Overflow device for a vessel

Abstract

A passive overflow device for draining away head water standing above settled sand in a loading space of a hopper, wherein the passive overflow device extends along a longitudinal axis and includes: an inlet for taking in the head water; an outlet section having an outlet for opening out in the outboard water and which outlet is level adjustable into an active position wherein in use, the head water is delivered proximate the sea bottom; a conduit which extends along the longitudinal axis of the passive overflow device and which conduit fluidly couples the inlet and the outlet; and a supporting structure for coupling the overflow device with the loading space of a hopper, wherein, the outlet section includes an flexible portion proximate the outlet for preventing mechanical overload to the supporting structure when the outlet, in use, in its active position accidently abuts the sea bottom.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . Passive overflow device ( 1 ) for draining away head water standing above settled sand in a loading space of a hopper, wherein the passive overflow device extends along a longitudinal axis ( 2 ) and comprises;
 an inlet ( 3 ) for taking in the head water,   an outlet section ( 4 ) having an outlet ( 5 ) for opening out in the outboard water and which outlet is level adjustable into an active position wherein in use, the head water is delivered at considerable depth below the water surface,   a conduit ( 6 ) which extends along the longitudinal axis of the passive overflow device and which conduit fluidly couples the inlet and the outlet,   a supporting structure ( 7 ) for coupling the overflow device with the loading space of a hopper,   
       wherein, the outlet section comprises an flexible portion ( 8 ) proximate the outlet for preventing mechanical overload to the supporting structure when the outlet, in use, in its active position accidently abuts the sea bottom. 
     
     
         17 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 16 , wherein the flexible portion of the outlet section comprises means ( 9 ) for reinforcing the flexible portion and maintaining the outlet. 
     
     
         18 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 17 , wherein the means for reinforcing the flexible portion comprises a ring portion ( 9 ). 
     
     
         19 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 17 , wherein the ring portions comprises steel. 
     
     
         20 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 17 , wherein the ring portions extends around the longitudinal axis of the passive overflow device. 
     
     
         21 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 17 , wherein the means for reinforcing the flexible portion comprise a closed ring ( 9 ). 
     
     
         22 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for reinforcing the flexible portion comprises a number of steel closed rings ( 9 ). 
     
     
         23 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 16 , wherein the outlet section comprises a tear of means for allowing at least a part of the outlet section to be torn off in case of excessive mechanical load to the outlet when, in use in its active position, the outlet accidently abuts the sea bottom. 
     
     
         24 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 23 , wherein the tear of means comprise a region of the flexible portion, which region has a reduced tear strength. 
     
     
         25 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 16 , wherein the inlet and the outlet are directly fluid coupled. 
     
     
         26 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 16 , where both the inlet and outlet are centred at the longitudinal axis of the passive overflow device. 
     
     
         27 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 16 , wherein the conduit comprise a number of conduit sections ( 10 ,  11 ,  12 ) which are telescopically arranged for level adjusting the outlet into its active position. 
     
     
         28 . Passive overflow device according to  claim 27 , wherein in a retracted inactive position the number of conduit sections overlap. 
     
     
         29 . Vessel comprising a passive overflow device according to  claim 16 , wherein the passive overflow device is coupled with a loading space of the vessel for draining away head water standing above settled sand in the loading space. 
     
     
         30 . Vessel according to  claim 29 , wherein the passive overflow device is vertically arranged.