US 4,015,621 AGranted

Pressure control and fluid venting system for a pressurized container

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy

InventorDarryl E. Laxo

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Abstract

A system to maintain the pressure within a pressurized container within dgn limits and to vent undesirable fluids to the ambient atmosphere. A float floats near the top of the container on the surface of oil supplied to the container by a pressure compensator and is seated to seal an opening as long as the oil level remains above a given level. Sufficient displacement of the oil by gases generated within the container will unseat the float to allow the venting of such gases to the ambient atmosphere. Another opening is also located in the top of the container and is sealed by a weighted lid. If the pressure in the container exceeds the local ambient atmospheric pressure by an amount that would otherwise rupture the container, the lid will be forced open to allow the relief of the excess pressure. When seated, another float seals an opening located in the bottom of the container. This float will float on atmospheric fluid which accumulates in the bottom of the container. If a given level of accumulated atmospheric fluid is exceeded, the float will become unseated to allow the venting of such fluid. Should the internal pressure of the container drop sufficiently below the local ambient atmospheric pressure, the two floats will unseat to permit the entry of atmospheric fluid to equalize the pressures and prevent the container from being crushed.

A pressure control and fluid venting system for a pressurized container comprising:

a. first, second, and third openings in the walls of said container communicating with the fluid of an ambient atmosphere below the surface of a body of water;
b. a first float, a second float, and a lid;
c. said first float sealing said first opening when it is seated, said second float sealing said second opening when it is seated, and said lid sealing said third opening when it is seated;
d. said container containing a first fluid, a second fluid, and said atmospheric fluid;
e. said first fluid having a density less than either the density of said second fluid or said atmospheric fluid and said second fluid having a density less than that of said atmospheric fluid;
f. said first float having a density greater than said first fluid and less than said second fluid, and said second float having a density greater than said second fluid and less than said atmospheric fluid;
g. said lid weight being sufficient to keep said lid seated unless the pressure in said container exceeds the local pressure of said ambient atmosphere by a predeterminable value;
whereby
h. when the level of said second fluid drops below a given level, said first float unseats and allows the venting of said first fluid;
when the level of said atmospheric fluid reaches a given level, said second float unseats and allows the venting of said atmospheric fluid;
when the internal pressure of said container exceeds the local pressure of said ambient atmosphere by an amount which approaches a value which would rupture said container, said lid unseats and allows the relief of said pressure;
and when the local pressure of said ambient atmosphere exceeds the internal pressure of said container by an amount which approaches a value which would crush said container, said first float and said second float unseat to permit the entry of said atmospheric fluid to equalize the pressures.

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Abstract

Claims7