Method and system for a towed vessel suitable for transporting liquids
A towed vessel suitable for containing and transporting various liquids is disclosed. The vessel further comprises various features useful in the transportation, navigation, and storage of the towable vessel, both when in use for transporting fluids and when transported in an emptied state. Such features include navigational and positioning devices and methods, power supply devices and methods, and means for filling, inflating, emptying, and deflating a non-rigid, towed vessel. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention further include features useful for purifying or preserving the purity of the fluid to be transported.
1. A method for storing and conveying fluids, said method comprising:
(a) providing:
a non-rigid, water-impermeable device with an elongate shape having a first end, a second end and having a generally streamlined shape in plan view;
the first end comprising a first attachment device;
the second end comprising a second attachment device;
at least two ports for intake and exhaust of fluids;
at least one of the at least two ports comprising a valve for a user to adjust buoyancy of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;
at least a portion of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device containing a fluid of lower density than a fluid through which said non-rigid, water-impermeable device is transported;
one or more valves in two-way communication with at least a portion of an interior volume of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device and an outside environment;
a transmitter for conveying information related to the geographic position of the device;
at least a portion of an internal surface area of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device being comprised of a flexible and tear resistant material;
at least two mooring devices; and
an anchored member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal length;
(b) securing the first attachment device of the first end to one of the at least two mooring devices;
(c) securing the second attachment device of the second end to the second of the at least two mooring devices;
(d) storing an entirety of the fluid of lower density in said non-rigid, water impermeable device;
(e) stabilizing the non-rigid, water-impermeable device by mooring the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to a fixed or floating object;
(f) signaling a physical position of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;
(g) tracking the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;
(h) conveying the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to a predetermined destination through salt water; and
(i) emptying the non-rigid, water-impermeable device of fluids through one of said at least two ports.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising providing one or more photovoltaic arrays to collect solar energy, said arrays being adapted to contact a non-submerged surface of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device during said conveying step.
3. The method as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising using the solar energy to provide one or more functions of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device, said one or more functions selected from athe group consisting of supplying power to engines employed in said conveying step; supplying power to enable said emptying step; supplying power to at least one of a beacon, a light, and a sensor; and supplying power to one or more devices responsible for said steps of tracking, stabilizing, transmitting, and signaling.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising, deflating the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to reduce a volume of the device for ease of transport.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the fluid of lower density is fresh water.
6. The method as set forth in claim 5 , further comprising providing a water purification system and treating the fresh water.
7. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising providing one or more drones, wherein the drones are capable of maneuvering the non-rigid, water-impermeable device.
8. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising, segregating different liquids within said device.
9. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising, controlling the amount of air within a portion of the device to adjust buoyancy of the device.
10. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising, venting the device in a manner that prevents entrance of contaminants into the device.
11. A method for storing and conveying fluids, said method comprising:
(a) providing:
a non-rigid, water-impermeable device with an elongate shape having a first end, a second end, the first end comprising a first attachment device, and the second end comprising a second attachment device;
a plurality of ports for intake and exhaust of fluids;
at least one of the plurality of ports comprising a valve for the user to adjusting buoyancy of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;
at least a portion of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device containing a fluid of lower density than a fluid through which the non-rigid, water-impermeable device is transported;
one or more valves in two-way communication with at least a portion of an interior volume of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device and an outside environment;
a transmitter for conveying information related to the geographic position of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;
at least a portion of an internal surface area of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device being comprised of a flexible and tear resistant material; and
a mooring device;
(b) securing the first attachment device of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to the mooring device;
(c) signaling a physical position of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;
(d) tracking the non-rigid, water-impermeable device using a device that receives GPS information; and
(e) transmitting coordinates of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device at predetermined temporal increments.
12. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising, rapidly emptying the non-rigid, water-impermeable device of fluids through at least one of said plurality of ports.
13. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising, steering the non-rigid, water-impermeable device via one or more skegs positioned on said device.
14. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising providing at least one of a photovoltaic array and a windmill to collect renewable energy.
15. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising, deflating the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to reduce a volume of the device for ease of transport.
16. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising, preserving the fluid contained within the non-rigid, water-impermeable device when the non-rigid, water-impermeable device in a state of original integrity is in a submerged position.
17. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising, coating the internal surface of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device to preserve the purity of said lower density fluid.
18. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising identifying the plurality of ports for the intake and exhaust of fluids via a marking system that identifies which of the plurality of ports for the intake and exhaust of fluids are associated with compartments that are connected to at least one of said ports.
19. The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said positioning step further comprises storing the non-rigid, water-impermeable device in a generally horizontal position with respect to a water line using the mooring device and a second mooring device and securing the second mooring device to the second attachment device of the second end of the non-rigid, water-impermeable device.
20. The method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising:
operatively associating one or more photovoltaic arrays to the non-rigid, water-impermeable device;
generating electrical power from said solar arrays; and
conveying the electrical power to at least one component selected from the group consisting of an engine, a liquid filling system, an emptying system, a draining system, an inflating system, a pump, a beacon, a light, a sensor, a GPS system, a navigation system, a steering system, a drone, a breaking system, a tracking device, a computer, a stabilizing device, a transmitter, and a signaling device.