U.S. patent application number 10/351966 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for flexible vessel.
This patent application is currently assigned to INBAR-WATER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LTD. Invention is credited to Yaffe, Aaharon.
Application Number | 20040144294 10/351966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32735887 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040144294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yaffe, Aaharon |
July 29, 2004 |
Flexible vessel
Abstract
An apparatus for sea transport of fresh water including at least
one fresh water enclosure communicating with at least one fresh
water loading/unloading valve, a plurality of at least partially
flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of
the at least one fresh water enclosure and at least one opening
communicating with each one of the plurality of sea water
enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill the plurality
of sea water enclosures, thereby causing the fresh water to be
expelled against the force of gravity from the at least one fresh
water enclosure.
Inventors: |
Yaffe, Aaharon; (Moshav
Amirim, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Julian H. Cohen
Ladas & Parry
26 West 61 Street
New York
NY
10023
US
|
Assignee: |
INBAR-WATER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
LTD
|
Family ID: |
32735887 |
Appl. No.: |
10/351966 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/74T |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 27/24 20130101;
B63B 25/12 20130101; B63B 27/34 20130101; B63B 35/285 20130101;
B63B 2025/085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/074.00T |
International
Class: |
B63B 025/08 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for sea transport of fresh water comprising: at least
one fresh water enclosure communicating with at least one fresh
water loading/unloading valve; a plurality of at least partially
flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of
said at least one fresh water enclosure; and at least one opening
communicating with each one of said plurality of sea water
enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality
of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said fresh water to be
expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one fresh
water enclosure.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one
fresh water enclosure is a flexible enclosure.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 and also comprising a plurality
of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 and wherein said sea water
enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float
element.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 and wherein said elongate float
element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water
enclosure.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 and wherein said elongate float
element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water
enclosure by a plurality of mutually spaced straps.
8. Apparatus according to claim 5 and wherein said elongate float
element floats on sea water.
9. Apparatus according to claim 5 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also comprises an elongate weighted
spreader element.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 and wherein said elongate
weighted spreader element comprises an elongate tube.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also comprises: a first plurality
of straps attached to said elongate float element at a plurality of
locations; a second plurality of vertically extending straps; a
first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first plurality of
straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps;
and a second plurality of rings formed on said elongate weighted
spreader element, each of said second plurality of rings attached
to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also comprises: a first and a
second generally vertically extending side supports, attached to
interior side surfaces of said fresh water enclosure; a third
plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said first
generally vertically extending side support; a fourth plurality of
side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second generally
vertically extending side support; a fifth plurality of
horizontally extending straps; a third plurality of rings,
connecting each of said third plurality of straps to a
corresponding one of said fifth plurality of straps; and a fourth
plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of
straps to a corresponding one of said fifth plurality of
straps.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 and wherein said second
plurality of vertically extending straps and said fifth plurality
of horizontally extending straps are joined at at least one
junction point therebetween.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said sea water
enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said
fresh water enclosure.
15. Apparatus for sea transport of fresh water comprising: a
flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually spaced
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; and a plurality of at
least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed
within said flexible enclosure, wherein said sea water enclosures
are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure
cross-section defining assemblies.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 and wherein said flexible
enclosure comprises at least one fresh water enclosure
communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading
valve.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 and also comprising a plurality
of openings communicating with said plurality of sea water
enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality
of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said fresh water to be
expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one fresh
water enclosure.
18. Apparatus according to claim 16 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float
element.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 and wherein said elongate float
element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water
enclosure.
20. Apparatus according to claim 18 and wherein said elongate float
element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water
enclosure by a plurality of mutually spaced straps.
21. Apparatus according to claim 18 and wherein said elongate float
element floats on sea water.
22. Apparatus according to claim 18 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also comprises an elongate weighted
spreader element.
23. Apparatus according to claim 22 and wherein said elongate
weighted spreader element comprises an elongate tube.
24. Apparatus according to claim 22 and also comprising: a first
plurality of straps attached to said elongate float element at a
plurality of locations; a second plurality of vertically extending
straps; a first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first
plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality
of straps; and a second plurality of rings formed on said elongate
weighted spreader element, each of said second plurality of rings
attached to a corresponding one of said second plurality of
straps.
25. Apparatus according to claim 24 and also comprising: a first
and a second generally vertically extending side supports, attached
to interior side surfaces of said fresh water enclosure; a third
plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said first
generally vertically extending side support; a fourth plurality of
side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second generally
vertically extending side support; a fifth plurality of
horizontally extending straps; a third plurality of rings,
connecting each of said third plurality of straps to a
corresponding one of said fifth plurality of straps; and a fourth
plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of
straps to a corresponding one of said fifth plurality of
straps.
26. Apparatus according to claim 25 and wherein said second
plurality of vertically extending straps and said fifth plurality
of horizontally extending straps are joined at at least one
junction point therebetween.
27. Apparatus according to claim 16 and wherein said sea water
enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said
fresh water enclosure.
28. Apparatus for sea transport of light liquid comprising: at
least one light liquid enclosure communicating with at least one
light liquid loading/unloading valve; a plurality of at least
partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed
within each of said at least one light liquid enclosure; and at
least one opening communicating with each one of said plurality of
sea water enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said
plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said light
liquid to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at
least one light liquid enclosure, wherein said light liquid is
lighter than sea water.
29. Apparatus according to claim 28 and wherein said at least one
light liquid enclosure is a flexible enclosure.
30. Apparatus according to claim 29 and also comprising a plurality
of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.
31. Apparatus according to claim 30 and wherein said sea water
enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.
32. Apparatus according to claim 30 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float
element.
33. Apparatus according to claim 32 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also comprises an elongate weighted
spreader element.
34. Apparatus according to claim 33 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also comprises: a first plurality
of straps attached to said elongate float element at a plurality of
locations; a second plurality of vertically extending straps; a
first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first plurality of
straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps; a
second plurality of rings formed on said elongate weighted spreader
element, each of said second plurality of rings attached to a
corresponding one of said second plurality of straps; a first and a
second generally vertically extending side supports, attached to
interior side surfaces of said light liquid enclosure; a third
plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said first
generally vertically extending side support; a fourth plurality of
side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second generally
vertically extending side support; a fifth plurality of
horizontally extending straps; a third plurality of rings,
connecting each of said third plurality of straps to a
corresponding one of said fifth plurality of straps; and a fourth
plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of
straps to a corresponding one of said fifth plurality of
straps.
35. Apparatus according to claim 28 and wherein said sea water
enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said
light liquid enclosure.
36. Apparatus for sea transport of light liquid comprising: a
flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually spaced
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; and a plurality of at
least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed
within said flexible enclosure, wherein said sea water enclosures
are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure
cross-section defining assemblies.
37. Apparatus according to claim 36 and wherein said flexible
enclosure comprises at least one light liquid enclosure
communicating with at least one light liquid loading/unloading
valve.
38. Apparatus according to claim 37 and also comprising a plurality
of openings communicating with said plurality of sea water
enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality
of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said light liquid to be
expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one light
liquid enclosure.
39. Apparatus according to claim 37 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float
element.
40. Apparatus according to claim 39 and wherein said enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also comprises an elongate weighted
spreader element.
41. Apparatus according to claim 40 and also comprising: a first
plurality of straps attached to said elongate float element at a
plurality of locations; a second plurality of vertically extending
straps; a first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first
plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality
of straps; a second plurality of rings formed on said elongate
weighted spreader element, each of said second plurality of rings
attached to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps;
a first and a second generally vertically extending side supports,
attached to interior side surfaces of said light liquid enclosure;
a third plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to
said first generally vertically extending side support; a fourth
plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second
generally vertically extending side support; a fifth plurality of
horizontally extending straps; a third plurality of rings,
connecting each of said third plurality of straps to a
corresponding one of said fifth plurality of straps; and a fourth
plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of
straps to a corresponding one of said fifth plurality of
straps.
42. Apparatus according to claim 37 and wherein said sea water
enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said
light liquid enclosure.
43. A method for sea transport of fresh water comprising: providing
a vessel including: at least one fresh water enclosure
communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading
valve; a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea
water enclosures disposed within each of said at least one fresh
water enclosure; and at least one opening communicating with each
one of said plurality of sea water enclosures; loading said vessel
by selectably filling said fresh water enclosure with fresh water;
and unloading said vessel by selectably allowing sea water to fill
said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said fresh
water to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at
least one fresh water enclosure.
44. A method according to claim 43 and wherein said loading takes
place principally by gravity and said unloading take place
principally without requiring pumping.
45. A method for sea transport of fresh water comprising: providing
a vessel including: a flexible enclosure including a plurality of
mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; and a
plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water
enclosures disposed within said flexible enclosure, wherein said
sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of
said enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; loading said
vessel by selectably filling said flexible enclosure with fresh
water; and unloading said vessel by selectably allowing sea water
to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing
said fresh water to be expelled against the force of gravity from
said flexible enclosure.
46. A method according to claim 45 and wherein said loading takes
place principally by gravity and said unloading take place
principally without requiring pumping.
47. A method for sea transport of light liquid comprising:
providing a vessel including: at least one light liquid enclosure
communicating with at least one light liquid loading/unloading
valve; a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea
water enclosures disposed within each of said at least one light
liquid enclosure; and at least one opening communicating with each
one of said plurality of sea water enclosures; loading said vessel
by selectably filling said light liquid enclosure with light
liquid; and unloading said vessel by selectably allowing sea water
to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing
said light liquid to be expelled against the force of gravity from
said at least one light liquid enclosure.
48. A method according to claim 47 and wherein said loading takes
place principally by gravity and said unloading take place
principally without requiring pumping.
49. A method for sea transport of light liquid comprising:
providing a vessel including: a flexible enclosure including a
plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining
assemblies; and a plurality of at least partially flexible,
collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within said flexible
enclosure, wherein said sea water enclosures are disposed
intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure cross-section
defining assemblies; loading said vessel by selectably filling said
flexible enclosure with light liquid; and unloading said vessel by
selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water
enclosures, thereby causing said light liquid to be expelled
against the force of gravity from said flexible enclosure.
50. A method according to claim 49 and wherein said loading takes
place principally by gravity and said unloading take place
principally without requiring pumping.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to sea transportation vessels
and methodologies generally and more particularly to vessels and
methodologies for transport of liquids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The following published Patent Documents are believed to
represent the current state of the art:
[0003] Applicant's Published PCT Application WO 01/92097 A1;
[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,047,655; 5,971,039; 5,488,921; 5,445,093;
5,413,065; 5,355,819; 5,235,928; 5,010,837; 4,881,482; 4,399,768;
4,227,477; 4,178,868; 3,779,196; 3,750,723; 3,067,712.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention seeks to provide highly efficient and
cost effective vessels and methodologies for sea transport of
liquids.
[0006] There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for sea transport
of fresh water including at least one fresh water enclosure
communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading
valve, a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea
water enclosures disposed within each of the at least one fresh
water enclosure and at least one opening communicating with each
one of the plurality of sea water enclosures for selectably
allowing sea water to fill the plurality of sea water enclosures,
thereby causing the fresh water to be expelled against the force of
gravity from the at least one fresh water enclosure.
[0007] Preferably, the at least one fresh water enclosure is a
flexible enclosure.
[0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention the apparatus also includes a plurality of mutually
spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies. Additionally,
the sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs
of the enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.
[0009] There is also provided in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for sea transport
of fresh water including a flexible enclosure including a plurality
of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies and
a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water
enclosures disposed within the flexible enclosure, wherein the sea
water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of the
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies. Additionally, the
flexible enclosure includes at least one fresh water enclosure
communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading
valve. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a plurality of
openings communicating with the plurality of sea water enclosures
for selectably allowing sea water to fill the plurality of sea
water enclosures, thereby causing the fresh water to be expelled
against the force of gravity from the at least one fresh water
enclosure.
[0010] Preferably, the enclosure cross-section defining assembly
includes an elongate float element. Additionally, the elongate
float element is attached to an interior top surface of the fresh
water enclosure. Additionally, the elongate float element is
attached to an interior top surface of the fresh water enclosure by
a plurality of mutually spaced straps.
[0011] Preferably, the elongate float element floats on sea
water.
[0012] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the enclosure cross-section defining assembly
also includes an elongate weighted spreader element. Preferably,
the elongate weighted spreader element includes an elongate
tube.
[0013] In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the
present invention the enclosure cross-section defining assembly
also includes a first plurality of straps attached to the elongate
float element at a plurality of locations, a second plurality of
vertically extending straps, a first plurality of rings, attaching
each of the first plurality of straps to a corresponding one of the
second plurality of straps and a second plurality of rings formed
on the elongate weighted spreader element, each of the second
plurality of rings attached to a corresponding one of the second
plurality of straps.
[0014] In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the
present invention the enclosure cross-section defining assembly
also includes a first and a second generally vertically extending
side supports, attached to interior side surfaces of the fresh
water enclosure, a third plurality of side-to-side extending
straps, attached to the first generally vertically extending side
support, a fourth plurality of side-to-side extending straps,
attached to the second generally vertically extending side support,
a fifth plurality of horizontally extending straps, a third
plurality of rings, connecting each of the third plurality of
straps to a corresponding one of the fifth plurality of straps and
a fourth plurality of rings, connecting each of the fourth
plurality of straps to a corresponding one of the fifth plurality
of straps.
[0015] Additionally, in accordance with a further preferred
embodiment, the second plurality of vertically extending straps and
the fifth plurality of horizontally extending straps are joined at
at least one junction point therebetween.
[0016] Preferably, the sea water enclosures are operative to hold
sea water separately from the fresh water enclosure.
[0017] There is further provided in accordance with still another
preferred embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for sea
transport of light liquid including at least one light liquid
enclosure communicating with at least one light liquid
loading/unloading valve, a plurality of at least partially
flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of
the at least one light liquid enclosure and at least one opening
communicating with each one of the plurality of sea water
enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill the plurality
of sea water enclosures, thereby causing the light liquid to be
expelled against the force of gravity from the at least one light
liquid enclosure, wherein the light liquid is lighter than sea
water.
[0018] Preferably, the at least one light liquid enclosure is a
flexible enclosure.
[0019] In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the
present invention the apparatus also includes a plurality of
mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.
Additionally, the sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate
adjacent pairs of the enclosure cross-section defining
assemblies.
[0020] There is still further provided in accordance with another
preferred embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for sea
transport of light liquid including a flexible enclosure including
a plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining
assemblies and a plurality of at least partially flexible,
collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within the flexible
enclosure, wherein the sea water enclosures are disposed
intermediate adjacent pairs of the enclosure cross-section defining
assemblies. Additionally, the flexible enclosure includes at least
one light liquid enclosure communicating with at least one light
liquid loading/unloading valve. Preferably, the apparatus also
includes a plurality of openings communicating with the plurality
of sea water enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill
the plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing the light
liquid to be expelled against the force of gravity from the at
least one light liquid enclosure.
[0021] Preferably, the enclosure cross-section defining assembly
includes an elongate float element. Additionally, the enclosure
cross-section defining assembly also includes an elongate weighted
spreader element. Further in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the enclosure cross-section
defining assembly also includes a first plurality of straps
attached to the elongate float element at a plurality of locations,
a second plurality of vertically extending straps, a first
plurality of rings, attaching each of the first plurality of straps
to a corresponding one of the second plurality of straps, a second
plurality of rings formed on the elongate weighted spreader
element, each of the second plurality of rings attached to a
corresponding one of the second plurality of straps, a first and a
second generally vertically extending side supports, attached to
interior side surfaces of the light liquid enclosure, a third
plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to the first
generally vertically extending side support, a fourth plurality of
side-to-side extending straps, attached to the second generally
vertically extending side support, a fifth plurality of
horizontally extending straps, a third plurality of rings,
connecting each of the third plurality of straps to a corresponding
one of the fifth plurality of straps and a fourth plurality of
rings, connecting each of the fourth plurality of straps to a
corresponding one of the fifth plurality of straps.
[0022] Preferably, the sea water enclosures are operative to hold
sea water separately from the light liquid enclosure.
[0023] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention a method for sea transport of
fresh water including providing a vessel including at least one
fresh water enclosure communicating with at least one fresh water
loading/unloading valve, a plurality of at least partially
flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of
the at least one fresh water enclosure and at least one opening
communicating with each one of the plurality of sea water
enclosures, loading the vessel by selectably filling the freshwater
enclosure with fresh water and unloading the vessel by selectably
allowing sea water to fill the plurality of sea water enclosures,
thereby causing the fresh water to be expelled against the force of
gravity from the at least one fresh water enclosure.
[0024] There is further provided in accordance with another
preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for sea
transport of fresh water including providing a vessel including a
flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually spaced
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies and a plurality of at
least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed
within the flexible enclosure, wherein the sea water enclosures are
disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of the enclosure cross-section
defining assemblies, loading the vessel by selectably filling the
flexible enclosure with fresh water and unloading the vessel by
selectably allowing sea water to fill the plurality of sea water
enclosures, thereby causing the fresh water to be expelled against
the force of gravity from the flexible enclosure.
[0025] There is still further provided in accordance with yet
another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for
sea transport of light liquid including providing a vessel
including at least one light liquid enclosure communicating with at
least one light liquid loading/unloading valve, a plurality of at
least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed
within each of the at least one light liquid enclosure and at least
one opening communicating with each one of the plurality of sea
water enclosures, loading the vessel by selectably filling the
light liquid enclosure with light liquid and unloading the vessel
by selectably allowing sea water to fill the plurality of sea water
enclosures, thereby causing the light liquid to be expelled against
the force of gravity from the at least one light liquid
enclosure.
[0026] There is even further provided in accordance with still
another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for
sea transport of light liquid including providing a vessel
including a flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually
spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies and a plurality
of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures
disposed within the flexible enclosure, wherein the sea water
enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of the
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies, loading the vessel by
selectably filling the flexible enclosure with light liquid and
unloading the vessel by selectably allowing sea water to fill the
plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing the light liquid
to be expelled against the force of gravity from the flexible
enclosure.
[0027] Preferably, the loading takes place principally by gravity
and the unloading take place principally without requiring
pumping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of apparatus
for sea transport of liquids constructed and operative in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 2A is a simplified sectional illustration of the
apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along lines IIA-IIA in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 2B is a simplified sectional illustration of the
apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along lines IIB-IIB in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a simplified sectional illustration of the
apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along the lines III-III in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are sectional illustrations of
portions of the apparatus of FIG. 3, taken along respective lines
IVA-IVA, IVB-IVB, IVC-IVC and IVD-IVD in FIG. 3;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a cut away pictorial illustration of the apparatus
of FIGS. 3-4D;
[0035] FIG. 6A is a plan view illustration of a portion of the
apparatus of FIG. 3, taken along line VIA;
[0036] FIG. 6B is a sectional illustration of a portion of the
apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 6A, taken along lines VIB-VIB in FIG.
6A;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a pictorial illustration of a transport network
employing the vessels and methodologies of FIGS. 1-6B;
[0038] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D are simplified illustrations of four
stages in transport and unloading of fresh water from a vessel of
the type illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0039] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are simplified illustrations of three
stages in loading of fresh water onto a vessel of the type
illustrated in FIGS. 1-8D.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 2A & 2B, which
illustrate apparatus for sea transport of liquids, constructed and
operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. As seen in FIG. 1, there is provided a vessel 100 for
transport of liquids comprising a flexible tube-like enclosure 102
including a plurality of spaced, enclosure cross-section defining
assemblies 104. Preferably the vessel has a hemispherical forward
end 106 and a generally conical rearward end 108. The apparatus as
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is loaded with liquid ready for
transport.
[0041] Referring additionally to FIGS. 3-5, it is seen that the
enclosure cross-section defining assemblies 104 preferably each
include an elongate float element 110, which is preferably attached
to an interior top surface of enclosure 102 by a plurality of
mutually spaced straps 112, stitched or otherwise attached to
depending supports 114, which are in turn stitched or otherwise
attached to an interior top surface of enclosure 102, as seen
particularly in FIG. 4A. Float elements 110 are preferably designed
to float on sea water.
[0042] A plurality of straps 120 are preferably attached to
elongate float element 110 at a plurality of locations,
intermediate each pair of adjacent straps 112, as seen in FIG. 4B.
These straps 120 are attached, as by snap rings 122, to vertically
extending straps 124, which extend downwardly and are connected to
corresponding rings 126 on an elongate weighted spreader element,
such as an elongate tube 128, as shown in FIG. 4C. Ends of elongate
tube 128 are seen to preferably extend through apertures in
enclosure 102, and to be sealed to enclosure 102 at the apertures
by bands 130.
[0043] A plurality of side-to-side extending straps 132 are
stitched or otherwise attached to generally vertically extending
side supports 134, which are stitched or otherwise attached to
interior side surfaces of enclosure 102, as seen particularly in
FIG. 4D. Straps 132 on one side of the enclosure 102 are attached,
as by snap rings 136, to horizontally extending straps 138, which
extend side-to-side across the interior of enclosure 102 and are
connected, such as by corresponding snap rings 140, to
corresponding straps 132 on the opposite side of the enclosure 102.
At each junction between straps 124 and 138, the straps are
preferably joined, as by stitching.
[0044] Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B, which illustrate
an attachment arrangement by which ends of each elongate tube 128
are secured to enclosure 102. A flange 150 is bolted, welded or
otherwise attached to each end of elongate tube 128. Fixed to
flange 150 are preferably provided a plurality of radially
outwardly extending supports 152 which support a strap support ring
154 onto which are mounted, as by stitching, a plurality of
radially outward extending straps 156, which are in turn attached,
as by stitching, to enclosure 102 at locations spaced from and
surrounding the tube 128.
[0045] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a pictorial
illustration of a transport network employing the vessels of FIGS.
1-6B. It is seen that typically plural vessels 100 are located at
both filling and unloading ports, designated respectively 160 and
162, so that plural vessels may be loaded and unloaded
simultaneously and while other vessels travel between ports. It is
seen that during both loading and unloading preferably the same
fresh water loading/unloading valve 164 (FIGS. 8A-9C) is
employed.
[0046] Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D, which are
simplified illustrations of four stages in transport and unloading
of fresh water from a vessel of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1-7
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As seen in FIGS. 8A-8D, disposed within enclosure 102 are a
plurality of flexible, collapsible, sea water enclosure elements
170, which cooperate with a bottom surface of the enclosure 102 to
define sea water enclosures 172. The sea water enclosures 172 thus
defined are operative to receive and hold sea water separately from
fresh water lying thereabove within enclosure 102 and are each
preferably open to the sea, permitting free ingress or egress of
sea water thereto via an aperture 174 formed in the bottom of
enclosure 102. Each one of enclosures 172 is preferably disposed
intermediate each pair of adjacent cross-section defining
assemblies 104. The size and number of enclosures 172 is designed
so that when fully expanded, enclosures 172 are able to fill
generally the entire volume of enclosure 102, as seen in FIG. 8D.
As is described hereinbelow, filling of the enclosures 172 with sea
water is operative to expel fresh water from enclosure 102.
[0047] FIG. 8A shows the enclosure elements 170 in a generally
collapsed state. This state continues as long as fresh water is not
allowed to egress the enclosure 102, inasmuch as fresh water
loading/unloading valve 164 is closed. When fresh water is allowed
to egress the enclosure 102, sea water enters enclosures 172 via.
apertures 174 and forces the fresh water out of the enclosure 102,
as shown symbolically in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8C shows further expansion
of the enclosures 172 and further egress of fresh water via fresh
water loading/unloading valve 164. FIG. 8D shows a situation where
generally all of the fresh water from enclosure 102 has been
replaced by sea water in enclosures 172. It is in this state that
the vessels 100 travel from the unloading port 162 (FIG. 7) to the
filling port 160 (FIG. 7).
[0048] Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A-9C, which illustrate
loading of vessels 100 with fresh water. As seen in FIG. 9A, fresh
water is forced into enclosure 102 via fresh water
loading/unloading valve 164 by gravity or by any other suitable
method. As fresh water begins to fill enclosure 102, it forces
enclosures 172 to contract, forcing sea water out through apertures
174. As seen in FIG. 9B, as filling of vessel 100 with fresh water
continues, enclosures 172 continue to contract and sea water
continues to be forced out through apertures 174. FIG. 9C
illustrates the situation where enclosure 102 is generally filed
with fresh water and enclosure elements 170 lie in a generally
collapsed state. It is in this state that the vessels 100 travel
from the filling port 160 (FIG. 7) to the unloading port 162 (FIG.
7).
[0049] It is appreciated that even though the embodiment of FIGS.
7-9C describes an apparatus for transporting fresh water, any
suitable liquid lighter than sea water may also be loaded,
transported and unloaded using the above apparatus and
methodology.
[0050] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present
invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the
various features described hereinabove as well as variations and
modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon
reading the specification and which are not in the prior art.
* * * * *