US3843184A

US3843184A - Underwater search and salvage system

Info

Publication number: US3843184A
Application number: US00271064A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Horton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-12
Filing date: 1972-07-12
Publication date: 1974-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-22

Abstract

A system for marine search and salvage operation wherein sensing and grappling means are suspended by a pipe string from a surface vessel.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Horton, III Oct. 22, 1974 [54] UNDERWATER SEARCH AND SALVAGE 2,211,278 8/1940 LeFebvre 248/45 S S 2,355,086 8/1944 Lang..... 294/66 A 3,066,805 12/1962 Sullivan 214/1 CM 6] Inventor: Edward t 85 3,147,993 9/1964 Broderson 294/88 Vanderlip Dr., Portugese Bend, 3,194,330 7/1965 Ware 175/321 Calif. 90274 3,247,979 4/1966 Melton et a1. 214/1 CM 3,381,485 5/1968 Crooks et a1. 214/1 CM X [2 1 Filed: J y 1972 3,708,990 1/1973 Crooke 214/1 CM x [21] Appl. No.: 271,064

Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner-James L. Rowland [52] US. Cl. 294/66 A, 114/168, 214/1 CM [51] 1111, c1. 1363c 11/48 $552 Mm Byme Edward [58] Field of Search 294/66 A, 66 R; 3/12; 214/] CM; 114/168; 9/8 R; 61/465, 69;

248/45; 92/177; 175/321 7] ABSTRACT A system for marine search and salvage operation [56] References cued wherein sensing and grappling means are suspended UNITED STATES PATENTS by a pipe string from a surface vessel. 25,955 11/1859 Cummings 92/177 2,066,794 1/1936 Miller 175/321 5 Chums 5 Draw F'gures l UNDERWATER SEARCH AND SALVAGE SYSTEM This invention relates to an improved mechanism which can be used with the system described in US. Pat. No. 3,215,976, Nov. 2, 1965, for the search and recovery of objects from the sea floor.

A principal objective of this invention is to diminish or eliminate the effects of wave-induced vertical motion when a search and salvage mechanism is fixedly supported on the sea floor. The salvage of objects from the sea first requires (1) the location of the object, (2) the attachment of a lifting means to that object; and (3) to raise the object to the surface. Conventional prior art, free-swimming submersibles currently used for salvage operations have a very limited capability to push, pull, rotate, and lift the object which is to be retrieved. For the most part, such submersibles have no means for establishing a fixed reference point from which to work since their position in space is controlled by means of propellers or thrusters working against gravity and current forces, causing them to be in a state of constant motion. These factors diminish the usefulness of such submersibles and they are impractical for close inspection and work. Moreover, free-swimming submersibles normally carry their own power supply in the form of batteries and are thus limited in endurance because of the necessity to return to the surface for re-charging.

Another disadvantage of free-swimming submersibles is that water currents induced by the positioning thrusters discurb the sea floor sediment which produces clouds of fine particles which impair lighting and visibility hindering the searching capability.

In view of the above, a principal objective of this invention is to provide means wherein a fixed point of reference is established by physical contact with the sea floor from which detailed inspection and work can be performed and wherein a connection to the sea floor provides sufficient reaction to the forces required for maneuvering the device.

Another important objective of this invention is to provide means for maneuvering the search and salvage mechanism described herein and its attached search and recovering equipment in relation to a point of reference in such a manner as to preclude the disturbance of sea floor sediment.

A still further objective of this invention is to provide a search and recovery mechanism which receives power directly and continuously from a surface vessel.

Another important objective of this invention is to provide a system having sufficient lifting force to raise anobject, once found, by the apparatus of this invention.

These and other objectives of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the search and salvage mechanism of this invention; and

FIGS. 2-5 are diagrammatic views showing the operation of the system.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts, the search and salvage mechanism of this invention is indicated by the numeral 10. The mechanism is suspended from a surface vessel 12 by a pipe string 14.

Near the lower end of pipe string 14 is a telescopic connection 16 comprised of a cylinder 18 formed with a polygonal chamber 20 which reciprocally receives a piston head 22 having a peripheral surface the complement of chamber 20. Depending downwardly from the piston head 22 is a shaft 24 which terminates in a point at its lower end 26. Connections such as 16 are known as bumper-subs and are well known in the well drilling art. Closely adjacent point 26 is a plate 27 which limits the depth of penetration into the sea floor and which aids in providing vertical support to to the system.

Intermediate the plate 27 and the connection 16 is a linkage system 30 supporting a tool mount 32 at one end for separating the vertical movements of the ship caused by wave action from the mechanism.

A crossbar 34 is secured to pin 24 below the bumpersub 16. Extending from the outer ends thereof is a pair of

stub shafts

36a and 36b. Pivotally mounted on the sub shafts are linkages 38a and 38b which have their other ends pivotally connected to the ends of a pair of linkage members 40a and 40b. A motor 42 is mounted on shaft 36b and is connected to linkage element 38b for moving the

elements

380 and 38b in the arc of arrow A. A second motor 44 is mounted on a pivot pin 39b between

members

38b and 40b for swinging the linkage arms 40a and 40b in the are indicated by the arrow B.

The tool mount 32 includes bracket 46 mounted for rotation on pins 48a and 48b of the outer ends of arms 40a and 40b. A motor 50 is provided for pivoting the bracket to the desired degree of attitude. A grappling mechanism 52 is mounted intermediate the end of bracket 46, the teeth 54 of which are opened and closed by action of a hydraulic jack 56. The mechanism 52 can be rotated about its logitudinal axis by way of an hydraulic motor 58.

On one side of the grappling hook, in the embodiment shown, is a light source and on the other side thereof is a television camera 62. The light 60 and camera 62 comprise the sensor mechanism for the embodiment disclosed. It should be understood that other apparatus such as manipulators, underwater welding equipment, pumps, winches and other sensors, such as magnetometers, sonar, photographic cameras, and the like, could alsobe mounted thereon.

The energy conductor 70, either hydraulic and/or electrical for powering the

motors

42, 44, 50, 58 and 56 are not shown fully extended to each unit so as to not complicate the illustrations. However, it should be understood that these conductors are connected to their respective units prior to lowering from ship 12 and are payed out with the pipeline. Sufficient play'is allowed so that the units will not be hindered in their movements because of conduit length.

In FIG. 2 the assembly 10 is being lowered through a center well of the surface vessel 12 and is suspended by the pipe string 14 from the ships drilling tower. In FIG. 3 the mechanism is suspended just about the sea floor in search of an object. The forward motion of the surface vessel permits the sensors to search systematically an area along the sea fioor. When the object is discovered, the pipe string is lowered to implant pin 26 such position is shown in FIG. 4 insolid lines and another represented by dotted lines.

Once proper inspection and study is completed the claw members 54 can be maneuvered to a position for attachment to the object one wishes to retrieve. The object can be lifted from the sea floor as seen in FIG. 5.

Several aspects of linkage system 30 should be noted. First of all, due to its ability to change the angle between members 38 and 40, it is collapsible to permit movement vertically through the center-well of the drilling vessel. Secondly, the linkage system permits the drill pipe to move vertically while the sensor elements remain relatively stationary. Further, the sensors are moveable fore and aft relative to the drill type which maintains essentially the same balance. Additionally, the unit can be rotated by rotating the pipe string while the level of the linkage unit and its sensors will remain constant. Thus, a means has been provided whereby the angular position of the sensors is controllable directly from the surface by means of positioning the angular disposition of the drill type. Additionally, the raising and lowering of the drill pipe can position the vertical position of the sensors. Since no propellor or thruster units are utilized, the sediment on the ocean floor is not disturbed and creates no hinderance to searching.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed an effective and efficient embodiment of the invention,

4 -a pointed member at the lower end of said support for penetrating the sea floor;

means for limiting thedepth of penetration of said pointed member,

a vertically slidable coupler means between said pipe string and said support'for reducing the effect of vertical sea surface movements of said ship but which transmits rotary movement to said support from said pipe string;

mounting means for a search and salvage device;

linkage means connected to said support for adjustably supporting said mounting means for vertical and horizontal movement with respect to said support;

actuating means for moving said linkage means horizontally and vertically relative to said support;

whereby said mounting means is rotationally positioned by a rotation of said pipe string and horizontally and vertically positioned by action of said linkage means and said drive means therefor.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linkage means is comprised of a first pair of arms having first ends rotatably secured to said support, a second pair of arms having first ends rotatably secured to the other ends of said first pair of arms and said mounting means is supported on the other ends of said second pair of arms.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for limiting penetration is a radially extending plate-like member carried by said support adjacent said pointed member.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said coupler is comprised of a cylinder having a four-sided chamber and a four-sided piston at the upper end of said support is reciprocally received in said chamber and means for limiting the movement of said piston in said chamber.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises independent power means operably connected to each of said first and second pairs of arms.

Claims

1. An underwater search and salvage system for locating and returning objects from the sea floor comprising a pipe string extending downwardly from a surface ship; a support; a pointed member at the lower end of said support for penetrating the sea floor; means for limiting the depth of penetration of said pointed member, a vertically slidable coupler means between said pipe string and said support for reducing the effect of vertical sea surface movements of said ship but which transmits rotary movement to said support from said pipe string; mounting means for a search and salvage device; linkage means connected to said support for adjustably supporting said mounting means for vertical and horizontal movement with respect to said support; actuating means for moving said linkage means horizontally and vertically relative to said support; whereby said mounting means is rotationally positioned by a rotation of said pipe string and horizontally and vertically positioned by action of said linkage means and said drive means therefor.