Patent Application
20150352617
The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for repairing articles, and in exemplary though non-limiting embodiments, to apparatuses and methods for repairing vessel propellers by accommodating, bending, and straightening the propellers underwater.
Current demands of international trade and commerce requires the increased world-wide transportation of several goods on ships. Unfortunately, this increased ship traffic has also resulted in damages to the ships due to collisions or running aground. Some of these accidents require major repairs, which forces the ship to be placed in a dry-dock. Dry-docking a ship requires the use of expensive dock space that includes using large tracts of ocean front real estate and highly customized equipment. Additionally, any repair performed at a dry dock results in lost vessel operating time.
On the other hand, some of these accidents do not require major repairs. For example, the only damage sustained by a ship running aground or striking a floating log or metal debris may be a bent propeller. Traditionally, ships had to be placed in a dry-dock, or the propeller had to be removed from the vessel and floated to a dry surface, to effect even simple repairs to a bent propeller.
Apparatuses and methods for straightening and repairing propeller presses underwater were first disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,315,856 and 5,377,521, both of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference hereto.
Existing underwater propeller repair presses, however, have several disadvantages. First, these presses are generally made of solid steel and are relatively heavy (at least a few thousand pounds). These presses are hard to maneuver and have corrosion problems. Further, these presses often utilize floatation collars made of a buoyant material such as closed cell foam to allow the manipulation of the press underwater. These closed cell foam floatation collars generally possess inflexible buoyancy characteristics, and are cumbersome and easily damaged.
Accordingly, a need exists for a lighter, agile, more corrosion resistant, stronger, cost-effective, and efficient press with more flexible buoyancy characteristics. The present invention satisfies this need.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressing apparatus is provided. The pressing apparatus includes a structural body, a ram secured to the structural body and having a pressing surface, a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate has a first working surface, a ballast tank having variable buoyancy control formed within the structural body, a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface, wherein the ram is adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface, wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface. The apparatus may include a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram. The structural body of the apparatus may have a semi-circular or C-shape. The apparatus may include a threaded insert located on the pressing surface of the ram, the threaded insert configured for insertion of attachments to assist the ram in pressing materials. The ram may be a hydraulic ram capable of being operated by divers, topside personal, or a remote operated vehicle (ROV).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressing apparatus is provided. The pressing apparatus includes a structural body, a ram secured to the structural body and having a pressing surface, a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate has a first working surface, a ballast tank formed within the structural body, a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface, wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface. The ram may be adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface. The apparatus may include a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram. The ram may be a hydraulic ram capable of being operated by divers, topside personal, or a remote operated vehicle (ROV). The apparatus may include multiple ballast tanks formed within the structural body of the apparatus. The structural body may have a semi-circular or C-shape. The apparatus may include a base plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate is mounted on and secured to the base plate. The base plate may include a series of grooves on its opposing sides, the grooves configured such that the first fixture plate can be moved along and attached to various points on the base plate. The apparatus may include a second fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location adjacent to the first fixture plate, wherein the second fixture plate has a second working surface. The apparatus may further include an exterior plate enveloping an outer surface of the structural body, the exterior plate configured to provide additional rigidity to the apparatus. The structural body of the apparatus may be made of titanium. The apparatus may include attachment points located at various points on the structural body, the attachment points configured for mounting fixtures and tooling and balancing the apparatus. The apparatus may include a single point lifting device projecting outwardly from an end of the structural body, the single point lifting device configured so that the apparatus can be lifted from the water by cable or other lifting mechanisms. The working envelope of the apparatus may have a length of approximately 33.5 inches.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressing apparatus is provided. The pressing apparatus includes a structural body, a ram secured to the structural body and having a pressing surface, a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate has a first working surface, and a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface, wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface. The apparatus may include a ballast tank formed within the structural body, the ballast tank configured to provide variable buoyancy control to the structural body. The apparatus may include multiple ballast tanks formed within the structural body. The apparatus may include a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram. The apparatus may weigh approximately 700 lbs. The ram is capable of applying approximately 9800 psi or approximately 200 tons of pressure. The ram is also capable of applying approximately 4700 psi or approximately 100 tons of pressure.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for repairing a damaged article underwater is provided. The method includes submerging a pressing apparatus under a water surface by decreasing the buoyancy of the apparatus, wherein the pressing apparatus includes a structural body, a ram secured to the structural body and having a pressing surface, a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram and having a first working surface, a ballast tank having variable buoyancy control formed within the structural body, a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface, wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface. The ram may be adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface. The method includes moving the apparatus to a position adjacent to the damaged article, placing the damaged article into the working envelope such that a damaged portion of the article is placed on the first working surface and positioned directly beneath the ram, and repairing the damaged article by applying a force to the damaged portion of the article using the pressing surface of the ram. The method further includes removing the apparatus from the article, and raising the apparatus towards the water surface by increasing the buoyancy of the apparatus. The method includes rotating a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram.
Like reference characters denote like parts in the several Figures.
The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for the underwater or dry dock repair of damaged articles, including structural steel members and associated appendages, as well as propellers of vessels. Embodiments include a pressing apparatus that may be floated down from a water surface and placed next to a propeller for repair. The propeller may then be placed within the apparatus and repaired. Once repaired, the apparatus may be removed from the propeller and floated back up towards the water surface.
Referring now to the
Structural body 101 may be made of titanium. In an exemplary embodiment, the structural body 101 is made of Grade 5 Titanium (6Al-4V). The parts of the structural body 101 may be welded or riveted. In embodiments, the parts of the structural body may be fully welded for extra strength.
In embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 includes multiple ballast tanks formed within the structural body 101. In other embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include a single ballast tank formed within the structural body 101. Utilizing one or multiple internal ballast tanks within a structural body of the apparatus 100 with easily controlled variable buoyancy provides for easy and fast control of the pressing apparatus 100 by a diver, ROV, or topside personnel. The internal ballast tanks in the present invention function by way of the basic principle of buoyancy. When the apparatus and internal ballast tanks are above the water surface, they have “positive buoyancy” and can float because they are less dense than the water around them. At this point, the ballast tanks are mainly full of air. To submerge the apparatus 100 and internal ballast tanks below the water surface, the ballast tanks must have “negative buoyancy.” To achieve this “negative buoyancy”, buoyancy chambers in the ballast tanks are “flooded” by slowly letting in water using valves and/or ports on the ballast tanks, at which point the ballast tanks begin to sink. Once filled with water, the ballast tanks are denser than the surrounding water. Submerged, the ballast tanks achieve “neutral buoyancy”, meaning the weight of the ballast tanks equals the amount of water it displaces. The ballast tanks will neither rise nor sink in this state. At this point, the exact depth of the ballast tanks can be controlled by adjusting its water to air ratio using valves and/or ports on the ballast tanks. To bring the apparatus 100 and internal ballast tanks back to the water surface, and thus achieve “positive buoyancy,” the buoyancy chambers in the ballast tanks are “deballasted” by forcing water out with air using valves or pumps. The ballast tanks are key to the apparatus 100 having a lighter weight compared to prior presses. In an exemplary embodiment, pressing apparatus 100 weighs approximately 700 lbs.
Structural body 101 may also include gauges to monitor pressurization and allow the apparatus 100 to withstand high pressures and stresses in subsea environments. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus 100 may withstand a maximum load of 200,000 lbs. By the use of weights, the structural body 101 may be trimmed and positioned to a proper attitude for its intended use in any axis. This may be accomplished by the use of multiple attachment points 205 located at various points on the structural body 101. See
In some embodiments, several padeyes may be bolted or welded to the structural body 101. These padeyes may be shaped as rings or hooks and used as attachment devices for the apparatus 100. Structural body 101 may also include a variety of ports to control the respective densities of the internal ballast tanks and facilitate their movement and buoyancy. In an embodiment of the present invention, the ports may be used to change the density of the internal ballast tanks by changing the pressure of the material within the structural body 101 and/or internal ballast tanks (for example, by increasing the pressure of air). In alternative embodiments, the ports may be used to change the density of the internal ballast tanks by changing the material comprised within the structural body 101 and/or internal ballast tanks (e.g. substituting air for water or vice versa). Modifying this density within the structural body 101 and/or internal ballast tanks through buoyancy allows for easy control and movement of the apparatus 100 while underwater.
In embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 includes a ram 115 secured to the structural body 101. See
Ram 115 includes a pressing surface 114 at its bottom face. Pressing surface 114 may be configured to apply a pressure and/or force on a damaged portion of a bent or otherwise damaged propeller in order to straighten and repair it. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressing surface 114 includes a threaded insert 149 located on the pressing surface 114 of the ram. Threaded insert 149 is configured for insertion of various nose attachments to assist the ram 115 in pressing bent or damaged portions of propellers or other structural materials.
In embodiments of the present invention, the ram 115 is adjustable and/or movable in multiple directions and angles to provide for more efficient and faster pressing and repairing of materials. Ram 115 may be adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to a first working surface 106 of a first fixture plate 105 secured to the structural body 101 at a location opposite the ram 115. As shown in
In embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 includes a wheel 116 positioned adjacent to the ram 11.
In embodiments of the present invention, a first fixture plate 105 is secured to the structural body 101 at a location opposite a ram 115. See
First fixture plate 105 is mounted on and secured to the base plate 120. In this embodiment, the first fixture plate 105 is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface 114 of the ram 115. As shown in
In embodiments of the present invention, a second fixture plate 110 may be secured to the structural body 101 at a location opposite the ram 115. See
Apparatus 100 may include an exterior plate 125 enveloping an outer surface of the structural body 101. See
In embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 includes a working envelope 201 located between the pressing surface 114 of the ram 115 and the first working surface 106 of the first fixture plate 105. See
Apparatus 100 may include a single point lifting device 220 projecting outwardly from an end of the structural body 101. See
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of repairing a damaged propeller of a vessel underwater includes submerging a pressing apparatus 100 under a water surface by decreasing the buoyancy of the apparatus 100. Apparatus 100 includes a structural body 101, a ram 115 secured to the structural body 101 and having a pressing surface 114 at its bottom face, a first fixture plate 105 secured to the structural body 101 at a location opposite the ram 115 and having a first working surface 106, a ballast tank having variable buoyancy control formed within the structural body 101, and a working envelope 201 located between the pressing surface 114 of the ram 115 and the first working surface 106 of the first fixture plate 105. The apparatus 100 includes a second fixture plate 110 secured to the structural body 101 at a location opposite the ram 115 and having a second working surface 111. The first fixture plate 105 and second fixture plate 110 may be adjustable or non-adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface 114 of the ram 115. The method includes moving the apparatus 100 to a position adjacent to the damaged propeller, and placing the damaged propeller into the working envelope 201 such that a damaged portion of the propeller is placed on the first working surface 106 and/or second working surface 111 and positioned directly beneath the ram 115. The method includes rotating a wheel 116 positioned adjacent to the ram 115, with the wheel 116 configured to operate movement of the ram 115. The damaged propeller is then repaired by applying a force to the damaged portion of the propeller using the pressing surface 114 of the ram 115. After the propeller is repaired, the apparatus 100 is removed from the propeller and raised towards the water surface by increasing the buoyancy of the apparatus 100. Although this method discloses repairing and/or pressing propellers, the apparatus 100 disclosed herein may also accommodate, bend, straighten, and thereby repair other damaged or bent structural steel members and associated appendages. The vessel of the present disclosure can take several forms. In some instances, the vessel may be a cargo, container, or tanker ship. In other embodiments, the vessel may be a remote drilling or space launch platform, submarine, warship, tug, or any other vessel containing propellers.
While the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventions is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Further still, any steps described herein may be carried out in any desired order, and any desired steps added or deleted.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/008,963, filed on Jun. 6, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62008963 | Jun 2014 | US |
