1681results about "Vessel salvaging" patented technology

A variable volume raft containing adjustable ratio and amounts of air and or water. The buoyancy and ballast of the raft are routinely adjusted to accommodate additional occupants and changing weather conditions. A manual pump can be the primary or back up source for initial inflation. The torque pump twisted by hand or amplified by a lever arm generates air pressure for maintenance and repairing deflating lacerations at sea. The pumps collector gathers and pressurizes rain water for drinking in one chamber while pressurizing sea water as a stabilizing ballast in another chamber. A double hull or full floor chamber allows huge variations in buoyancy or ballast as dictated by changing needs for stability versus mobility. A compressed liquid or two-part foam confers puncture resistance to a portion of the raft. A thrown self-righting manual air horn, worn water-activated air horns and water activated transmitted signals, mark the site for rescuers.

The invention belongs to the field of underwater robots, and specifically relates to an underwater robot recovery system and a recovery method thereof. The system includes a mother ship, an underwater robot, an automatic line throwing device and a lifting seat arranged on the underwater robot, a butting lifting device and a draw gear. After the underwater robot completes the mission, a haulage rope is thrown out from the ship bow. The staff on the mother ship picks up the haulage rope through a rope picking device, and then the rope is traversed through the draw gear. The underwater robot is driven by the mother ship for navigation to overcome the effects of waves in the sea. A guidance rope is thrown by a remote control command. The butting lifting device is driven by a hoist installed on the mother ship, and falls down along the guidance rope to abut with the underwater robot and clamp. The whole recycling process is realized. The underwater robot recovery system of the present invention has the characteristics of compact structure, convenient operation, safety and reliability, small influence by the sea state, no transform to the hoist, and small requirement to the mother ship, and can achieve the laying and recovering by the same system for the underwater robot under four grade sea conditions.

A vacuum container mounted on an inclined slope and having a liquid water storage container mounted beneath the incline of the vacuum container. The water storage container may support the vacuum container. The slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously.

A system for capturing and converting and / or storing wind energy includes a vessel adapted to receive at least one wind machine for capturing wind and a device for converting wind energy to storable energy. A method of adapting a vessel, such as a surplus cargo ship or an oil tanker, for use as a offshore power generating system comprises equipping a vessel with devices for capturing a renewable energy source, positioning the vessel at sea to capture the renewable energy source, converting the renewable energy to a storable energy source, and storing the converted energy, and repositioning the vessel to capture further renewable energy or transport the stored, converted energy.

Methods and devices are provided for rescuing and recovering underwater vehicles. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a modular rescue device configured to attach to an underwater vehicle, such as with a tow line. The rescue device can include one or more emergency mechanisms that can be automatically and / or manually activated to aid in detecting the location of the underwater vehicle in the event of an emergency. One exemplary emergency mechanism includes a buoyancy mechanism, e.g., an expandable lift bag, configured to be inflated with a fluid to add buoyancy force to the system to pull the underwater vehicle toward a water surface. Another exemplary emergency mechanism includes a signaling mechanism configured to signal the underwater vehicle's location.

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

A vacuum container mounted on an inclined slope and having a liquid water storage container mounted beneath the incline of the vacuum container. The water storage container may support the vacuum container. The slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously. This compact design provides efficient interaction and plumbing between the water tank, vacuum tank and filter housing as well as concentrating weight and reducing floor space.

An apparatus and method for control of at least one of a plurality of semiautonomous marine vessels are provided. The system includes a control station with a communications system for network communication with marine vessels, and provides diagnostics and control for control and monitoring of the marine vessels, according to a mission plan.

A configurable, adjustable inflatable device including one or more inflatable bladders and a shape-defining membrane that combines with the inflatable bladders such that an overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is at least partially controlled by the shape-defining membrane, and wherein the overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is substantially different from an inflated shape of inflatable bladders alone. The configurable adjustable inflatable device may include a covering layer that may partially or completely surround the inflatable bladders and may attach to the membrane or the inflatable bladders. The level of inflation of the inflatable bladders may also be controlled, further adding to the adjustability of the inflatable device.

An unmanned system performs inspection, identification and / or neutralization of underwater objects. An unmanned vehicle that operates at a water's surface stows underwater crawling and / or swimming vehicles that can operate underneath a water's surface. A winch associated with each robotic vehicle is mounted on the unmanned vehicle. An electro-mechanical tether electrically and mechanically couples a corresponding robotic vehicle to the unmanned vehicle, and is mechanically coupled to a corresponding winch for control of the paying out and reeling in thereof.

A system of interchangeable components includes various front panels, rear panels, adaptors, and interfaces that can be variably and removably assembled to form various customized waterboards with various performance characteristics.

A mobile vacuum boring and mud recovery method comprising a device which will create a vacuum condition within a vacuum container and the vacuum container is mounted on an incline to provide space beneath it to locate a water storage container, and having a vacuum conduit to transport a liquid and or solid particles into the vacuum container. The inclined vacuum tank facilitates gravitational assistance in both separation of liquids & solids as well as unloading debris. A dispensing device may be added to dispense a liquid or a solid from the vacuum container without eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container, and said vacuum container having the ability to fill, store and dispense its contents simultaneously. The vacuum container may further comprises a means to separate a liquid from solids. The vacuum conduit articulated boom used to transport debris into the vacuum container may have the added feature or attachments chosen from an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, sensor to locate buried utilities, monitors and controls to operate the attachments an their function, water spray nozzle, man hole cover remover cutting tool grinding tool, saw, blasting tool, surface cleaning tool, demolition tool, torque wrench, tractor to pull vacuum hose, jetter nozzle, or camera and power source to operate them. The above described vacuum system may be mounted on a variety of mobile platforms, chosen from but not limited to a trailer, truck, skid steer, fork lift, track hoe, railroad car, or zero turn radius vehicle which may have the added feature of being convertible between a powered vehicle & a trailer.

A modular marine vessel has a variable hull and a plurality of boat forming modules including a bow section module, a load section module having a bow end and an aft end, and a bulkhead forming module is detachably connected to each bow and aft end of the load section module. The bulkhead forming module that is connected at the bow end of the load section module is detachably connected to the bow section module. Each boat forming and bulkhead forming module includes a topside section and a hull bottom side section. The topside section of each boat forming module has a shell gunnel portion, and the hull bottom side section of each boat forming module has a pivotally mounted bottom shell hull portion. The gunnel and hull portions of the load and bow section modules are detachably connected end-to-end, and sealingly juxtaposed the detachably connected bulkhead forming module to prevent water from entering the boat when the boat engages water. The bottom shell hull portion is pivotally mounted across a keel tunnel using a pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator to form a preselected hull shape as desired. Novel mechanisms for sealing module connections, for module attachment, for pivoting hull panels, for hull pivot drives, and energy conversion systems for the marine vessel of the invention are disclosed.

A personal transfer device for transferring a boater from a dock to a boat moored in a boat lift adjacent the dock, and back again. A cantilevered support is secured to an upper part of the boat lift frame, the support's free end extending out over the dock at a height that does not interfere with normal use of the dock. A hoist carriage, for example a monorail trolley hoist, is movably secured on the cantilever support, and is connected to a transport chair that can be located over the dock at a convenient height for a handicapped boater to seat and / or secure himself. A controller is accessible to the boater seated in the transport chair to raise himself off the dock to a height sufficient to clear any intervening boat lift structures or frame members, and to then transport himself horizontally along the support through the boat lift structure to the boat, where he then lowers himself onto the boat using the controller.

The invention belongs to the field of recovery of underwater robots, and particularly relates to a draft gear for recovering the underwater robot. The draft gear comprises a hydraulic winch, a box body, a rotary straight girder, a rotating mechanism, a pitching hydraulic cylinder, a stretching hydraulic cylinder and a draft arm with three degrees of freedom, namely a rotating degree of freedom, a pitching degree of freedom and a stretching degree of freedom, wherein the box body is disposed on a mother ship, the hydraulic winch is arranged in the box body, and a traction rope connected with the underwater robot is connected with the hydraulic winch through the draft arm; one end of the rotary straight girder is connected with the rotating mechanism disposed on the box body, the other end of the rotary straight girder is hinged with the draft arm, the stretching hydraulic cylinder is arranged on the draft arm and drives the draft arm to stretch, the pitching hydraulic cylinder is arranged on the rotary straight girder, and an output end of the pitching hydraulic cylinder is hinged with the draft arm; and a hydraulic station is arranged in the box body and is used for supplying power to the hydraulic winch, the rotating mechanism, the pitching hydraulic cylinder and the stretching hydraulic cylinder. The draft gear disclosed by the invention has the advantages of simple and reliable structure, complete functions, easiness to operate and the like.

A watercraft includes a number of subassemblies, including an inflatable hull, a drive system, a battery, a seat assembly and a steering and thrust control. Each of the subassemblies of may be of one or more particular designs which are detailed herein. A watercraft in accordance with the teaching herein may use one or more of these designs and each such watercraft is within the scope of this disclosure.

An improved float tube arrangement for outdoor water-related activities, particularly hunting and fishing. The float can be deployed as a blind for partially concealing and camouflaging a user, who sits in the circular middle of the float upon an adjustable seat supported by suitable straps. When used as a blind a canopy and net are selectively deployed. The stable base is formed by a pair of coaxially stacked inner tubes that are tightly bound by a covering fabric. Mechanical integrity is enhanced by frame loops encircling the inner tubes, and an encircling belt that concentrically tensions the float within a depressed region formed at the juncture of the stacked inner tubes. A canopy mounted to the frame loops and an optional net can be deployed as desired.

A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.

An air inflatable watercraft, preferably having a bow and stern, and having a cockpit, a bottom area forming part of said cockpit having a through opening therein adapted to receive a human operated propulsion mechanism which can be operated from the cockpit to propel the watercraft.An air inflatable watercraft having an inflatable, airtight bow and stern, and having a bottom area between two side inflatable, airtight compartments which run essentially the length of the watercraft, upon inflation the two side compartments at least partially extend above the bottom to provide a cockpit therebetween, and the inflated bow and stern form a configuration which is adapted to be efficiently propelled, viz., adapted to cut through the water. This embodiment can be hand rowed or provided with a pedaled propulsion mechanism provided a through opening is built into the bottom.An air inflatable watercraft having a bow and stern and having a central airtight compartment and two side airtight compartments running essentially the length of the watercraft, upon inflation the central compartment forms the bottom, stern and bow, and the two side compartments at least partially extend above the bottom to provide a cockpit therebetween. The central compartment has a through opening adapted to receive a human operated propulsion mechanism.

An improved mounting assembly for a steering shaft on a watercraft, which increases the strength and stability of the steering assembly while significantly reducing the manufacturing complexity of the watercraft. The mounting assembly comprises an elongated body having at least a first and second bearing surface, these bearing surfaces rotatably supporting the steering shaft within the elongated body. The elongated body is further attached to a mounting flange, with the mounting flange being attached to the steering column platform which is secured to the upper or lower hull of the watercraft. The disclosed steering operator mounting assembly further significantly reduces or eliminates the corrosive effects of water and / or salt on the components of the steering assembly most susceptible to such corrosion, such as the bowden-wire cable assembly.

The invention belongs to the field of a self-government underwater vehicle, and particularly relates to a launching and recovery device for a self-government underwater vehicle. The launching and recovery device for the self-government underwater vehicle comprises a spandrel girder body, mechanical hands, a lifting device, a battery module, a control and communication module and a hydraulic system, wherein two ends of the spandrel girder body are respectively provided with the mechanical hand, the battery module is arranged on the spandrel girder body and provides power for the launching and recovery device, the control and communication module and the hydraulic system are respectively arranged on the spandrel girder and are respectively connected with the battery module, the control and communication module receives a control instruction sent from a worker on a mother ship, and the mechanical hands on the two ends are driven to synchronously open and close or clamp through the hydraulic system. According to the launching and recovery device for the self-government underwater vehicle, the self-government underwater vehicle can be launched and recovered by the worker on the mother ship, a mechanical recovery device capable of opening and closing autonomously is utilized so as to realize the launching and recovery process of the self-government underwater vehicle, so that the risk in the launching and recovery process of the self-government underwater vehicle is reduced.

A device and method for raising sunken objects such as crates, small boats, vessels and ships including a platform equipped with winches to lower down a basket net and a frame supporting a cryogenic apparatus to the vicinity of the object. The cryogenic apparatus is adapted to pump surrounding water through a freezing unit to reduce its temperature to below freezing and then form a stream of overcooled water directed over the sunken object to form a layer of ice about it. The basket net contains provisions to allow its closure under the object once it is lifted off the sea floor. Once enough ice is formed, the object is lifted to the surface. On average, the capacity of the cryogenic apparatus is such that a 1 ton object can be lifted in about 3 hours. Remote monitoring and control means are provided for the operator to observe and direct the operation of the device. The device is especially advantageous in dealing with explosive objects such as old and unwanted sea mines, torpedoes and alike.

The watercraft dry storage assembly includes two generally cylindrical bladders that are inflated to lift a boat from the water and hold the hull in a raised position. Each bladder is made from a scrim encased in a flexible plastic. The scrim is substantially non-stretchable. Air fills the bladders until each inch of bladder material is tensioned in a direction parallel to a long axis of the bladder by a force of at least 5 pounds and in a transverse direction by a force of at least 10 pounds. A plurality of straps encircle each bladder. Rings on the ends of each strap are connected by coupler assemblies to secure both bladders together. The straps are attached to the bladders in selected positions along the length of the bladders.