Inflatable salvage bag

Abstract

The present invention concerns an inflatable salvage bag ( 1 ), for reducing fluid flow through a hole in the hull structure of a marine vessel or in a storage tank. The inflatable salvage bag ( 1 ) includes an inner bag ( 9 ), wherein the inner bag ( 9 ) is inflatable, a reinforcing bag ( 10 ), wherein the reinforcing bag ( 10 ) surrounds the inner bag ( 9 ) and is configured to be tear and puncture resistant and an outer bag ( 2 ), wherein the outer bag ( 2 ) surrounds the reinforcing bag ( 10 ). The inflatable salvage bag ( 1 ) further includes a valve ( 5 ), configured to connect the inner bag ( 9 ) with an external source of pressurized gas, in order to inflate the inflatable salvage bag ( 1 ).

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An inflatable salvage bag for insertion in a hole in a hull structure for reducing fluid flow through the hole, the inflatable salvage bag comprising:
 an inner bag configured to inflate;   a reinforcing bag surrounding the inner bag, the reinforcing bag being tear and puncture resistant;   an outer bag surrounding the reinforcing bag;   a valve configured to connect the inner bag with an external source of pressurized gas, in order to inflate the inflatable salvage bag; and   one or more friction bands configured to enhance the friction between the inflatable salvage bag and a perimeter of the hole in which the inflatable salvage bag is inserted.   
     
     
         23 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , wherein the inner bag includes a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         24 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , wherein the reinforcing bag includes a double-walled tear and puncture resistant material or triple-walled tear and puncture resistant material. 
     
     
         25 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , wherein the outer bag includes an inner fabric backing covered with an outer coating. 
     
     
         26 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , wherein the inflatable salvage bag has a generally rectangular shape when in the deflated state, with a transversal leading side, a transversal trailing side and two longitudinal sides extending therebetween. 
     
     
         27 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 26 , wherein the transversal leading side of the inflatable salvage bag has a tapered shape. 
     
     
         28 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , wherein the one or more friction bands are two friction bands, the two friction bands being fixed onto at least one surface of the outer bag, the two friction bands being arranged in an X shape. 
     
     
         29 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , wherein the valve includes a first release lever configured to release pressurized gas from the inner bag when activated. 
     
     
         30 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , further comprising an elongated sleeve fixed onto the outer bag. 
     
     
         31 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 30 , further comprising a stiffening element comprising multiple sections, wherein at least one section of the stiffening element is configured to be inserted into the elongated sleeve. 
     
     
         32 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , wherein the inflatable salvage bag is configured to hold a pressurized gas with a pressure of up to 2 bar. 
     
     
         33 . The inflatable salvage bag according to  claim 22 , further comprising a light source. 
     
     
         34 . A portable salvage system for reducing fluid flow through a hole in a hull structure of a marine vessel or in a storage tank, the portable salvage system comprising:
 one or more inflatable salvage bags, each respective inflatable salvage bag including:
 an inner bag configured to inflate; 
 a reinforcing bag surrounding the inner bag, the reinforcing bag being tear and puncture resistant; 
 an outer bag surrounding the reinforcing bag; 
 a valve configured to connect the inner bag with an external source of pressurized gas, in order to inflate the respective inflatable salvage bag; and 
 one or more friction bands configured to enhance the friction between the respective inflatable salvage bag and a perimeter of a hole in which the respective inflatable salvage bag is inserted; 
   a pressurized gas source; and   a flexible tube for connecting the one or more inflatable salvage bags to the pressurized gas source in a gas tight manner.   
     
     
         35 . The portable salvage system according to  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a holding plate, wherein the one or more inflatable salvage bags are releasably attached to the holding plate.   
     
     
         36 . The portable salvage system according to  claim 34 , wherein the pressurized gas source includes a pressurized gas valve, and wherein the flexible tube includes a first connection piece configured to directly couple with the valve on an inflatable salvage bag, and a second connection piece, configured to directly couple with the pressurized gas valve. 
     
     
         37 . The portable salvage system according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 the pressurized gas valve further includes an over pressure valve, the over pressure valve being configured to automatically release pressurized gas to the environment when a threshold pressure is reached in the one or more inflatable salvage bags; and   the second connection piece includes a second release lever, the second release lever configured to release pressurized gas from the one or more inflatable salvage bags when activated.   
     
     
         38 . The portable salvage system according to  claim 34 , wherein the pressurized gas source is a cylinder with a volume of about 1 to 5 liters. 
     
     
         39 . The portable salvage system according to  claim 34 , further including a carrying bag for storage and transportation of the portable salvage system. 
     
     
         40 . The portable salvage system of  claim 34  wherein the one or more inflatable salvage bags is coupled to one or more holes in a marine vessel, one or more holes in a storage tank, one or more man-holes in an industrial structure, one or more man-hones in a vessel, one or more storm drain inlets, or one or more sewer inlets. 
     
     
         41 . A method for producing an inflatable salvage bag, the method comprising:
 providing an inner bag;   arranging a reinforcing bag around the inner bag;   arranging an outer bag around the reinforcing bag; and   attaching a valve to the inner bag, reinforcing bag and outer bag.