Oceaneering International, Inc.

Bruce D Caldwell

Paul David Duncan

Rick C Hunter

John H Fricker

Paul E Robinson

Mark Van Emmerik

Charles L Hethcoat, Iii

Perry Smith

Jeff Ledda

Steve Wright

An apparatus for manipulating an object located proximate an underwater floor is disclosed, in a preferred embodiment comprising a foundation implantable in the underwater floor; a lifting frame extending between the foundation; and a multiplicity of slings mounted adjacent to each other and attached to the lifting frame such that each of the slings is suspended in a cradle-like configuration from the lifting frame. Each of the slings further comprises a top surface facing away from the underwater floor and a padding material mounted proximate the top surface of each sling. The foundation may further comprise suction piles. A monitoring system comprising instrumentation may also be used to aid in guiding the load transfer of the object from the floor to the lifting frame. A method of lifting is described comprising lowering and securing the foundation into the underwater floor proximate the object to be retrieved, positioning the lifting frame proximate the object to be retrieved, installation of containment material, securing lifting frame ends onto the foundation, securing each end of each sling onto the lifting frame as well as positioning each sling under the object to be retrieved, tensioning each sling, and then raising the object by raising the lifting frame.

Method and system for manipulating an object located underwater

There are disclosed several embodiments of dewars each of which include an insulated apparatus for storing and delivering a liquid cryogen and a capacitance gauge for measuring the liquid level of cryogen. A process for rapidly filling the vessel with cryogen is also disclosed.

Dewar for storing and delivering liquid cryogen

Disclosed is an apparatus for storing and delivering a liquid cryogen. The apparatus is a dewar having a rotating liquid cryogen intake, a rotating gas supply/vent, and a rotating capacitance gauge. The rotating capacitance gauge comprises two elongated plates having outer edges shaped concentrically with the inner profile of the dewar on both ends that are electrically isolated from but fastened to one another with a small gap therebetween and electrical leads to the exterior of the dewar.

Disclosed is an apparatus for storing and delivering a liquid cryogen. The apparatus is a dewar having a rotating liquid cryogen intake, a rotating gas supply vent, and a rotating capacitance gauge. Also disclosed is a system and a process employing the system for liquefying a gas to produce a liquid cryogen in the dewar wherein the gas is subcritically cooled and then condensed in the pressure vessel of the dewar.

Apparatus for storing and delivering liquid cryogen and apparatus and

The invention in its preferred embodiment is a portable life support system for use in warm water diving providing temperature regulation and breathable atmosphere through cryogenic technology while maintaining neutral buoyancy and trim throughout zero-gravity simulation. The portable life support system comprises: a liquid cooled garment; an externally charged, positive expulsion dewar for storing and delivering liquid cryogen; means for circulating liquid cryogen from said dewar in heat exchange relation with the cooling liquid so as to cool the wearer of the garment and vaporize the liquid cryogen; and means forming a semi-closed breathing loop for delivering breathable gas obtained from the vaporized cryogen from said circulating means to the wearer of said garment for breathing purposes.

Portable life support system

The invention in its preferred embodiment is a portable life support system providing the wearer of a garment with temperature regulation and a breathable atmosphere using cryogenic technology. Wherein a liquid cryogen is vaporized by heat exchange with the wearers body and the vaporized cryogen is delivered to the wearer as a breathable atmosphere.

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Hitchcock, TX, United States of America

Bruce D Caldwell