Abstract: A buoyant element for conferring buoyancy on a subsea structure or apparatus has a floodable envelope that contains a mass of buoyant spheres and a void extending between the spheres. Openings penetrate the envelope, in fluid communication with the void. One or more one destruction devices are arranged to destroy at least one of the spheres within the envelope in use. After the envelope has been submerged and flooded to fill the void between the spheres with water, the destruction devices are imploded to create shockwaves that expand the void by sympathetic implosion of the spheres. Additional water is admitted into the envelope through the openings to fill the expanding void, thereby ballasting the buoyant element.

Abstract: A water lantern for floating on water with an LED candle is provided. The water lantern includes a base, dowel rods and a curtain. The base is designed with a tiered structure extending to a top surface with apertures formed therein to receive the dowel rods and a central recess for receiving the LED candle. The curtain is removably positioned over the base with the dowel rods maintaining the curtain in an expanded open position. The tiered structure of the base enhances the floating stability of the water lantern while also holding the LED candle above the water level to protect the LED candle from splashing water.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing an abandoned marine platform from a seabed. The platform extends below the seabed mud line. In order to remove the platform, a frame is provided having a perimeter that surrounds an open center. The frame is lowered over the platform wherein the platform occupies the open center portion. A movable cutter cable is fitted to the frame. At least a part of the cutter cable is positioned below the mud line. The cutter is moved relative to the frame to cut the platform below the mud line. Such movement can be a back and forth movement wherein the cutter cable moves in a first direction, stops and then moves in a second direction that is generally opposite the first direction. A lifting device can employ two vessels and two frames, each frame bridging from one vessel to the other. Winches on the vessel can be used to provide movement to the cutter cable. These same winches can take up cable slack as cutting moves from one platform member (e.g.

Abstract: A spraying heat preservation vapor supplying device comprises: a heat preservation boiler having an inner chamber, an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber and a compartment layer separating the inner chamber from the outer chamber; a high heat capacity material filled in the outer chamber; a heater connected to the heat preservation boiler and heating the high heat capacity material, heat of the high heat capacity material being transferred to the inner chamber through the compartment layer; a supplier tube having a first end disposed in the inner chamber; a liquid source connected to a second end of the supplier tube and supplying a liquid to the inner chamber through the supplier tube to absorb heat of the inner chamber so that a vapor is generated; and a vapor outlet connected to the inner chamber and outputting the vapor. A generator apparatus using the vapor supplying device is also provided.

Abstract: An energy capturing system includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a spacer element, a pressurization device, an energy capturing device and a pressure stabilizing device. The first chamber and the second chamber are adapted to contain a liquid. The spacer element is located between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber is connected with the first chamber via an opening of the spacer element. Two ends of the pressurization device are connected with the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. The energy capturing device is located on the opening. The pressure stabilizing device is connected with the first chamber.

Abstract: A method of using a buoyancy fluid presenting density that is less than that of sea water, and that is confined in a rigid or flexible leaktight casing, so as to constitute an immersed buoyancy element, wherein the buoyancy fluid is a compound that is naturally in a gaseous state at ambient atmospheric temperature and pressure, and in a liquid state at the underwater depth to which the buoyancy element is immersed. A method is also disclosed for placing a buoyancy element in place between the surface and the bed of the sea, wherein fluid is stored in a tank on a surface ship as a liquid in the cooled or compressed liquid state, and is injected in the liquid state into a pipe from the surface where it is stored to an immersed casing at an underwater depth at which the underwater pressure is not greater than the vapor pressure of the gas corresponding to the compound at the temperature at the depth.

Abstract: The Device object of the present invention is a solid rocket motor integrated into a propulsion system. The system is designed to be effective for most type of transportation including airplanes, submarines, trains, and ships, such as oil tankers. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Provided are a salvage container and a salvaging method capable of salvaging ammunition dumped into the sea using a simple configuration while more reliably suppressing the leakage of a chemical agent from the ammunition. A salvage container includes: a container body (30); a lid (40) that blocks an opening portion of the container body (30); a gasket (70) that is formed of a compressively deformable member and that blocks a gap between an inner side surface (33) of the container body (30) and the lid (40) from the outer side in a specific direction; and a gasket presser (50) that clamps the gasket (70) between the gasket presser (50) and the lid (40).

Abstract: The invention relates to a deep-sea device for recovering at least one deep-sea object, in particular at least one organism and/or cell material. The deep-sea device comprises a capturing system (14) for accommodating at least one deep-sea object, and a drive unit (16) for driving the deep-sea device. The deep-sea device is designed and equipped in particular to be advanced at least in sections substantially in the buoyancy direction (Ar) toward the water surface. The deep-sea device is designed in particular like a torpedo.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a conduit to relatively inaccessible structures, for example, oil tanks on submerged ships. The method involves providing a conduit with a neck, temporarily securing the conduit to the surface, for example by means of magnets, etc, drilling a hole through the structure and passing the neck of the conduit through the hole in the structure, and passing an expander device through the neck of the conduit through the hole in the structure to widen a portion of the internal passage of the conduit in the region of the neck.

Abstract: A method of using a buoyancy fluid presenting density that is less than that of sea water, and that is confined in a rigid or flexible leaktight casing, so as to constitute an immersed buoyancy element, wherein the buoyancy fluid is a compound that is naturally in the gaseous state at ambient atmospheric temperature and pressure, and in the liquid state at the underwater depth to which the buoyancy element is immersed. The present invention also relates to a method of putting a buoyancy element into place between the surface and the bed of the sea, wherein the fluid is stored in a tank on a surface ship as a liquid in the cooled or compressed liquid state, and it is injected in the liquid state into a pipe from the surface where it is stored to an said immersed casing at an underwater depth at which the underwater pressure is not greater than the vapor pressure of the gas corresponding to the compound at the temperature at the depth.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of receiving a present route for a vehicle based on a present vehicle location and a vehicle destination, receiving obstacle information from a sensor of a sensor array, the received obstacle information including information about at least one moving obstacle, and determining if the received present route is valid based upon the received obstacle information. If the received present route is invalid, the method determines a revised route based upon the received present route, the received obstacle information, and/or the vehicle destination. A system incorporating the method may include a sensor array, a communication link, a processing module, and a navigation module. The system and method may be used to control the route of a vehicle such as an unmanned surface vehicle that may be land-based, water-based, or air-based.

Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

Abstract: A device for lifting a seagoing construction such as a drilling rig, which device comprises one or more floater bodies, one or more beam-like lifting members supported movably on a floater body and running parallel or practically parallel to each other, wherein the or each lifting member is supported on at least two support points of the floater body, at least one of which is adjustable in height direction, and the end part of the lifting member lying outside the floater body has a pressure point which is in contact with the construction for lifting, this such that the seagoing construction can be easily connected to the end of the lifting member without this construction suffering damage as a result of the sea swell.

Abstract: A device and method for raising sunken objects such as crates, small boats, vessels and ships including a platform equipped with winches to lower down a basket net and a frame supporting a cryogenic apparatus to the vicinity of the object. The cryogenic apparatus is adapted to pump surrounding water through a freezing unit to reduce its temperature to below freezing and then form a stream of overcooled water directed over the sunken object to form a layer of ice about it. The basket net contains provisions to allow its closure under the object once it is lifted off the sea floor. Once enough ice is formed, the object is lifted to the surface. On average, the capacity of the cryogenic apparatus is such that a 1 ton object can be lifted in about 3 hours. Remote monitoring and control means are provided for the operator to observe and direct the operation of the device. The device is especially advantageous in dealing with explosive objects such as old and unwanted sea mines, torpedoes and alike.

Abstract: A system for recovering petroleum products such as oil from a sunken oil transportation vessel. The system includes first and second flexible conduits communicating with the oil-containing compartments. The conduits are released upon the vessel becoming submerged. The free ends of the conduits are connected respectively to a pump for pumping sea water into the compartment to displace the oil. The second conduit is connected to a recovery container on the surface. The displaced oil is forced through the second conduit to the recovery container. The recovery container is, in the preferred embodiment, provided on a fleet or network of recovery vessels which then transport the recovered oil to port for off-loading. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible conduits are associated with a float which releases or carries the conduits to the surface so that underwater recovery operations are minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting fluent material from a container, for example to remove oil or toxic fluid from a submerged or sunken container, e.g., a tank in a sunken ship, has a device for locating (29) and securing (21, 27) the apparatus against a wall of such a container, a device for forming an aperture in the wall (15, 17), a device for extracting the fluid through the aperture, and a closure device for the aperture. Preferably the apparatus has two parts, a first upper module (1) comprising a driving device and a drilling or milling device (17) for making an aperture in the wall, and a second lower module (4), comprising the closure device (12) operable mechanically or hydraulically by the first module. The first and second modules are releasably connected together and can be separated under control of the first module. The apparatus is moved into position by thruster drive units (29) and may be guided remotely from a remote monitor connected to a video camera mounted on the apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible envelope, of fabric, plastic sheet or similar material, is made buoyant by being filled with water of lower salinity than the surrounding medium, and used to lift loads underwater. The lift can be generated in situ by pumping water into the envelope after it has been attached to the load through a hose form the surface, and reduced by either releasing the water from within the envelope or pumping it back to the surface again. By combining these two operations, the lift can be exactly controlled. Several envelopes can be used to lift a single load, and the load itself can be made up of small objects placed in a suitable container by other means. The envelopes may be towed into position, or may be provided with their own means of propulsion.

Abstract: A novel stable inflatable or inflated sail board is provided. The sailboard includes a plurality of discrete, gas-fillable or gas-filled, elongated chambers, each chamber having a top skin and a bottom skin, each chamber, when inflated being sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape without any additional support, and to provide a flat bottom surface for contact with water, the chambers being integrally united to provide an elongated float which is of greater length than width. The sailboard also includes a supporting and stiffening rigid frame comprising a plurality of frame sections which are interconnectable with each other in a longitudinal direction, the frame supporting the floatation member and providing additional stiffness and resistance to fore-and-aft bending and torsion.

Abstract: Mechanically cooperating assemblies on an undersea vehicle and an instrumation target assure the making of a rigid coupling for passing electrical, optical or fluid information between the vehicle and the instrumentation and reduce the complexity of such a coupling from a three-dimensional to a two-dimensional maneuver by the vehicle. An undersea vehicle locates a pair of spaced-apart vertical cables which are attached to an instrumentation target assembly and engages them anywhere along their length with a converging grabber assembly mounted on the forward moving underwater vehicle. After engaging the cables, the grabber assembly merely slides along the cables toward the instrumentation target assembly.

Abstract: A submersible grappling system is designed for retrieving objects, such as, golf balls from the bottom or floor of a body of water and is made up of a tubular housing, a bladder at one end of the housing, finger-like retrieval elements at the opposite end of the housing and a gear column which serves to interconnect the bladder and retrieval elements so that when the gear column is driven in one direction, it will cause the bladder to be compressed within the upper end of the housing while forcing the retrieval elements downwardly and outwardly into surrounding relation to an object to be retrieved, and when the gear column is driven in the opposite direction will cause the bladder to be expanded upwardly away from the housing to increase the effective buoyancy while causing the retrieval elements to be retracted around the object and drawn upwardly into the housing.

Abstract: A neutral buoyancy device, (NBD), includes a lift volume container, load suspension straps, control mechanism, handle, self-closing intake and exhaust valves and valve actuators. A high pressure air source is provided by attaching a pressure cylinder to the NBD or from the surface. The handle is attached to the control mechanism, which is positioned between the lift volume container and load. The control mechanism senses any net difference in lift and load forces and causes the intake valve to open automatically when the load increases, (or as the air volume and lift decrease during descent), and the exhaust valve to open automatically when the load decreases, (or as the air volume and lift increase during ascent). Both valves are self-closing. The user grasps the handle and is able to load or unload the NBD, or transport the load up, down or sideways underwater while neutral buoyancy is automatically maintained.

Abstract: In a lift device used by divers to bring objects from the bottom to the top of a body of water, this invention eliminates the need for a second bag. This is accomplished by combining the lifting and the carrying bag into one unit. The bags are combined in such a manner as to allow easy upright top loading, and to allow the bag to float while loading. It also allows for easy loading and dumping. The strapping devise connecting the bags at the bottom keeps the bags in a relative position to each other allowing the unit to float upright at any level, whether on the bottom or the surface of the water.

Abstract: A method and a system for raising a sunken vessel by positioning cryogenic piping around and within the sunken vessel so that an ice mass forms integral with the vessel and the vessel is raised to the surface of the water by action of the buoyancy of the ice mass.

Abstract: A salvage apparatus is provided which includes a bellows type drum contai. The container includes a flexible skirt which is generally tubular with top and bottom ends. The container further includes a pair of rigid plates, one of the plates being sealably mounted to the top of the skirt and the other plate being sealably being mounted to the bottom of the skirt. It is important that the lateral area of each plate substantially encompass the lateral expanded area of the respective skirt end. A plurality of controllable valves are provided for selectively opening and closing the passage of fluid. One of these valves is located in the bottom plate for selectively allowing the passage of water into or out of the container and another valve is located through the container for selectively introducing pressurized air into the container. A relief valve is also located through the container for relieving air from the container when the inside and outside differential pressure has exceeded a predetermined level.

Abstract: An inert gas supply system suitable for salvaging a damaged oil tanker comprises an inert gas generator (1), a pressurizing blower (5), piping (3, 12), at least one combined purge pipe, pressure indicator and pressure vacuum release device (4) and at least one set of seals and isolating tanks.The system may be used for reducing hydrocarbon gas accumulations on a damaged tanker to safe levels, pressurizing damaged tanks to improve buoyancy, and maintaining non-flammable atmospheres during off-loading of cargo or discharge of ballast.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring fluent material such as a liquid or gas from a chamber in which it is contained into a receiving chamber, at least one of said chambers having rigid metallic walls and being inaccessible for the use of conventional transfer means, said two chambers being connected by means such as a hose extending between one of said chambers and a hollow body sealedly attached onto the wall of the other chamber, and means for creating an orifice in the wall of said other chamber to permit the passage of a liquid or gas therethrough; pumping means to activate such transfer; and other means for the retrieval of said apparatus.

Abstract: A light-walled portable casing, filled with a hydraulic fluid, contains a gh-pressure water pump driven by a hydraulic fluid-driven motor. An externally-carried, suction-type gripper member engages the work object. Pumping evacuated seawater from the engaged surface to establish a secure differential-pressure hold-down force. A pressurized source of hydraulic fluid is applied through the casing to the motor. Fluid discharges from the motor directly into the casing to establish an interior casing pressure that pressure compensates the light-walled structure. Seawater evacuation eventually stalls the motor. When leakage occurs, pumping immediately resumes.

Abstract: A work arm system for a submergible chamber wherein a plurality of work arms are rotatably mounted to the chamber and are retractably extensible, so as to provide a plurality of tools for work at a subsea station, such as an offshore wellhead station. One arm is provided with tool mounts at opposite ends, both ends being retractably extensible so that each end may alternatively be disposed to the subsea station. The present work arm system permits several work functions to be performed without resurfacing of the chamber.