Buoyancy system

Abstract

The present invention provides a buoyancy system for moving an object in a body of water. The system includes at least one inflatable body which, when inflated, increases the buoyancy of the object, and an inflation apparatus to inflate the at least one inflatable body. The system also includes an activation system to activate the inflation apparatus. Upon activation of the activation system the inflation apparatus causes a gas to flow to the at least one inflatable body, causing the object to move.

1 . A buoyancy system for moving an object in a body of water, the system comprises:
 at least one inflatable body which, when inflated, increases the buoyancy of the object;   at least one inflation apparatus to inflate each of the at least one inflatable body, the inflation apparatus comprises a gas generation system;   an activation system to activate each of the at least one inflation apparatus;   
       where upon activation of the activation system the inflation apparatus causes a gas to be generated from the gas generation system and flow to the at least one inflatable body, which once inflated to the required volume enables the object to be moved. 
     
     
         2 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one inflatable body is secured to the object. 
     
     
         3 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one inflatable body inflates external of the object. 
     
     
         4 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one inflatable body has a release means so that the at least one inflatable body may be detached from the object. 
     
     
         5 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one inflatable body comprises at least one upper pressure relief valve to release excess gas from the inflatable body. 
     
     
         6 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 5  wherein the pressure relief valve is locked in a closed condition when the object has reached the required depth. 
     
     
         7 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one inflatable body also comprises at least one lower pressure relief valve located at the bottom of the inflatable body, wherein the at least one lower pressure relief valve may vent any increases in the pressure within the inflatable body. 
     
     
         8 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 5  wherein the pressure relief valve has a valve piston which is biased to a closed position, whereby pressure acting on the valve piston causes the valve piston to move to allow the excess gas to vent from the inflatable body, a locking means incorporated in the pressure relief valve is released upon movement of the valve piston, such that upon the valve piston returning to its closed position, the locking means locks the valve in said position. 
     
     
         9 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one inflatable body also comprises a one way valve between the inflation apparatus and an opening into the inflatable body. 
     
     
         10 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one inflatable body is at least partially made from a material being heat resistant and having high tensile strength properties. 
     
     
         11 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the inflation apparatus comprises a regulatory apparatus to regulate the amount of gas passing in to the at least one inflatable body. 
     
     
         12 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 11  wherein the regulatory apparatus is hydrostatically governed whereby the regulatory apparatus will provide the required volume of gas in order to account for the external pressure and allow the inflatable body to inflate to provide the desired amount of buoyancy. 
     
     
         13 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the inflation apparatus also comprises a gas storage system and/or is connected to an active gas generating system for supplying a gas. 
     
     
         14 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 13  wherein the gas generation system comprises a gas generating medium contained within at least one vessel, wherein the medium is an explosive, propellant or other chemical compound which undergoes a chemical reaction, producing a gas. 
     
     
         15 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 14  wherein a charge activates the medium to create a gas within the at least one vessel at pressure, the medium is activated by at least one initiator or at least one detonator which is operably connected to the activation system. 
     
     
         16 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 14  wherein the gas generated from the medium is cooled prior to being delivered to the at least one inflatable bag. 
     
     
         17 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 13  wherein the gas storage system comprises a gas storage cylinder containing the gas, the gas storage cylinder being in fluid communication with the at least one inflatable body through an outlet passage, the outlet passage has one or more pressure retaining disks to prevent the gas leaving the gas storage cylinder, wherein each of the one or more pressure discs may be ruptured to allow the gas to flow to the inflatable body. 
     
     
         18 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the inflation apparatus comprises a reservoir for supplying gas into the at least one inflatable body to ensure it retains the desired inflation during descent. 
     
     
         19 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 18  whereupon the reservoir reaching a predetermined pressure the gas supply or gas generators are activated to supply further gas to maintain the pressure in the reservoir at a pressure equal or greater than the predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the activation system activates automatically when the object is at a predetermined depth. 
     
     
         21 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 20  wherein the activation system is hydrostatically activated when the object reaches a predetermined depth, the automatic activation system comprising one or more hydrostatically operated devices fitted external of the object. 
     
     
         22 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 1  wherein the activation system is manually operated from within and/or external the object. 
     
     
         23 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 22  wherein the activation system is activated by a remote operating vehicle (ROV), the external manual activation system comprising a docking mount external of the object to which the ROV dock. 
     
     
         24 . A buoyancy system for raising a submerged object, such as a submarine, mining infrastructure, towards the surface of a body of water, the system comprises:
 at least one inflatable body which, when inflated, increases the buoyancy of the submerged object;   at least one inflation apparatus to inflate the at least one inflatable body, the inflation apparatus comprises a gas generation system;   an activation system to activate the inflation apparatus;   
       wherein upon activation of the activation system the gas generation system produces a gas to inflate the at least one inflatable, which once inflated to the required volume enables the submerged object to move toward the surface of the body of water in which it is submerged. 
     
     
         25 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 24  wherein the objected is connected to a guide wire extending between the ocean floor and surface, whereupon ascent the guide wire guides the ascent allowing the recovery location of the equipment to be predicted. 
     
     
         26 . A buoyancy system for lowering production infrastructure or drilling equipment to the ocean floor, the buoyancy system being adapted to be connected to the equipment, the system comprises:
 at least one inflatable body which, when inflated, increases the buoyancy of the equipment;   at least one inflation apparatus to inflate the at least one inflatable body, the inflation apparatus comprises a gas generation system which produces a gas for inflation;   an activation system to activate the inflation apparatus;   
       wherein upon activation of the activation system the inflation apparatus causes the at least one inflatable body to inflate, partly offsetting the weight of the equipment and controlling the rate of descent towards the ocean floor. 
     
     
         27 . The buoyancy system according to  claim 26  wherein the system comprises a reservoir which contains a gas, the reservoir supplying gas into the at least one inflatable body.