Not Applicable
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to marine vessels, and more particularly, to a boat which is adapted to receive a variety of modular pods, each pod being equipped for a particular application.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of marine vessels to accomplish a variety of tasks in a marine environment is known in the art. For example, in the support operations of large maritime vessels of the type used in activities such as offshore oil drilling, military naval activities, seafaring cargo transportation, etc., it is known to utilize smaller vessels to perform certain support tasks, such as transportation of personnel, cargo, and equipment to and from the large vessel, search and rescue activities, fire prevention and suppression, emergency medical response, security support, spill containment, emergency evacuation, etc. Typically, the smaller support vessels used in these types of support operations are each designed and equipped for a particular type of activity, and are often designed to remain in a hoisted, stored, or otherwise idle configuration on or near the large vessel when the particular activity for which the support vessel is designed is not being performed.
In several marine support operations, such as those support operations involving security and/or emergency response, rapid deployment of a support vessel which is properly equipped for a particular support operation is important. However, in environments in which properly equipped support vessels are kept in a stored condition on a large vessel, and particularly in environments in which the vessels are stored in a hoisted, stored position above the water level, such rapid deployment of a support vessel is often delayed by the need to first configure the support vessel to a usable condition, for example by removing the support vessel from the hoisted position and placing the support vessel in the water. In certain situations, applicable laws governing safety protocol during removal of a hoisted support vessel from the hoisted configuration and placement of the support vessel into the water prohibit such actions from being performed while persons are aboard the support vessel. Thus, in several applications, it may be necessary that configuration of the support vessel to a usable condition is performed prior to occupation of the support vessel by people, such as for example operators of the vessel and/or emergency response personnel, thereby resulting in additional delay in deployment of the support vessel. In other situations, applicable laws may prohibit the removal of a hoisted support vessel from the hoisted configuration and placement of the support vessel into the water while the support vessel carries certain equipment, such as for example pressurized gas tanks or other equipment which may pose a hazard if handled improperly. In these applications, it may be necessary that configuration of the support vessel to a usable condition be performed prior to equipping the support vessel with the equipment necessary to perform the function of the support vessel.
In several environments, a large maritime vessel may include and/or carry a number of support vessels, with each support vessel being equipped to perform a specific support task. However, due to space restrictions aboard the large maritime vessel, it may be implausible for the large vessel to include and/or carry sufficient numbers of support vessels equipped to properly perform each support task which may be required. For example, an offshore oil-drilling platform may house a support vessel equipped for use in controlling oceanic oil spills, a support vessel equipped for use in suppressing fires at sea, and a support vessel equipped for medical emergency response and/or evacuation. In this example, when a situation arises in which a particular specialized task, for example fire suppression at sea, is to be performed, only the support vessel equipped for use in fire suppression may be deployed, while the rest of the support vessels may remain undeployed on the large vessel. In the event of a large fire, the single deployed support vessel equipped for use in suppressing fires may be insufficient to effect proper fire suppression.
In light of the above, there is a need in the art for a marine support vessel having quickly interchangeable modular sets of equipment, with each set of equipment being suitable to equip the support vessel for use in performing a specific support task, such that the modular equipment sets allow the support vessel to be quickly and properly equipped and/or reequipped for use in one of a plurality of support tasks.
According to one embodiment of the present general inventive concept, a marine vessel is disclosed which is capable of being equipped and reequipped for use in marine support tasks. In one embodiment, the marine vessel comprises a hull having a fore bow, an aft stern, and port and starboard sides, and a wheelhouse disposed between the bow and stern and extending above the hull. A substantially flat platform extends between the wheelhouse and the stern and between the port and starboard sides. At least one modular mission pod is provided having a lower surface adapted to be releasably secured to the platform. The modular mission pod carries equipment suitable to equip the marine vessel to perform at least one marine support task.
According to certain features of the present general inventive concept, the marine vessel may further include a plurality of releasable fasteners configured to releasably fix the modular mission pod lower surface to the platform. Each the releasable fastener may define a quick-release mechanism to allow for swift fastening and release of the modular mission pod to and from the platform. In certain embodiments, each releasable fastener may be in communication with a control disposed remote from the releasable fastener and configured to allow remote fastening and release of the modular mission pod to and from the platform.
According to certain features of the present general inventive concept, an aft wall of the wheelhouse may define a door to provide access to an interior of the wheelhouse from the platform.
According to certain features of the present general inventive concept, the specific equipment carried by each specific modular mission pod may vary. For example, in one embodiment, the modular mission pod may include a cargo container. Such cargo container may be sized to span between the port and starboard sides of the hull and between the wheelhouse and the stern. In another embodiment, the modular mission pod may comprise a liquid storage tank configured to carry a measure of liquid. The liquid storage tank may defining at least one orifice to allow access to and from an interior of the liquid storage tank and a cap received by the orifice for limiting flow to and from the liquid storage tank. In certain embodiments, the modular mission pod may further comprise at least one fluid conduit to allow utilization of liquid from within the liquid storage tank by the marine vessel.
According to certain features of the present general inventive concept, the modular mission pod may further comprise a plurality of rails extending generally upwardly about a perimeter of the lower surface. Such rails may allow cargo to be contained by or on the modular mission pod.
In some embodiments, the modular mission pod may be configured to equip the marine vessel for transportation, launch, or retrieval of a device selected from the group consisting of a boat, a submarine, an unmanned vehicle, a torpedo, and a missile. The modular mission pod may comprise a frame configured to support the device and at least one conveyance apparatus configured to launch or retrieve the device to or from the marine vessel. The frame may have an aft portion configured to extend aft of the stern when the modular mission pod is secured to the platform, the aft portion assisting in the launch or retrieval of the device.
In some embodiments, the modular mission pod equipment may comprise fire emergency response equipment. For example, in some embodiments, the fire emergency response equipment may include a hose nozzle in fluid communication with a source of fire retardant and a pump configured to pump fire retardant from the fire retardant source through the nozzle. In other embodiments, the modular mission pod may define a substantially enclosed room. In some embodiments, the modular mission pod may further define a door along an aft wall of the wheelhouse, the door being openable to allow access to an interior of the substantially enclosed room from an interior of the wheelhouse. In some embodiments, the modular mission pod equipment may comprise medical emergency response equipment. In other embodiments, the modular mission pod equipment may include at least one weapon mounted externally of the room. In other embodiments, the modular mission pod equipment may comprise at least one chemical containment boom. In such embodiments, the modular mission pod may define an aft feed portal configured to dispense the chemical containment boom from an aft portion of the modular mission pod to allow placement of the chemical containment boom on a surface aft of the marine vessel.
According to certain features of the present general inventive concept, the marine vessel may further comprise a launch ramp hinged along an aft portion of the modular mission pod and rotatable between a stored position in which an opposite second end of the ramp extends generally upward from the stern and a deployed position in which the ramp second end extends below the platform aft of the stern. In certain embodiments, the launch ramp may further include a flotation buoy secured to the ramp second end. In some embodiments, the marine vessel may further include at least one electrical connection between the modular mission pod and the platform, the electrical connection configured to convey power to the equipment carried by the modular mission pod.
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
A marine vessel having modular mission pods is disclosed herein and in the accompanying figures. The marine vessel having modular mission pods, or vessel, provides a marine support vessel which is capable of being quickly equipped and/or reequipped for use in a variety of marine support tasks.
One embodiment of a vessel is identified at reference numeral 10 in
Referring to
As will be further described hereinbelow, the cargo platform 26 is configured to receive thereon one or more of a plurality of modular mission pods, illustrated generally at 32 in the Figures. Each mission pod 32 carries suitable equipment to equip the vessel 10 for use in performing one of a plurality of support tasks. For example,
A plurality of fasteners 42 are provided to fasten the mission pod 32 to the platform 26. For example, referring to
In several embodiments, suitable controls are provided to allow selective locking and/or unlocking of the fasteners 42 from a location remote from the mission pod 32, such as for example from within the wheelhouse 22, from a location below the platform 26, from a location onboard a large vessel, or from another remote location. Furthermore, in several embodiments, a plurality of fastener eyes 40 are provided at various locations along each mission pod 32 to allow fastening of the mission pod 32 to a hoist, crane, or other such structure, in order to facilitate lifting of the mission pod 32 from the platform 26 and placement of the mission pod 32 on the platform 26.
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the mission pod 32g further includes several devices to allow transportation of personnel to and from the platform 26 of the vessel 10, for example to assist in rescue operations. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the workstation 102 extends aft from the wheelhouse 22 and terminates at a location approximately halfway along the platform 26. A small watercraft 104 is disposed on the platform 26 aft of the workstation 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the small watercraft 104 is an inflatable raft of the type often used in connection with water rescue activities. A launch ramp 106 is provided along an aft portion of the mission pod 32g. In the illustrated embodiment, the launch ramp 106 is comprised of a panel 108 which is hinged at a first end 112 thereof along the stern 16 of the vessel 10 and is rotatable about the hinged first end 112 between a stored position (see
Referring to
In the embodiment of
With regard to each of the mission pods 32, it will be understood that suitable connections may be provided between the mission pod 32 and the vessel 10 so as to allow the vessel 10 to provide appropriate electrical power, water supply, control signals, etc., to the mission pod 32 as necessary to allow operation of the various components of the mission pod 32 from the vessel 10. For example, in several embodiments, an interface of the mission pod 32 and the vessel 10 defines an electrical connection (not shown) configured to place the mission pod 32 in electrical communication with a battery, generator, or other electrical source aboard the vessel 10, so as to allow the electrical source aboard the vessel 10 to power at least one portion of the mission pod 32. The electrical connection further serves to place various components of the mission pod 32 in communication with suitable controls located, for example, within the wheelhouse 22 of the vessel 10, to allow an operator of the vessel 10 within the wheelhouse to also control components of the mission pod 32 from within the wheelhouse 22.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/701,079, filed on Sep. 14, 2012, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61701079 | Sep 2012 | US |