Barge-tug connection apparatus
First Claim
1. A barge and tug connection apparatus comprising:
- a. a barge providing a V-notch portion for receiving a tug thereinto, the V-notch portion having a generally uniform horizontal section with its bottom open to the sea;
b. a tug for pushing the barge with the notch of uniform horizontal section allowing the tug to pitch and heave along its entire length within the notch relative to the barge;
c. a plurality of inflatable pad assemblies mounted on the tug, each comprising an outer housing having an outer movable wear surface positioned to bear and slide against the barge at sea and inner inflatable means for maintaining the wear surface in contact with the barge absent substantial clearance at sea;
d. pushing line means for maintaining the tug in the notched portion of the barge; and
e. bow fender means mounted on the bow of the tug and facing the notch for longitudinally spacing the bow of the tug from the barge, the barge and the fender means each having smooth surfaces which can bear and slide against each other so that during normal operation the bow of the tug can freely pitch and heave responsive to wave action and with respect to different elevational positions of the barge.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved barge and tug connection apparatus comprises a barge having a V-notched portion for receiving a tug into the V-notch. A tug for pushing the barge is disposed during operation within the notch allowing the tug to pitch and heave in the notch relative to the barge responsive to wave action. An articulated bow fender attached normally to the bow of the tug and disposed during operation between the bow of the tug and a portion of the notch of the barge longitudinally spaces the barge from the bow of the tug. The articulated bow fender maintains a substantially constant horizontal spacing of the barge with respect to the tug in a longitudinal direction while allowing both the tug along its entire length to pitch and heave with respect to the barge responsive to wave action. A plurality of side fenders affixed to the tug hull bear outwardly to abut the barge inside the V-notch, the side fenders are positioned to bear and slide against the barge on a provided bearing surface responsive to lateral and vertical relative movement between the tug and barge. The side fenders feature hydraulic pads which are inflatable to a desired pressure and normally absorb lateral forces between the tug and barge. The inflatability of the pads affords lateral movement to the side fender wear surfaces. Thus, the pads can be deflated, providing a clearance between the tug and barge during placement/removal of the tug with respect to the notch. When the tug is fully in the notch, the hydraulic pads are inflated to a desired predetermined pressure and the clearance between tug and barge bearing surfaces is cancelled. Absent pressurization, the pads collapse responsive to urging by provided return springs. The pads are preferably of a steel reinforced rubber construction.
17 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A barge and tug connection apparatus comprising:
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a. a barge providing a V-notch portion for receiving a tug thereinto, the V-notch portion having a generally uniform horizontal section with its bottom open to the sea; b. a tug for pushing the barge with the notch of uniform horizontal section allowing the tug to pitch and heave along its entire length within the notch relative to the barge; c. a plurality of inflatable pad assemblies mounted on the tug, each comprising an outer housing having an outer movable wear surface positioned to bear and slide against the barge at sea and inner inflatable means for maintaining the wear surface in contact with the barge absent substantial clearance at sea; d. pushing line means for maintaining the tug in the notched portion of the barge; and e. bow fender means mounted on the bow of the tug and facing the notch for longitudinally spacing the bow of the tug from the barge, the barge and the fender means each having smooth surfaces which can bear and slide against each other so that during normal operation the bow of the tug can freely pitch and heave responsive to wave action and with respect to different elevational positions of the barge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11)
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9. A barge and tug connection apparatus comprising:
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a. a barge providing a V-notch portion for receiving a tug thereinto; b. a tug for pushing the barge, with the notch portion being of generally uniform horizontal cross-section allowing the tug to pitch and heave in the notch relative to the barge; c. port and starboard elongated elastic pushing lines, the pushing lines each providing barge and tug end portions connected during operation respectively to the barge and the tug, the pushing lines stretching during operation responsive to relative movement between the tug and the barge; d. a bow fender mounted on the bow of said tug, and unattached to said barge, sliding thereagainst during operation, said fender comprising; a first support member affixed to said tug, a second support member movably affixed to said first member; a vertically disposed wear plate having a wear surface, said surface being positioned forwardly of said tug bow to bear and slide against said barge; and port and starboard hydraulically inflatable fender means for maintaining said wear surface in contact with said barge absent substantial clearance at sea. - View Dependent Claims (10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A barge-tug connection apparatus comprising:
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a. a barge having a notch at its stern end, the notch being defined by providing inner walls of a pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart wing portions which meet at a rear facing apex, said apex extending from the barge deck area to the barge bottom area, the inner walls and apex being generally vertical and smooth; b. a tug for pushing the barge, at least the forward bow portion of the tug occupying a position within the notch during operation; c. an articulated bow fender assembly affixed to the tug bow, providing a first member rigidly affixed to the tug bow and a second member movably attached to the first member, the assembly further comprising a substantially flat vertical forward facing wear plate attached to the movable member and mounted generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tug, the wear plate positioned to bear and slide against the apex of the notch as the tug and barge change elevational positions, moving freely with respect to one another; and d. port and starboard side fender means for maintaining port and starboard wear surfaces in contact with the barge absent substantial clearance between the tug and barge at sea. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification