Submersible trim system

A trim system for a submersible comprising

• A. an elongated, ball transfer conduit communicating with the submersible and extending from a first position to a second position;
• B. a plurality of high-density balls within the ball transfer conduit and moveable therein;
• C. a reservoir for the high-density, spherical balls at each end of the ball transfer conduit near the first and second position;
• D. means for hydraulically moving preselected balls in the ball transfer conduit and altering the weight distribution of the submersible, wherein the high-density balls are spherical and the ball transfer conduit is circular in cross section and they cooperate to form an annular orifice therebetween sufficient to allow the flow of hydraulic fluid through the annular orifice.

A method for altering the trim of a submersible comprising

• providing an elongated ball transfer conduit in communication with the submersible and extending from a first position to a second position and a string of high-density, spherical balls within the ball transfer conduit, each high-density, spherical ball and the ball transfer conduit cooperating to form an annular orifice therebetween;
• changing the distribution of weight of the submersible by hydraulically moving preselected of the high-density, spherical balls in the ball transfer conduit by flowing hydraulic fluid through the annular orifices resulting in a pressure differential from one side of each high-density, spherical ball to the other side;
• sensing the location of the high-density, spherical balls in response to the hydraulic movement, and
• temporarily fixing the position of the high-density, spherical balls when the desired trim is accomplished.