The present invention pertains generally to mooring devices. More specifically, the present invention pertains to mooring devices for the autonomous filling, retention and selective release of a large volume inflated device, using a gas supply. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a mooring device which can accomplish the autonomous filling and remote release of large buoyant systems at or below the sea surface, while withstanding the resulting large tensile force which is established by filling the buoyant system, and without requiring the use of any moving parts.
The filling of a large, moored floatation device and autonomous decoupling of the device from an umbilical fill line can require a system that can withstand high tensile loads resulting from drag and weight imparted by the mooring of a buoyant device (once filled). Design approaches in the prior art can use plug-and-socket style fill ports, with rotational actuating line releases. But these types of devices can snag or bind when subjected to loads greater than one hundred pounds force (100 lbf).
In view of the above, it can be an object of the present invention to provide a remotely actuated fill and release manifold that can withstand relatively high tensile forces once the buoyant fill bladder is filled. Another object of the present invention can be to provide a remotely actuated fill and release manifold that can allow for remote selectively release of a buoyant fill bladder from the device while the device under a relatively high tensile stress. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a remotely actuated fill and release manifold, which can allow for remote separation of the working components of the device without requiring the use of moving parts. Yet another object of the present invention to provide a remotely actuated fill and release manifold that that is easy to manufacture, that is inexpensive, and that is easy to deploy and use by remote operators in the field.
A remotely actuated fill and release device and method for deployment in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention can include a disc manifold. The disc manifold can have an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer circumferential surface. The disc manifold can also be formed with a fill passageway, which can extend radially inward from the outer circumferential surface and which can merge into a conical chamber formed in the disc manifold. The conical chamber can be formed with a maximum diameter proximate the upper surface and can taper to a minimum diameter proximate said lower surface. The conical chamber can be oriented perpendicular to the fill passageway.
A release nose can be inserted into the conical chamber, and a sacrificial fastener can fix the release nose within the conical chamber. A compressed gas supply can be connected to the fill manifold, and a fill bladder can be connected to the release nose to establish a path of fluid communication from the compressed gas supply though the disc manifold and release nose and into the fill bladder. The sacrificial fastener can be a FRANGIBOLT® that can extend through the disc manifold and that can be threaded into said release nose. A voltage supply can selectively apply a voltage to the FRANGIBOLT®, which can fracture in response to the voltage, to selectively detach the release nose from the disc manifold without using any moving parts, to thereby separate the release nose from the disc manifold and deploy the fill bladder (and associated payload, if any).
The novel features of the present invention will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similarly-referenced characters refer to similarly-referenced parts, and in which:
Referring initially to
Referring now to
Referring now to
With the above-described configuration, device 10 can be capable of maintaining a bubble tight seal, even when device 10 is subjected to axial separation loads up to 2500 lbf once fill bladder 14 has been inflated. Device 10 can be especially useful for subsea filling and remote release of large buoyant systems at or below the sea surface. While there exists a variety of autonomous fill and release mechanisms designed for releasing lighter-than-air aerial devices, none have been identified that can withstand the high loads imparted by buoyant interaction of a large gas filled buoyant member which is moored to the sea floor.
Referring now to
From the above, it can be seen that the invention can enable the fill, retention and release of a large volume inflated device, from a gas supply that is moored to the sea floor. The invention can retain the inflated fill bladder 14 during the fill process and can release fill bladder 14 upon command. As described above, the release command for sacrificial fastener 42 can be an applied voltage from voltage source 46 to FRANGIBOLT® bolt 43, to thereby expand and fracture FRANGIBOLT® bolt 43 at a predefined load and location (notch 44). Upon fracture, the release nose 34 can be released from the manifold conical chamber 30 of disc manifold 12, and separation is complete. The advantages of this invention are that it provides the function of filling, retention, and automatic release using a minimal number of components. The system can maintain a bubble tight seal while filling at pressures up to 200 psig and subjected to axial loads up to 2500 lbf. This invention can decouple instantly and can decouple independently of the use of rotational or linear actuators, servos or geared motors.
The system can be adapted to any system that requires fluid transfer and de-coupling while under high tension loads. The system was designed for gas but could easily be adapted for use with liquids. The invention could be useful in any situation where someone may want to decouple a hydraulic or pneumatic interface remotely.
Referring now to
As also shown in
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This invention (Navy Case No. 103411) is assigned to the United States Government and is available for licensing for commercial purposes. Licensing and technical inquires may be directed to the Office of Research and Technical Applications, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Pacific, Code 72120, San Diego, Calif. 92152; voice (619) 553-5118.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4119051 | Orndorff, Jr. | Oct 1978 | A |
4313381 | Tolliver | Feb 1982 | A |