US3335685A

US3335685A - Buoyancy control system and devices employing same

Info

Publication number: US3335685A
Application number: US501953A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter R Gimbel
Original assignee: BLUE MERIDIAN CO Inc
Current assignee: BLUE MERIDIAN CO Inc
Priority date: 1965-10-22
Filing date: 1965-10-22
Publication date: 1967-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-15
Also published as: GB1110630A; NL6615020A; DE1278867B; BE688504A

Description

U8-15,1967 Y P. R. GIMBL 3,335,685

BUOYANCY CONTROL SYSTEM AND DEVICES EMPLOYING SAMEl P. R. GIMBEL Aug.l l15, 1967 BUOYANCY CONTROL SYSTEM AND DEVICES EMPLOYING SAME Filed Oct. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet L? IIIIII 4.0

NVENTOR. ,l Pfff/9 E @Mea WM? M United States Patent O 3,335,685 BUOYANCY CUNTRL SYSTEM AND DEVICES EMPLOYING SAME Peter R. Gimhel, New York, N.Y., assigner to Blue Meridian Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed (ict. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,953 13 Claims. (Cl. 114-16) This invention relates to a buoyancy control system and to devices employing the same. More particularly, this invention relates to a buoyancy control system which is Iadjustable such that apparatus embodying the buoyancy control system can be maintained at a given depth beneath the surface of a body of water, such as beneath the surface of the ocean.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention there is provided a protected submarine observation cage, such as an anti-shark cage, to the top of which is fixed the buoyancy control system of this invention so that the operator of the anti-shark cage can adjust and stabilize the depth of the anti-shark cage at any suitable and useful depth beneath the surface of the ocean.

In accordance with yet another embodi-ment of this invention there is provided a free body or device to which the buoyancy control system of this invention is fixed rsuch that said free body or device can be maintained at a `desired depth beneath the surface of a body of water.

Buoyancy control systems are known and have been employed heretofore in submarines and other underwater vehicles and the like. For the -most part, the buoyancy control systems known heretofore are very complicated in operation, particularly when embodied in submarines. Some buoyancy control systems, however, are simple, but in operation, because of the simplicity, the attention of the operator is substantially always required to maintain the system operative and/or at a desired dept-h. Also, some buoyancy control systems make the operator a virtual prisoner of the system in the sense that the operator is almost a functional part of the system with the result that without the operator taking part or actively controlling the system, the system would tend to fail. One such simple buoyancy control system is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,190,256. The buoyancy control system disclosed in this patent makes the operator a virtual prisoner of the system and almost a functional part thereof.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved buoyancy control system.

It is another object of this invention to provide a buoyancy control system capable of attachmentto and utilization with substantially any body or device.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a buoyancy control system capable of attachment to substantially any body or `device and useful for maintaining said body or device -at a ygiven depth beneath the surface of a body of water.

In accordance with a very special embodiment it is an object of this invention to provide an improved antishark cage.

How these and other objects of this invention are achieved will become apparent in the light of the accompanying disclosure and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates in cross section the buoyancy control -chamber of the buoyancy control system of this nvention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the overall buoyancy control system in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective View of an anti-shark cage having associated therewith and embodied therein the buoyancy control system of this invention; and wherein FIG. 4 is a fragment-ary cross sectional view taken along lines 4 4 of FIG. 3.

ICC

In the buoyancy control system in accordance with this invention the buoyancy of the system is dependent upon the size of an air bubble provided with a freeflooding buoyancy chamber. By con-trolling the size of the air bubble Within the buoyancy chamber of the system, the buoyancy of the system is controlled, a larger size air b-ubble within the buoyancy chamber imparts greater buoyancy to the system and a smaller air bubble within the buoyancy chamber imparts relatively less buoyancy to the system.

The size of the air bubble within the buoyancy chamber is controlled by means of an adjustable water level sensing means provided within the buoyancy chamber. The water level sensing means is operatively connected to an air supply means and is effective to introduce air into the buoyancy chamber from the air supply means when the water at the air-water interface of the bubble within the chamber contacts the water level sensing means. Accordingly, in the operation of the buoyancy control system in accordance with this invention whenever the water level sensing means contacts the water at the bubble air-water interface within the chamber, air is introduced into the buoyancy chamber to increase the size of the air bubble therein with resulting increase in buoyancy of the sys-tem.

In the buoyancy control system in `accordance with this invention whenever it is desired to reduce the buoyancy of the system, or the size of the air bubble Within the buoyancy chamber, air is discharged from the bubble and the buoyancy chamber -to the outside, surrounding environment. Specifically, in accordance with this invention air is discharged from the air bubble by fluid .conduit means communicating between the interior of the buoyancy chamber and the environment surrounding the chamber.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention the iluid conduit means is provided with. an opening. When the opening is exposed to the air at or above the air-water interface of the bubble within the buoyancy chamber, yair is discharged from the air bubble Via the opening and the fluid conduit means into the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the size of the air bubble within the buoyancy chamber and the buoyancy of the system.

In accordance with the special embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. l of the 4drawings the water level sensing means is xed to the fluid conduit means, the water level sensing means being spaced above the upper edge of the opening provided by said fluid conduit means, such that by vertically moving; the fluid conduit means within the chamber the size of the air bubble within the chamber can be altered. If the fluid conduit means is moved upwardly within the buoyancy chamber, to eX- pose the opening of the fluid conduit means to the air within the air bubble, air is discharged via the uid conduit means into the surrounding environment, the size of the air bubble thereby being reduced with resulting reduction in the buoyancy of the system.

By moving the fluid conduit means downwardly within the buoyancy chamber the water level sensing means is brought into contact with the Water at or below 4the air-water interface of the bubble. 'Ihe water level sensing means upon contacting water causes yair to be discharged into the buoyancy chamber to increase the size of the air bubble with the resulting increase in the buoyancy of the system.

By controlling the vertical distance separating the water level sensing means and the upper edge of the opening in the iluid conduit means to which the water level sensing means is adjustably xed, the control sensitivity of the buoyancy device and its responsiveness to maintaining itself, and any other associated device fixed to it,

at a lgiven depth beneath the surface is increased. It has been found that a distance in the range about it-5% of `an inch separating the water level sensing means from the upper edge of the opening in the uid conduit provides satisfactory 'responsiveness and control with respect to maintaining the buoyancy control device at a desired depth beneath the surface.

Referring now to FIG. l of the drawings, there is shown a free-ooding buoyancy chamber 1i) adapted to receive and to contain an air bubble in the upper portion thereof. Ports c are provided in the bottom of buoyancy chamber 10 to permit access to the interior of buoyancy chamber 10 for adjustment of the equipment therein. Ports 10c also permit the water to ow into and to flood the interior of chamber 10. Bales 11 supported on spaced straps 12 are provided within the interior of buoyancy chamber 10 for better control of the water therein, particularly to reduce and dampen or eliminate sloshing. Air inlet ports 19a and 10b are provided in the upper portion of buoyancy chamber 10, the air inlet ports -being in communication with air lines 14a and 14h, respectively, for the supply of air to buoyancy chamber 10.

Fluid conduit means or pipe 15 is provided within buoyancy chamber 10 for fluid communication with the outside environment via opening 15a provided in pipe 15. Pipe 15 by means of handle 16 is vertically adjustable within buoyancy chamber 10, the upper portion of pipe 15 moving within stack or open cylinder 18 provided in the top of buoyancy chamber 10. O-rings l are positioned between the inside of stack 18 and pipe 15 to provide a substantially uid tight seal between pipe 15 and stack 18. Bar 20 is fixed by suitable means to pipe 15 within the interior of buoyancy chamber 10. Bar 20 serves as stop means to prevent the complete withdrawal of pipe 15 from chamber lti and adjustably supports water level sensing means 22 which is fixed to platform 24. IPlatform 24 is vertically adjustably movable with respect to bar 20 by means of screw 25 which is threadedly engaged with platform 24. As knurled knob 26 is turned screw 25 turns to move platform 2d and water level sensing means 22 fixed thereto upwardly or downwardly with respect to the upper surface of bar 2t). Guide means or post 28 fixed to bar 20 serves to guide platform 24 in its vertical movement as knob 26 and screw 25 are turned. Ring or collar 28a loosely fitted `around post 28 serves as stop means upon contact with the under surface of platform 24 to prevent the lower end of water level sensing means from moving below the upper edge of opening 15a provided in pipe 15.

As illustrated in the drawings S indicates the distance separating the lower end of water level sensing means 22 and the upper edge of opening 15a. This distance tends to control the sensitivity and responsiveness of the buoyancy control device. The greater the distance S the less the sensitivity and the responsiveness of the control device and the smaller the distance S the greater the sensitivity and the responsivness of the control device. In actual practice when the buoyancy control device is fixed and associated with an anti-shark cage a value for S in the range it-3A: of an inch has been found to provide satisfactory results from the point of View of sensitivity and responsiveness.

Closed stack 29 is provided on the top surface of buoyancy chamber 10 for the movement and insertion of water level sensing means 22 and platform 24 :and the associated elements as water level sensing means 22 is moved upwardly with respect to bar 20.

Cable 30 electrically connected with the upper end of Water level sensing means 22 extends therefrom through the bottom of buoyancy chamber 10 via opening 10d to a suitable electrical circuit and an electric power means, such as a battery.

The overall arrangement of the elements of the buoyancy control system is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2` cable 30 is electrically connected to a suitable electrical circuit 31 and associated electrical power means or battery pack 37. The electrical circuit serves to operate and to control the operation of solenoids 32 which open or close air valves 34 which control the flow of air to pipes 14a for supplying air to buoyancy chamber 10 via inlet ports 10a. Air supply means, such as air bottles 35 only one of which is in use at a time the other being held in reserve, are in uid communication via conduits 36 and 38 to pipes 14a and 14]). Valves 34a are manually operated for the supply of air via ports 1tlb and pipes 14h to chamber 10 to purge chamber 1t) of water, and thereby increase buoyancy for upward movement of the assembly to the surface, in the event of an emergency.

In the operation of the buoyancy control device illustrated in the drawings, and in particular FIGS. l and 2 thereof, the buoyancy control device, such as fixed to an anti-shark cage as illustrated in FIG. 3, is brought out to a suitable location and with pipe 15 pulled down such that opening 15a is at its lowest level within buoyancy chamber 1t), that is the buoyancy device being set for maximum buoyancy, the buoyancy device and associated equipment fixed thereto, e.g. the anti-shark cage, is tipped overboard. Upon being tipped overboard air is usually entrapped within buoyancy chamber 1? to help maintain the buoyancy chamber and the cage in an upright oating position. Sufficient buoyancy, however, is already provided by the entire assembly to maintain it floating even if buoyancy chamber 1G is completely flooded.

' Thereupon, when desired, pipe 15 is moved upwardly within buoyancy chamber 10. As pipe 15 is moved upwardly within buoyancy chamber 1G opening 15a penetrates into vthe air bubble within the buoyancy chamber and air is discharged via opening 15a and pipe 15 into the surrounding environment. As air is discharged the water level of the air-water interface of the bubble within buoyancy chamber 10 moves upwardly until the Water level contacts water level sensing means 22. The water, upon contacting water level sensing means 22 which may be oat actuated or actuated by the electrical conductivity of the water, activates the electrical control circuits to move solenoids 32 to open valves 34 to permit the flow of air from one of air tanks 35 via lines 36, 3S and 14a -and ports 10a into the upper portion of buoyancy charnber 10i. The entry of air into buoyancy chamber 10 continues until the now growing air bubble moves the air- Water interface below the bottom of water level sensing means 22. When this occurs and the supply of air is shut off by the closing of solenoid valves 34 the air bubble within buoyancy chamber 1t) is now stabilized such that the air-water interface is intermediate between the lower end of water level sensing means 22 and the upper edge of opening 15a in pipe 15. This condition, when the lair bubble within buoyancy chamber 10 is of a sufficient size to maintain the entire assembly in equilibrium, neutral buoyancy, beneath the surface of the water results in the buoyancy control device maintaining itself and the associated equipment, such as the anti-shark cage, at a given depth beneath the surface. From time to time due to wave action or other outside influences upon the buoyancy control system air may be discharged from or introduced into the buoyancy control system in the manner indicated while the buoyancy control system maintains itself in equilibrium at a given depth.

Should it be desired to move the buoyancy control system and assembly to greater depth pipe 15 is moved upwardly within buoyancy control chamber 10 causing opening 15a to discharge air into the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the size of the air bubble and lowering the buoyancy to cause the entire assembly to sink to a lower level. When the desired lower level is reached the air bubble is increased in size by moving pipe 15 downwardly until the air bubble within chamber 10 is of the size found to impart equilibrium or neutral buoyancy to the assembly.

If it is desired to move the buoyancy control system and entire assembly upwardly closer to the surface pipe is pulled downwardly within buoyancy control charnber 10 causing water level sensing means 22 to come into contact with the water below the air-water interface of the bubble within buoyancy chamber 10. Thereupon, the water level sensing means actuates solenoids 32 to open valves 34 to introduce more air into buoyancy chamber 10, increasing the size of the air bubble therein and the buoyant power or buoyancy of the device and causing the assembly to move upwardly to a new, higher level. As indicated hereinabove, the introduction of air continues until the water level of the air-water interface of the bubble within buoyancy chamber 10 clears or is displaced downwardly from contact with water level sensing means 22. The assembly can again be stabilized at this new, higher level by adjusting the size of the air bubble to that size found to impart equilibrium or neutral buoyancy to the entire assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, which illustrate the buoyancy control device in accordance with this invention fixed to and/ or embodied in an antishark cage or similar protective submarine observation platform, in FIGS. 3 and 4 the same reference numerals have been employed as were employed in FIGS. 1 and 2 to identify the same elements of the system. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 buoyancy chamber 10 is iixed to the anti-shark cage, generally indicated by reference numeral 40. One or more means for ingress and egress, such as door 45, is provided on the side of the shark cage. Floats 46 are fixed to the top side edges of the shark cage to provide positive buoyancy. As illustrated in FIG. 4 floats 46 are iilled with foamed plastic material 48 to assure buoyancy even when iioats 46 are punctured. In use, ballast would be brought into the anti-shark cage by its users to overcome the positive buoyancy provided by floats 46. The buoyancy provided by the control system would then be controlling.

Air bottles 35 are provided at the opposite corners of the shark cage. Air bottles 35 are in iiuid communication via lines 36 and -38 with lines 14a and 14b for the discharge of air into the upper portion of buoyancy chamber 10. In actual use only one of air bottles 35 would be operative. The other is held in reserve.

As indicated in FIG. 3, electrical control circuit 31 in electrical communication with the water level sensing means and solenoids 32 are mounted on the back of panel 48 iixed to the inside of anti-shark cage 40.

Although the buoyancy control system of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 as being embodied in an anti-shark cage and although emphasis has been placed in this disclosure on the applicability and the association of the buoyancy control device of this invention with an anti-shark cage, various other devices may be associated with and embody the buoyancy control system of this invention. Such devices include a mine or warhead operative in association with the buoyancy control system to be maintained at a given and/ or variable depth beneath the surface of a body of water. In the application of the buoyancy control system with a mine or warhead, means, such as timing means, and/or pressure or depthsensing means can be employed to actuate fluid conduit means or pipe 1S to cause the mine or warhead and buoyancy contol system to be maintained at a given depth or at a variable depth depending upon the instructions programmed into the timing device and/or depthsensing device associated with and controlling the buoy- `ancy control system. Instead of a mine or warhead an underwater camera might be aixed to the buoyancy control system or an underwater prospecting device, such as a means for determining and measuring the earths magnetic field. Numerous other devices may be employed in association with the buoyancy control system of this invention.

Further, although emphasis has been placed in this disclosure on the use of air as the gaseous medium used in the buoyancy chamber any suitable gas might be employed, such as oxygen, or an oxygen-containing gas, e.g. oxygen-helium mixtures, and even non-oxygen-containing gases, such as helium and nitrogen, provided such gases are suitable for use in the system, e.g. do not exhibit too great a solubility in water or similar aqueous fluids and/or are substantially non-reactive with respect thereto.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many modifications, alterations and substitutions are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In a buoyancy control system wherein the size of an air bubble within a free-flooding buoyancy chamber is used to control buoyancy, the improvement which comprises controlling the size of the air bubble within said buoyancy chamber by means of an adjustable water level sensing means provided within said chamber, said water level sensing means being operatively connected to an air supply means and being effective to introduce air into said chamber from said air supply means when the water of the air-water interface of said bubble within said chamber contacts said water level sensing means and wherein said water level sensing means is fixed to a iiuid conduit means associated with said chamber to provide fluid communication between the interior of said chamber via an opening provided by said iiuid conduit means and the environment surrounding said chamber, said opening being provided in that portion of said iiuid conduit means within said chamber, said fluid conduit means being vertically movable within said chamber and wherein said water level sensing means is spaced above the upper edge of said opening provided in said fluid conduit means.

2. In a buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said water level sensing means is `adjustably fixed to said fluid conduit means associatedwith said chamber to provide iiuid communication between the interior of said chamber via said opening provided by said Huid conduit means and the environment surrounding said chamber, said adjustable water level sensing means being vertically adjustable with respect to the upper edge of said opening and stop means to prevent said water level sensing means from vbeing positioned below the upper edge of said opening.

3. In a buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said air is introduced into the upper portion of said chamber to provide said air bubble within said chamber.

4. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said air is introduced into the upper portion of said chamber to provide said air bubble within said chamber.

5. A buoyancy lcontrol system comprising a buoyancy chamber provided with an opening in the bottom thereof for iiuid communication with the environment surrounding said chamber, said chamber being adapted to receive and to contain air introduced thereinto for the formation of an air bubble within said chamber, said air bubble within said chamber being characterized by an air-water interface, fluid conduit means associated with said chamber to provide fluid communication between the interior of said chamber and said surrounding environment, said Huid conduit means being vertically movable within said chamber and provided with an opening for effecting Huid communication via said fluid conduit means between the interior of said chamber and said environment surrounding said chamber, water level sensing means fixed to said uid conduit means and movable therewith within said chamber, said water level sensing means being spaced above the upper edge of said opening provided by said air supply means for the introduction of air into said chamber when said water level sensing means contacts the water at said air-water interface Within said chamber.

6. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim wherein said water level sensing means is adjustably xed to said uid conduit means.

7. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said water level sensing means is adjustably xed to said fluid conduit means and wherein stop means is provided to prevent said water level sensing means from being positioned below the upper edge of said opening.

8. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the air is introduced into said chamber within the upper portion thereof.

9. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fluid conduit means extends above the top of and below the bottom of said chamber, said opening being provided intermediate the ends of said fluid conduit means.

10. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 9 wherein a handle is provided at that end of the fluid conduit means extending below the bottom of said chamber for vertically adjusting the position of said opening within the interior of said chamber together with said water level sensing means.

11. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 9 wherein a handle is provided at that end of the fluid conduit means extending below the bottom of said chamber for vertically adjusting the position of said opening within the interior of said chamber together with said water level sensing means, and stop means effective to prevent the withdrawal of said fluid conduit means from said chamber.

12. A buoyancy control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein stop means are provided to prevent the withdrawal of said fluid conduit means from said chamber.

13. An anti-shark cage or similar structure comprising a cage provided with means for egress therefrom and ingress thereto, a plurality of positive buoyancy bodies or floats ixed along the upper edges of said cage on the outside thereof, a buoyancy chamber fixed to the outside top of said cage, said buoyancy chamber being provided with an opening in the bottom thereof for uid communication with the environment surrounding said chamber, said chamber being adapted to receive and to contain air introduced thereinto for the formation of an air bubble within said chamber, said air bubble within said charnber being characterized by an air-water interface, fiuid conduit means associated with said chamber to provide fluid communication between the interior of said chamber and said surrounding environment, said fluid conduit means being vertically movable within said chamber and extending downwardly into said cage, the end of said fluid conduit means within said cage being provided with a handle for eiecting vertical movement of said uid conduit means, said uid conduit means also being provided with an opening for eecting iluid communication via said fluid conduit means between the interior of said chamber and said environment surrounding said chamber, water level sensing means Xed to said fluid conduit means and movable therewith within said chamber, said Water level sensing means being adjustably spaced above the upper edge of said opening provided by said uid conduit means, air supply means and means operatively connecting said water level sensing means and said air supply means for the introduction of air into said chamber when said water level sensing means Contacts the water of said air-water interface within said chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

T. M. BLIX, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A BUOYANCY CONTROL SYSTEM WHEREIN THE SIZE OF AN AIR BUBBLE WITHIN A FREE-FLOODING BUOYANCY CHAMBER IS USED TO CONTROL BUOYANCY, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES CONTROLLING SIZE OF THE AIR BUBBLE WITHIN SAID BUOYANCY CHAMBER BY MEANS OF AN ADJUSTABLE WATER LEVEL SENSING MEANS PROVIDED WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, SAID WATER LEVEL SENSING MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO AN AIR SUPPLY MEANS AND BEING EFFECTIVE TO INTRODUCE AIR INTO SAID CHAMBER FROM SAID AIR SUPPLY MEANS WHEN THE WATER OF THE AIR-WATER INTERFACE OF SAID BUBBLE WITHIN SAID CHAMBER CONTACTS SAID WATER LEVEL SENSING MEANS AND WHEREIN SAID WATER LEVEL SENSING MEANS IS FIXED TO A FLUID