Patent Application
20190023362
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0091221, filed Jul. 18, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage.
Liquid storage tanks are subject to a wall damage (damage hole) for letting the liquid inside to flow out, when it is necessary to shut off the outflow of liquid by immediately blocking the wall damage.
Meanwhile, a ship may be involved in a collision accident or other events incurring a damage hole through which oil inside will spill out if the ship were a tanker or it could receive a dire flood damage from the outside. Ships are basically equipped with a drainage pump for draining the inflowed seawater to the outside, but they will sink when the drainage pump is not properly functioning or when the drainage capacity of the drainage pump is overcome by the amount of seawater flowing therein.
Japanese Pat. No. 5889503 discloses a hull puncture blocking device including an internal blocking part that is externally inserted in the hull through a puncture and deployed internally of the hull to block the puncture, and an external blocking part for blocking the puncture externally of the hull while the inner blocking part blocks the puncture internally of the hull.
In Japanese Pat. No. 5889503, the hull puncture blocking device moves along the wall of the hull through a moving mechanism and presents a folding anchor or a deploying unit in the shape of a folded umbrella, which is introduced to the interior of the hull through the puncture and deployed within the hull.
However, the disclosed blocking device needs an operator to manually insert the deploying unit internally of the puncture in order to block water from flooding inside the hull or to block the outflow of liquid from a large liquid container. In this case, to insert the deploying unit through the puncture against the pressure of the liquid outflow or inflow, the folding anchor still needs a capable configuration to overcome the pressure of the liquid outflow or inflow at the time of insertion, and after the deployment, to be able to primarily interrupt the outflow or inflow of liquid from the opposite side of the puncture.
According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage includes a first blocking unit including an anchor configured to be inserted through a wall damage of a liquid tank or a ship and to be deployed on an opposite side of the wall damage, a support unit formed in a rod shape including a first end portion and a second end portion and configured to support the anchor at the first end portion, the support unit including an anchor deploying unit configured, when the anchor is inserted through the wall damage, to deploy the anchor, and a second blocking unit provided at the second end portion of the support unit in a slidable manner along the support unit. The support unit includes a first unidirectional sawtooth portion on the anchor side. The anchor deploying unit is formed in a cylindrical shape on an outer circumference of the support unit, includes a first coupling portion coupled to the first unidirectional sawtooth portion on a part of an inner side thereof and a second unidirectional sawtooth portion on a part of an outer side thereof, and is configured to deploy and fix the anchor by the first coupling portion moving toward the anchor along the first unidirectional sawtooth portion. The second blocking unit includes a second coupling portion coupled to the second unidirectional sawtooth portion on a part of an inner side thereof, and is configured to move toward the anchor by the second coupling portion moving toward the anchor along the second unidirectional sawtooth portion.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The support unit 140 includes a first unidirectional sawtooth portion 210 on the anchor side thereof. The anchor deploying unit 130 is formed in a cylindrical shape on the outer circumference of the support unit 140. The anchor deploying unit 130 includes a first coupling portion 220 formed on a part of an inner side thereof, which is adapted to engage the first unidirectional sawtooth portion 210, and a second unidirectional sawtooth portion 160 formed on a part of an outer side thereof. The anchor deploying unit 130 is adapted to deploy and fix the anchor 110 by the first coupling portion 220 moving toward the anchor 110 along the first unidirectional sawtooth portion 210.
The second blocking unit 150 includes a second coupling portion 310 formed on a part of an inner side thereof, which is adapted to engage the second unidirectional sawtooth portion 160. The second blocking unit 150 is moved toward the anchor 110 with the second coupling portion 310 moving toward the anchor 110 along the second unidirectional sawtooth portion 160.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage, further includes a handle 170 at an end of the second end portion of the support unit 140.
The above structure allows a user to hold the apparatus 100 as shown in
After insertion, deploying the anchor 110 by sliding the anchor deploying unit 130 towards the anchor 100 can primarily block the inflow or outflow of liquid through the damage hole on the inside of the liquid tank or ship. As shown in
Once the deployed anchor 110 penetrating the damage hole primarily blocks the inflow or outflow of liquid on the opposite side thereof, the second blocking unit 150 is pushed towards the anchor 110 to get the first blocking unit 120 and the second blocking unit 150 as close as possible to each other as shown in
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage, further includes a trigger unit (not shown) coupled to the anchor deploying unit 130, for triggering the anchor deploying unit 130 to deploy the folding anchor 110 by using an elastic force or an air pressure.
The trigger unit (not shown) is used to insert the anchor 110 inwardly of the damage hole and then immediately activate the anchor deploying unit 130 to deploy the anchor 110 quickly.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage, further includes a support-unit detaching unit 410 which operates, once the second blocking unit 150 has moved toward the anchor 110 by a predetermined distance along the support unit 140, to sever a portion of the support unit 140 protruding from the second blocking unit 150.
In the apparatus 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention, the first unidirectional sawtooth portion 210 and the second unidirectional sawtooth portion 160 are adapted, when coupled to the first coupling portion 220 and the second coupling portion 310, respectively, to allow the first coupling portion 220 and the second coupling portion 310 to move toward the anchor 110 and keep the first coupling portion 220 and the second coupling portion 310 from moving away from the anchor 110, respectively.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage, further includes a first coupling release unit (not shown) and a second coupling release unit (not shown). The first coupling release unit operates to release the coupling between the first unidirectional sawtooth portion 210 and the first coupling portion 220 to allow the latter to move away from the anchor 110. The second coupling release unit operates to release the coupling between the second unidirectional sawtooth portion 160 and the second coupling portion 310 to allow the latter to move away from the anchor 110.
With the first coupling-release unit (not shown) and the second coupling-release unit (not shown), the apparatus 100 can release the coupling when necessary, between the first unidirectional sawtooth portion 210 and the first coupling portion 220 or between the second unidirectional sawtooth portion 160 and the second coupling portion 310, so as to reinstate the blocking process.
In the apparatus 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention, the second blocking unit 150 includes a first plate 180 having a predetermined width facing toward the anchor 110, and a second plate 190 attached to the first plate 180 on an opposite side of the anchor 110.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the first plate 180 is formed in a pad shape having elasticity, and the second plate 190 is formed of a material having rigidity stronger than the first plate 180.
For example, the first plate 180 is formed of at least one of silicone, rubber, fabric, and a gel pack, and the second plate 190 is formed of at least one of metal, plastic, reinforced plastic, resin, and rubber.
Forming the first plate 180 in a pad shape, having elasticity can minimize the possible gap due to irregular surfaces in the damaged area.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the second plate 190 is formed of a lid having a diameter larger than an outer circumference of the first plate 180, and it surrounds a partial width of the first plate 180, as shown in
In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor 110 includes a cap 510, a plurality of upper ribs 520, a first wing 530, a second wing 540, and a plurality of support ribs 550. The cap 510 is inserted into the first end portion of the support unit 140. Each of the plurality of upper ribs 520 is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion with the first portion being pivotally fixed to the cap 510. The first wing 530 is fixed to one side of each of the plurality of upper ribs 520. The second wing 540 is fixed to the opposite side of each of the plurality of upper ribs 520. Each of the plurality of support ribs 550 is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of each of the plurality of support ribs 550 is pivotally fixed to the second portion of each of the plurality of upper ribs 520.
The second portion of each of the plurality of support ribs 550 is pivotally fixed to the anchor deploying unit 130.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the first wing 530 has a width narrower than that of the second wing 540. For example, when the anchor 110 is deployed, the first wing 530 is positioned on an inner side of the second wing 540 such that the first wing 530 supports the second wing 540.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the first wing 530 is formed of a rigid material, and the second wing 540 is formed of an elastic material.
For example, the first wing 530 may be formed of a metal or plastic having a predetermined thickness (or reinforced plastic), and the second wing 540 may formed of a metal sheet bent into shape.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the second wing 540 may be formed so as to have a convex surface curved towards the cap 510 when the anchor 110 is deployed. This minimizes the overall radius of the anchor 110 when unfolded, which facilitates insertion of the anchor 110 in the damage hole against the pressure of liquid inflow or outflow. Further, the convex surface of the second wing 540 advantageously resists the pressure of liquid inflow or outflow well enough to ensure the full functionality of the first blocking unit 120.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor 110 includes a cap 510, a plurality of upper ribs 520, a wing 530, and a plurality of support ribs 550. The cap 510 is inserted into the first end portion of the support unit 140. Each of the plurality of upper ribs 520 is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion with the first portion being pivotally fixed to the cap 510. The wing 530 is fixed to one side of each of the plurality of upper ribs 520. Each of the plurality of support ribs 550 is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of each of the plurality of support ribs 550 is pivotally fixed to the second portion of each of the plurality of upper ribs 520.
The second portion of each of the plurality of support ribs 550 is pivotally fixed to the anchor deploying unit 130.
In this case, a width of the wing 530 is wider than an interval between two neighboring upper ribs 520 when the anchor 110 is deployed. When the anchor 110 is deployed, the neighboring upper ribs support the outer sides of the wing 530.
As with the aforementioned embodiment, the wing 530 is formed of an elastic material.
The present invention in some embodiments relates to an apparatus for blocking outflow of liquid or flooding through a wall damage. The present invention aims to provide an apparatus for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage, which provides a deploying unit for an operator to easily insert through the damage hole against the pressure of liquid inflow or outflow, whereby the deploying unit after deployment on the opposite side of the damage hole, can primarily block the liquid inflow or outflow.
In some embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus for blocking fluid spill and flooding through a wall damage includes a first blocking unit, a support unit 140, and a second blocking unit. The first blocking unit includes an anchor adapted to be inserted through a wall damage of a liquid tank or a ship, and to be deployed on the opposite side of the wall damage. The support unit is formed in a rod shape, including a first end portion and a second end portion, and it is adapted to support the anchor of the first blocking unit at the first end portion. The support unit includes an anchor deploying unit adapted to deploy the anchor when it is inserted through the wall damage. The second blocking unit is provided at the second end portion of the support unit in a slidable manner along the support unit.
The support unit includes a first unidirectional sawtooth portion on the anchor side. The anchor deploying unit is formed in a cylindrical shape on an outer circumference of the support unit, it includes a first coupling portion on a part of an inner side thereof, which is adapted to engage the first unidirectional sawtooth portion, and a second unidirectional sawtooth portion on a part of an outer side thereof. The anchor deploying unit is adapted to deploy and fix the anchor by the first coupling portion moving toward the anchor along the first unidirectional sawtooth portion.
The second blocking unit includes a second coupling portion on a part of an inner side thereof, which is adapted to engage the second unidirectional sawtooth portion. The second blocking unit is adapted to move toward the anchor by the second coupling portion moving in the same direction along the second unidirectional sawtooth portion.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor includes a cap, a plurality of upper ribs, a first wing, a second wing, and a plurality of support ribs. The cap is inserted into the first end portion of the support unit. Each of the plurality of is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion with the first portion being pivotally fixed to the cap. The first wing is fixed to one side of each of the plurality of upper ribs, and the second wing is fixed to the other side of each of the plurality of upper ribs. Each of the plurality of support ribs is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion with the first portion being pivotally fixed to the second portion of each of the plurality of upper ribs. The second portion of each of the plurality of support ribs is pivotally fixed to the anchor deploying unit.
The first wing has a width narrower than that of the second wing. When the anchor is deployed, the first wing is positioned on an inner side of the second wing such that the first wing supports the second wing. The first wing is formed of a rigid material, while the second wing is formed of an elastic material.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor includes a cap, a plurality of upper ribs, a wing, and a plurality of support ribs. The cap is inserted into the first end portion of the support unit. Each of the plurality of upper ribs is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion with the first portion being pivotally fixed to the cap. The wing is formed on each of the plurality of upper ribs on one side thereof. Each of the plurality of support ribs is formed in a rod shape, including a first portion and a second portion with the first portion being pivotally fixed to the second portion of each of the plurality of upper ribs. In addition, the second portion of each of the plurality of support ribs is pivotally fixed to the anchor deploying unit.
The wing is wider than an interval between two neighboring upper ribs when the anchor is deployed. When the anchor is deployed, the neighboring upper ribs support the outer sides of the wing. The wing is formed of an elastic material.
In most cases, the apparatus 100 can be successfully inserted through the wall at an angle close to perpendicular to the wall, although some situations require that the apparatus 100 to form a predetermined angle with respect to the wall before the insertion can be proceeded. In that case, the anchor 110 and the anchor deploying unit 130 may be made angularly adjustable to form the predetermined angle, which allows the apparatus 100 to be inserted through the damage hole.
As shown in
As explained above, an apparatus according to the present invention in some some embodiments for blocking a fluid spill and liquid inflow (flooding) through a wall damage of a liquid tank or a ship, provides an operator with (1) an anchor deploying unit to insert easily through the damage hole against the pressure of the liquid outflow or inflow, when it deploys an anchor on the opposite side of the damage hole to primarily block the outflow or inflow of liquid (first blocking unit), and (2) a second blocking unit to draw across from and as close as possible to the first blocking unit with the damaged area pinched between the first and second blocking units, whereby effectively blocking the liquid inflow or outflow through the damage hole.
As explained above, the present invention in some embodiments provides in effect, an apparatus for blocking a fluid spill and liquid inflow (flooding) through a wall damage of a liquid tank or a ship, which provides an operator with an anchor deploying unit to insert easily through the damage hole against the pressure of the liquid outflow or inflow, when the anchor deploying unit deploys an anchor on the opposite side of the damage hole to primarily block the outflow or inflow of liquid.
Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that the invention can be implemented in other concrete forms without changing the technical idea and essential features thereof. It should therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2017-0091221 | Jul 2017 | KR | national |
This research was supported by a grant [KCG-01-2018-03] through the Marine pollution & Coast guard funded by Ministry of Public Safety and Security of Korean government.
