Tug barge lightering connection system

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-05-08
INTERCONTINENTAL ENG MFG
View PDF4 Cites 2 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lightering connection system between a tug boat and a barge for maximizing the vertical relative movement efficiency between a tug boat and a barge during the lightering operation, while minimizing the loss of secure connection between the tug boat and the barge during the lightering operation. There has thus be

Problems solved by technology

For example, when a barge is used to transport oil, the coupling of the tugboat to the barge, the loading of the barge, and the actual pushing of the loaded barge take place out in open sea and are subject to substantial waves.
As the barge is loaded, the weight of the load will cause the barge to sit lower in the water.
If the tug boat were to remain fixedly connected to the barge during the loading operation, the weight load would push the tug

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Tug barge lightering connection system
  • Tug barge lightering connection system
  • Tug barge lightering connection system

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0039] Referring now to the drawings in more detail, FIG. 8 generally shows the waveform surface of the present invention. Unlike the tooth-like projections of the prior-art coupling systems, waveform surface 30 is comprised of rounded projections 31. This permits an opposing surface of similar configuration to move smoothly over the projections. Angular, non-rounded edges are avoided. The waveform surface should have consistent amplitude and pitch dimensions, amplitude (A) being defined herein as the height of the wave crests, and pitch (P) being defined as the distance between wave crests as shown in FIG. 8. The optimum amplitude may vary depending on the weight load involved in the lightering operation, but frictional forces and compressive forces provided by the tug boat rams will play a significant role as well. In any event, the amplitude must be a value greater than zero, but have a value less than the pitch. Preferably, the ratio of the amplitude to pitch should be about 1:7...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

A lightering connection system is provided for coupling a tug boat to a barge, where the connection permits relative vertical movement between the tug and barge while maintaining horizontal movement control between the vessels. The tug boat has port and starboard retractable rams having coupler heads which engage the barge along inboard port and starboard vertical receiver channels. The coupler heads and vertical receiver channels are provided with waveform surfaces to permit interlocking engagement between the tug boat and barge. The waveform surfaces also permit smooth relative movement of the surfaces as the ram disengages in performing the lightering operation. The coupler heads and vertical channel receivers have a mating angular construction to maintain horizontal movement control between the tug and barge during the lightering operation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This present continuation patent application is related to and claims priority benefit of an earlier-filed non-provisional patent application of the same title, Ser. No. 11 / 345,792, filed Feb. 2, 2006, and an even earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 649,849, filed Feb. 2, 2005. The identified earlier-filed applications are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the field of marine equipment, particularly, the art of connecting tugboats or pusher vessels with barges or other non-powered vessels which are equipped with a notch in the stern of the barge for receiving a tug or pusher vessel therein. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Barges are used to transport cargo on water, but have no self-propelling mechanisms, and rely primarily on tugboats or other pusher vessels for movement fro...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
IPC IPC(8): B63B21/58
CPCB63B35/70
Inventor KUHLMAN, CLARE J.
Owner INTERCONTINENTAL ENG MFG
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap