Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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NAGNETIC ARRAY BAG SYSTEM APPARATUS FOR THE EMERGENCY
SEALING OF A NET~T.TTC PA~EL-LIKE MEMBER
This invention relates to the emergency sealing of an
5 aperture in a metallic plate or panel. More particularly,
it relates to an apparatus for attachment over an aperture
in a ship's hull to provide emergency sealing. Such
apparatus could be used to prevent water seeping into the
ship's hold through the unwanted opening or prevent fluid
10 such as crude oil from escaping to the surrounding waters.
Various attempts have been made in the past to
provide emergency devices for the quick blocking of
apertures in a ship's hull. In order to be effective, such
apparatus must be capable of being quickly installed before
15 the ship takes on too much water. In the case of an oil
tanker, a sudden puncture in the steel hull of the tanker
will result in spillage of the crude oil cargo into the
seas. This could result in an ecological disaster.
The applicant has devised a magnetic array bag system
20 apparatus which can be carried in the deck house of the ship
and quickly installed by divers. This installation can be
executed in about five minutes after a minimum of
specialized training and practice.
It is therefore an object of one aspect of the
25 invention to provide an emergency apparatus for the quick
sealing of an aperture in a metallic plate.
It is an object of another aspect of the invention to
provide an emergency sealing apparatus using a liquid filled
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bag applied against the aperture and held in place by
connected panels containing an array of magnetic retainers.
In the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a partially schematic elevational view
of the apparatus of the present invention,
shown positioned over an aperture in a
ship's hull;
Figure 2 is a partially schematic elevational view
of the apparatus of Figure 1 aligned in
upright position to accommodate the contour
of the aperture;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of one end of the
apparatus in collapsed form suitable for
storage:
Figure 4 is a partially schematic cross-sectional
view of the apparatus positioned over an
aperture in a ship's hull;
Figure 5 is a partially schematic elevational view
of two units of the apparatus aligned in
series over a ship's hull to accommodate a
relatively large size aperture: and,
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus
shown partially opened for purposes of
illustration.
2S In Figure 1, the magnetic array bag system apparatus
10 is shown mounted on the side of a metallic hull 12 of a
ship such as an oil tanker. An aperture or gash 14 is shown
in broken outline in the drawing for purposes of
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illustration. It must be appreciated that the apparatus is
mounted over the aperture 14 and consequently it would not
usually be visible througn the water filled bag.
Apparatus 10 includes a pair of buoyant panels 16a
5 and 16b in substantial parallel alignment with an enclosed
bag member 18 therebetween and secured at each respective
end. Bag member 18 is made of neoprene rubber or a tough
flexible material which is both water tight and impervious
to petroleum products, such a kevlar-neoprene polymer.
10 Panels 16 include an array of spaced apart magnet 20 (Figure
3), which may be natural magnets or electromagnets activated
electrically from a connection on board ship. In the
embodiment of Figure 1, the electromagnets are activated by
a magnetic power line 22.
When a gash or tear occurs on the hull of the tanker,
the apparatus 10 is taken by a trained crew from the deck
house of the ship where it is usually stowed in the
collapsed form shown in Figure 3. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, a unit of the array system
20 apparatus would weight approximately 200 pounds and could be
carried along the deck by two men.
Divers ~ould go over the side with the unit, which
because of the huoyancy of panels 16, would be easy to
handle in the water. After securing band 26 is removed, the
25 panels are aligned against the steel hull by means of guide
handles 24. One panel is placed on each side of the gash or
tear with the array of magnets 20 aligned against the steel
hull. When natural magnets are used in panels 16, the
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panels are immediately clamped onto the hull. In the case
of electromagnet, the panels are aligned on the hull and,
upon a signal from the divers, power is turned on above deck
to activate the electromagnets.
A hose line 28 is mounted in bag inlet 30. This is
connected to a ship fire hydrant 32 before the apparatus is
lowered over the side with the divers. Upon a signal from
the divers, deck hands open hydrant 32 and pump water into a
bag. Water pressure in the hydrants is usually at a
10 pressure of 120 psi. This water pressure within the bag is
enough to counteract outside pressure from the surrounding
seas at the depths where this apparatus would be effectively
used. Such emergency openings in a ship's hull would not
normally be more than 20 feet below the water line.
When the panels with their array of magnets are in
place and the bag is filled with water from the hydrant
lines, restraining straps 34 are drawn to secure the wall of
the bag from bulging outwardly due to the internal water
pressure in the bag. The drawn straps are secured in snatch
20 blocks on the panels. The focus of the internal pressure in
the bag is therefore directed towards the side lying on the
aperture, so that the internal water pressure will force the
overlying back wall into the aperture and assist in closing
the aperture itself.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each
panel includes an array of natural magnets which provide a
holding power against the steel hull of approximately 3600
pounds of force to give a total holding power of the
14
apparatus against the hull of 7200 lbs. force. When
electromagnets are used through activation from the ship's
power supply, a total holding force of lo,oO0 lbs. force or
more is possible.
The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is substantially the
same as described in Figure 1, but it might be noted that
the apparatus is aligned in a substantially vertical
position to accommodate the particular gash 14 in the ship's
hull. The same reference numerals are used in ~igure 2 and
10 in the previous Figure.
In the embodiment of Figure 5, two units of the
apparatus are shown connected in series to cover the open
area caused by a larger aperture 14. In the case of
aperture of this size, a crew usually consisting of four
15 divers would descend over the side of the ship, each pair of
divers handling one of the units. The bag 18 of each of the
units would be connected to its xespective fire hydrant 32
on the ship's deck and the panels 16a and 16b clamped on
each side of the aperture and held in place either by an
20 array of natural magnets within the panels or an array of
electromagnets which are electrically connected to a power
line 22 to the ship's electrical supply.
~ s may be noted in Figure 5, the units are so
positioned that their panels align and the ends of bags abut
25 at approximately the center of the aperture 14 in the hull.
When a signal is given from the divers, water is pumped
into the bag from the hydrant lines 28 and the bags are
filled. Retaining straps 34 are tightened by the divers and
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held in place through a series of snatch blocks 36. These
retaining straps inhibit the water filled bag from extending
outwardly and the pressure of water from hydrant lines is
directed against the rear wall of the bag which is forced
5 towards the aperture 14.
The effect of tightening of retaining straps 34 can
be seen in Figure 4, which shows the bag in cross section in
position on a ship's hull and overlying an aperture 14. The
bag is shown having been positioned in the manner described
10 above with hydrant water pumped into the bag at a pressure
of approximately 120 pounds per square inch and retaining
straps 34 are drawn tightly around the outside of the bag
and held in snatch blocks (not shown). The pressure of the
incoming hydrant flow thereby causes the wall of the bag
15 facing the aperture to expand and assist in closing off the
aperture itself.
Figure 6 shows the apparatus of the present invention
partially opened and ready to be lowered over the side with
the divers. The ship's fire hose line has not been
20 connected to inlet 30. The walls of the bag are still
partially collapsed as water has not yet been pumped in and
retaining straps 34 are loosely positioned in snatch blocks
36. As the bag expands when filled with water, these
retaining straps 34 will be tightened and the tightening can
25 be adjusted by releasing and reconnecting the straps within
the respective snatch block.
20'1~214
It must be appreciated that minor modifications can
be made to the applicant's invention without departing from
the scope of the invention described.
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