Abstract: A lift bag for moving an object underwater includes a lift bag body and a buoyancy regulator device within an internal cavity of the lift bag body. The buoyancy regulator device includes concentric regulator tubes. Each regulator tube includes a regulator tube opening and the regulator tube openings may be aligned to define a regulator tube aperture. The regulator tube aperture is in fluid communication with a lift bag slot formed in the lift bag body. A constant buoyancy for the lift bag is determined by adjusting the position of the regulator tube aperture by moving the inner and outer regulator tubes with respect to each other.

Abstract: An inflatable mast couplable to an underwater vehicle includes a flexible material defining an interior volume, a head structure, and a spring coupled to at least one of the flexible material and the head structure. The flexible material is designed to be filled with air to form an inflated mast structure that extends away from the underwater vehicle. The head structure is disposed at a distal end of the inflated mast structure and in some cases has a rigid shape that forms a panel having an outer surface that is flush with an outer surface of the underwater vehicle, when the mast structure is deflated and stowed. The spring is designed to provide a tensile force on at least one of the flexible material and the head structure when the flexible material is inflated to form the mast structure. A system includes the inflatable mast and a pump.

Abstract: A recovery device can include a bladder, a canister, an opening mechanism, and a tether. The bladder can be disposable in an inflated configuration and an un-inflated configuration. The canister can contain a compressed fluid and be coupled with the bladder. The opening mechanism can be configured to selectively open the canister and direct the compressed fluid into the bladder. The tether can extend between a first end coupled to the bladder and a second end engageable with a vehicle. The bladder in the inflated configuration can define a volume of less than one-tenth of a cubic meter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decompression buoy (1) comprising an inflatable bag (2) having a tubular portion (4) defining a an inside volume (12) and a longitudinal opening portion (6) with a first end (14) leading to the inside volume (12) and a second end (16) leading to the outside. The opening portion (6) thus enables gas to flow between the outside and the inside volume (12). The opening portion (6) includes a throat (18) of transverse dimension that is smaller than the transverse dimension of the first end (14), and the second end (16) is adapted to receive the end of a diving regulator.

Abstract: A system for refloating a grounded floatable vessel uses cylinder-shaped inflatable buoyant rollers that are placed under the vessel hull, inflated until they support the bottom hull and then caused to roll seaward while carrying the vessel into the water. An independently propelled vehicle pulls the vessel resting on the rollers into the water. An operator wirelessly controls inflation and deflation of the rollers to ensure stability of the vessel during the refloating operation.

Abstract: A damaged portion of a pipeline buried in a trench is gradually lifted from the trench to expose the damaged portion above water and provide easy access to the damaged portion. Inflatable roller bags are placed under the pipeline adjacent the damaged portion; the roller bags are then inflated in a controlled manner using a computer-based control unit. A control manifold is connected to the control unit and each of the roller bags by a separate air conduit allowing controlled bag-inflation and bag-deflation process for each roller bag. Once the pipeline is repaired, the roller bags are deflated, lowering the pipeline back to its original position in the trench.

Abstract: An underwater crane is provided with a float ball including arc member on a bottom, and a ring attached to the arc member; and a plurality of weights each including a rope having a hook member at an open end, the hook member being secured to the arc member. In a salvaging operation, a diver may temporarily secure the ring to a structure sunk to, for example the sea floor, the diver may disengage the hook members from the arc member, and finally, the weights are rested on the sea floor and the float ball and the structure together move upward until the float ball reaches the surface of the sea due to buoyancy of the float ball.

Abstract: A system for use with a balloon having a balloon envelope is provided. The system includes a tendon assembly for mounting tendons to the balloon envelope. This tendon assembly includes a plate structure having a fill port attached to an apex of the balloon envelope and a plurality of tendons arranged over the plate structure. The fill port is configured to allow lift gas to pass into balloon envelope. Each tendon of the plurality of tendons has a first portion, a second portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion of a given tendon is arranged to engage a first section of the plate structure. The second portion is arranged to engage a second section of the plate structure opposite of the first section. The middle portion is arranged to wrap around the fill port of the plate.

Abstract: A system for refloating a grounded floatable vessel uses cylinder-shaped inflatable buoyant rollers that are placed under the vessel hull, inflated until they support the bottom hull and then caused to roll seaward while carrying the vessel into the water. An independently propelled vehicle pulls the vessel resting on the rollers into the water. An operator wirelessly controls inflation and deflation of the rollers to ensure stability of the vessel during the refloating operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for lifting an object (1) from the sea floor, comprising the steps: coupling of the object (1) to a buoyancy balloon (10), and a buoyant motion of said buoyancy balloon (10) with the object (1), the buoyancy balloon (10) being filled with a buoyancy liquid such as, for example, water, the temperature of which is higher than the temperature of the sea water surrounding said buoyancy balloon (10). The invention also relates to a balloon device (100) which is configured for lifting an object (1) from the sea floor.

Abstract: A buoyancy-based lifting system can be dynamically controlled to lift, move, or hold a load an object of arbitrary size at a fixed depth. The control system can control the trajectory of a flexible gas-filled lift bag and attached load by opening or closing inflation and deflation valves based on ambient pressure readings obtained during a lift. Stable control can be achieved and maintained without having to directly measure the actual volume of gas in the lift bag, and without having to accumulate measurements of gas flows into and out of the bag. A controller can pre-determine limits of instability and lift control parameters, then use this information in conjunction with ambient pressure readings to prevent the system from becoming unstable during a lift. User intervention is generally unnecessary to maintain the system's instability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a buoyancy system for moving an object in a body of water. The system includes at least one inflatable body which, when inflated, increases the buoyancy of the object, and an inflation apparatus to inflate the at least one inflatable body. The system also includes an activation system to activate the inflation apparatus. Upon activation of the activation system the inflation apparatus causes a gas to flow to the at least one inflatable body, causing the object to move.

Abstract: An assembly for vehicle deceleration and buoyancy comprises a pair of doors enclosing flotation bags inflatable for buoyant recovery of the torpedo. In operation, the doors are controllably forced open to an initial angle off a longitudinal axis of the assembly to a fully-deployed position by hydrodynamic forces of the movement of the vehicle. From the doors blocking the hydrodynamic forces, the vehicle decelerates. The hydrodynamic braking action of the doors reduces the time required to reach terminal velocity, thus reducing the depth the vehicle sinks and enabling recovery with less gas required for inflation.

Abstract: An emergency buoyancy system mounted to a vessel includes a depth sensor to sense a predetermined maximum depth, and an actuator actuated by the depth sensor. The actuator, upon actuation, opens a membrane between tanks, each holding one of a pair of gas producing chemicals. The gas producing chemicals, preferably bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, mix together to produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide fills a plurality of balloons, thereby providing buoyancy to the vessel to which the balloons are attached.

Abstract: A submersible floating dock which can be sunk beneath the water line in the event of the approach of a violent storm for protection of the dock against wave action, storm surge, and high winds. A dock with a deck supported on hollow floatation chambers is attached to pilings by rings. The rings allow the dock to move up and down in response to changes in the water level. As a storm approaches water is allowed to enter the hollow floatation chambers which are ordinarily filled with air. This causes the dock and deck to sink beneath the water line making it resistent to damage from storm surge, wave action, and high winds. After the storm has passed, pressurized air is introduced into the floatation chambers forcing the water in the floatation chambers out of the chamber. The air increases the buoyancy of the floatation chambers, hence, of the dock so that it rises above the water line for use by an owner after the danger of storm surge, high winds, and waves has passed.

Abstract: A buoyancy device is described comprising a number of buoyancy members (9, 9A, 9B) which are substantially equi-spaced around the circumference of a coupling member (7) and the buoyancy members (9, 9A, 9B) being coupled to the coupling member (7) At least two of the buoyancy members (9, 9A, 9B) are inflatable members (9, 9A, 9B). The inflatable members (9, 9A, 9B) are formed from a substantially flexible material such that an inflatable member (9, 9A, 9B) substantially collapses when deflated. The coupling member (7) is is typically coupled to a structure, which may be a drilling rig (3) which requires to be lifted and subsequently moved, or which may be a large device such as a well head Christmas tree for an oil well which requires to be deployed in deep water.

Abstract: An inflatable floating boat lift device constructed of a flexible impermeable fabric comprising main air chambers and a network of hoses and valves connected to a blower controlling the inflation and deflation of each main chamber independently. This device provides vertical lifting and stability of the boat while floating at the surface of the water. There are smaller adjustable buoyancy devices inside the main air chambers that provide floatation of the device when the main chambers are deflated. These buoyancy devices also guide the boat onto the lifting device. On some embodiments, a level sensing device activates blowout plugs that rapidly return the boat to it's original floating position.

Abstract: A biodegradable and biocompatible polyester comprising (C.sub.3-10) alkylene carbonic acid ester units, each alkylene group being a C.sub.3 -alkylene group having 1 oxy substituent or a (C.sub.4-10) alkylene group having 2-8 oxy substituents, each of the oxy substituents occurring individually as a hydroxyl group or as a derivatized hydroxyl group comprising an ester or an ortho ester or an acetal residue.The polyesters may be used as matrices for the sustained release of pharmacologically active compounds, e.g. peptides or proteins, in the form of microparticles or implants.

Abstract: Equipment for the raising, sunken vessels, specifically small to medium sized ships which are submerged in depths to which human descent for purposes of rigging retrieval gear to the ship is impractical or unsafe. The equipment can be employed remotely using video equipment for aligning the required underwater assemblies. The equipment involve lifting slings which are levered underneath the hull and then used to mechanically raise the vessel to the surface. It is particularly applicable to vessels which are resting on soft sand or clay ocean, sea, or lake bottoms, where interferences with the equipment as it is deployed underneath the vessel are a minimum.

Abstract: The invention provides a apparatus for and a method of storing watercraft above a body of water for extended periods of time, including periods when the body of water is frozen over. The apparatus involves flexible, inflatable, toroidal shaped floatation devices which have bands secured thereto for the purpose of positioning and securing the floatation devices relative to the watercraft. The floatation devices are provided with elongated inflation tubes which enable the inflation of the floatation devices from locations a distance from the floatation devices.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a gas generator system for providing underwater buoyancy, including: a housing for the placement therein of a solid chemical to produce a gas upon reaction of the chemical with water; an inlet in the housing to bring the water in contact with the chemical; a float attached to an upper portion of the housing to receive the gas and thereby to become inflated so as to effect the buoyancy; a pressure plate to continually bear against the upper surface of the chemical as the chemical is consumed by the reaction, the pressure plate having defined therethrough a plurality of apertures, the total area of the apertures being selected so as to control the rate of reaction of the chemical and being spaced so as to permit even distribution of water to the surface of the chemical; and a biaser to cause the pressure plate to continually bear against the upper surface of the chemical as the chemical is consumed.

Abstract: A system is provided for deploying a propulsor unit from the hull of a water vehicle, such as a submarine. The system comprises an opening in a submerged portion of the hull that leads to a chamber for storing the propulsor unit, a cover for covering the hull opening to render the surface of the hull substantially continuous and fluid-dynamic, the cover having first and second sides, each of which conforms to the contour of the hull and the propulsor unit being mounted on the second side of the cover, and a pivotal mounting that hingedly connects the cover and the propulsor unit attached thereto across the opening in the hull for allowing the propulsor unit to move from a first stored position within the storage chamber to a second deployed position in the ambient water surrounding the hull. A drive assembly is provided for pivotally moving the cover and its attached propulsor unit between stored and deployed positions.

Abstract: An emergency buoyancy system for small water craft without built-in flotation which includes an elongate, inflatable container of sausage-like shape having a support harness at each end. Flexible battens distributed crosswise of the container provide stabilization and an optional abrasion resistant envelope can protect the containers against abrasion or puncturing. The devices are to be suspended below the hull of a vessel and inflated to provide additional buoyancy to aid in the flotation of the craft.

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: 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 device for venting gas from an expansible gas chamber (lifejacket, lifting bag, etc.) of an underwater buoyancy apparatus. The device comprises a monitoring device which monitors the rate of ascent of the expansible gas chamber and provides a control signal when the ascent velocity exceeds a predetermined speed. A venting valve assembly controls the venting of gas from the expansible gas chamber and is responsive to the control signal to vent gas reducing the buoyancy of the expansible gas chamber.

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: In a lift bag used by divers to lift objects from the ocean bottom to the surface, this invention keeps constant the amount of flotation gas and hence the lift force. A hose connects the gas bubble trapped inside the bag to a point, lower on the bag wall, selected by the diver to give the desired lift force. As the device ascends, lifting the cargo to the surface, any excess volume of gas created by expansion is discharged through the hose. The purpose is to prevent uncontrolled rapid rise of the device which can cause deflation and re-sinking when the lift bag reaches the surface.

Abstract: A buoyant marine storage vessel for fluids, such as oil, includes a flexible containment bag having at least a controllable inlet and outlet for fluids and a wire rope cage for the bag which is attached to the bag in such a manner that emptying of the fluid content of the bag is enabled by the buoyant pressure of water in which the vessel is located. The vessel can be anchored at a desired location and may include a buoyant support and protective frame having sections articulated on two perpendicular axes. Clusters of vessels may be created for storing large volumes of fluid with economy.

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: A device, a method, and a system for reducing the draft of large vessels to allow the successful navigation of shallow waterways which could not otherwise be traversed due to the depth of the draft of the vessel. The implementation of this system will eliminate unnecessary dredging and facilitate full utilization of the ships' cargo capacity. The system is comprised of several buoyancy modules, control tender vessels, base point grids, appropriate computers, air compressors, and all other necessary equipment. Each buoyancy module of the system consist of two inflatable/deflatable pneumatic lift cells contained by sleeves positioned one at each end, with a base webbing connecting the two ends and forming the middle supportive portion of each module. The base webbing is positioned beneath the vessel oriented so as to position one pneumatic lift cell on each side of the vessel.

Abstract: A controlled gas generator system is provided which has a reaction chamber, he reaction chamber having top and bottom ends. A bed of reactant material is disposed within the chamber intermediate its top and bottom ends. Liquids are located within the chamber, one of the liquids being nonreactive with the reactant. The liquids are dissimilar in specific gravity so that the liquids interface substantially along a cross-sectional plane of the chamber. With this arrangement, gas will be produced when the interfacial plane is vertically disposed on one side of the bed of reactant material, and gas will not be produced when the interfacial plane is vertically disposed on an opposite side of the bed of reactant material. Provision is made for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the interfacial plane above or below the bed of reactant material so that gas can be selectively generated.

Abstract: A torpedo recovery system including an expandable sleeve surrounding a portion of the torpedo. Upon activation of the recovery system gas is introduced into the sleeve, causing it to expand. The sleeve is clamped firmly at two distinct longitudinal positions along the torpedo and is releasably clamped at a third longitudinal position. When the differential pressure between gas inside of the sleeve and water outside the sleeve reaches a predetermined threshold level, the releasable clamp releases the sleeve allowing it to gradually expand to form a doughnut-shaped floatation collar. The expanding sleeve provides gradually increasing drag to slow the torpedo and then positive buoyancy for lifting it to the water's surface.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve for controlling the inflation of floatation bladders in ver-deployed underwater recovery apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized air, two small semi-circular flow passages joining the inlet to an outlet which connects to the bladders, a pair of spring-biased control pistons mounted in parallel in the two flow passages and another spring-biased outlet piston in a larger outlet passage positioned between the flow passages and the outlet. Air flow allowed by either of the control pistons impinges on an end of the outlet piston, displacing it from a normally closed to an open position to permit air flow through the larger outlet passage.

Abstract: A power cell for lifting masses by inflation of the cell by a gaseous or liquid medium, the cell being hollow and, in the pressure-free state, substantially a single plane. The cell includes two parallel polygonal surfaces, preferably squares, invariant in shape, interconnected by wall segments which vary in shape as the cell is inflated, the side wall segments forming partial cylindrical surfaces. The side wall segments and the polygonal surfaces are joined by transition wall surfaces to form a closed body. Various embodiments of the transition wall surfaces forming corner segments, are disclosed, wherein, in the pressure-free state of the cell, the extensions of the peripheries of adjoining side wall segments may intersect substantially rectilinearly, in a convex arc, in a concave arc, or in an obtuse angle.

Abstract: Diver's Caddy Vessel, adapted primarily to move beneath a seaway surface, made buoyant by the diver's exhalant into a skirt of the vessel, whereby to offset suspension weight of diver's gear, game and the like, characterized by a collapsible, bladder-like enclosure which is elongate in exterior configuration, open at the bottom, the bottom being defined by a dependent skirt and having a stringer interiorally thereof. The caddy stringer is adapted to the detachable engagement of a restraint line to the diver and/or stringer extensions for gear and game, the vessel further including a connector at one end for towing on a seaway surface.

Abstract: A salvage apparatus which includes a collapsible bag which has a top and a ottom. A relief valve is mounted at the top of the bag for expelling air from the top of the bag, and a relief valve is mounted at the bottom of the bag for expelling water from the bottom of the bag. A fitting is mounted to the bag for introducing gas or water into the bag so that the rates of descent and ascent of the bag can be controlled. A method of recovering a submerged object includes filling the bag with water, attaching the bag to the submerged object, introducing gas into the bag until the object commences to ascend, and venting air from the top of the bag as the bag ascends to control the rate of ascent.

Abstract: A portable salvage lift apparatus for use in an underwater environment coising a buoyancy system having a variable lift capability and a tethering system employing a brake comprising a pump. This pump has a rotor coupled to a reel in the tethering system, an inlet to admit water to the pump and a restricted outlet to increase the resistance to water flow through the pump thus resisting rapid rotation of the reel, whereby the rate of ascent of the apparatus is controlled.