Large subsea package deployment methods and devices
AssigneeSafe Marine Transfer, LLC
InventorsJames E. Chitwood, Art J. Schroeder, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein is a method of transporting equipment between sea-surface and seafloor by providing a structure with equipment mounted thereon. The equipment may be liquid storage tanks, pumps, compressors, separators, metering systems, energy sources, communication systems, buoyancy tanks, and the like. The structure is used for disposal and installation in a subsea environment by changing the volume of buoyancy material within at least one buoyancy tank.
Claims22
A structure, comprising:
- at least one liquid storage tank, wherein the liquid storage tank comprises:
- an outer container, wherein the outer container is rigid;
- at least two inner containers comprising:
- a first inner container containing seawater;
- and
- a second inner container containing at least one stored liquid;
- wherein the at least two inner containers are flexible;
- wherein the at least two inner containers are pressure balanced;
- and
- wherein the volume of the outer container remains fixed, and the volumes of the at least two inner containers are variable;
- at least one buoyancy tank.
A method of transporting at least one liquid storage tank between a sea surface and a seafloor, by:
- providing a structure comprising:
- at least one buoyancy tank;
- changing a volume of buoyancy material within the at least one buoyancy tank.
A method of transporting equipment between sea-surface and seafloor, by:
- providing a structure comprising:
- at least one buoyancy tank;
- changing a volume of buoyancy material within the at least one buoyancy tank;
- and
- wherein said equipment is mounted on the structure and is selected from a group consisting of liquid storage tanks, pumps, compressors, separators, metering systems, energy sources, and communication systems.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.