US3851487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Buoyant underwater structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-06
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1990-10-06
Abstract
Abstract Underwater structures of limited and controllable buoyancy comprise shells, closed at the top and sides, in which is retained a volume of water having a lower specific gravity than that outside said shells. These shells may be flexible and transparent. Further, they may be completely closed and the water therein pressurized to impart rigidity to the structure. Typically, in a salt water environment, the buoyant internal liquid may comprise fresh water or a mixture of fresh water and salt water. A temperature differential between the water inside the shell and that outside may be used to obtain the desired density difference and resultant buoyancy. Access openings may be provided. Such structures may be moored or attached and may be used, for example, to cover an underwater work site and provide better visibility, freedom from underwater currents, etc. Closed, rigidified structures may be used for controlled buoyancy submarine hulls, structural supporting members, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 C Lambertsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:08
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
Buoyant structure, totally submerged in an underwater environment, comprised of a shell substantially impermeable to water, said shell having access openings therein, the volume within such shell being occupied by water having a lower specific gravity than that of the underwater environment, said shell being closed at the top and sides thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
Buoyant structure, totally submerged in an underwater environment, comprised of a shell substantially impermeable to water, said shell having access openings therein, the volume within such shell being occupied by water having a lower specific gravity than that of the underwater environment, said shell being closed at the top and sides thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 1, wherein the water within said shell is at a higher temperature than that outside said shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 1, wherein the water within said shell has a lower salt concentration than that outside said shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 1, wherein said shell is also closed at the bottom, said bottom closure having an access opening therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Buoyant structure according to claim 1, wherein the volume within said structure is of sufficient dimension to accommodate divers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 1, wherein said shell is also closed at the bottom so as to define a completely enclosed space and wherein the water within said shell is at a higher pressure than that outside said shell at the same depth so as to rigidify said structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 1, wherein said structure includes access openings on the side thereof, the horizontal space adjacent said opening outside said shell being covered above said opening by a substantially water impermeable canOpy extending outward from said shell and downward at least to the bottom of said opening, said canopy being open at the bottom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 7, wherein said access opening is filled with gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 1, wherein the top of said structure includes an escape valve for any low specific gravity fluid entrapped within said structure which may rise and be collected at the top thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 9, wherein the outlet of said valve is in communication with a conduit for carrying said escaping low specific gravity fluid to a pre-selected location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 1, wherein a gas filled enclosure is located within said structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
Buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 6, wherein said rigidified shell comprises a support member integrally combined with a second buoyant structure, said second buoyant structure consisting of a second shell substantially impermeable to water and having an access opening therein, the volume of said second shell being occupied by water having a lower specific gravity than that outside said second shell, said second shell being closed at the top and sides thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A buoyant underwater structure, as recited in claim 12, wherein said structure comprises tubular supporting members disposed about the base of said second shell, said second shell having a generally hemispheric shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
Buoyant structure, of limited and controlled buoyancy, totally submerged in an underwater environment, comprised of a shell substantially impermeable to water, the volume within such shell being occupied by water having a lower specific gravity than that of the underwater environment, said shell being closed at the top and sides thereof, said shell being also closed at the bottom thereof so as to define a completely enclosed space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
Buoyant structure, of limited and controlled buoyancy, totally submerged in an underwater environment, comprised of a shell substantially impermeable to water, the volume within such shell being occupied by water having a lower specific gravity than that of the underwater environment, said shell being closed at the top and sides thereof, said shell being also closed at the bottom thereof so as to define a completely enclosed space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Buoyant structure according to claim 14, said structure being rigidified by means of the water within said shell being at a higher pressure than that of the underwater environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
Buoyant structure at least partially submerged in an underwater environment, comprised of a shell substantially impermeable to water, the volume within such shell being occupied by water having a lower specific gravity than that of the underwater environment, said shell being closed at the top and sides thereof, said shell being also closed at the bottom thereof so as to define a completely enclosed space, wherein the buoyancy of said structure is provided substantially exclusively by the difference in specific gravities between the water within the shell and the water of the underwater environment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
Buoyant structure at least partially submerged in an underwater environment, comprised of a shell substantially impermeable to water, the volume within such shell being occupied by water having a lower specific gravity than that of the underwater environment, said shell being closed at the top and sides thereof, said shell being also closed at the bottom thereof so as to define a completely enclosed space, wherein the buoyancy of said structure is provided substantially exclusively by the difference in specific gravities between the water within the shell and the water of the underwater environment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |