DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to salvage pumps on naval ships. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable enclosure arrangement to facilitate regular functional trails of salvage pumps fitted on-board machinery compartments. The present invention further relates to a method for conducting regular functional trials of salvage pumps using said portable enclosure arrangement.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Salvage pumps are fitted on naval ships for ship’s survival during any accidents or situations, such as, onboard flooding which results due to hull damage, fire fighting in machinery compartments and accidental bursting of fire main or sea water pipe lines. Thus, the salvage pumps play a crucial role in out-boarding water accumulated inside machinery compartments.

[003] Therefore, regular functional trials of the said salvage pumps are required to be conducted for their functionality, as they are very critical for the ship’s survival during on board flooding. However, a naval ship contains plurality of high-capacity salvage pumps fitted on different machinery compartments. The periodic testing of their functionalities is limited due to various issues such as heavy pump capacity, requirement of huge volume of water, flooding of machinery compartment.

[004] Further, the functional trials of these pumps in machinery compartment implies filling up of water till pump’s impeller, which in turn compromises the functional integrity of other major equipment installed in the machinery compartments.

[005] Thus, there is a need for an arrangement that can overcome the above-mentioned limitations.

[006] The present invention thus discloses an arrangement to facilitate regular functional trials of salvage pumps fitted on-board machinery compartments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable enclosure arrangement that eliminates the difficulties faced while carrying out functional trials of open impeller salvage pumps fitted on-board machinery compartments.

[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable enclosure arrangement that ensures the pump’s functionality all the time.

[009] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a portable enclosure arrangement that ensures the readiness and functionality of pump to meet emergency flooding situations on board.

[010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modified transfer bar conveyor that ensures the functionality of all instruments fitted along with the pump.

[011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modified transfer bar conveyor that maximizes the pump life.

[012] Accordingly, the present invention thus provides a portable enclosure arrangement to facilitate preventive maintenance and conduct regular functional trials of open impeller salvage pumps fitted on-board machinery compartments by conducting regular functional trials.

[013] In an aspect of the present invention, a portable enclosure arrangement for conducting regular trials of salvage pumps fitted within onboard machinery compartments comprising a fixed member comprises a plurality of welded strips and a fixed enclosure plate, the said fixed enclosure plate is provided with a pipe line provision structure,a portable member having a plurality of portable plates, the said portable member is fastened to the fixed member and a bypass line is attached to the fixed member and the portable member.

[014] In an aspect of the present invention, the plurality of welded strips of the fixed member having dimensions of 30mm thickness and 50mm width and are constructed from mild steel material.

[015] In an aspect of the present invention, the plurality of welded strips are welded on a fixed enclosure plate.

[016] In an aspect of the present invention, the plurality of portable plates of portable member are selected from aluminium.

[017] In an aspect of the present invention, the plurality of portable plates are bolted with each other and configured to form an enclosure around a salvage pump.

[018] In an aspect of the present invention, the bypass line comprises a ball-valve arrangement for controlling water flow during trials.

[019] In an aspect of the present invention, the pipe line provision structure is configured to facilitate the pump discharge.

[020] In an aspect of the present invention, the portable member and the fixed member are fastened using bolts.

[021] In an aspect of the present invention, the method for conducting regular functional trials of the salvage pump using the portable enclosure arrangement comprising steps of enclosing the salvage pump within the portable enclosure arrangement, activating the salvage pump for functional trials, conducting functional trials of the salvage pump while maintaining continuous suction of water through the bypass line, regulating water flow through the bypass line during the functional trials to assess the functionality of the salvage pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[022] The invention has other advantages and features which will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a portable enclosure arrangement for routine functionality trials of salvage pumps

Figure 2.1 illustrates a schematic exterior view of a fixed member for portable enclosure arrangement having a plurality of welded strips and a fixed enclosure plate along with a pipe line provision for pump discharge

Figure 2.2 illustrates a schematic interior view of a fixed member for portable enclosure arrangement having a plurality of welded strips and a fixed enclosure plate along with a pipe line provision for pump discharge

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a portable member for portable enclosure arrangement having portable plates bolted with each other and fixed member

List of reference numerals
Part ref Description
1 Portable enclosure arrangement
2 Fixed member
3 Portable member
4 By-pass Pipe line from Pump Discharge
4A Pipe line provision structure
5 Welded strips
6 Fixed enclosure plate
7 Portable plates
8 Salvage pump

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[023] The invention is described herein in detail with the help of figures appended at the end of the specification. The figures illustrate the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments that define the scope of the present invention. However, it may be understood that the figures presented herein are intended to exemplify the scope of the invention only. The person skilled in art may note that by no means the figures limit the scope of the invention. Any variation in the drawings by any other person will be falling in the scope of the present invention.

[024] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of "a", "an", and "the" include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on." Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Additionally, a reference to the singular includes a reference to the plural unless otherwise stated or inconsistent with the disclosure herein.

[025] The present invention discloses a portable enclosure arrangement designed to facilitate regular functional trials of salvage pumps fitted within onboard machinery compartments. This arrangement aims to streamline preventive maintenance and ensure the operational readiness of salvage pumps, particularly those with open impellers, which are crucial for addressing emergency flooding situations aboard ships.

[026] As illustrated in Figures 1-3, a schematic view of a portable enclosure arrangement 1 for routine functionality trials of open impeller salvage pump is disclosed.

[027] Referring to Figure 1, a schematic view of a portable enclosure arrangement 1 for routine functionality trials of salvage pumps comprising of a fixed member 2, a portable member 3,and a By-pass Pipe line 4. The fixed member 2 comprises a plurality of welded strips 5 along with a fixed enclosure plate 6 that is provided with a pipe line provision structure 4A. The fixed member 2 is attached to the ship's structure, The portable member 3 consists of a plurality of portable plates 7 bolted together, forming an enclosure around the salvage pump 8. The bypass pipeline 4 is attached to the fixed member 2 and the portable member 3 ensures continuous suction of water during the functional trials, providing a controlled environment for assessing the performance of the pump 8.

[028] Figure 2.1 and Figure.2.2 illustrate the fixed member 2 of the portable enclosure arrangement 1. The fixed member 2 having a plurality of welded strips 5 and a fixed enclosure plate 6 along with the pipe line provision structure 4A designed to facilitate the smooth discharge of water from the pump. The plurality of welded strips 5 are welded on a fixed enclosure plate 6 that ensures robustness and durability, effectively anchoring the enclosure arrangement to the ship's framework.

[029] Figure 3 depicts the portable member 3 of the portable enclosure arrangement 1. The portable member 3 consists of the plurality of portable plates 7 bolted together. The portable member 3 is a fundamental component of the enclosure arrangement, contributing to its portability and versatility. The portable member 3 is designed to surround the salvage pump 8 securely, forming an enclosure that facilitates routine functionality trials while ensuring controlled conditions. The portable member 3 is attached to the fixed member 2, forming a complete enclosure around the salvage pump 8.

[030] The method for conducting regular functional trials of the salvage pump using the portable enclosure arrangement 1 comprising steps of enclosing the salvage pump 8 within the portable enclosure arrangement 1, activating the salvage pump 8 for functional trials, conducting functional trials of the salvage pump 8 while maintaining continuous suction of water through the bypass line 4, regulating water flow through the bypass line 4 during the functional trials to assess the functionality of the salvage pump 8.

[031] In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the said portable enclosure 1 has a water capacity of 900 litres.

[032] In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the said portable enclosure arrangement 1 mainly comprises a fixed member 2, a portable member 3, and a by-pass line 4 back to enclosure arrangement 1.

[033] In the same preferred embodiment, according to the present invention, said fixed members 2 comprises a plurality of strip 5 welded on hull structure, and a fixed enclosure plate 6 along with a pipe line provision structure 4A for pump discharge.

[034] In an embodiment according to the present invention, said plurality of welded strips 5 having 30mm thickness and 50mm width.

[035] In an embodiment according to the present invention, said fixed member 2 material is selected from mild steel.

[036] In an embodiment according to the present invention, said portable member 3 is fastened with said fixed member 2.

[037] In an embodiment according to the present invention, said portable member 3 and said fixed member 2 are fastened using bolts.

[038] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the portable member 3 includes plurality of portable plates 7 are bolted with each other and attached to fixed member 2 to form an enclosure around the salvage pump 8.

[039] In an embodiment according to the present invention, said plurality of portable plates 7 for portable member 3 are selected from aluminium.

[040] In an embodiment according to the present invention, said by-pass line 4 comprises of a ball-valve arrangement 4B(not shown).

[041] Although a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that variations or modifications of the disclosed invention, including the rearrangement in the configurations of the parts, changes in steps and their sequences may be possible. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[042] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:
[043] The present invention provides a portable enclosure arrangement that facilitates routine functionality trials of salvage pumps and allows for efficient monitoring of pump performance.
[044] The present invention provides a portable enclosure arrangement that can be easily transported and installed in various onboard machinery compartments as needed, providing versatility in conducting functional trials across different areas of the ship.
[045] The present invention provides a portable enclosure arrangement that helps identify any issues or malfunctions early, allowing for timely repairs or replacements, thereby reducing downtime and costly repairs.
[046] The present invention provides a portable enclosure arrangement that can be easily deployed and utilized across various vessels and machinery compartments.
,CLAIMS:1. A portable enclosure arrangement 1 for conducting regular trials of salvage pumps fitted within onboard machinery compartments, comprising:
a fixed member 2 comprises a plurality of welded strips 5 and a fixed enclosure plate 6, the said fixed enclosure plate 6 provided with a pipe line provision structure 4A;
a portable member 3 having a plurality of portable plates 7, the said portable member 3 fastened to the fixed member 2; and
a bypass line 4 attached to the fixed member 2 and the portable member 3.

2. The portable enclosure arrangement 1 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of welded strips 5 of the fixed member 2 are constructed from mild steel material.

3. The portable enclosure arrangement 1 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of welded strips 5 are welded on a fixed enclosure plate 6.

4. The portable enclosure arrangement 1 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of portable plates 7 of portable member 3 are selected from aluminium.

5. The portable enclosure arrangement 1 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable member 3 and said fixed member 2 are fastened using bolts.

6. The portable enclosure arrangement 1 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of portable plates 7 are bolted with each other and configured to form an enclosure around a salvage pump 8.

7. The portable enclosure arrangement 1 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bypass line 4 comprises a ball-valve arrangement 4B for controlling water flow during trials.

8. The modified transfer bar conveyor 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pipe line provision structure 4A is configured to facilitate the pump discharge.

9. A method for conducting regular functional trials of salvage pump using the portable enclosure arrangement 1, comprising steps of:
a) enclosing the salvage pump 8 within the portable enclosure arrangement 1;
b) activating the salvage pump 8 for functional trials;
c) conducting functional trials of the salvage pump 8 while maintaining continuous suction of water through the bypass line 4;
d) regulating water flow through the bypass line 4 during the functional trials to assess the functionality of the salvage pump 8.