Floating underwater pipelines
OwnerColin Butterworthinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An underwater floating pipeline with the ability to self-maintain desired depth beneath the water giving the ability to connect distant locations. The sections maintain and alter buoyancy for repair and maintenance. Multi chambered pipes allow different rates of flow. Automatic snap-shut doors protect against leaks and loss of pressure. Warning systems alert those in proximity to the pipeline. Freight may use the tunnels to avoid adverse surface weather and high shipping cost and fuel and labour savings.
Claims14
A floating underwater pipeline FUP system connected to a destination at either end and free floating in-between without tethers attached to the seabed of floor, or being suspended from floats, the system comprising a number of connected individual submarines that 1) have a mechanism enabling movement without external reliance, that can steer through the water to connect up during building stage of FUP;
- 2) have an effect on buoyancy during operation;
- and 3) have automatic snap shut gates for spill or pressure protection for pipes, such that if a monitoring system detects a leak or loss of pressure, the system will automatically close the snap shut gates situated over a length of pipeline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.