Autonomous swimming cargo containers
First Claim
1. A transporter for moving a commercial container through water, comprising:
- a propulsion system, comprising;
a connector apparatus for coupling the transporter to the commercial container;
a propulsion apparatus; and
a control apparatus operable for navigating the transporter.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for delivery of commercial cargo containers shore side without container terminals. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. These improvements allow the containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, to approach a shore autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location and in a specific order of arrival, thereby reducing the number of cargo handlers required, speeding the delivery process to the shore, and eliminating the need for high-technology pier-side equipment. The present invention allows the transfer of cargo at primitive shore sites as well modem pier facilities, and expedites the delivery of such cargo wherever needed.
50 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A transporter for moving a commercial container through water, comprising:
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a propulsion system, comprising;
a connector apparatus for coupling the transporter to the commercial container;
a propulsion apparatus; and
a control apparatus operable for navigating the transporter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A self-propelled container (SPC), comprising:
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a commercial container;
a maritime transporter coupled to and operable for moving the commercial container through water. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of moving cargo through water comprising:
navigating a self-propelled container (SPC) through water to a first destination using a controller of the SPC, the SPC comprising a commercial container and a maritime transporter coupled to and operable for moving the container. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A maritime cargo container delivery system, comprising:
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a transporter that couples to a cargo container, the transporter comprising;
a propulsion system operable to drive the coupled transporter and container through the water, and a controller operable for communications with remote units and controlling the travel of the container through the water. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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Specification