Autonomous swimming cargo containers

• US 7,320,289 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aeplog, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VT Aepco, Inc. (Babcock International Group PLC)
• Inventors: Clarke, Robert A., Teppig, William M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US11/505,307
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 114/72, 114/256
• US Class Current: 114/72
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/665 Floating propeller units, i.e. a motor and propeller unit mounted in a floating box outboard propulsion units B63H20/00

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 modern pier facilities, and expedites the delivery of such cargo wherever needed.

Claims

1. An autonomous commercial container comprising:

a commercial container, including

a transporter detachably connected to the commercial container so as to move the commercial container through a body of water, comprising;

a connector apparatus positioned between the commercial container and the transporter so as to detachably and mechanically connect an end of the commercial container to the transporter;

a propulsion apparatus; and

a control apparatus operatively connected to the propulsion apparatus so as to move the commercial container toward a desired location.

2. An autonomous commercial container according to claim 1, further comprising:

a ballast apparatus operable for coupling to an opposite end of the commercial container.

3. An autonomous commercial container according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus comprises at least one of a navigation module, a propulsion control module, and a communications module;

and the propulsion apparatus comprises an engine and a steering apparatus.

4. An autonomous commercial container according to claim 1, further comprising rollers coupled to a lower portion of the transporter assist in moving the transporter along a surface.

5. An autonomous commercial container according to claim 1, further comprising a ballast member connected to the commercial container.

6. An autonomous commercial container according to claim 5, further comprising rollers coupled to the ballast to assist in moving the ballast along a surface.