REPAIR AND/OR PATCHING ELEMENT

Abstract: Advantageously shape-adjustable repair and/or patching element in sheet form for particularly tankers transporting liquid cargo to patch their side and/or bottom damages. The invention is characterized by that the repair and/or patching element comprises: the first, preferably at separate points weldable means (2) to fix the element (1) to its place; a means (3) to be filled by gas, liquid or solidifying material, preferably a mattress or annular bag, fastened to the side of the element (1) intended to be placed against the side (A) of the vessel over the hole in it, and possibly the second means (4) to be welded to their place in order to form a continuous welding seam around the means (3) to be filled.

Description: Repair and/or patching element The invention relates to a repair- and/or patch¬ ing element in compliance with the introductory part of the claim 1 for vessels in water traffic, especially tankers transporting liquid cargo, to repair side and bottom damages located mostly on the water line or below it in order to prevent among other things sinking of the vessel and outflow of the cargo, and to minimize oil damages. Previously the side damages of ships taken place in water traffic because of for example running aground, collision or similar accidents have been tried to repair by plugging the damaged area with wedges, planks, ply- wood boards or other similar objects to seal up the leak. It is also known to fasten by bolting over the leaking aperture a metal plate with suitable form and size. As it is known, it has not been possible to re- pair even with satisfactory results the occurred dama¬ ges by previously known arrangements, but the leak is continued, yet sometimes more restricted as it would have been without any repair attempts, and if no towing and/or pumping assistance is rapidly available in the place, the result can in the worst case be sinking of the vessel and occasionally even a very serious oil ca¬ tastrophe. It is the object of the present invention to pro¬ vide a repair and/or patching element mentioned above, by which the disadvantages and weaknesses characteris¬ tic to the previously known repair arrangements of side and bottom damages in vessels could be avoided. These objects have been achieved by a repair and/or patching element according to the invention, the characteristic features of which have been presented in the appended, claims. . he* advantages of the invention include, that the repair and/or patching element according to the in- vention is very convenient in use and that the damaged area can be repaired by it quickly and above all tightly, whereupo almost all resulting effects of the leak are avoided and the vessel can continue its travel unaided even to its port of destination and only thereafter to the dock for repair operations. The invention will now be described by an advan¬ tageous embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a horizontal section seen from above of the repair and/or patphing element according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of ' the repair and/or patching element -according to the invention, Figure 3 is a cross section of the first means welded to the element in separate points, and Figure 4 is a cross section of the other means possibly in the element for forming a continuous weld¬ ing seam. In the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 the repair ' and/or patching element according to the in¬ vention has been laid to cover the hole B generated to the side A of the vessel. The element 1 is in this example in the form of a relatively rigid rubber mat, so that it can properly be bent in compliance with the curved side surface of the vessel. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mat 1 comprises two series of the first means 2 to be welded to their place* along the perimeter - of the mat in the direction of its edges at a distance from each other, by which the mat 1 can rapidly be fixed over the hole B; a mattress bag 3 fastened for instance by vulcanization to its place inside.the in¬ nermost circle of the first means 2 welded at separate points to their place, to the side of the mat.1 to be placed against the side of the vessel, so that the said bag is filled by a medium - as gas, liquid or solidify¬ ing material - after the mat 1 has been fixed to its place by the first means 2 welded at separate points, whereby the bag 3 is pressed between the mat 1 and the side A of the vessel tightly over the damaged area closing possibly partially to the hole B in the side A; and the second means 4 for welding to their place pos¬ sibly located between the circles of the first means 2 to be welded at separate points to their place in order to form a continuous welding seam around the filled mattress bag 3 and the hole B. Though the form of the bag has above been stated as being like mattress, it can also be different. One alternative is to use an annular bag, which is placed to surround the hole B in the side A of the vessel. When a leaking vessel is patched on the water, one must in the first place plug up the leak as quickly as possible. The pressure directed to the side A of the vessel by the surrounding mass of water usual- ly exceeds the pressure in the tank of the vessel, so that a stronger flow is directed inside the vessel through the hole generated in the side A. For this reason a flexible lip element 20, preferably made of plastic, has been vulcanized to the side of the bag 3 to be filled, so that this element 20 under the effect of the water pressure is sealingly pressed against the side of the vessel. As the means 19 for filling the bag 3 can ad¬ vantageously be used for instance a gas cartridge dis- charged- at the desired moment and placed on the outer surface of the mat, and from which a flow conduct.1 goes through the mat 1 to the bag. This kind of an adap¬ tation is not naturally the only possible. The goal can also by achieved by supplying to the bag 3 for example compressed air, liquid or hardening polyurethane. In the Figure 3 is shown an advantageous cross section of the first means 2 to be welded to their place. Each of these first means to be welded at sepa- rate points to their place comprises a socket piece 13 open at least at its one end, the end part of which toward to object to be repaired is conically tapering " and which extends through the mat 1 and is fastened, for instance by vulcanization, steadily to the mat 1 ; a rotatable welding electrode 14 inserted coaxially in¬ side the socket piece 13, the end of which directed toward the object to be repaired is formed to correspond the inner surface of the tapering end part of the socket piece, and which for welding the socket piece 13 to its place .is pressed by the open end part of the socket piece 13 toward the surface of the object to be repaired; and possibly tightening means 15 and 16 to press the mat 1 and to the element possibly belonging other means 4 to be welded to their place tightly against the surface of* the object to be repaired. As is further shown in Figure 3, the socket pie¬ ce.13 comprises at least one radially extending sup¬ port projection 17, preferably a flange, to keep the socket piece 13 steadily on the mat.1, so that the mat 1 is vulcanized to the outer surfaces ' of " both the socket piece 13 and the support projection. XI . According to the -advantageous embodiment the other end part of the socket piece far from " the object to be repaired extends beyond the mat.1 and is provided on its outer surface with a thread.18, whereupon a was¬ her 15 placed around the extending end part of the socket piece and over it to the thread.18 fitted ten- sion nut.16 can be used as tightening means 15 and 16.. In Figure 4 is shown a cross section of the pre¬ ferred embodiment for the second means 4 to be welded to their place longitudinally on the level of the ele¬ ment- 1. After the welding of the first means 2 and pos- sible tightening by tightening means 15 and.16 these second selectively used means 4 are tightly pressed against the surface surrounding the damaged area. As shown ,in Figure 4, these second means 4 to be welded to their place, by which a continuous welding seam is formed around the damaged area and the bag 3, comprise an elongated, for its full length to the mat for ins¬ tance by vulcanization fixed welding element 4 includ¬ ing a for its full length extending flow channel 5 for the medium conducting the welding current, so that this flow channel 5 is in a conductive contact to the core bar 6 of the welding element 4. As best is shown in Figure 1, two bodies 7/pressed tightly to the walls defining the channel 5 are adapted to pass with the me¬ dium conducting the welding current in the flow channel 5. By these bodies the medium flow in the flow channel 5 is guided to stabilize the magnetic field and melting of the core bar, whereby as whole and faultless welding seam as possible is achieved. The quantity and velocity of the medium flow is controlled hydraulically for ins- tance by a hydraulic pump and the above-mentioned body 7. One part of the wall defining the flow, channel 5 is preferably made by " an .electrically conductive ma¬ terial strip 8, e.g. copper, connected conductively to the core bar.6 of the welding element. Alternatively the body -7 pressed tightly to the walls defining , the flow channel 5 functions as- a contact member to press the material strip to a conductive contact with the core bar.6, so that the welding current is conveyed from the mediu through ' the body 7 and/or the material strip to the core bar.6. As also shown in Figure 4, two parallel metal strips.10 and .11 have been placed to the side toward the object to be repaired at a small distance from each other, with their corresponding edges chamfered* accord¬ ing to the cross-sectional profile of the coating ' 12 of the core bar 6. These metal strips.10 and 11 have been fixed to the mat 1 preferably by vulcanization,- As a result of the welding by the welding element 4 the me¬ tal strips 10 and 11 are welded both to each other and to the surface of the Object to be welded. The purpose of the metal strips 10 and 11 is additionally to prevent the melting of the mat 1 during the welding process. As shown in Figure 1 , the flow channel has been connected according to the preferable embodiment of the invention through a suitable filling and discharging pipework to the medium source 9, whereupon the flow channel 5 is advantageously filled with medium before the welding process begins and discharged by suction with the desired velocity to adjust the welding speed when the welding current is switched on, so that the light arc generated between the welding object and the welding element follows evenly the flowing velocity of the medium and the route of conduction for the welding current to the core bar is- as short as possible* at every moment. Then can also be ensured, that- all the used conductive liquid medium can be' recollected. The invention has been described- above referring only to one advantageous embodiment. This embodiment does not naturally restrict the invention, but several combinations and variations are possible within the li¬ mits of the appended claims. Thus it must be particular- ly emphasized, that the use of the second means 4 to be welded to their place is not necessary, but by their use the immobility of the repair and/or patching element is strived to advantageously improve, if the leaking ves¬ sel should be moved to longer distances. Further on it can be stated, that instead of the rubber mat for ins¬ tance metal plates can be used, that the number and po¬ sitioning of the first means to be welded to their place can be different than described above, that the number of bodies 7 passing in the flow channels 5 may vary, and that the welding current can be connected also to - the flow channel 5 during the filling.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. An advantageously shape-adjustable repair and/or patching element in sheet form for patching of side* and/or bottom damages in vessels, particularly tankers transporting liquid cargo, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the repair and/or patching element (1) comprises: - the first, preferably at separate points weldable means (2) to fix the element (1) to its place, - a hollow means (3) to be filled, preferably - a mattress bag, fastened to the element (1) to the side thereof toward the repair object and intended to be pressed in the filled condition over and/or around the repair object, and possibly - the second means (4) , .longitudinally weldable to their place on the level of the element (2) in order to form a continuous welding seam along the perimeter of the hollow means (3) . 2. A repair and/or patching element according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the element is in the form of a mat (1) with a rubber base, to which has been vulcanized at least one, close to the outer edge of the mat extending circle of means (2) to be welded at separate points to their place. 3. A repair and/or patching element according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the second means (4) to be welded to their place are cόrnposed of one elongated, for all its length to the mat .(1) vul¬ canized welding element located inside the circle of the first means (2) to be welded to their place and comprising for- all its length a flow channel (5) for the liquid medium conducting the welding, current, so that this flow channel (5) is at least during the welding process in an electrically conductive connection with the core- bar (6) of the welding element (4) . 4. A repair and/or patching element according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one body (7) tightly pressed against the walls defining the channel (5) has been fitted to pass with the medium in the flow channel in order to guide the medium flow and to stabilize the generated magnetic field and the melt¬ ing of the core bar (6) . _ 5. A repair and patching element according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a part of the wall defining the flow channel (5) is made of a conductive material strip (8) , which is in the electri- cally conductive connection with the core bar (6) . 6. A repair and patching element according to claim 4 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the body (7) pressed tightly against the walls defining the chan- nel (5) is made of electrically conductive material and functions as ' a contact member to convey the welding current from the medium through the conductive material strip (8) to the core bar (6) . 7. A repair and/or patching element according to any of the preceding claims 3...6, c h a r a c t e r i - z e d in that the channel i_(5) is connected tTo the me- dium source (9) by a suitable filling and discharge pipework, whereby the flow channel (5) is filled by the medium before the welding current is switched on to recollect the medium and discharged in correspon¬ dence with the selected welding speed, when the welding current is switched on. 8. A repair and/or patching element according to any of the preceding claims 3o..7, c h a a c t e r i - zed in that to the side of the welding element toward the repair object have been placed two parallel metal strips (10,.11) at the distance from each other, the corresponding edges of which have been chamfered in compliance with the cross-sectional profile of the coating ' .(1-2) placed over the core bar (6) , and which have been vulcanized to the element (1), so that as a result of the welding the metal strips (10, 11) are welded to the repair object. 9. A repair and/or patching element according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that to the element (1) have been vulcanized preferably two circ¬ les at a distance from each other and passing in the direction of the edges of the element (1), composed of the first means (2) to be welded in their place, and that the second means (4) to be welded to their place have been placed between the circles of the first means (2) to -be welded at separate points to their place. 10. A repair and/or patching element according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each of the first means (2) to be welded at " separate points to their place comprise: - a socket piece .(3) open at least in its one end and extending through' the element (*1 ) , the end part of which directed toward the repair object is preferably conically taper¬ ing, and which piece is fixed steadily to the element (1 ) , - a welding electrode (14) to be fitted inside the socket piece (13), the end of which elect¬ rode has been formed to correspond the form of the inner side of the tapering end part of the socket piece and which, for providing the welding seam and avoiding the burning of the welding electrode is pressed in rotational mo¬ vement around the longitudinal axis of the welding electrode (14) through the tapering end part of the socket piece (13) toward the surface of the repair object, and - tightening means (15, 16) to press the element (1) against the surface of the repair object. 11. A repair and/or patching element according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the socket piece (13) is provided by at least one radially extending support projection (17), preferably a flange, and vulcanized to the element (1). 12. A repair and/or patching element according to claims 11 or 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the other end part of the socket piece (13) directed away from the repair object extends beyond the element (1) and is provided with an external thread (18), and that around the other end part of the socket piece (13) extending from the element is fitted a washer (15) and over it to the thread (18) adaptable tension " nut (16). 13. A repair and/or patching element according . 12 to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the means (3) to be filled is preferably a mattress or annu¬ lar bag fastened by vulcanization to the side of the element toward the repair object and provided with means. (19) to fill the means. (3) at the desired moment, preferably* after the welding of the ' means (2) to be welded at separate points. 14. A repair and/or patching element according to claim.13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the side of the bag (3) to be filled is provided with an elastic lip element (20) , which is tightly pressed around the repair object. 15. A repair and/or patching element according to claim.14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the bag (3) to be filled is placed inside each of the- circles formed by the' means (2) to be welded at sepa¬ rate points to their place.

Inventors: MAEKELAEINEN HANNU KALERVO, NIINIVAARA ENSI KYOESTI JUHANI, MAEKELAEINEN, HANNU, KALERVO, NIINIVAARA, ENSI, KYOESTI, JUHANI
Applicants: MAEKELAEINEN HANNU KALERVO, NIINIVAARA ENSI KYOESTI JUHANI, MAEKELAEINEN, HANNU, KALERVO, NIINIVAARA, ENSI, KYOESTI, JUHANI
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B63B43
IPC codes: B63B43