Catamaraft alongside ship coupling system
First Claim
1. A system for connecting first and second floating bodies, the system comprising:
- a truss assembly associated with the first floating body, the truss assembly having a plurality of telescoping truss portions and a longitudinal axis, a first truss portion of the plurality of telescoping truss portions being slidably connected to a second truss portion of the plurality of telescoping truss portions for motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the second truss portion being connected at a proximal end thereof to the first floating structure via an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly being configured to allow the truss assembly to rotate about three mutually perpendicular axes with respect to the first floating body; and
a receptacle assembly connected to the second floating body;
wherein the first truss portion further has a coupling disposed at a distal end thereof and the receptacle assembly further comprises a receptacle for receiving the coupling to connect the first and second floating bodies together; and
wherein the truss assembly has an extended position with a first length and a retracted position with a second length, the truss assembly being configurable in the extended position for engaging the receptacle assembly connected to the second floating body, the truss assembly further being configurable to the retracted position for locking the first and second floating bodies together to prevent substantial relative movement therebetween;
wherein the coupling of the first truss portion comprises a plurality of coupling elements and the receptacle assembly comprises a plurality of corresponding recesses configured to receive the coupling elements.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for rigidly attaching a supply ship to a receiving ship to facilitate efficient transport of materials there-between even when the vessels are subject to heavy seas and weather. A telescoping truss assembly is provided on the first ship, and has a distal end configured to mate with a receptacle assembly on the second ship. Cables are disposed within the truss and are used to draw the truss and receptacle assemblies into engagement with each other. Once the assemblies are engaged, a hydraulic system is used to draw the two ships together, rigidifying the truss assembly and fixing the two ships in a “catamaran” arrangement. Subsequent transfers of materials between the ships can be carried out without the need to compensate for the relative dynamic vertical and horizontal displacements between the ships due to wind and waves.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for connecting first and second floating bodies, the system comprising:
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a truss assembly associated with the first floating body, the truss assembly having a plurality of telescoping truss portions and a longitudinal axis, a first truss portion of the plurality of telescoping truss portions being slidably connected to a second truss portion of the plurality of telescoping truss portions for motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the second truss portion being connected at a proximal end thereof to the first floating structure via an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly being configured to allow the truss assembly to rotate about three mutually perpendicular axes with respect to the first floating body; and a receptacle assembly connected to the second floating body; wherein the first truss portion further has a coupling disposed at a distal end thereof and the receptacle assembly further comprises a receptacle for receiving the coupling to connect the first and second floating bodies together; and wherein the truss assembly has an extended position with a first length and a retracted position with a second length, the truss assembly being configurable in the extended position for engaging the receptacle assembly connected to the second floating body, the truss assembly further being configurable to the retracted position for locking the first and second floating bodies together to prevent substantial relative movement therebetween; wherein the coupling of the first truss portion comprises a plurality of coupling elements and the receptacle assembly comprises a plurality of corresponding recesses configured to receive the coupling elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for connecting first and second floating bodies, the system comprising:
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a truss portion connected to the first floating body via a first adjustable assembly, and a receptacle portion connected to the second body via a second adjustable assembly; wherein the truss portion further comprises first and second truss members, the first truss member having a first end slidably engaged with the second truss member and a second end having a coupling element for engaging a corresponding recess in the receptacle portion; wherein the first and second adjustable assemblies are each configured to allow movement about three mutually perpendicular axes; and wherein the truss portion has an extended position with a first length and a retracted position with a second length, the truss portion being configurable in the extended position for engaging the receptacle portion connected to the second floating body, the truss portion further being configurable to the retracted position for locking the first and second floating bodies together to prevent substantial relative movement therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of connecting first and second floating bodies, comprising:
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providing a first ship with a truss assembly comprising first and second telescopically interrelated truss members, the truss assembly having an extended position and a retracted position; providing a second ship with a receptacle assembly comprising an engaging member for engaging the truss assembly; configuring the truss assembly to the extended position; engaging the truss assembly with the engaging member of the receptacle assembly; locking the truss assembly to the receptacle assembly; and configuring the truss assembly to the retracted position, thereby locking the first and second floating bodies together to prevent substantial relative movement therebetween; wherein the truss assembly further comprises an adjustment assembly to allow the truss assembly to move about three mutually perpendicular axes with respect to the first ship; and
the receptacle assembly further comprises an adjustment assembly to allow the receptacle assembly to move about three mutually perpendicular axes with respect to the second ship. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification