Flexible vessel

Abstract

An apparatus for sea transport of fresh water including at least one fresh water enclosure communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading valve, a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of the at least one fresh water enclosure and at least one opening communicating with each one of the plurality of sea water enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill the plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing the fresh water to be expelled against the force of gravity from the at least one fresh water enclosure.

1 . Apparatus for sea transport of fresh water comprising: 
 at least one fresh water enclosure communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading valve;    a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of said at least one fresh water enclosure; and    at least one opening communicating with each one of said plurality of sea water enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said fresh water to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one fresh water enclosure.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  and wherein said at least one fresh water enclosure is a flexible enclosure.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  and also comprising a plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  and wherein said sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float element.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  and wherein said elongate float element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water enclosure.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  and wherein said elongate float element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water enclosure by a plurality of mutually spaced straps.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  and wherein said elongate float element floats on sea water.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly also comprises a multiplicity of weighting elements attached to a bottom portion.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  and wherein said multiplicity of weighting elements each comprise: 
 a water resistant container filled with metal.  
 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly also comprises: 
 a first plurality of straps attached to said elongate float element at a plurality of locations;  
 a second plurality of vertically extending straps;  
 a third plurality of straps attached to said bottom element;  
 a first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps; and  
 a second plurality of rings, attaching each of said second plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said third plurality of straps.  
 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly also comprises: 
 a first and a second generally vertically extending side supports, attached to interior side surfaces of said fresh water enclosure;  
 a fourth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said first generally vertically extending side support;  
 a fifth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second generally vertically extending side support;  
 a sixth plurality of horizontally extending straps;  
 a third plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps; and  
 a fourth plurality of rings, connecting each of said fifth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps.  
 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  and wherein said second plurality of vertically extending straps and said sixth plurality of horizontally extending straps are joined at at least one junction point therebetween.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  and wherein said sea water enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said fresh water enclosure.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus for sea transport of fresh water comprising: 
 a flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; and    a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within said flexible enclosure,    wherein said sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.    
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  and wherein said flexible enclosure comprises at least one fresh water enclosure communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading valve.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  and also comprising a plurality of openings communicating with said plurality of sea water enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said fresh water to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one fresh water enclosure.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float element.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  and wherein said elongate float element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water enclosure.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  and wherein said elongate float element is attached to an interior top surface of said fresh water enclosure by a plurality of mutually spaced straps.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  and wherein said elongate float element floats on sea water.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly also comprises a multiplicity of weighting elements attached to a bottom portion.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 22  and and wherein said multiplicity of weighting elements each comprise: 
 a water resistant container filled with metal.  
 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 22  and also comprising: 
 a first plurality of straps attached to said elongate float element at a plurality of locations;  
 a second plurality of vertically extending straps;  
 a third plurality of straps attached to said bottom element;  
 a first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps; and  
 a second plurality of rings, attaching each of said second plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said third plurality of straps.  
 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 24  and also comprising: 
 a first and a second generally vertically extending side supports, attached to interior side surfaces of said fresh water enclosure;  
 a fourth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said first generally vertically extending side support;  
 a fifth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second generally vertically extending side support;  
 a sixth plurality of horizontally extending straps;  
 a third plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps; and  
 a fourth plurality of rings, connecting each of said fifth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps.  
 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 25  and wherein said second plurality of vertically extending straps and said sixth plurality of horizontally extending straps are joined at at least one junction point therebetween.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  and wherein said sea water enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said fresh water enclosure.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus for sea transport of light liquid comprising: 
 at least one light liquid enclosure communicating with at least one light liquid loading/unloading valve;    a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of said at least one light liquid enclosure; and    at least one opening communicating with each one of said plurality of sea water enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said light liquid to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one light liquid enclosure, wherein said light liquid is lighter than sea water.    
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 28  and wherein said at least one light liquid enclosure is a flexible enclosure.  
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to  claim 29  and also comprising a plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.  
     
     
         31 . Apparatus according to  claim 30  and wherein said sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.  
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 30  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float element.  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 32  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly also comprises a multiplicity of weighting elements attached to a bottom portion.  
     
     
         34 . Apparatus according to  claim 33  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly also comprises: 
 a first plurality of straps attached to said elongate float element at a plurality of locations;  
 a second plurality of vertically extending straps;  
 a third plurality of straps attached to said bottom element;  
 a first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps;  
 a second plurality of rings, attaching each of said second plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said third plurality of straps;  
 a first and a second generally vertically extending side supports, attached to interior side surfaces of said light liquid enclosure;  
 a fourth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said first generally vertically extending side support;  
 a fifth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second generally vertically extending side support;  
 a sixth plurality of horizontally extending straps;  
 a third plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps; and  
 a fourth plurality of rings, connecting each of said fifth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps.  
 
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to  claim 28  and wherein said sea water enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said light liquid enclosure.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus for sea transport of light liquid comprising: 
 a flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; and    a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within said flexible enclosure,    wherein said sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure cross-section defining assemblies.    
     
     
         37 . Apparatus according to  claim 36  and wherein said flexible enclosure comprises at least one light liquid enclosure communicating with at least one light liquid loading/unloading valve.  
     
     
         38 . Apparatus according to  claim 37  and also comprising a plurality of openings communicating with said plurality of sea water enclosures for selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said light liquid to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one light liquid enclosure.  
     
     
         39 . Apparatus according to  claim 37  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly comprises an elongate float element.  
     
     
         40 . Apparatus according to  claim 39  and wherein said enclosure cross-section defining assembly also comprises a multiplicity of weighting elements attached to a bottom portion.  
     
     
         41 . Apparatus according to  claim 40  and also comprising: 
 a first plurality of straps attached to said elongate float element at a plurality of locations;  
 a second plurality of vertically extending straps;  
 a third plurality of straps attached to said bottom element;  
 a first plurality of rings, attaching each of said first plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said second plurality of straps;  
 a second plurality of rings, attaching each of said second plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said third plurality of straps;  
 a first and a second generally vertically extending side supports, attached to interior side surfaces of said light liquid enclosure;  
 a fourth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said first generally vertically extending side support;  
 a fifth plurality of side-to-side extending straps, attached to said second generally vertically extending side support;  
 a sixth plurality of horizontally extending straps;  
 a third plurality of rings, connecting each of said fourth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps; and  
 a fourth plurality of rings, connecting each of said fifth plurality of straps to a corresponding one of said sixth plurality of straps.  
 
     
     
         42 . Apparatus according to  claim 37  and wherein said sea water enclosures are operative to hold sea water separately from said light liquid enclosure.  
     
     
         43 . A method for sea transport of fresh water comprising: 
 providing a vessel including: 
 at least one fresh water enclosure communicating with at least one fresh water loading/unloading valve;  
 a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of said at least one fresh water enclosure; and  
 at least one opening communicating with each one of said plurality of sea water enclosures;  
   loading said vessel by selectably filling said fresh water enclosure with fresh water; and    unloading said vessel by selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said fresh water to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one fresh water enclosure.    
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 43  and wherein said loading takes place principally by gravity and said unloading take place principally without requiring pumping.  
     
     
         45 . A method for sea transport of fresh water comprising: 
 providing a vessel including: 
 a flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; and  
 a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within said flexible enclosure,  
 wherein said sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure cross-section defining assemblies;  
   loading said vessel by selectably filling said flexible enclosure with fresh water; and    unloading said vessel by selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said fresh water to be expelled against the force of gravity from said flexible enclosure.    
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45  and wherein said loading takes place principally by gravity and said unloading take place principally without requiring pumping.  
     
     
         47 . A method for sea transport of light liquid comprising: 
 providing a vessel including: 
 at least one light liquid enclosure communicating with at least one light liquid loading/unloading valve;  
 a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within each of said at least one light liquid enclosure; and  
 at least one opening communicating with each one of said plurality of sea water enclosures;  
   loading said vessel by selectably filling said light liquid enclosure with light liquid; and    unloading said vessel by selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said light liquid to be expelled against the force of gravity from said at least one light liquid enclosure.    
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47  and wherein said loading takes place principally by gravity and said unloading take place principally without requiring pumping.  
     
     
         49 . A method for sea transport of light liquid comprising: 
 providing a vessel including: 
 a flexible enclosure including a plurality of mutually spaced enclosure cross-section defining assemblies; and  
 a plurality of at least partially flexible, collapsible sea water enclosures disposed within said flexible enclosure,  
 wherein said sea water enclosures are disposed intermediate adjacent pairs of said enclosure cross-section defining assemblies;  
   loading said vessel by selectably filling said flexible enclosure with light liquid; and    unloading said vessel by selectably allowing sea water to fill said plurality of sea water enclosures, thereby causing said light liquid to be expelled against the force of gravity from said flexible enclosure.    
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 49  and wherein said loading takes place principally by gravity and said unloading take place principally without requiring pumping.