Patent Application
20170291662
Not applicable
Not applicable
The present invention relates to marine lifting devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved catamaran type lifting apparatus that employs spaced apart or catamaran hulls, each of the hulls supporting a truss or frame that spans between the hulls at spaced apart positions. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved catamaran lifting apparatus for use in a marine environment, wherein spaced apart frames are connected to the hulls in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart, the first frame connecting with a first of the hulls with the universal joint and to the second hull with a hinged connection, the second frame connecting to the second hull with a universal joint and to the first hull with a hinged connection.
A catamaran lifting apparatus that can be used to lift multi-ton objects employs two spaced apart barges or hulls or vessels. In general, such lifting devices that employ a pair of spaced apart hulls have been patented, many patents having been issued to applicant as contained in the following table.
The present invention provides an improved catamaran lifting apparatus that employs first and second spaced apart vessels or hulls. The vessels can be barges, dynamically positioned marine vessels, other floating hulls or the like.
A first frame or truss spans between the vessels or hulls at a first position. A second frame or truss spans between the hulls at a second position. The first and second positions are spaced apart so that each frame can move independently of the other, notwithstanding wave action acting upon the hulls. Load spreaders can provide an interface between each frame or truss and each vessel (e.g. barge, ship, etc.)
The first of the frames or trusses connects to the first hull or vessel with a universal joint and to the second hull or vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second hull with a universal joint and to the first hull with a hinged connection.
The catamaran hull arrangement of the present invention provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or vessels.
Each frame extends upwardly in a generally inverted u-shape that provides space under each frame or truss and in between the vessels or hulls for enabling a marine vessel to be positioned in between the hulls and under the frames. The space in between the hulls or vessels and under the frames or trusses can also be used as clearance for elevating an object to be salvaged from the seabed to a position next to or above the water's surface.
In a plan view, each frame or truss can be generally triangular in shape. Winches and rigging such as a block and tackle arrangement can be used to lift objects with the apparatus of the present invention. The frames can each be of a truss configuration.
In a second embodiment, one or more slings can be provided that connect between a frame and a hull. The connection of each frame to a hull opposite the universal joint can be a pinned or a hinged connection.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
The first frame 13 connects to hull 11 with universal joint 15 (or articulating connection). The first frame 13 connects to vessel 12 with a pinned connection or hinge 16. Similarly, the second frame 14 connects to hull 12 with a universal joint 17 (or articulating connection) and to hull 11 with a hinge or pinned connection 18 (see
An interface such as a deck beam or load spreader platform 19 or 20 can be provided on the upper deck 30 of each hull 11, 12 for forming an interface between the frames 13, 14 and the vessels 11, 12. For example, vessel 11 is provided with deck beam or load spreader platform 19 on its deck 30 that forms an interface between each of the frames 13, 14 and the barge or vessel 11 deck 30. Deck beam or load spreader platform 20 provides an interface between each of the frames 13, 14 and deck 30 of the vessel or barge 12.
In
In
Each of the frames 13, 14 can be in the form of a truss as shown. The frames are generally speaking in the shape of an arch or inverted U so that an area is provided under the frames and above the water surface for raising an item that is being salvaged or to lift an item from a barge or other vessel or support that is under the frames. Each truss or frame 13, 14 can be a one piece structure (see
Slings can optionally be provided for connecting the center section 27 to the lower end portion of each of the smaller truss sections 28, 29. Shackles can be used to attach each of the slings to eyelets or padeyes on the center section 27. Likewise, shackles can be used to attach the slings to eyelets or padeyes on the smaller truss sections 28, 29.
A hook 40 or other lifting fitting can be attached to a lifting line 41 and payed out from winch 42. More than one lifting line 41 and hook 40 can be provided as shown. Sheaves 43, 44, 45 as needed can be used to route the line 41 from winch 42 to hook 40. Line 41 can be a multiple line assembly to increase lift capacity such as is shown in FIG. 13. Hook 40 can be any lifting fitting such as any known commercially available crown block, for example.
In
In
The damaged platform section 34 to be salvaged can be fitted with beams 52 such as I-beams as an example. As the damaged or sunken platform section 34 rests upon seabed 55, grabs 60 can be attached to the beams 52 with slings 53 as shown in
In
In
An area 81 is provided in between each of the vessels 71, 72 as shown in
A plurality of winches 88-91 are provided, two (2) winches 88, 89 or 90, 91 for each frame 73, 74. Each of the winches 88-91 provides a winch line that enables the winch to lift objects from a seabed or from the water surface area 83 via a crown block or block and tackle arrangement as shown in the drawings. The winch 88 provides a winch line 92. The winch 89 provides a winch line 93. The winches 88, 89 are mounted upon frame 73 as shown in
Each frame 73, 74 is preferably in the form of a truss. In
In the embodiment of
An example of an underwater object to be salvaged is shown in
With the method of the present invention, openings 104 can be cut in deck 105 of platform 107. In this fashion, slings 103 can extend downwardly from hooks 101 to underdeck beams 106 that are shown in phantom lines in
In order to ensure that the hooks 101 do not fall through the openings 104, each hook 101 is provided with a base structure 108 that can be fabricated of a plurality of plates 109 that are welded together and shafts 110 spanning between adjacent plates 109. Shafts 110 are receptive of the loops 111 of the slings 103 as shown in
The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention.
All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
Incorporated herein by reference is U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/411,948, filed 26 Mar. 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/610,271, filed 13 Dec. 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,006, both of which are also incorporated herein by reference. Priority of US patent application Ser. No. 12/411,948, filed 26 Mar. 2009, is hereby claimed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60743917 | Mar 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14667028 | Mar 2015 | US |
| Child | 15469067 | US | |
| Parent | 13260501 | Dec 2011 | US |
| Child | 14667028 | US | |
| Parent | 12411948 | Mar 2009 | US |
| Child | 13260501 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11610271 | Dec 2006 | US |
| Child | 12411948 | US |
