Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of a method for adjusting an altitude of variable-buoyancy vehicle, such as an aerostatic balloon. The method includes determining a target mass for a variable-buoyancy vehicle, where the target mass is based on a target altitude for the variable-buoyancy vehicle. Additionally, the method includes adding a first mass to the variable-buoyancy vehicle. The mass added is less than a difference between the target mass and a current mass. The method also includes adding a second mass to the variable-buoyancy vehicle in response to a decrease in an internal pressure of the variable-buoyancy vehicle caused by adding the first mass. Further, adding the second mass makes a current mass of the variable-buoyancy vehicle approximately equal to the target mass.

Abstract: A system for capturing and converting and/or storing wind energy includes a vessel adapted to receive at least one wind machine for capturing wind and a device for converting wind energy to storable energy. A method of adapting a vessel, such as a surplus cargo ship or an oil tanker, for use as a offshore power generating system comprises equipping a vessel with devices for capturing a renewable energy source, positioning the vessel at sea to capture the renewable energy source, converting the renewable energy to a storable energy source, and storing the converted energy, and repositioning the vessel to capture further renewable energy or transport the stored, converted energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting submerged trees at an underwater logging site and for retrieving the cut trees. Once cut, each tree is retrieved to the water surface by an inflatable bag deployed from and inflated by the apparatus. The apparatus includes a control unit positioned on a surface vessel, such as a barge or large boat, and an underwater vessel connected together by an umbilical. Preferably the underwater vessel is a remotely controllable submersible including a grapple for releasably holding each tree to be cut, a saw, a gas supply connectable to a gas source located on the surface vessel, and an air bag deployment and inflation assembly for inflating the air bag and securely attaching it to the tree. The underwater vessel is initially loaded with a plurality of air bags which are stored in a magazine located in the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A device for the transport of loads under water which may be used also as a loading bridge, allows to reach great depths under water and comprises a tank (S), two tanks (Sg) and a float (G) in which the pressure automatically remains equal to the external hydrostatic one, due to a valve (V) with four functions that assures the air volume, predetermined in the loading phase, to be constant inside the tank with the variation of the depth.

Abstract: A buoyancy device is described as comprising one or more buoyancy members, such as inflatable bags, diaphragms, bladders or chambers, for attachment to a structure to be floated or sunk such as a drilling rig. In one embodiment, the buoyancy member comprises a restriction device, such as a substantially rigid tubular, and an inflatable member located substantially within the restriction device, such that the restriction device restricts inflation of the inflatable member. In another embodiment, the buoyancy member comprises a substantially flexible portion and one or more end portions, where the end portions may be dome shaped, the or each end portion being releasably attached to the flexible portion.

Abstract: A dock, for launching and recovery of a lifeboat, rescue boat or like small boat on a vessel, a floating platform or a fixed installation. The boat (14) is normally stored on the dock. The dock is provided with buoyant elements (1) fixed to a frame (3). The boat (14) is supported in a cradle (2) within the frame (3). On launching and recovery of the boat (14), the dock is lowered to a floating position on the surface of the water. In order to fix the boat (14) to the dock, a locking device (9, 15) is provided. By modifying the configuration and size of the buoyant elements, the dock is given rolling and pitching periods which coincide as closely as possible with those of the boat (14). The dock and the boat (14) will thereby behave in approximately the same manner in the water, which makes it relatively simple to run the boat (14) into the dock even in a very heavy sea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple system for in-water dry docking pleasure boats using existing boat slips. The system includes a dry-dock basin having one or more ballast tanks mounted below the bottom surface of the basin. The basin is submerged along guide pipes below the boat slip where the boat is typically stored. The basin comprises a port hull half and a starboard hull half that abuttingly engage at a seam which preferably comprises an insert. The insert is preferably flexible and may be formed as a keel well.

Abstract: An underwater lifting apparatus includes a lift bag having an inflatable bladder which is capable of receiving gas therein for inflating the lift bag, the bladder having a sleeve mounted on its outer surface. A pressurized canister is received within the sleeve of the lift bag for inflating the bladder of the lift bag. The pressurized canister is adapted to store gas under pressure therein. A plurality of valves are provided for delivering pressurized gas from the canister into the bladder of the lift bag, the valves being suitably mounted on the lift bag. Rigging is mounted on the lift bag for securing the lift bag to an object requiring removal from underwater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple system for in-water dry docking pleasure boats using existing boat slips. The system includes a dry-dock basin having a pair of ballast tanks mounted below the bottom surface of the basin. The basin is submerged using guide pipes below the boat slip where the boat is typically stored.

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: An underwater salvage apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus (includes a harness adapted to be oriented on) a substantially cylindrical drum having an air inlet and a water vent. The harness comprises a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending straps, having upper ends interconnected at the top of the drum. A ring adjacent these upper ends allows fastening of the harness to another harness by a line. Each of the longitudinally extending straps has a lower free end adapted to be disposed below the drum, and each of the lower free ends has a ring for securing the free end to an object to be salvaged. The harness also includes at least one circumferentially disposed strap interconnecting the plurality of longitudinally extending straps. The circumferentially disposed strap has a pair of free ends, with a pair of rings on one of the free ends for tightening the harness onto the drum by securing the pair of free ends.

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: A gas control valve (802) has an inlet needle jet (812) and an outlet (816), the communication between which is controlled by a valve member (808) carried by a rod (807) connected to a diaphragm (804) which divides a chamber (806), open to ambient pressure, from a chamber (805) which has an inlet connected to a buoyancy chamber (100) of buoyancy apparatus in which the valve is incorporated. The inlet (816) is also connected to the buoyancy chamber (100). By the inclusion of an ascent sensing control valve (801) sensing to trigger a venting valve (106), the buoyancy control apparatus is capable of producing hovering in water.

Abstract: A boat hull is provided with a unique V-shaped bottom surface to increase lift, to reduce drag, and to maximize speed. The deadrise angle of the V-shaped bottom increases progressively from the stern to a point forward of the stern at a rate of 2.degree. to 6.degree. for each four feet of keel length, i.e., at the rate of about 1/2.degree. to 11/2.degree. per foot of keel length. The bottom surface between the stern and the forward point has a generally convex transverse cross section. The keel is substantially straight from the stern to the forward point and then curves upwardly to the bow.

Abstract: An inflation valve device which comprises a tee, a screwed bushing, a valve, and a hose having a hose adaptor. The inflation valve device is inserted in the hose of a pontoon type boat lift. The inflation valve device is used to release air stored in the pontoons to inflate various inflatable devices.

Abstract: An underwater trenching apparatus for burying pipeline and the like including a frame for positioning about the pipeline to be buried, a drive roller system operatively connected to the frame for driving the frame along the pipeline and including at least one pair of opposed rollers, each of the rollers having a curved pipe contact surface having a radius less than the radius of the pipeline to be buried and configured to grasp about 40 percent of the circumference of the pipe, the arms to which the rollers are mounted pivot about a shaft which is removably mounted to the frame, and a cutting system attached to the frame for cutting a trench, the cutting system includes at least one pair of rotating discs rotating about a horizontal axis, and having water nozzles extending out from them, the water forced out of the nozzles scoops the seabed and disperses it up, away from the bottom of the trench. The pair of discs are mounted so that they can be moved up and down as well as rotated in and out.

Abstract: Lifting body for transporting or lifting objects under water, of the type in which the lifting gas has essentially the same pressure as the surrounding mass of water. The lifting body comprises a pressure measuring instrument which provides a depth position signal, which is arranged to be compared with a desired depth signal and produces a signal which indicates the required force for controlling the position. The desired thus computed command value is compared with the actual exerted lifting force, via a dynamometer, the signal of which is sent via a high pass filter. By thus arranging a double control system with a position loop and a force loop, it is possible to achieve stable control.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in recovering an article at least partially submerged in water comprises at least two floatable members each having an arm mounted thereon and whose buoyancy can be varied, each arm carrying a recovery member having gripping or scooping means. A pivot interconnects said arms so that their motion opposes that of the recovery members. A locking device for progressively and releasably locking the arms with respect to each other is provided such that on release thereof the pivot moves downwardly by gravity, causing the recovery members to come together in a caliper-like action. Pressure sensing means in recovery members feeds back information to the locking device to cause the arms to lock and prevent an increase in pressure is attained. A further embodiment does not need a locking device.

Abstract: An elevator for transporting a load between upper and lower elevations includes a shaft containing liquid therein between the elevations. A buoy accommodates the load to be moved and transports the same within the shaft. A buoyancy control controls the buoyancy of the buoy to cause it to ascend and descend in the shaft. The buoyancy control includes a chamber which is formed in the buoy and which communicates with the liquid in the shaft. A gas control supplies gas under pressure to the chamber for expelling liquid therefrom whereby the buoyant forces acting on the buoy are increased and for venting the gas in the chamber for causing liquid to enter the chamber whereby the buoyant forces acting on the buoy are reduced. The gas control includes descent/ascent protection means for limiting the amount of gas vented from/to the chamber thereby limiting the maximum degree of negative/positive buoyancy of the buoy.