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Title: Flexible marine transport tank
Claims: I claim: 1. A floating flexible marine transport tank assembly having means for loading and unloading liquid cargo comprising at least two flexible elements of revolution longitudinally and transversely connected by flexible harnesses prestressed by the pressurizing of said flexible elements, said flexible elements maintaining their geometry to internal pressurization thereof. 2. A marine tank according to claim 1, wherein each element is formed of a cylindrical portion and two oblique conical portions one at each end of the said element, each conical portion having at one side a generatrix perpendicular to the base of the conical portion and situated as a continuation of the cylindrical portion. 3. A marine tank according to claim 1, wherein each element comprises two watertight bulkheads dividing it into at least three compartments arranged in series, the central compartment representing a reservoir for liquid and the two end compartments being inflated by a gas. 4. A marine tank according to claim 1, wherein at one end of the tank there are provided a rigid linking member connecting the ends of the elements and traction members individual to the said element secured thereto, the tank being towable by attaching a cable to the traction members. 5. A marine tank according to claim 1, having conical portions at the stern end of each element, there being provided a deck between said stern end conical portions adapted to retain apparatus for pumping, pressurising, and propelling the tank. 6. A marine tank according to claim 5, including means for allowing the tank to be pushed by a boat from its stern deck. 7. A marine tank according to claim 1, wherein there is provided for each element of the tank at least one intake duct and one liquid outlet duct connected to the said element, each element having a sump extending at the lower portion thereof in the form of a bilge-keel for stabilising the tank and the outlet duct having an exterior dip pipe opening into said sump. 8. A marine tank according to claim 1, wherein each element is provided with at least one inflation orifice and a duct connected to said orifice, the tank including a pressure supply conduit connected to said duct and provided with a pressure relief valve. 9. A marine tank according to claim 1, wherein the flexible elements are coupled together as separate containers. 10. A flexible marine tank for transport afloat, comprising at least two elongated flexible elements of revolution, flexible linking means connecting the said elements in side by side relationship, and means for internally pressurizing said elements to maintain the geometric shape thereof, said linking means comprising hoops secured about the elements, shafts carried by said hoops, two plates secured to said shafts and a resilient sleeve separating the two plates, said sleeve having fins extending between the elements and the hoops. 11. A marine tank according to claim 1, wherein an underwater keel is provided at the stern of the tank to contribute to the turning stability of the tank while being towed. 12. A flexible marine tank assembly for transport afloat comprising at least two substantially cylindrical elongated flexible elements of revolution whose structural rigidity and geometrical shape are maintained by pressurization of the interior thereof, means for internally pressurizing said elements, and semi-resilient linking means connecting said elements in side-by-side relationship for restraining lateral, longitudinal and up and down relative movement between said elements while allowing limited pivotal movement of said elements about said linking means, said linking means having a resilient sleeve disposed between and separating the elements, the linked elements being rollable as a unit in response to undulations of the marine surface and being towable as a unit. Other info: Inventors: Grihangne, Andre (Paris, FR) Application Number: 420315 Filing Date: 1973-11-29 Publication_date: 1976-04-27 Assignee: Ste Superflexit (Courbevoie, FR) Primary Class(es): 114/74T Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Blix, Trygve M. Assistant Examiner: Goldstein, Stuart M. Attorney: Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher |
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