4718 results about "Buoyant flow" patented technology

Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that utilize relatively lightweight and / or substantially neutrally buoyant particulates. Particles that may be employed include particulates of naturally occurring materials that may be optionally strengthened or hardened by exposure to a modifying agent; porous materials including selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and / or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and / or penetrating materials; and well treating aggregates composed of an organic lightweight material and a weight modifying agent. The relatively lightweight particulate may be suspended as a substantially neutral buoyant particulate and stored with a carrier fluid as a pumpable slurry.

A system for use in petroleum production at sea includes a guide frame for one or more riser pipes, on a semisubmersible production vessel. One or more main buoyancy member are arranged separately on at least one riser to carry the main part of the riser's weight. Each riser separately carries a Christmas tree on its top, near a main deck of the vessel. The guide frame comprises vertical main elements extending vertically downwards from the deck, through the splash zone and through the upper, more wave- and current-influenced zone of the sea. The guide frame also includes horizontal guide plates comprising vertically open cells formed of a horizontally arranged framework of beams. Lateral stabilization devices guide the risers' and the main buoyancy members' vertical movement relative to the vessel and restrict horizontal movement of the risers with respect to the guide frame. The guide plates are arranged in at least two levels on the guide frame. A lower guide plate is arranged at the lower ends of the vertical main elements', and a guide plate is arranged just below or near the splash zone. At least one main buoyancy member is held on the riser in level with, and guided by, lateral stabilization devices arranged in one or more guide plates below the upper, more wave- and current-influenced zone near the sea surface. The risers are without buoyancy elements through the splash zone, and thus are less exposed to the water forces in the upper zone of the sea.

Controlled Buoyancy Perforating technology for highly deviated and substantially horizontal wellbores may include long perforating guns assembled on a rig floor from a multiplicity of light weight and highly engineered shaped charge carrier joints. Tubular housings for such light weight joints may be fabricated from composite materials having steel transition collars. The collars are designed for an angularly coordinated, bayonet assembly and, in most cases, rapid disassembly. The internal volume of each joint is environmentally sealed by a plurality of O-rings. Barbs carried by collet fingers projecting from opposite ends of a sealing sleeve that externally bridges a transition collar union plane secures the union by meshing with detent channels in the respective collars. Individual shaped charge units and cooperative fusing are assembled in a light weight inner loading tube having an alignment collar to secure the angular and axial position of the loading tube relative to the transition collars.

A floating wind turbine system with a tower structure that includes at least one stability arm extending therefrom and that is anchored to the sea floor with a rotatable position retention device that facilitates deep water installations. Variable buoyancy for the wind turbine system is provided by buoyancy chambers that are integral to the tower itself as well as the stability arm. Pumps are included for adjusting the buoyancy as an aid in system transport, installation, repair and removal. The wind turbine rotor is located downwind of the tower structure to allow the wind turbine to follow the wind direction without an active yaw drive system. The support tower and stability arm structure is designed to balance tension in the tether with buoyancy, gravity and wind forces in such a way that the top of the support tower leans downwind, providing a large clearance between the support tower and the rotor blade tips. This large clearance facilitates the use of articulated rotor hubs to reduced damaging structural dynamic loads. Major components of the turbine can be assembled at the shore and transported to an offshore installation site.

The present invention relates to a netpen for breeding, storage, or transport of fish in the sea, in particular completely or in part in open sea regions outside the skerries, wherein the netpen may be lowered in the sea to a desired depth when needed, wherein the netpen may be elevated to a half or approximately half submerged state for various work operations, such as maintenance and inspection of the netpen or harvesting, and wherein netpen has a substantially spherical geometry. The invention is characterized in that the netpen consists of a framework of stays (1, 2, 3, 4) mainly comprising polyethylene or polyethylene-like materials, such as PolyEthylene Low Density (PELD) or PolyEthylene High Density (PEHD), preferably PEHD, a horizontal through center pole (5) also serving as a buoyancy adjusting element for elevation and lowering of the netpen, a horseshoe-shaped working platform (6) having an integrated dock (7) for working vessels, the entire working platform including dock being liftable and lowerable through buoyancy adjustment by means of a designated element (13), and the working deck being mounted on an extended axle (15) on the center pole in such a manner that the netpen may be rotated inside said working deck. On said axle, through lines (8), there are also attached buoys (10) that gives the netpen sufficient reserve buoyancy in normal position as well as weighting organs (9) that, when the netpen is to be stabilized fully submerged at a desired depth, is landed on the sea floor; alternatively, the netpen is stabilized at the desired depth due to the reserve buoyancy in the floatation unit (30) and the floatation element (23), as shown in FIG. 30. Life-supporting functions, such as fodder, energy, and air, are being supplied to the netpen through a lifeline from a nearby floatation unit (30), preferably a platform being an integrated part of the anchoring for the netpen.

A buoyant platform apparatus, such as a buoy, is described that comprises a laser radar (lidar) wind speed measurement device. The lidar is arranged to make wind velocity measurements at one or more remote probe volumes of known position relative to said platform. The wind speed measurement apparatus may further comprise motion sensing means that, in use, monitor motion of the platform allowing wind speed at an absolute position in space to be measured. Wind velocity data may also be compensated for platform movement.

An electric generating system uses a zeppelin filled with helium or hydrogen, and a spinnaker sail, to provide pulling power that will lift a heavy railcar to an elevated height on a track, such as on a hill or mountainside, or in an elevator-type shaft in a tall building. When the heavy car reaches the top of the track, it is released, and its descent drives an electric generator. The generator can be carried by the car, and can send the power to batteries on the car, or to conductive rails. Alternately, if the car is inert weight, cables can drive stationary generators. The zeppelin will be inflated and deflated repeatedly, using equipment to recapture energy during each gas expansion, to help drive subsequent recompression into high-pressure tanks. The spinnaker sail will use a cable-handling device and spreader bars to deploy the sail and keep it at an elevated height. Various advantages are provided compared to wind turbines and pumped-storage hydroelectric facilities.

A device called “pill” is provided for in-line measurement of properties, such as pressure and temperature, in a fluid flow within a pipeline system. The device is small enough to travel in the medium of the pipeline system in an unrestricted manner. It has at least one sensor to scan properties such as pressure and temperature at a desired rate. Also, the device includes a microprocessor for logging data scanned by the sensor so that it can later be downloaded and analysed by a PC. Moreover, the device has a buoyancy compensator for adjusting the specific gravity of the device to make it compatible with the medium in which it travels. The novel device is particularly suitable for use in solids transport systems, such as mining backfill systems.

A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30). In another embodiment, a droplet (55) segments into smaller droplets which bridge the gap between the inlet and outlet ports.

The present invention relates generally a method and apparatus for adjusting the buoyancy of towed seismic arrays comprising a plurality of streamers and specifically to the dynamic buoyancy control of the buoyancy of a towed array of streamers by means of applying current to electroactive polymers (EAP) incorporated within the towed array of seismic streamers. The bulk density of the streamer array is electrically altered to accomplish neutral buoyancy for a towed array of streamers within the full range of water-densities from fresh to extremely dense seawater.

Systems for generating electric power from wind are disclosed, which use buoyant aircraft and spinnaker sails to generate very large pulling forces, which will be used to drive electric generators. The buoyant aircraft, referred to as “airbarges”, will have large, wide, and flat shapes which combine various traits of kites, manta rays, and “flying wing” aircraft. They can be flown “nose up” during the pulling stage of each power cycle, and “nose down” during retrieval. Spinnaker sails are comparable to horizontal parachutes, with tethering systems that will enable them to be pulled back to a starting location in a “luffing flag” or “closed umbrella” configuration. Because of various factors, spinnaker sails can generate much greater power output and operating efficiency than 3-blade wind turbines. “Webbing sails” made from interwoven straps also are disclosed, which can be used even in extremely high winds.

Utilisation of geothermal energy in depths above 5 km could contribute considerably to resolving the global problems related to a lack of energy and to glasshouse gases from fossil fuels. The invention describes innovative equipment which makes deep holes in geological formations (rock) by disintegrating the soil into blocks carried to the land surface through the excavated hole filled with liquid, using transport modules yielded up by gas buoyancy interaction in the transport module utilising supercavitation. In an opposite direction—by help of negative buoyancy—the necessary energy carriers, materials and components, or entire devices required for rock excavation, are carried to the bottom. The opportunity to transport rock in entire blocks reduces energy consumption considerably, because the rock is disintegrated in the section volumes only. Some of the extracted rock and material carried from the surface is used to make a casing of the hole using a part of the equipment. The equipment also allows the generation of the necessary high pressure of liquid at the bottom of the hole, to increase permeability of adjacent rock. The equipment as a whole allows by its function that there is almost linear dependence between the price and depth (length) of the produced hole (borehole).

A flushing mechanism for a dual flush cistern system comprises a float assembly (1) comprising a hollow valve stemn (2) carrying a sealing valve (3) for sealing the outlet opening of the cistern at or towards one end and being open at each end to define an overflow passage and a float (6) fixedly attached around the valve stem (2), a cylindrical guide member (7) surrounding the float (6) and having at the end adjacent the sealing valve at least one opening to allow liquid to pass to the outlet opening, an operating rod (17) arranged to move vertically upward to raise the float assembly (1) to open the vavle (3), first and second operating means (25, 26) arranged to effect such vertical movement of the operating rod (17), the first operating means (25), an operation, being arranged to raise the float assembly (1) a first distance to a level which the float assembly (1) is buoyant, and the second operating means (26) being arranged to raise the float assembly (1) a second distance, less than the first distance in a level at which the float assembly (1) is not buoyant, whereby when the first operating means (25) is operated and released, a first predetermined quantity of liquid flows from the cistern, and when the second operating means (26) is operated and released a second, smaller, predetermined quantity of liquid flows from the cistern.

A device configured for the production of hydrokinetic energy that allows the efficient capture of energy from fluid in motion, especially slow flowing fluids. The device features an innovative structural design and drive train system as well as redundancy, which allows the device to be deployed in position, placed in service and maintained over its lifetime through the use of remotely operated vehicles. The device features one or more turbines, each turbine having an open center tube. The device features a buoyancy system including a plurality of thin walled modular buoyancy chambers with a redundant (re)pressurization system and remotely operated vehicle replaceable bladder modules. Structure cavities of the device are capable of storing energy via processed energy storage liquids such as hydrogen or via gas compression in tanks and then exporting the stored energy or reconverting the stored energy into electricity.

A power generation system is provided that can capture and convert kinetic energy from waves in open water into hydraulic or electrical energy. The system includes one or more platforms that include buoyant arms which extend outwardly from the platform for interaction with waves passing around and beneath the platform. The arms are pivotally secured to the platform and are capable of moving between points above and below the still water level in order to more effectively contact, i.e., float on, the waves as they pass. Opposite the waves, the arms are operably connected to a hydraulic system in order that the fluid in the hydraulic system is effectively pumped by the motion of the arms as a result of the movement of arms resulting from their interaction with the waves. In turn, the hydraulic fluid pumped by the arms serves to operate a hydraulic motor that drives an electric power generator that provides an easily transportable source of power that can be directed to any suitable power transfer station.

A method and system for air flight is disclosed. The blended lifting body system is comprised of a lift module, a propulsion module, a payload module and a control system. The control system morphs the other modules through variable buoyancy, internal structures and a flexible exterior, and varies biomimetic oscillation in the propulsion module in order to facilitate takeoff, flight and landing.

A subsea return fluid recovery system for recovering drilling fluid and cuttings (“return fluid”) from a subsea wellbore in one embodiment includes a hub at the opening of the subsea wellbore that directs fluid into a transport device. In one embodiment, the hub includes a stand pipe that forms a return fluid column, the hydrostatic pressure of which causes return fluid to flow into the transport device rather than up the stand pipe. One or more buoyant members attached to the transport device convey the transport device toward the surface. A preferred recovery method includes collecting return fluid at the seabed, passively transporting the collected fluid to the surface, and processing the collected fluid at a local (offshore) or land based treatment facility. The retrieval and processing of the return fluid is done outside the critical path of the drilling activities at an offshore platform.

An assembly for armoring an amphibious vehicle against projectile penetrations, the amphibious vehicle having a hull, the assembly including a rigid spall generating sheet, the rigid spall generating sheet having a thickness and an outer surface; a buoyant sheet fixedly attached to and extending inwardly from the rigid spall generating sheet; and a multiplicity of fasteners interconnecting the rigid and buoyant sheets with the amphibious vehicle's hull, the buoyant sheet incorporating a low density, nonabsorbent hardened foam material; the buoyant sheet functioning for vehicle buoyancy enhancement and for defining a spall dispersal space overlying the hull and underlying the rigid spall generating sheet.

A decoy adapter stand allows a floatable buoyant waterfowl decoy to be adapted for use on land. The decoy adapter stand includes an upper securing bracket, a base, and a vertical spacer joining the upper bracket to the base. The securing bracket is used to secure a floatable buoyant waterfowl decoy to the stand, and the base provides a stable support. In use, the vertical spacer distances the decoy from the surface of the ground, so that the decoy appears to be standing. A first, freestanding embodiment of the decoy adapter stand includes a footed base. A second embodiment of the decoy adapter stand includes a staked base, where portions of the base are insertable into the ground. A method of using the described apparatus to adapt a floatable buoyant decoy for land use is also described.

An electric power generating buoy capable of generating power by scavenging energy from ocean wave motion. The power generating buoy includes float element adapted to float up and down following wave motion and an electric generator system with a spring loaded spool mechanism adapted to drive the rotor of the electric generator. It also includes an anchor element and a tension element attached to an anchor and the spring loaded spool mechanism and adapted to spin the spring loaded spool mechanism to generate electric current when wave action causes the float element to rise relative to the anchor element. Preferred embodiments of the buoy will deliver a minimum of 100 Watts of average power from the wave motion characteristic of moderate sea state (sea state 3), with less power from slight sea state (sea state 2) and more power from higher sea states. The basic power generation scheme will rely on harnessing the mechanical energy of the wave as it repeatedly pushes the buoyant surface float against a ballast force through the distance corresponding to the wave height.

A drive and control system for controlling the movement of a pool cover comprised of interconnected rigid buoyant slats. The system relies upon a hydraulic drive section including a hydraulic motor drive which may be initially provided with fluid under pressure by a remote electric drive section. The hydraulic drive section is also provided with an effective means of controlling movement of the pool cover, both in a winding direction on a cover drum, which may be submerged, and / or in an unwinding direction where the pool cover is being unwound from the drum. Various mechanisms to control the movement of the cover are described herein.

A mooring line for an oceanographic buoy system includes four sections. The first section is a protected cable that is connectable to the buoy. The second section is an energy absorbing cable. The third section is a weighted cable. The fourth section is a buoyant cable that is connectable to the anchor. The four sections are connected in series by smooth transitional connections. When the mooring line is deployed, it has an inverse catenary lay.

A pile driving barge comprises a barge body, buoyancy adjusting devices are arranged at four corners of the barge body respectively, an upper scanner and a lower scanner for scanning vertical piles are arranged on the barge body, and GPS signal receivers are arranged at two different positions of the barge body; anchor machines for anchoring at least four different positions are arranged on the barge body; a pile frame is rotationally arranged on the barge body; the barge body is provided with an automatic pile frame lying device; a piling guide rail is arranged on the pile frame; a pile hammer is movably arranged on the pile driving guide rail; a first brake device for limiting the position of the pile hammer on the pile driving guide rail is arranged on the pile hammer, a transition roller is arranged on the upper portion of the pile frame, the upper portion of the pile hammer is connected with a winch arranged on the barge body through a steel wire rope, and a second brake device for braking by braking a winch roller to control the steel wire rope to pull the pile hammer is arranged on the barge body; and a pile cap is arranged on the pile hammer, a pile gripper for gripping thevertical pile is arranged on the lower portion of the pile frame. The invention further discloses a posture adjusting method, a positioning control method and a pile driving method of the pile driving barge.

A system allowing for the active management of aerostatic lift in buoyant and semi-buoyant aerial vehicles comprised of a high tensile-strength outer pressure cell of a given volume and an inner compression cell of only slightly smaller dimensions. The inner compression cell is filled with a lifting gas, such as helium or hydrogen, to some fractional volume of its maximum, allowing for expansion of the lifting gas at different operational altitudes. When a reduction in aerostatic lift is desired, external air is compressed through the use of air handling means, and introduced into the outer pressure cell through a directional valve that prevents the pressurized air from leaving the pressure cell. When increased aerostatic lift is once again desired, the valve system may release all or a part of the pressurized air in the pressure cell, allowing the lifting gas to expand thereby displacing a greater volume of air and increasing lift.

A stable floating barge-platform for offshore operations and a method for assembling same. The barge-platform is assembled from a plurality of substantially identical, buoyant modules, all of which have substantially the same outer configuration. The buoyant modules are constructed onshore and transported to an offshore location where they are positioned and connected together to form the platform. When connected, an opening will be present through the center of the platform. This opening reduces the bottom area of the platform and accordingly substantially reduces the wave forces on the platform.

An applicator assembly includes an elongated handle terminating with a mounting head at a distal end. A buoyant hand grip engages the handle at the opposite proximal end. A support strap is attached to the handgrip. An applicator pad assembly is releasably attached to the mounting head. The applicator pad assembly is configured to releasably engage the mounting head. The handle may be extendable and locked into defined positions using locking tabs that engage corresponding locking apertures.

A controllable buoyant system (10) includes a support structure having a sealed hollow enclosure (12) containing a first gas and surrounded by a second gas, either the first gas or the second gas being lighter than ambient air. The hollow enclosure is pre-filled with the first gas via a one-way valve that prevents the first gas escaping and an altitude sensor (14) generates an altitude signal indicative of a height of the support structure. A height transducer (17, 21, 61, 66, 67, 68) coupled to the hollow enclosure is responsive to the altitude signal for varying the buoyancy of the support structure. A controller (15) is coupled to the altitude sensor and to the height transducer and is responsive to the altitude signal and to at least one reference altitude signal for automatically controlling the height transducer in order to maintain the support structure buoyant at the preset altitude.

An offshore well platform is towed in an upright condition to a well site by the use of a temporary flotation device. The flotation device mounts to a portion of the platform and is partially submerged, increasing the ability and buoyancy of the platform. At the site, the engagement of the flotation device shifts to a deploying position. In the deploying position, the ballast of the platform is increased to cause it to more deeply submerge. The flotation device remains at least partially surrounding the platform and floating while the platform moves downwardly relative to it. This provides lateral support if needed to prevent heeling while being submerged. The flotation device is disengageable from the platform when the platform is fully submerged.