Portable salvage lift
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsJohn J. Bayles, Theodore J. Roster
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
An apparatus for underwater lifting in an essentially vertical direction through a column of water comprising:
- a. housing means;
- b. an inflatable member connected to said housing means;
- c. means communicating with said inflatable member for inflating said member, thereby rendering said apparatus positively buoyant when said inflatable member in inflated;
- d. cable means for serving as a tether line;
- e. reel means having at least one flange rotatably connected to said housing means for housing said cable means, said reel means permitting said cable means to unwind therefrom, thereby permitting said apparatus to rise when said inflatable member is inflated;
- and
- f. a water pump having a housing, inlet means, restricted outlet means, and an impeller rigidly connected to said reel means whereby the water passing through said water pump exerts a slowing force on said reel means due to forces created on said impeller when said water pump attempts to expel water through said restricted outlet means, thereby controlling the rate of ascent of said apparatus when said inflatable member is inflated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.