초록 ▼

Apparatus for extracting fluent material from a container, for example to remove oil or toxic fluid from a submerged or sunken container, e.g., a tank in a sunken ship, has a device for locating (29) and securing (21, 27) the apparatus against a wall of such a container, a device for forming an aper

Apparatus for extracting fluent material from a container, for example to remove oil or toxic fluid from a submerged or sunken container, e.g., a tank in a sunken ship, has a device for locating (29) and securing (21, 27) the apparatus against a wall of such a container, a device for forming an aperture in the wall (15, 17), a device for extracting the fluid through the aperture, and a closure device for the aperture. Preferably the apparatus has two parts, a first upper module (1) comprising a driving device and a drilling or milling device (17) for making an aperture in the wall, and a second lower module (4), comprising the closure device (12) operable mechanically or hydraulically by the first module. The first and second modules are releasably connected together and can be separated under control of the first module. The apparatus is moved into position by thruster drive units (29) and may be guided remotely from a remote monitor connected to a video camera mounted on the apparatus. A method is also disclosed, in which the apparatus is secured to an upper portion of the container wall for removal of light fluids and to a lower portion for heavy fluids.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for removing fluent material from a container, he apparatus comprising locating means for locating the apparatus against a wall of the container, securement means for securing the apparatus to the wall, means for forming an aperture through the wall and for extracting t

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for removing fluent material from a container, he apparatus comprising locating means for locating the apparatus against a wall of the container, securement means for securing the apparatus to the wall, means for forming an aperture through the wall and for extracting the material from the container through the aperture, and closure means for closing the aperture, comprising a first module having the means for extracting the material and for locating and securing a second module to the container, the second module having closure means, the first and second modules being releasably connectable one to the other, and wherein the closure means of the second module is adapted to become effective in response to separation of the first module from the second module.