Method and apparatus for moving loads
AssigneeWaterbox Oy
InventorEvgeny Lykov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and an apparatus (1, 11, 21, 31) for moving one or more loads (5, 15, 25, 35a, 35b,45), in which method loads are moved along a channel (2, 12, 22, 32a, 32b, 49, 49′) on or in fluid, wherein the channel (2, 12, 22, 32a, 32b, 49, 49′) extending substantially horizontally in lengthwise direction has a cross-section, which cross-section defines an open section (13, 33a, 33b) and a closed section (14, 34a, 34b), wherein the fluid in the open section is directly in contact with surrounding air, and the fluid in the channel can flow from the open section to the closed section and vice versa through opening or openings located below the surface level of the fluid in the open section, and the load or loads (5, 15, 25, 35a, 35b, 45) are moved by floating them at least partially inside the closed section.
Claims16
A method for moving one or more loads, in which method loads are moved along a channel on or in fluid, comprising:
- providing the channel extending substantially horizontally in a lengthwise direction, the channel having a cross-section in a plane perpendicular in relation to the substantially horizontal lengthwise direction of the channel, which cross-section defines an open section and a closed section in the same cross-section, wherein the fluid in the open section is directly in contact with surrounding air, and the fluid in the channel can flow from the open section to the closed section and vice versa through opening or openings located below a surface level of the fluid in the open section;
- moving the load or loads by floating load or loads at least partially inside the closed section;
- and
- creating partial vacuum or overpressure inside the closed section of the channel.
An apparatus for moving one or more loads, which apparatus comprises:
- a channel with fluid, wherein
- the channel extending substantially horizontally in a lengthwise direction has a cross-section, the cross section being in a plane perpendicular in relation to the substantially horizontal lengthwise direction of the channel which cross-section defines an open section and a closed section in the same cross-section, wherein the fluid in the open section is directly in contact with surrounding air, and the fluid in the channel can flow from the open section to the closed section and vice versa through opening or openings located below the surface level of the fluid in the open section,
- a flotation device floating the load or loads in the fluid and at least partially inside the closed section of the channel, and
- the apparatus comprises a vacuum or pressure source creating partial vacuum or overpressure inside the closed section of the channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.