FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device and method for inhibiting the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel through a hole in the vessel and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a device and method for inhibiting the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel through a hole or rupture formed in a boa 's or ship's hull.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When a boat or ship is inadvertently ruptured after striking a reef, rock, or the like the boat or ship will rapidly take water and, if not quickly removed from the water, may sink. Once ruptured smaller boats may be trailered or hoisted from the water whereas larger ships must be taken into a dry dock for repairs. If the boat or ship is a long distance offshore or not conveniently located near a boat ramp, crane, or dry dock the boat or ship may inevitably sink.

Removing a boat from the water or berthing of a ship in a dry dock can be relatively expensive and is generally inconvenient. More importantly, if the ingress of water into a ship's or boat's hull is not inhibited quickly the ship or boat may sink risking human lives.

In other circumstances a hull or skin fitting, such as a depth sounder, may need to be fitted to a boat's hull. The hull or skin fitting is passed through a hole formed in the boat's hull and then sealably connected to the hull. Before drilling or cutting the hole in the hull the boat must generally be removed from the water. Haulage of the boat together with storage of the boat can be relatively expensive and may also be rather inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An intention of the present invention is to provide a sealing device and method for expeditiously inhibiting the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel through a hole formed in the vessel.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealing device for inhibiting the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel, said device comprising: a cover member constructed of a substantially fluid impermeable material; and d aea.1 connected to the cover member and adapted to sealably seat around a hole formed in a wall of the vessel whereby, in use, when the cover member is placed, on a fluid side of the vessel wall, over at least part of the hole a differential pressure induced across the hole causes the cover member to be forced toward the vessel wall and the seal to sealably form to the vessel wall so that the ingress or egress of said fluid to or from the vessel is substantially inhibited.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for inhibiting the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a hole in a vessel, said method comprising the steps of: placing a cover member, constructed of a substantially fluid impermeable material, on a fluid side of a vessel wall over at least part of the hole; and holding said cover member over the hole until a seal connected to the cover member seats around the hole and a differential pressure induced across the hole causes the cover member to be forced toward the vessel wall and the seal to sealably form to the vessel wall so that the ingress or egress of said fluid to or from the vessel is substantially inhibited.

Preferably, the sealing device further comprises locating means movably coupled to the cover member whereby, in use, the locating means can be connected to the vessel wall so that the cover member is located and retained over the hole and thereafter the differential pressure induced across the hole forces the cover member toward the vessel wall causing the seal to seat against the vessel wall and thus inhibit any further ingress or egress of fluid to or from the vessel.

Typically, the locating means comprises one or more suction devices movably coupled to the cover member and adapted to suck onto and thus removably connect to the vessel wall. Alternatively, the locating means comprises one or more magnetic devices adapted to removably couple to a magnetic surface of the vessel wall. Preferably, the sealing device further comprises a coupling interconnecting the locating means and the cover member, the coupling pivotally connected to the cover member.

Typically, the sealing device further comprises a clamping device connected to the cover member and adapted to operatively engage the wall of the vessel whereby, in use, with the cover member located over the hole a portion of the clamping device can pass through the hole engaging the vessel wall opposite the fluid side, and can then be adjusted to press the seal, via the cover member, against the vessel wall on the fluid side.

Preferably, the clamping device comprises: an elongate member connected to the cover member and adapted to pass through the hole in the vessel; and a clamp member movably coupled to the elongate member and adapted to operatively engage the vessel wall so that, in use, the clamp member engages the vessel wall opposite the fluid side, and movement of the clamp member relative to the elongate member effects clamping of the

seal, via the cover member, against the vessel wall on the fluid side.

Typically, the clamping device further comprises actuating means movably coupled to the elongate member and operatively engaging the clamp member so that, in use, movement of the actuating means effects movement of the clamp member relative to the elongate member. In one example the actuating means comprises a nut designed to threadingly engage the elongate member, at an end opposite the cover member.

Typically, the sealing device further comprises a fitting sealably connected to the cover member whereby, in use, the clamping device is detachably connected to the fitting and thereafter the seal pressed against the vessel wall via the cover member and the fitting. Preferably, the fitting comprises a threaded connection to which an end of the elongate member threadingly engages.

Preferably, the cover member is dome-shaped so that, in use, said cover member can be placed over said hole formed in the vessel wall and interference with the hole and/or projections from the vessel wall adjacent the hole is substantially minimised.

Typically, the cover member is at least partly constructed of a first resilient material so that, in use, when the cover member is placed over the hole the differential pressure induced across the hole deforms the cover member to substantially improve seating of the seal to the vessel wall wherein the ingress or egress of said fluid to or from the vessel is substantially minimised.

Preferably, the cover member has a peripheral edge shaped so that, in use, two or more sealing devices can be located immediately adjacent each other and at least a portion of a

peripheral edge of one of said sealing devices is shaped complementary to an adjacent peripheral edge of another of said sealing devices so that said two or more sealing devices located immediately adjacent each other can be used to inhibit the ingress or egress of fluid to or from the vessel through a relatively large hole formed in the wall of said vessel. In one example the peripheral edge of the cover member is shaped substantially hexagonal.

Preferably, at least a portion of the cover member is constructed of a substantially transparent material whereby, in use, the hole in the vessel wall can be seen through said transparent portion and the sealing device moved into place wherein the cover member is positioned over substantially all the hole in the vessel wall. Typically, said portion of the cover member is constructed of a transparent polymeric material. In one example the transparent polymeric material comprises an acrylic based material.

Typically, the seal is constructed of a second resilient material whereby, in use, the differential pressure induced across the hole forcing the cover member toward the vessel wall deforms the seal increasing the contact area between the seal and the vessel wall and thus substantially minimising the ingress or egress of said fluid to or from the vessel. Preferably, the seal is constructed of a polymeric material. In one example the polymeric material comprises vinyl acetate or a derivative thereof.

Typically, the vessel is a boat's or ship's hull so that a sealing device according to the present invention is used to inhibit the ingress of water to the boat or ship. Alternatively, the vessel is a tank or container retaining fluid whereby a sealing device according to the present invention is used to inhibit the ingress or egress of fluid from the vessel. When the fluid in the tank is under

pressure the sealing device inhibits egress of the fluid from the tank, and when the fluid is under vacuum the sealing device inhibits ingress of air to the tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention preferred embodiments of a sealing device and method for inhibiting the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic of a preferred embodiment of a sealing device shown in use on a boat's hull;

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the sealing device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the sealing device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken axially through the sealing device shown in Figures 1 to 3; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of a clamping device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figure 1 there is a sealing device 10 for inhibiting the ingress of fluid to a vessel, in this example seawater 12 into a boat's hull 14 through a hole or rupture 16 formed in the boat's hull 14. The hole or rupture 16 may have resulted from a collision with a reef, rock, or the like.

The sealing device 10 comprises a cover member 18, a seal 20 connected to a peripheral edge of the cover member 18, and locating means shown generally as 22 pivotally connected to the cover member 18. The cover member 18 is constructed of a substantially transparent acrylic based material, and is generally dome-shaped having a peripheral edge which is shaped hexagonal. The cover member 18 has a

pair of handles 24 located adjacent a peripheral edge on opposing sides of the dome-shaped cover member 18. A fitting, in this embodiment a threaded boss 26, is connected to the dome-shaped cover member 18 approximately at a central axis thereof.

The locating means 22 comprises a pair of suction cups 28A, 28B each pivotally coupled to the cover member 18 via a coupling, in this embodiment a U-shaped arm 30. The U- shaped arms 30 are at each end pivotally coupled to one of the handles 24 and the suction cup 28A, 28B, respectively.

As shown in Figure 4, each of the suction cups 28A, 28B comprises a body portion 32A, 32B which is substantially cup-shaped to which a complementary-shaped resilient suction membrane 34A, 34B is attached. A central plunger 36A, 36B at one end is connected to the suction membrane 34A, 34B, and at an opposite end an actuating arm 38A, 38B is pivotally coupled to the plunger 36A, 36B. Each of the plungers 36A, 36B passes through the body portion 32A, 32B of the suction cups 28A, 28B, respectively. Each of the actuating arms 38A, 38B is eccentrically pivoted about each of the plungers 36A, 36B, respectively, the actuating arm 38A, 38B having a cam-shaped end which engages an upper surface of the body portion 32A, 32B. Pivotal movement of each of the actuating arm 38A, 38B, thus effects reciprocating movement of each of the suction membrane 34A, 3 B respectively.

The seal 20 is, in this example, partly constructed of a vinyl acetate material and is substantially square-shaped in cross-section (see Figure 4) . The vinyl acetate seal 20 is connected to a lower surface of the cover member 18 adjacent a peripheral edge thereof. In this embodiment, the vinyl acetate seal 20 is a closed-cell foam material which is substantially non-absorbent to water. A rubber seal (not shown) , having a tubular cross-section, may also

be provided on a lower surface of the vinyl acetate seal 20 to improve sealing of the cover member 18 to the boat's hull 14.

With reference to Figure 5 the sealing device 10 further comprises a clamping device shown generally as 40. The clamping device 40 comprises a rod 42 threaded along its length. The threaded rod 42 at one end is reduced in diameter. The clamping device further comprises a nut 44 designed to threadingly engage a large diameter portion of the threaded rod member 42. A clamp member, in this example a cross-bar 46 has a central hole 48 through which the threaded rod 42 is slidably received. Each end of the cross-bar has another hole 50 for fixing to an inside surface of the boat's hull 14, if necessary. In this embodiment, the nut 44 when threadingly engaging the rod 42 bears against the cross-bar 46 and serves as actuating means to slidably move the bar 46 relative to the threaded rod 42. An opposite end of the threaded rod 42, being reduced in diameter, is designed to threadingly engage the boss 26 on an underside of the dome-shaped cover member 18.

In order to achieve a further understanding of the present invention operation of the sealing device 10 described above will now be explained in some detail.

As depicted in Figure 1, in the event that a hole or rupture 16 is formed below the waterline in a boat's hull 14, the sealing device 10 is then brought into operation. A person, located in the water 12, holding each of the handles 24 moves the dome-shaped cover member 18 over the hole or rupture 16. The person is able to clearly view the hole or rupture 16 through the transparent cover member 18. Once the cover member 18 is located over the hole or rupture 16, each of the suction cups 28A, 28B is placed on the boat's hull 14 so as to hold and retain the cover member 18 in position. In this example, the suction cups

28A, 28B are sucked onto the boat's hull 14 by pivoting each of the actuating arms 38A, 38B toward the cover member 18.

Because of a pressure differential induced across the hole or rupture 16, the cover member 18 will also be forced toward the boat's hull 14 and the seal 20 will press against and seat on the boat's hull 14 adjacent the hole or rupture 16. Where the pressure differential is relatively high the cover member 18 may be deformed around its periphery which improves seating of the seal 20 to the boat's hull 14. Thus, it is an advantage in one embodiment of the invention for the cover member 18 to be constructed of a resilient material. Once the cover member 18 has been located over the hole or rupture 16 and the ingress of water 12 within the boat's hull 14 substantially inhibited, the threaded rod 42 is passed through the hole or rupture 16 from inside the boat's hull 14. The rod 42 is then threadingly connected to the boss 26, the cross-bar 46 is slid over the threaded rod 42, and the nut 44 wound down onto the cross-bar 46. The cross-bar 46 bears against an inside surface of the boat's hull 14 and by tightening the nut 44 on the threaded rod 42 the seal 20 sealably seats against an outside or fluid side surface of the boats hull 14. By continuing to tighten the nut 44 the ingress of water 12 to the boat's hull 14 is substantially minimised.

Advantageously, by having a dome-shaped cover member 18 the seal 20 is able to seat against the boat's hull 14 and the cover member 18 has minimum interference with the hole or rupture 16 and/or projections from the boat's hull 14. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a dome-shaped cover member 18 when pressured from a convex side is significantly more rigid than a flat or concave member.

Where an elongate hole or relatively long crack is formed in a vessel the elongate hole can be covered by two or more sealing devices 10 located in a side by-side relationship. In this example, peripheral edges of adjacent sealing devices 10 are butted together such that the elongate hole is covered, each sealing device 10 located over a portion of the elongate hole as described above. Two or more sealing devices 10 are thus arranged so as to inhibit the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel.

The suction cups 28A, 28B can be removed from the boat's hull 14 once the clamping device 40 has clamped the seal 20 against the boat's hull 14 and substantially inhibited the ingress of water 12 to the hull 14. The U-shaped arms 30 may also be removed from the handles 24, to which they are pivotally connected, and placed on board the boat.

Once the sealing device(s) 10 has been effectively seated against the vessel to inhibit the further ingress of fluid the boat can then safely move to shore in preparation for repairing the hole or rupture. Even where the hole or rupture is not completely sealed by the sealing device 10 the boat can safely move to shore without sinking. If necessary, water can be slowly pumped from the bilge as the boat moves to safety.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that the sealing device and method have at least the following advantages :

(1) a hole or rupture can be quickly sealed to substantially inhibit the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel;

(2) one or more sealing devices can be used together to seal a relatively large hole, or rupture, or crack; and

(3) the sealing device can effectively seat against a vessel wall of various contours.

- li ¬ lt will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that numerous variations and modifications can be made to the described sealing device and method in addition to those already mentioned above without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, the cover member is not restricted to any shape and/or size so long as the cover member together with an appropriate seal combine to inhibit the ingress or egress of fluid to or from a vessel. The locating means are not limited to suction cups as described herein but may also include one or more magnetic devices adapted to removably couple to a magnetic surface of a vessel wall. Furthermore, the cover member may be fixed more permanently in position other than by way of using the clamping device as described. For example, when the cover member is constructed of an appropriate material the cover member may be welded to the vessel wall. It should also be appreciated that application of the present invention extends to use on vessels other than boats or ships such as tanks. The tank may be under pressure, for example hydrostatic pressure from liquid contained within the tank, so that a hole formed in the tank is sealed from inside the tank. Alternatively, gas contained within a tank may be under vacuum pressure, so that a hole formed in the tank is sealed from outside the tank to prevent the ingress of air into the tank and possible collapse of the tank. A hole or rupture may be formed in a vessel either inadvertently, such as where a tank ruptures, or intentionally where a hole is cut in a tank. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.