Method and system for a towed vessel suitable for transporting liquids

• US 9,017,123 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2013
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waters Of Patagonia S.A.
• Original Assignee: Waters Of Patagonia S.A.
• Inventors: Szydlowski, Allen, Szydlowski, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Venne, Daniel V
• Application Number:
  US14/049,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20140033963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 114/256, 114/257, 114/312, 114/313, 114/321, 114/322, 114/326, 114/328, 114/329, 114/330, 114/331, 114/333, 114/342, 114/72, 114/73, 114/74.R, 114/74.T, 114/74.A, 114/121, 114/123, 114/125, 114/242, 114/244, 114/245, 114/253, 441/4, 441/21, 441/22, 441/23, 441/28, 441/30, 441/32, 441/133, 441/134
• US Class Current: 441/4
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2025/085 comprising separation membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2043/126 pneumatic, e.g. inflatable on demand
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/50 Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2213/00 Navigational aids and use thereof, not otherwise provided for in this class
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2213/02 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. the Global Positioning System GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 25/08 fluid constructional features of bunkers B63B11/04; tanks for fuel or the like not forming bunkers B63B17/0027
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 25/12 closed
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/285 Flexible barges, e.g. bags
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 43/06 using ballast tanks conduits for emptying or ballasting B63B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 2003/003 using photovoltaic power generation, e.g. using solar panels
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 3/04 from power plant other than propulsion power plant
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 3/28 Fender piles
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 3/30 from snow or ice
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/00 Maritime or waterways transport

Abstract

A towed vessel suitable for containing and transporting various liquids is disclosed. The vessel further comprises various features useful in the transportation, navigation, and storage of the towable vessel, both when in use for transporting fluids and when transported in an emptied state. Such features include navigational and positioning devices and methods, power supply devices and methods, and means for filling, inflating, emptying, and deflating a non-rigid, towed vessel. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention further include features useful for purifying or preserving the purity of the fluid to be transported.

Claims

1. A method for storing and conveying fluids, said method comprising:

(a) providing;

a non-rigid, water-impermeable device with an elongate shape having a first end, a second end and having a generally streamlined shape in plan view;

the first end comprising a first attachment device;

the second end comprising a second attachment device;

at least two ports for intake and exhaust of fluids;

at least one of the at least two ports comprising a valve for a user to adjust buoyancy of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;

at least a portion of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device containing a fluid of lower density than a fluid through which said non-rigid, water-impermeable device is transported;

one or more valves in two-way communication with at least a portion of an interior volume of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device and an outside environment;

a transmitter for conveying information related to the geographic position of the device;

at least a portion of an internal surface area of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device being comprised of a flexible and tear resistant material;

at least two mooring devices; and

an anchored member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal length;

(b) securing the first attachment device of the first end to one of the at least two mooring devices;

(c) securing the second attachment device of the second end to the second of the at least two mooring devices;

(d) storing an entirety of the fluid of lower density in said non-rigid, water impermeable device;

(e) stabilizing the non-rigid, water-impermeable device by mooring the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to a fixed or floating object;

(f) signaling a physical position of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;

(g) tracking the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;

(h) conveying the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to a predetermined destination through salt water;

(i) emptying the non-rigid, water-impermeable device of fluids through one of said at least two ports; and

(j) providing one or more photovoltaic arrays to collect solar energy, said arrays being adapted to contact a non-submerged surface of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device during said conveying step.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising using the solar energy to provide one or more functions of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device, said one or more functions selected from the group consisting of supplying power to engines employed in said conveying step;

supplying power to enable said emptying step;

supplying power to at least one of a beacon, a light, and a sensor; and

supplying power to one or more devices responsible for said steps of tracking, stabilizing, transmitting, and signaling.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid of lower density is fresh water.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising providing a water purification system and treating the fresh water.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising providing one or more drones, wherein the drones are capable of maneuvering the non-rigid, water-impermeable device.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising, segregating different liquids within said non-rigid, water-impermeable device.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising, controlling the amount of air within a portion of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to adjust buoyancy of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising, venting the non-rigid, water-impermeable device in a manner that prevents entrance of contaminants into the non-rigid, water-impermeable device.

9. A method for storing and conveying fluids, said method comprising:

(a) providing;

a non-rigid, water-impermeable device with an elongate shape having a first end, a second end, the first end comprising a first attachment device, and the second end comprising a second attachment device, said device having at least one of a photovoltaic array and a windmill to collect renewable energy;

a plurality of ports for intake and exhaust of fluids;

at least one of the plurality of ports comprising a valve for adjusting buoyancy of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;

at least a portion of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device containing a fluid of lower density than a fluid through which the non-rigid, water-impermeable device is transported;

one or more valves in two-way communication with at least a portion of an interior volume of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device and an outside environment;

a transmitter for conveying information related to the geographic position of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;

at least a portion of an internal surface area of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device being comprised of a flexible and tear resistant material; and

a mooring device;

(b) securing the first attachment device of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to the mooring device;

(c) signaling a physical position of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;

(d) tracking the non-rigid, water-impermeable device using a device that receives GPS information; and

(e) transmitting coordinates of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device at predetermined temporal increments.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising, rapidly emptying the non-rigid, water-impermeable device of fluids through at least one of said plurality of ports.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising, steering the non-rigid, water-impermeable device via one or more skegs positioned on said device.

12. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising, deflating the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to reduce a volume of the device for ease of transport.

13. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising, preserving the fluid contained within the non-rigid, water-impermeable device when the non-rigid, water-impermeable device in a state of original integrity is in a submerged position.

14. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising, coating the internal surface of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to preserve the purity of said lower density fluid.

15. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising identifying the plurality of ports for the intake and exhaust of fluids via a marking system that identifies which of the plurality of ports for the intake and exhaust of fluids are associated with compartments that are connected to at least one of said ports.

16. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said positioning step further comprises storing the non-rigid, water-impermeable device in a generally horizontal position with respect to a water line using the mooring device and a second mooring device and securing the second mooring device to the second attachment device of the second end of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device.

17. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

operatively associating one or more photovoltaic arrays to the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;

generating electrical power from said solar arrays; and

conveying the electrical power to at least one component selected from a group consisting of an engine, a liquid filling system, an emptying system, a draining system, an inflating system, a pump, a beacon, a light, a sensor, a GPS system, a navigation system, a steering system, a drone, a breaking system, a tracking device, a computer, a stabilizing device, a transmitter, and a signaling device.