Subsea petroleum products storage system
US4662386A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1986 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86187
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A subsea system for the storage of petroleum products or other liquids with densities lighter than water is disclosed. The system includes at least one storage tank disposed alongside a bowl-like structure. A flexible membrane sealed to a top peripheral surface of the bowl structure or a hollow bladder supported by the bowl is provided. Pipes run from the bottom of the tank to the space between the membrane and the bowl or to the interior of the bladder. Water stored in the tank is displaced to the bowl/membrane volume space or to the hollow bladder. When discharge of the petroleum products is desired, a supply/discharge valve at the top of the tank is opened and sea pressure acting on the flexible membrane forces water from the membrane/bowl space or bladder back into the bottom of the tank causing the petroleum products to be discharged via the supply/discharge pipe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.