remaining in the external pipework 15, this can be eliminated by opening valve VJ. The hatch 4 can then be opened and personnel can transfer into the skirt volume 5. At this stage, the skirt will still contain water and this can be drained down into the sub-sea chamber or alternatively be pumped out into the surrounding body of water. It is then possible to make a dry transfer from the compartment 3 into the sub-sea chamber or vice versa.
After the transfer has been completed and it is desired to separate the submersible and the sub-sea chamber, then it is necessary to re-pressurise the skirt volume after the hatch 4 has been closed so that the pressure in the skirt volume is substantially equal to the ambient pressure.
Ordinarily, this is done by filling the skirt vo~ume with water. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this is effected by pumping back into the skirt volume the water which was drained down into the sub-sea chamber followed by opening valve VA (whilst valves V61 and V62 are closed) in order to open the skirt volume to the surrounding body of wàter and thereby increase the pressure in the skirt to ambient pressure. In this case, there may be provided, within the skirt, an electrical connector (not shown) to connect the electric power supply of the submersible to the electric pump in the sub-sea chamber. The skirt volume may however be flooded directly from the sea by opening valve VA whilst valves V61 and V62 are closed. In this case the air in the skirt volume is displaced in-to compartment 3 via valves VJ
by the incoming water and co~partment 3 is subsequently depressurised when the submersible is at the suriace by opening valve V63 when valves V61 and V62 are open.
After pressurisation has been completed, it may be necessary to provide an overpressure in the skirt volume in order to break the seal. This can be achieved by closing valves VA and VFJopening valves V61, V62 and ~, and pumping water into the skirt volume from the forward trim v~8 tank 16 via pump P. Thereafter valves V61, V62 and VC8 should be closed and valves VA and VF should be opened.
Once the seal has been broken, control valve VG can be closed since the emergency pressurisation system will not then be needed.
In the event that a rapid separation is clesired in an emergency this can be effect:ed by ensuring that valves V61, V62, and VA are closed and then opening valve V~I (valves VD and VE already being open).In this way, either mixed gas from the storage sphere or compressed air can be rapidly introducecd into the skirt volume to rapidly pressurise the -same. Once the seal has been broken, valve VA should then be opened.
In the event that valve VA should fail in the closed position, the skirt volume can be pressurised with valve ~/S~
VF closed and valves ~, V61, V62 and V59 open to allow seawater to enter the skirt volurne via pipes 1~ and 15.
Claims (9)
1. A submersible or like vessel comprising (a) propulsion means to enable the vessel to be positioned in a desired location, (b) a tank to receive water, (c) a compartment having water tight external walls including an opening and a water tight closure for the opening, and (d) a means facilitating personnel and/or equipment transfer between said compartment and a sub-surface chamber having a hatch, said means comprising:-(i) an open ended skirt depending from the walls so as to surround said opening, and (ii) a conduit system connecting the tank and the volume defined by the skirt whereby said volume can be depressurised by allowing water to pass from said volume to said tank.
2. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said tank is a trim tank of the vessel.
3. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim 1 and including a means to pump water from the skirt volume into the surrounding body of water so that when the open end of the skirt is sealingly engaged against the chamber the transfer may be effected in dry conditions.
4. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim 1, and including a means to allow water to enter the skirt volume from the surrounding body of water.
5. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim4 wherein the means to allow water to enter the skirt volume comprises a valve permitting water to flow from the surrounding body of water into said conduit system and thence into the skirt volume.
6. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim 1 and including a means to increase the pressure in the skirt volume.
7. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said means to increase the pressure comprises a pump for transferring water from a tank in the vessel into said conduit system and thence into the skirt volume.
8. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said means to increase the pressure comprises a source of compressed air and/or other gas and a further conduit system for conveying the same from the source to the skirt volume.
9. A submersible or like vessel as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the skirt is detachably secured to the vessel.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB4767/77A GB1600291A (en) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-02-04 | Vessels |
| GB4767/77 | 1977-02-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1112952A true CA1112952A (en) | 1981-11-24 |
Family
ID=9783415
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA296,031A Expired CA1112952A (en) | 1977-02-04 | 1978-02-02 | Vessels |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS53119587A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7800743A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1112952A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2379428A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1600291A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT7820020A0 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7801196A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO780394L (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7801287L (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5816480Y2 (en) * | 1978-11-16 | 1983-04-02 | 三井造船株式会社 | underwater diving pool |
| RU2276647C1 (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2006-05-20 | Федеральное Государственное Унитарное Предприятие "Санкт-Петербургское Морское Бюро Машиностроения "Малахит" | Submersible rescue vehicle |
| RU2522803C1 (en) * | 2012-12-06 | 2014-07-20 | Открытое акционерное общество "Центральное конструкторское бюро "Лазурит" | Versatile removable transport-rescue attachment |
| RU2531685C1 (en) * | 2013-02-26 | 2014-10-27 | Открытое акционерное общество "Центральное конструкторское бюро "Лазурит" | Detachable transfer-and-rescue hardware set to be engaged with submarine retractable device guard |
| RU2541027C1 (en) * | 2013-12-05 | 2015-02-10 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия имени Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Method of crew evacuation from emergency submarine |
| RU2681479C1 (en) * | 2017-10-19 | 2019-03-06 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия им. Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Underwater object with transport module for external transfer of people and cargo |
| RU2736236C2 (en) * | 2018-12-18 | 2020-11-12 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия им. Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Rescue underwater vehicle |
| RU2746183C1 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2021-04-08 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия им. Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Multifunctional module of operational transport interconnection of underwater / under-ice and surface objects |
| RU2754166C1 (en) * | 2020-11-03 | 2021-08-30 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия им. Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Underwater rescue vehicle with an immersion depth stabilizer without a stroke |
| RU205071U1 (en) * | 2020-12-02 | 2021-06-25 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия им. Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Landing and suction chamber of an underwater rescue vehicle |
| RU2764140C1 (en) * | 2020-12-07 | 2022-01-13 | Акционерное общество "Центральное конструкторское бюро "Лазурит" | Diving and rescue deep-sea vehicle |
| RU2761043C1 (en) * | 2021-02-24 | 2021-12-02 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия им. Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Underwater rescue vehicle |
| RU204608U1 (en) * | 2021-02-24 | 2021-06-01 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-Морского Флота "Военно-морская академия им. Адмирала Флота Советского Союза Н.Г. Кузнецова" | Rescue underwater vehicle with landing and suction camera |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2171546A5 (en) * | 1972-02-04 | 1973-09-21 | Alinat Jean |
-
1977
- 1977-02-04 GB GB4767/77A patent/GB1600291A/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-02-02 NL NL7801196A patent/NL7801196A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-02-02 CA CA296,031A patent/CA1112952A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-02-03 SE SE7801287A patent/SE7801287L/en unknown
- 1978-02-03 NO NO780394A patent/NO780394L/en unknown
- 1978-02-03 BR BR7800743A patent/BR7800743A/en unknown
- 1978-02-03 JP JP1065178A patent/JPS53119587A/en active Pending
- 1978-02-06 IT IT7820020A patent/IT7820020A0/en unknown
- 1978-02-06 FR FR7803213A patent/FR2379428A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB1600291A (en) | 1981-10-14 |
| SE7801287L (en) | 1978-08-05 |
| FR2379428A1 (en) | 1978-09-01 |
| IT7820020A0 (en) | 1978-02-06 |
| NO780394L (en) | 1978-08-07 |
| JPS53119587A (en) | 1978-10-19 |
| NL7801196A (en) | 1978-08-08 |
| BR7800743A (en) | 1978-09-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |