Salvage system and method

Abstract

Salvage system for salvaging a load, comprising an energizable lifting device (1 ) for placing under the load and strutting means (30) with which the lifting device supports all around on a ground surface in order to support the lifting device, which strutting means comprise a number of strutting devices for forming a number of supports wherein the strutting devices are longitudinally adjustable between a retracted shortest length and an extended maximum length, wherein the strutting devices are at least substantially free-running in an extending movement and are mechanically locked in opposite direction, that each of the strutting devices is provided with energizable unlocking means which are able and configured to release the mechanical locking of the relevant strutting device, and that both the lifting device and the unlocking means are remotely controllable.

Description

[0001] Salvage system and method

[0002] The present invention relates to a salvage system for salvaging a load, comprising an energizable lifting device for placing under the load and strutting means with which the lifting device supports all around on a ground surface in order to support the lifting device, which strutting means comprise a number of strutting devices for forming a number of supports wherein the strutting devices are longitudinally adjustable between a retracted shortest length and an extended maximum length.

[0003] Such a system is particularly applied in an emergency situation wherein an aircraft which has crashed, toppled over or unexpectedly landed must be salvaged in particular. In such a case a lifting device of the type described in the preamble can be placed under for instance a wing of the aircraft in order to lift the wing in question and stabilize the aircraft. The supports serve to secure the lifting device, these supports being placed all around the lifting device for this purpose so that the lifting device can thereby support on the ground surface.

[0004] Such a system is for instance known from Netherlands patent NL 2014930. The lifting device described therein comprises a stack of inflatable cushions which are secured by means of a set of extendable struts. The struts can here be adjusted in length as the stack continues to be raised, and have a locking mechanism which then prevents shortening.

[0005] A problem occurring in practice with the known system is that the struts must be set to a length while the load is being lifted by the lifting device. Even once the load has been stabilized in other manner and the system may be removed, the locking mechanism must be released manually in the known system, for which purpose the struts must be approached by a person while still in loaded state.

[0006] The present invention therefore has for its object, among others, to provide a salvage system which obviates these drawbacks to at least significant extent.

[0007] In order to achieve the stated object a salvage system of the type described in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the strutting devices are at least substantially free-running in an extending movement and are mechanically locked in opposite direction, that each of the strutting devices is provided with energizable unlocking means which are able and configured to release the mechanical locking of the relevant strutting device, and that both the lifting device and the unlocking means are remotely controllable.

[0008] The strutting devices thus continuously provide a mechanical safety in case the lifting device were to unexpectedly collapse or become otherwise unable to fulfil its function while carrying the load. The strutting devices are able to fully take on and secure the load carried by the lifting device so that an unsafe situation at the lifting device is prevented. The strutting devices moreover enable repairs to the lifting device to be carried out in order to repair it or enable the lifting device to be wholly or partially replaced if this is required in practice.

[0009] Owing to the free-running mode the strutting devices are independently able to follow the raising of the lifting device from the start, i.e. without someone having to be present under the load for this purpose. The locking continuously locks the newly taken-up position of the strutting devices so that the salvage system provides continuous safety, even if the system must accommodate a misaligned position of the lifting device under the load. Such a misalignment can also be followed by the system according to the invention without problem. Afterwards, the locking of the system according to the invention can be released from a distance so that, once again, no one need be exposed to the load while the lifting device is moving or is loaded. The load can thus be lifted, and also be released by the system again afterwards, in extremely safe and secure manner.

[0010] In a particular embodiment the salvage system has the feature according to the invention that the strutting devices are telescopically adjustable, comprising a cylinder housing and a casing fitting telescopically thereover, wherein the locking comprises at least one adjustable clamping member between the cylinder housing and the casing, which clamping member engages clampingly between the cylinder housing and the casing in the opposite direction, and releases in an outward stroke therebetween. The at least one clamping member can for instance comprise one of one or more brake shoes or balls which engage clampingly on the wall of the casing and / or the cylinder housing and thereby resist an inward stroke of the casing. In the free-running mode the clamping members release from the relevant wall and thereby release the telescopic device and enable it to follow the further rising lifting device.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the salvage system is characterized according to the invention in that the cylinder housing comprises a pressure chamber for receiving therein a fluid under increased pressure, particularly compressed air, which pressure chamber is provided with a hose connection for coupling of a fluid line to a remotely located pressure supply device for supply of the fluid, wherein the pressure medium acts on the casing in order to expel it. An overpressure can thus be created in the pressure chamber during operation, this pushing the casing beyond the cylinder housing as soon of the lifting device provides space to do so. Any possible friction of the casing on the cylinder wall is amply overcome hereby, this increasing the likelihood that the individual strutting devices will follow the raising of the lifting device particularly uniformly.

[0012] A further particular embodiment of the salvage system is characterized according to the invention in that unlocking means comprise an actuator member which releases the locking of the relevant strutting device upon being energized. The actuator member can here be remotely operated wholly mechanically, be it via a wholly mechanical transmission or be it with an at least partially electronic coupling. A further preferred embodiment of the salvage system according to the invention however has the feature that the actuator member is energizable under pressure of an auxiliary fluid, particularly with compressed air, and that the cylinder housing comprises a connection for supply of the auxiliary fluid, wherein the strutting device is likewise extended under pressure of a pressure medium. Several, if not substantially all, components of the salvage system can here be operated on the basis of the same or similar technology, particularly pneumatically and / or hydraulically.

[0013] In respect of the connection of the strutting devices a further preferred embodiment of the salvage system has the feature according to the invention that the hose connection comprises a coaxial hose coupling for coupling a coaxial fluid line to at least one remotely located pressure supply device for parallel supply of the fluid and the auxiliary fluid. The coaxial connection thus reduces the number of conduits having to be run from an optionally joint pressure supply device to the strutting device. This simplifies both roll-out and use of the system.

[0014] When lowering the system it is important to ensure that the locking was actually released for all strutting devices, this in order to avoid an unsafe situation. With a view hereto a further particular embodiment of the system has the feature that the unlocking means comprise an electronic sensor which is able and configured to monitor a state of the unlocking means and put it out to a processing unit in the form of an electronic signal, wherein the electronic sensor more particularly comprises an electronic monitoring device from a group comprising a switch contact, a magnetic sensor and an optical sensor. The lifting device can thus be safeguarded by releasing it to drop only once all strutting devices have obtained an unlocking signal.

[0015] Although a lifting device of varying nature can be applied in the salvage system according to the invention, the salvage system according to the invention preferably has the feature that the lifting device comprises an at least substantially straight stack of mutually coupled inflatable bodies, particularly cushions. The safeguarding by means of a set of supports as described above is particularly suitable for application in combination with such a stack of inflatable bodies, particularly cushions. Compressed air is here used as pressure medium, particularly for the inflatable bodies.

[0016] For the purpose of rapidly and correctly arranging the strutting devices all around the lifting device, particularly such a stack, a further particular embodiment of the salvage system according to the invention is preferably applied, characterized in that the strutting devices support on a ground surface with interposing of a foot plate from a group of foot plates and that the group of foot plates form part of a positioning device which imposes their relative, particularly equidistant, position all around the lifting device. The positioning device is here placed beforehand in order to thereby define a correct position of the foot plates on site. The supports can then be arranged thereon, and from there be coupled to the lifting device for an optimal distribution of forces.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a method for operating a salvage system, particularly the above described salvage system according to the invention. According to the invention, such a method comprises the following steps of: placing an energizable lifting device under a load; providing a number of longitudinally adjustable strutting devices between respective support points on a ground surface and the lifting device, these each being longitudinally adjustable between a shortest length and an extended maximum length and being substantially free-running in an extending movement and locked in opposite direction; partially raising the energizable lifting device to at most a height under the load; and if necessary, filling up a distance between an engagement point on the at most partially raised lifting device and a length of a strutting device with interposing of one or more elongate support bodies, particularly with interposing of one or more tubular bodies.

[0018] The method according to the invention has the feature here that the strutting devices are arranged, if necessary with interposing of the elongate support bodies, in an at least substantially unloaded state between the support points and the at most partially raised lifting device, and that the lifting device is only then driven to a greater height.

[0019] In a particular embodiment the method according to the invention has the feature that each of the strutting devices is provided with energizable unlocking means which are able and configured to release the locking of the strutting device, and that the lifting device is moved from a loaded state to a lower height only once the locking of each of the strutting devices has been released. It is thus firstly ensured that the strutting devices are likewise free-running in an inward movement before the lifting device is lowered from an optionally fully raised state.

[0020] In a further particular embodiment the method according to the invention has the feature that the lifting device comprises a stack of inflatable bodies, particularly a stack of inflatable cushions, and that at least one of the cushions is removed from the stack while the load is being carried by the strutting devices. The invention thus provides the option of removing an inflatable body from the stack and replacing it in a loaded state of the salvage system, for instance in the event that a leak or other defect was found therein. In that case the strutting devices take on the whole load so that the lifting device can be repaired in unloaded state in relatively simple and rapid manner.

[0021] The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to an exemplary embodiment and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

[0022] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a salvage system according to the invention in a wholly compact state;

[0023] Figure 2 shows the salvage system of figure 1 in partially raised state;

[0024] Figure 3 shows the salvage system of figure 1 in wholly raised state;

[0025] Figures 3A,B show in cross-section the mutual coupling of successive cushions in the stack of figure 3 in respectively a first enlargement and a second, partially exploded, enlargement;

[0026] Figure 4A shows an isometric view of a tubular body as applicable in the salvage system according to the invention;

[0027] Figure 4B shows a longitudinal section of the tubular body of figure 4A;

[0028] Figure 5A shows an isometric view of a strutting device as applied in the salvage system according to the invention;

[0029] Figure 5B shows a longitudinal section of the strutting device of figure 5A;

[0030] Figure 5C shows a cut-away detail of the base of the strutting device of figure 5A;

[0031] Figure 6A shows an isometric view of a support as applied in the salvage system of figure 1;

[0032] Figure 6B shows an enlarged detail of the support of figure 6A;

[0033] Figure 7 shows an isometric view of a second exemplary embodiment of a salvage system according to the invention in a wholly raised state; and

[0034] Figures 8-11 show the salvage system of figure 1 in successive stages of development under a load.

[0035] It is otherwise noted here that the figures are purely schematic and not always drawn to (the same) scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated in the figures with the same reference numeral. The salvage system shown in figure 1 comprises a lifting device 1 in the form of a linear stack of a number of inflatable bodies 10, also referred to hereinafter as cushions, each of which is provided with an individual compressed air connection 11, see figure 2. Separate compressed air lines can be coupled to the compressed air connections, with which air lines air can be introduced into the cushions under increased pressure from a compressor or pressure cylinder. This causes cushions 10 to expand and the stack to rise as shown in figure 2 and otherwise described in Netherlands patent NL 2014930, the content of which is referred to and deemed as included herein.

[0036] As elucidated therein as well, such a salvage system is particularly applied for salvaging an aircraft. For this purpose the stack comprises at the top a transition device 20, such as in this case a set of hexagonal low-pressure cushions 20 which are likewise fed compressed air, optionally from the same source, but are better able to follow the local geometry of the aircraft owing to their low degree of filling (pressure). If desired, a different transition device can be applied depending on the type and size of aircraft, such as for instance a different type, shape or size of low-pressure cushion. An example of such an alternative embodiment is shown in figure 7.

[0037] The cushions 10 each comprise a flexible wall 12, see also figure 3A and 3B, of optionally natural rubber. A wrapping of an extremely tensively strong aramid fibre, also known under the brand name Twaron® or Kevlar®, is applied here, whereby cushions 10 are able to withstand extremely heavy loads in inflated state. The flexible wall 12 is received at the top and the bottom in leak-tight manner in central end pieces 13, 14 which are made entirely of aluminium or another robust, rigid material. Besides providing a leak-tight sealing of cushion 10, the end pieces 13, 14 also provide a part of a mutual coupling between the cushions. For this purpose the end piece 13 is provided at the bottom with a recess 15 in which a protrusion 16 of the roof of the cushion lying thereunder is received. This male-female coupling 15, 16 imparts direction and stability to the cushion stack, while the coupling can be released in simple manner in the event that one or more cushions 10 need to be replaced or removed from the stack.

[0038] The stack 1 ends here in a set of low-pressure cushions 20 with a rectangular footprint. The stack may also end in a rectangular coupling (jackpoint adapter) to a coupling point (jackpoint) intended therefor and provided on the fuselage or wing of the aircraft.

[0039] In order to avoid an unsafe situation if a cushion 10 in the stack were to unexpectedly deflate or bust while carrying a load the salvage system comprises strutting means in the form of a number of supports 30 which are placed radially all around the cushion stack 10, 20, see figure 2. At a first outer end 31 each support 30 is coupled to a cup 21 provided on stack 10 for this purpose and enters into a durable and reliable connection therewith. At a free outer end the supports 30 are received by a foot plate 41 forming part of a positioning device 40 provided for this purpose. Both the cups 21 on stack 1 and the foot plates 41 are connected pivotally to the support 30 in question, thus preferably forming a ball hinge, allowing support 30 the freedom to take up a different position. If desired, the foot plates 41 can here also be anchored in the ground by means of ground anchors (pins).

[0040] In addition to the foot plates 41, positioning device 40 also comprises a central base 45 on which the stack 1 is placed. The foot plates 41 are connected to the central base 45 by means of radial straps 43 of equal length. Located between the radial straps 43 are intermediate straps 44, likewise of equal length. Both the radial straps 43 and the intermediate straps 44 are laid out tautly beforehand so that an equidistant position relative to the centre of the stack is thereby imposed on foot plates 41. This defines an optimal positioning of the supports 30 all around the stack.

[0041] The supports 30 are arranged before the stack has been fully raised and will bear the load. This is shown in figure 2. A first number of cushions 10 is here still in the original, empty state, while a second group of cushions 10 is fully inflated. The supports 30 each comprise an adjustable strutting device 50 in combination with one or more tubular bodies 60 in order to thereby bridge a distance from strutting device 50 to the relevant cup 21 of stack 1. In some cases a coupling 65 is provided between strutting device 50 and the tubular body 60 adjacent thereto in order to connect the two parts to each other in clearance-free manner. The thus assembled supports 30 finally form a completely stiff shore which is able to withstand sufficient load. A contributing factor is that, with a view to maintaining buckling resistance of the whole, the tubular bodies 60 are extra thick-walled and are overdimensioned relative to strutting device 50.

[0042] Such a tubular body 60 is shown in further detail in figures 4A and 4B and is a relatively thick-walled cylindrical body of aluminium or a similar, at least equally strong material. Tubular body 60 comprises at the outer end a narrowing 62 which is received in a rear end of a corresponding further tubular body. A mutual coupling is ensured here by a set of spring-mounted studs 64 which are received in corresponding openings 66 at the rear end. This is drawn in more detail in the section of figure 4A, and an internal operating member 68, whereby this coupling can if desired be released manually from below, is also visible therein. This is a cable, rod or similar operating member which, when pulled, releases a conical displacing member 69 from the studs 64 counter to a spring tension of a spiral spring 67. The studs 64 now spring back to a position inside tubular body 60 and out of the openings 66 of the other tubular body in order to thus release tubular body 60 therefrom. The supports 30 are connected with their free outer end to the foot plates 41, after which the first group of cushions 10 is also wholly or partially inflated, see figure 3, depending on the height to be achieved. Strutting devices 50 are each longitudinally adjustable between a retracted shortest length, see figure 2, and an extended maximum length taken up in figure 3. The strutting devices 50 are here free-running when developing to their maximum length, while a movement in opposite direction is in each case prevented by locking means provided in the strutting device 50. This enables strutting devices 50 to extend freely as the stack 1 continues to rise while axial support is nevertheless continually provided thereby, this reliably securing the stack and particularly also being able to bear the load wholly on its own. This latter provides the option of then for instance, if necessary, removing a cushion that is leaking, has sprung a leak or is otherwise defective from the stack and to replace it. The leak-tight sealing of each individual cushion 10, as shown in figure 3B, here allows the cushions to be deflated individually in order to individually replace and / or remove one or more cushions without the remaining part of the column having to be removed.

[0043] As shown by way of exemplary embodiment in figures 5A-5C, strutting devices 50 each comprise a telescopically assembled tube device with an axial cavity which is bounded by a cylinder housing 52 and over which a cylindrical outer casing 55 is axially movable in close-fitting, leak-tight manner as extension part. Strutting device 50 is continuously adjustable between a relatively compact starting position, in which cylinder housing 52 is located at least substantially wholly inside the outer casing 55, as shown in figures 5A and 5B, and an extended position in which the outer casing 55 has moved beyond cylinder housing 52 to maximum extent.

[0044] As shown in a longitudinal section in figure 5B, cylinder housing 52 comprises at an outer end thereof inside outer casing 55 a locking device 54 which is provided at a main surface facing toward outer casing 55 with a number of successive radial grooves or recesses 56, see also the enlargement of figure 5B. A number of locking bodies 58 is provided in the grooves 56. In this example these locking bodies 58 comprise a set of balls and are able and configured to mutually fix outer casing 55 and cylinder housing 52 in any extended state of strutting device 50, wherein a movement of outer casing 55 further inward over cylinder housing 52 is prevented. Balls 58 can be made of any suitable material but, for reasons of durability and strength, are made of a hard material such as for example steel. A hard material such as steel is preferably likewise used for the locking device 54 and the grooves 56 provided therein. Although use is in this exemplary embodiment made of a number of successive radial grooves 56, use can also be made of a single radial groove or a spiral groove or other recess. Instead of a shared groove for every ball 58, a separate recess can also be provided. As shown in more detail in figure 5B, the depth of the grooves 56 in locking device 54 increases gradually, wherein a maximum depth in the grooves 56 is adapted to a diameter of the balls 58 so that balls 58 do not make contact with an inner wall of outer casing 55, or hardly so, when located in a deepest part of the grooves 56. When outer casing 55 and cylinder housing 52 slide apart, balls 58 are driven to this deepest part of grooves 56, whereby the strutting device 50 is free-running in this direction. When outer casing 55 moves over cylinder housing 52 in opposite direction, balls 58 are however driven out of the grooves 56 and finally engage on the inner wall of outer casing 55. Balls 58 are now clamped in place and resist a further return movement of outer casing 55 over cylinder housing 52. Strutting device 50 thus automatically resists shortening.

[0045] In order to have strutting device 50 return from an extended position to a position in which it is extended less far or to the relatively compact starting position unlocking means are provided whereby the above described clamping of balls 58 can be released. The unlocking means comprise an unlocking device whereby balls 58 can be driven to a deeper part of the relevant groove 56, wherein they no longer lie clampingly against the inner wall of outer casing 55 and thus release the locking. For this purpose a head 53 of the unlocking device engages on a steel collar 57 which acts directly on balls 58 and, once lifted, drives balls 58 simultaneously to the deeper part of groove 56 where balls 58 no longer clamp onto the inner wall of outer casing 55. In order to be able to lift the ring 57, head 53 is coupled to an outer end of a drive rod 51 extending inside cylinder housing 52. Drive rod 51 is coupled at a base thereof to an actuator 80 which can be controlled remotely and from the outside to displace drive rod 51 in axial direction. The actuator 80, and thereby the drive rod 51, can be both mechanically, pneumatically and hydraulically controllable.

[0046] In this case the actuator comprises a piston 80, see also figure 5C, which can be extended pneumatically. The piston 80 engages on drive rod 51 and thus imparts an axial displacement thereto, whereby head 53 is lifted counter to a spring tension of a spiral spring 59. Head 53 here strikes the ring or collar 57 and thereby drives balls 58 from a clamped position between cylinder housing 55 and locking device 53 to a deeper part of grooves 56. This releases the locking of strutting device 50, which is free to sag down and take on a more compact form. The spring tension of spiral spring 59 results in drive rod 51 being urged back to the starting position as soon as the pressure on piston 80 is eliminated.

[0047] The supports 30 of the salvage system are able to follow and continuously stabilize the raising of stack 10 in that strutting devices 50 will extend correspondingly and resist a movement in opposite direction. In order to overcome any possible mutual friction between cylinder housing 52 and outer casing 55 a pressure medium which acts on outer casing 55 and expels outer casing 55 is let into the axial cavity of cylinder housing 52. For this purpose each strutting device 50 is provided with a first hose connection 71 for coupling an individual pressure line 73, see also figures 6A and 6B, to a remotely located pressure producing device 70, see also figures 8-11, for supplying a suitable medium under increased pressure, such as here compressed air.

[0048] The locking or free-running mode of strutting device 50 is likewise provided for pneumatically. For this purpose the strutting device also comprises a second hose connection 72 for coupling of a second pressure line 74, see figures 6A and 5B. A second pressurized medium can hereby be supplied as auxiliary fluid. In the shown exemplary embodiment use is made for the supply of a coupling of the two compressed air lines of separate connections 71, 72 in addition to each other, each with a separate, optionally paired compressed air line 73, 74. A coaxial, particularly concentric, coupling can instead also be applied here, with a like conduit whereby the two pressure media can be exchanged with the strutting device separately of each other. This can significantly reduce the number of individual pressure lines in the field.

[0049] The auxiliary fluid acts on piston 80, this serving as actuator whereby drive rod 51 is extended so as to release the locking of strutting device 50. This latter is monitored by an electronic sensor arranged at actuator 80 on a base of drive rod 51, see figure 5C. The sensor comprises here a potential-free contact assembly of a first contact which is placed fixedly in the housing and a counter-contact which is mounted on the drive rod. As soon as drive rod 51 is extended, this counter-contact 81 is displaced thereby. In the starting state of piston 80, in which the strutting device 50 is locked, the two contacts 81, 82 lie at a mutual distance. In a wholly extended state of piston 80 the contacts 81, 82 however do make contact with each other. In this second state the unlocking device 54-59 expels the balls 58 from their recess 56 and the locking of strutting device 50 is released. When the drive rod returns back to the starting state under the influence of spiral spring 59, the contact between the two contacts 81, 82 is broken again.

[0050] This mutual, optional contact 81, 82 is monitored at a distance from strutting device 50 via an electronic control cable. Only once such a monitoring has been received of all strutting devices will the pressure supply device 70 allow lifting device 1 to drop in order to thus prevent the whole from inadvertently taking up a misaligned position when cushions 10, 11 are removed or deflated. A different sensor technology, for instance an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor, such as a Reed switch, which is coupled to piston 80 or other type of actuator, can if desired also be used for this monitoring. A strutting device 50 is thus provided which can freely take up an extended position but is automatically locked in opposite direction, except when the locking is purposely released by means of the unlocking device, wherein this latter is monitored electronically.

[0051] Figures 8-11 shows schematically a method according to the invention wherein the above described salvage system is utilized. The load comprises here an aircraft which must be salvaged or at least stabilized. For this purpose the salvage system of figure 1 is placed under the low-hanging wing in completely empty state, see figure 8. The positioning device 40 was placed on the ground surface under the stack of still empty cushions 10 beforehand, enabling the cushion stack 10 to be positioned stably on the base plate 45 of the device.

[0052] A pressure supply device with control console 70 is also set up close to the aircraft. The pressure supply device comprises a compressor whereby an ambient air is pressurized. The obtained compressed air is carried to the cushions 10 of stack 1 by means of compressed air lines provided for this purpose but not further shown in the figure for the sake of clarity. The pressure lines here run via the console 70, which comprises for each of the cushions a connection to a reducing valve. Each cushion 10 can thus individually be remotely operated and controlled from console 70. The console also comprises such a control and actuation for the low-pressure cushions 20.

[0053] The system is partially inflated, to a height which reaches at most to a position below the aircraft but not yet touching the aircraft, see figure 9. In this state the aircraft can still be approached safely and the supports 30 can be arranged. For this purpose one or more tubular bodies 60 are first arranged as needed to bridge the distance to strutting devices 50 to be arranged subsequently, which are then not yet fully extended, see figure 9.

[0054] After the strutting devices have been coupled to the foot plates 41 of the positioning device intended therefor the cushions 10 are inflated further, see figure 10. This is continued until the load has been lifted to a sufficient height, see figure 11. The arranging and raising of cushions 10 is here axially bounded by tensioning straps 17 which are in each case arranged all around between successive cushions, see also figure 1. By opting for longer tensioning straps 17 fewer cushions will be needed to reach a determined height; although using shorter tensioning straps 17 results in cushions 10 rising less high individually, this does provide for a greater mutual contact surface between the cushions and thereby for more lifting capacity.

[0055] The respective strutting devices 50 here automatically follow the further raising of the stack and continuously support it all the way around. Cushions 10 can be added, replaced or removed during each phase of the salvaging process, also owing to the leakage-free mutual coupling and individual connection of the cushions, as described with reference to figures 3A-3C. The telescopic supports have strength and robust dimensions such that the full burden of the load can always be carried thereby, and cushions 10 are thus redundant.

[0056] Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only a single exemplary embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

Claims:

1. Salvage system for salvaging a load, comprising an energizable lifting device for placing under the load and strutting means with which the lifting device supports all around on a ground surface in order to support the lifting device, which strutting means comprise a number of strutting devices for forming a number of supports wherein the strutting devices are longitudinally adjustable between a retracted shortest length and an extended maximum length, characterized in that the strutting devices are at least substantially free-running in an extending movement and are mechanically locked in opposite direction, that each of the strutting devices is provided with energizable unlocking means which are able and configured to release the mechanical locking of the relevant strutting device, and that both the lifting device and the unlocking means are remotely controllable.

2. Salvage system according to claim 1, characterized in that the strutting devices are telescopically adjustable, comprising a cylinder housing and a casing fitting telescopically thereover, wherein the locking comprises at least one adjustable clamping member between the cylinder housing and the casing, which clamping member engages clampingly between the cylinder housing and the casing in the opposite direction, and releases in an outward stroke therebetween.

3. Salvage system according to claim 2, characterized in that the cylinder housing comprises a pressure chamber for receiving therein a fluid under increased pressure, particularly compressed air, which pressure chamber is provided with a hose connection for coupling of a fluid line to a remotely located pressure supply device for supply of the fluid, wherein the pressure medium acts on the casing in order to expel it.

4. Salvage system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that unlocking means comprise an actuator member which releases the locking of the relevant strutting device upon being energized.

5. Salvage system according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the actuator member is energizable under pressure of an auxiliary fluid, particularly of compressed air, and that the cylinder housing comprises a connection for supply of the auxiliary fluid.

6. Salvage system according to claim 5, characterized in that the hose connection comprises a coaxial hose coupling for coupling a coaxial fluid line to at least one remotely located pressure supply device for parallel supply of the fluid and the auxiliary fluid.

7. Salvage system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unlocking means comprise an electronic sensor which is able and configured to monitor a state of the unlocking means and put it out to a processing unit in the form of an electronic signal.

8. Salvage system according to claim 7, characterized in that the electronic sensor comprises an electronic monitoring device from a group comprising a switch contact, a magnetic sensor and an optical sensor.

9. Salvage system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting device comprises an at least substantially straight stack of mutually coupled inflatable bodies, particularly inflatable cushions.

10. Salvage system according to claim 9, characterized in that the inflatable bodies are each individually provided with a connection for an inflation medium and are each individually leak-tight.

11. Salvage system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strutting devices support on a ground surface with interposing of a foot plate from a group of foot plates and that the group of foot plates form part of a positioning device which imposes their relative, particularly equidistant, position all around the lifting device.

12. Method for operating a salvage system, particularly one according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising of: placing an energizable lifting device under a load; providing a number of longitudinally adjustable strutting devices between respective support points on a ground surface and the lifting device, these each being longitudinally adjustable between a shortest length and an extended maximum length and being substantially free-running in an extending movement and locked in opposite direction; partially raising the energizable lifting device to at most a height under the load; and if necessary, filling up a distance between an engagement point on the partially raised lifting device and a length of a strutting device with interposing of one or more elongate support bodies, particularly with interposing of one or more tubular bodies, wherein the strutting devices are arranged, if necessary with interposing of one or more elongate support bodies, in an at least substantially unloaded state between the support points and the at most partially raised lifting device, and that the lifting device is only then driven to a greater height.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that each of the strutting devices is provided with energizable unlocking means which are able and configured to release the locking of the strutting device, and that the lifting device is moved from a loaded state to a lower height only once the locking of each of the strutting devices has been released.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the lifting device comprises a stack of inflatable bodies, particularly a stack of inflatable cushions, and that at least one of the cushions is removed from the stack while the load is being carried by the strutting devices.

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