Patent GB-821195-A (GB)
Title: Buoyant container for the water transport of liquids by towing
IPC: B63B35/28
Filed: 1957-09-18
Abstract: 821,195. Towed liquid cargo containers. DOERPINGHAUS, E. H. Sept. 18, 1957 [Sept. 19, 1956 ; Oct. 29, 1956], No. 29424/57. Classes 113 and 114. In a floating container for the water transport of liquids by towing consisting of two or more cells, at least one being an air cell, the shells of the cells are of flexible plastics material and the cells are fixedly or detachably connected together and are surrounded by an outer covering of flexible plastics material, each cargo carrying cell having at least one closable filling aperture, the air cell being so disposed within the covering that a pressure increase acting on the cargo carrying cells acts on the air cell and displaces air out of the air cell through a safety valve, the container being provided with a network surrounding the cells, which network increases the strength of the container and takes up the tractive forces set up in towing. In Fig. 1, a container consisting of four compartments 1, 2, 3, 4 disposed one behind the other and surrounded by a network of longitudinal and transverse cables 16, 17 is connected via a floating coupling 9 to a towing vessel 12. Each compartment consists of at least two individual cells, of which one is an air cell, the cargo filling cells having filling openings 6. Fig. 4 is the cross section of a container or compartment comprising longitudinally extending cells b-g each intended to receive cargo of the same or different material, and an air cell a having a safety valve 7. As shown in Fig. 6, between the coverings 20 of each cell and the outer covering 15 is a layer 22 of foamed synthetic material which automatically enters a puncture to stop leakage. Fig. 8 shows a container 8 connected via a draw rod 39 and a float coupling 9 to the towing hawser 11. The body of the coupling is made of foamed plastic and houses a member 42 in which are rotatably mounted bolts 43 having flanges 44 which secure them against tension and compression. Electric current is supplied from the towing vessel to a signalling device 10 on the coupling via cables 46 and 48 and to the container via cables 40 and sliding contacts 45. Containers may be arranged in tandem with a driving unit between them, which unit is controlled from the towing vessel. As shown in Fig. 9, a driving unit comprises a floatable and submersible body 50 with draw hooks 51, 52, a rudder 53 actuated by a motor 55, and a propeller 56 driven by a motor 59, the motors being controlled via electric cables 60, 61, 63 from the towing vessel. Fig. 11 shows containers 64, 65 and a driving unit 50 travelling submerged. In Fig. 12 a submerged container 66 connected to a buoy 73 has ballast 67 secured thereto by means of the transverse cables 17. The container carries a compressed-air vessel 68 connected via a remotely operable valve 69 and air pipe 70 to the air cell in the container. The depth of immersion and trim of the container may be remotely controlled. Protection against damage to a floating container may be obtained by strips 76, Fig. 14, of foamed plastic extending along the water line. The bottom may be protected by strips 75 which may also serve as ballast. Empty containers may be transported on board ship in the collapsed conditions.