Patent ID: 7500442

Claim:
A submersible transporter and storage system for liquids and solids comprising: a. a towable submergible streamlined ellipsoid shaped hull when full to reduce drag when pulled with forward and rear towing attachment ends, a top with an air chamber, which when filled with air keeps the transporter upright and level during transport and equalizes pressure to provide rigidity for transport, a fill port and an emptying port; said hull constructed of a material, which is collapsible, when empty, for lightweight transport in a transport mode, b. at least one removable bladder liner structured to fit within the submergible ellipsoid shaped hull constructed of a material which holds either granular solids or liquids in a fill mode, and is collapsible, when empty, for removal, cleaning, and lightweight transport in a transport mode, c. a cordlike connecting spine passing through the hull and around the insertable bladder liners to connect the towing attachment ends to provide longitudinal reinforcement to prevent longitudinal hull distortion during towing transport, d. loading station cargo and air filling and emptying means, which in fill and emptying modes are associated with the hull fill ports and emptying ports to selectively fill and empty the bladder liners with solids and liquids, and to inject air into the bladder and hull to provide the required buoyancy for the submerged transporter to be towed at a desired depth, e. surface towing vessel air filling means associated during towing with the hull fill ports and emptying ports to inject air, and f. a controller mounted on the surface towing vessel associated with the surface towing vessel air filling means to adjust the air in the bladders and hull of the transporter to the required rigidity and buoyancy to tow the transporter at a desired speed and depth during transport mode, and to position and store the transporter at a desired storage location in a storage and/or unloading mode.