Liquefied Gas Floatation Device for Deep-Sea Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floatation devices are ineffective at great depths due to the high pressure exerted by water, which prevents the inflatable bodies from inflating sufficiently to raise items from the seabed.
Innovation Solution
A floatation device utilizing a liquefied gas, such as liquid nitrogen, that vaporizes to charge a gas chamber, even under high pressure, allowing effective operation at greater depths, with a remotely operable valve for controlling fluid communication and a heat-insulated container to manage temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional compressed gas canisters are used in floatation devices, then the devices can operate at shallow depths, but they become ineffective at greater depths due to high water pressure preventing sufficient inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the state of the gas from compressed (gaseous) to liquefied, allowing it to be stored in a compact form and then vaporize to provide the necessary volume for buoyancy even under high water pressure conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of the gas from liquid to vapor state. The liquefied gas is stored in the container and vaporizes when released, expanding significantly to charge the gas chamber and provide buoyancy force to counteract water pressure at depth
2Temperature
If the container is heat-insulated to maintain liquefied gas temperature, then vaporization is controlled, but heat conduction from surroundings is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention includes optional heating means that can change the thermal parameters of the system, allowing controlled heat transfer to initiate or accelerate vaporization of the liquefied gas when needed, while the heat insulation maintains low temperature during storage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the successful raising and lowering of items from the seabed at greater depths than conventional devices, using materials like austenitic steel and glass-fibre reinforced plastics to withstand pressure, and a flexible diaphragm within a rigid enclosure for controlled buoyancy.
Implementation Method 1
a remotely operable device switchable between a closed state in which fluid communication between the container and the gas chamber is prevented, and an open state in which fluid communication between the container and the gas chamber is enabled and vaporisation of the liquefied gas charges the gas chamber with gas
Implementation Method 2
The container is preferably heat-insulated. This heat-insulation may be achieved by any conventional means that is suitable for incorporation in a floatation device
Data Source
AI summary
A floatation device is disclosed that comprises a container 10 containing a liquefied gas, a gas chamber (60, FIG. 2) and a remotely operable device 29. The remotely operable device is switchable between a closed state in which fluid communication between the container and the gas chamber is prevented, and an open state in which fluid communication between the container and the gas chamber is enabled and vaporization of the liquefied gas charges the gas chamber with gas. The liquefied gas may be liquid nitrogen and the container may be heat insulated with an insulating vacuum cavity. A buoyancy unit (40, FIG. 2) which comprises a rigid enclosure (42, FIG. 2) defining an interior volume and a flexible diaphragm (55, FIG. 2) that partitions the interior volume into first and second chambers is also disclosed.