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US 6,718,900 B2Granted
Variable storage vessel and method
OwnerGregory James Carterinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for storing bulk materials in a marine environment is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible pod configured for fluid communication to a host vessel. The pod stores materials under water.
Claims37
A submersible for storing bulk materials comprising:
- a substantially watertight resilient container for storing the materials under water and;
- a flexible mooring line slidablely engaged with the container, so the container positions itself along the mooring line in response to environmental conditions and a buoyancy associated with the container.
A submersible for storing bulk materials comprising:
- a substantially watertight resilient container for storing the materials under water and;
- a mooring line slideably engaged with the container, so the container positions itself along the mooring line in response to environmental conditions and a buoyancy associated with the container;
- a cap mounted on top of the container;
- and
- a base mounted under the container wherein the container is configured to fold up and be substantially contained within at least one of the cap and base.
2 more elements
A submersible for storing bulk materials comprising:
- a substantially watertight resilient container for storing the materials under water;
- and
- a mooring line slideably engaged with the container, so the container positions itself along the mooring line in response to environmental conditions and a buoyancy associated with the container;
- and
- a protective shell configured to fit over the container, wherein the protective shell includes a tubular portion configured to surround a portion of the mooring line and protect the container from wear from sliding along the mooring line.
2 more elements
A submersible for storing bulk materials comprising:
- a substantially watertight resilient container for storing the materials under water;
- a mooring line slideably engaged with the container, so the container positions itself along the mooring line in response to environmental conditions and a buoyancy associated with the container;
- and
- a cage comprising long members attached in a framework configuration, and wherein the container includes a flexible bag disposed within and supported by the cage.
1 more element
A submersible for storing bulk materials comprising:
- a substantially watertight resilient container for storing the materials under water and;
- a mooring line slideably engaged with the container, so the container positions itself along the mooring line in response to environmental conditions and a buoyancy associated with the container, wherein a motive fluid is pumped in the hose in a configuration to offload the material and the motive fluid creates suction pressure used to offload the material.
A system for storing materials under water comprising:
- a host vessel;
- a pod configured to store the materials in a watertight manner under water attached to the host vessel by at least one hose configured to transfer the material between the pod and the host;
- a buoy attached to the pod for marking a location of the pod;
- and
- a flexible mooring line attached to the pod for limiting movement of the pod along the length of the mooring line.
2 more elements
A storage vessel for storing a material underwater comprising:
- a flexible means for storing in a substantially watertight configuration the material supported by a buoyancy force created by displacing water;
- a flexible mooring means for mooring the flexible storing means;
- a communication means for providing fluid communication between the storing means and a host vessel;
- and
- means for moving the material between the storage vessel and the host vessel via the communication means wherein the mooring means is slideably connected to the storage vessel.
2 more elements
A method of storing materials under water comprising:
- deploying a storage pod under water;
- moving the materials between the pod and the host vessel while the pod is under water;
- mooring the storage pod to at least one of a buoy and host vessel via a flexible mooring line;
- and
- limiting travel of the storage pod along the mooring line.
2 more elements
A method of storing materials under water comprising:
- attaching a storage pod to a host vessel;
- deploying storage pod under water;
- providing fluid communication between the host vessel and an interior of the storage pod;
- supporting the elevation of the pod entirely by its own buoyancy;
- and
- limiting travel of the storage pod along a flexible mooring line.
3 more elements
A method of removing materials from a host vessel comprising:
- providing fluid communication between the host vessel and an interior of a storage pod;
- deploying the storage pod under water;
- removing material from the host vessel and depositing the material into the storage pod;
- and
- limiting travel of the storage pod along a flexible mooring line.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.