MODULAR LAUNCH AND RECOVERY PLATFORM

Abstract

Systems and method for launching and recovering marine vessels are provided. The systems include buoyant pontoon coupled with suspension frames, hoists coupled to the suspension frames, and a lift platform suspended from the suspension frames via the hoists. The hoists are configured to raise and lower the lift platform relative to the suspension frames to launch and recover vessels. The height of the pontoons relative to sea level is modifiable, allowing the system to be tide independent.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for launching and recovering objects in a marine environment.

BACKGROUND

Launch and recovery systems for marine vessels are often tide dependent systems that can only operate under certain conditions. Also, such systems are typically fixed for use at a single location. Furthermore, such systems frequently use moving parts underwater, which can lead to pollution in the form of lubricants or other fluids. It would be desirable to have a launch and recovery system that is modular, portable, tide independent, and environmentally friendly.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes a modular marine vessel launch and recovery system. The system includes at least one buoyant structure and at least one suspension frame coupled to the buoyant structure. In some embodiments the buoyant structure includes first and second pontoons, each coupled with two suspension frames. At least one hoist is coupled with the suspension frames, and a lift platform is suspended from the suspension frames via the hoist. The hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform relative to the suspension frames for deploying and recovering marine vessels.

The present disclosure includes a method of moving a marine vessel. The method includes transporting a vessel to a modular launch and recovery system located at an offshore or nearshore site and moving the vessel onto a lift platform of the modular launch and recovery system. The method also includes lowering the lift platform and vessel into the water, releasing the vessel from the lift platform into the water, and raising the lift platform to a position above sea level. The method allows for a self-propelled modular transport vehicle to drive on and off the lift platform to move the vessel from the lift platform to land or vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be understood in more detail, a more particular description briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings that form a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 depicts a modular launch and recovery system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts the modular launch and recovery system having a vessel positioned on the lift platform in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts the modular launch and recovery system with the lift platform and vessel lowered relative to the water in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary jack configured to jack-up portions of the modular launch and recovery system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a moored modular launch and recovery system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a launch and recovery method, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a launch and recovery system installation method, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Systems and methods according to present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate various exemplary embodiments. Concepts according to the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough as well as complete and will fully convey the scope of the various concepts to those skilled in the art and the best and preferred modes of practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure includes systems and methods for launching and recovering structures in a marine environment. The systems disclosed herein include a modular launch and recovery system that is configured to launch and recover marine vessels offshore or near-shore, such as at or near a port.

Modular Launch and Recovery System

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary modular launch and recovery system 100 is depicted. System 100 includes two pontoons 102 (e.g., barge pontoons) that are spaced-apart from one another with a gap therebetween. While shown as pontoons, the systems disclosed herein are not limited to pontoons and may include other buoyant structures. Furthermore, while shown as including two buoyant structures in the form of pontoons, the systems disclosed herein are not limited to this number of buoyant structures and may include more or less than two buoyant structures.

System 100 includes a frame that connects the two pontoons 102 together. In FIGS. 1-3, the frame includes two separate suspension frames 104 that are spaced-apart from one another. Each suspension frame 104 is coupled at one end to one of the pontoons 102 and at the other end to the other of the pontoons 102 such that the suspension frames 104 span the gap between the pontoons 102. The suspension frames 104 connect the pontoons 102 together and maintain the pontoons 102 at a spaced-apart distance from one another. The pontoons 102 are buoyant in the sea, such that the pontoons 102 maintain components of the system 100, such as the suspension frames 104, at or above sea level 111. The systems disclosed herein are not limited to having two separate suspension frames, and may include a single, unitary frame structure or more than two frame structures.

System 100 is positioned at an offshore or near-shore location, with piles 108 extending downward and into and/or onto the seabed 110 to secure the position of the modular launch and recovery system 100. The piles 108 can be coupled (e.g., slidably or otherwise movably coupled) at one end with the suspension frames 104 and at the other end the piles 108 extend to the seabed 110. The pontoons 102 are movably (e.g., slidably) coupled with the piles 108, such that the pontoons 102 can be raised and lowered relative to the piles 108. For example, the pontoons 102 can move (e.g., float) upward in direction 113 and downward in direction 115 along the piles 108 in response to changing tide conditions. In some embodiments, the pontoons 102 can be raised to a position along the piles 108 that is above the tide (e.g., during high tide), as needed. While shown as including four piles, the systems disclosed herein can have more or less than four piles. In some embodiments, the system does not include any piles. In embodiments where the system does not include piles, the system maintains station in another manner, such as via mooring with mooring lines and anchors. Some embodiments of the system without piles will be more easily transportable via towing as there are no piles to remove and/or reposition before towing.

The pontoons 102 maintain the system 100, or at least portions thereof, in a state of floatation. The pontoons 102 provide sufficient stability to the system 100 such that the system 100 can be used to lift and/or lower payloads while remaining a state of floatation.

In some embodiments, a plurality of hydraulic jacks are used to jack-up or jack-down the pontoons 102 and suspension frames 104 relative to the piles 108. FIG. 4 depicts one exemplary hydraulic jack 198 in isolation from the remainder of the system. Hydraulic jack 198 includes an upper collar structure 196 with hydraulic latching cylinders 194, latches 192, and slider pads 190; a lower collar structure 188 with interface pins 186; hydraulic lift cylinders 184 coupled between the upper collar structure 196 and the lower collar structure 188; and a manifold assembly 182. Each pile 108 can have a lower collar structure 188 of a hydraulic jack 198 coupled thereto, such as via the interface pines 186. The upper collar structure 196 of the hydraulic jack 198 on each pile 108 can be coupled with the pontoon 102 or suspension frame 104 (or other structured connected to these components) on that pile 108, such as via the latches 192 actuated via the hydraulic latching cylinders 194. To jack-up or jack-down the pontoons 102 and suspension frames 104 relative to the piles 108, the hydraulic lift cylinders 184 are actuated to extend or retract via the provision of hydraulic fluid from the manifold assembly 182; thereby, moving the upper collar structure 196, the pontoons 102 and the suspension frames 104 along and relative to the piles 108. As the pontoons 102 and the suspension frames 104 are rigidly connected to each other, movement of one causes movement of the other. Thus, actuation of the hydraulic lift cylinders 184 causes the pontoons 102 and the suspension frames 104 to slide (up or down) along the piles 108. While hydraulic jacks are described as being used to change the position of the pontoons 102 and the suspension frames 104 along the height of the piles 108, other components can also be used, such as a rack and pinion system.

Returning back to FIGS. 1-3, the ability to jack-up or jack-down the pontoons 102 along the height of the piles 108 provides tide-independence to the system 100 by allowing for control of the position of the pontoons 102 relative to the tide. The pontoons 102 can be jacked-up (raised) to above sea level 111 to remain above the highest tide, as desired, and can be jacked-down (lowered) to a desired depth above, at, or below sea level 111 to recover a vessel and lift or lower the vessel to a desired height. Thus, the system 100 is tide-dependent and operable in fluctuating tide conditions by adjusting the height of the pontoons 102 in response to fluctuating tide conditions. In embodiments without piles, the system will remain floating at sea level on the pontoons.

System 100 includes a lift platform 112. The lift platform 112 is suspended from the suspension frames 104 within the gap between the spaced-apart pontoons 102. Each suspension frame 104 includes two hoists 114, such as hydraulic jacks, chain jacks, or winches configured to raise and lower the lift platform 112. Chains 116, wires, ropes, or other lines are coupled with each hoist 114. Each chain 116 extends from one of the hoists 114 to the lift platform 112 and is coupled with the lift platform 112. The hoists 114 are operable to raise and lower the lift platform 112 relative to the suspension frames 104 and the pontoons 102 by paying-in or paying-out the chain 116. The chains 116 can be mooring chains, for example. In some embodiments, the chains 116 are sufficiently durable to only require replacement approximately every 12 to 15 years. The lift platform 112 can be raised or lowered relative to the suspension frames 104 regardless of whether the piles 108 are secured with or touching the seabed 110. The systems disclosed herein are not limited to including two hoists per suspension frame or four hoists total, and may include more or less than four hoists.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 does not have a vessel positioned on the lift platform 112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a vessel 118 is positioned on the lift platform 112. The vessel 118 is supported on cradles 120, and each cradle 120 is supported on a self-propelled modular transporter, SPMT 122 with wheels 128. The SPMTs 122 can be driven on and off the top of the lift platform 112. In some embodiments (not shown), bogies can be used to move vessel onto the lift platform with the lift platform including rails. The vessel 118 may be, for example and without limitation, an uncrewed underwater vessel (UUV) such as a remotely operated underwater vehicle or an autonomous underwater vehicle. However, the vessel 118 is not limited to being a UUV and may be another type of marine vessel. Furthermore, the system 100 may be used to launch and recover various types of payloads (e.g., material shipments) or other loads. The system 100 can be configured for launch and recovery of any of various load sizes and shapes, and can be disassembled and modified, as needed, to accommodate such variations in size and shape. For example, the spacing between the pontoons can be varied to accommodate wider or narrower vessels, the length of the pontoons can be varied to accommodate longer or shorter vessels, the number of pontoons can be varied, the number of suspension frames can be varied, the shape of the space between the pontoons can be varied, and the number of hoists can be a varied.

Raising and Lowering the Lift Platform

Lift platform 112 is capable of being raised and lowered between at least two positions. In a first position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lift platform 112 is in a raised position. In the raised position, the lift platform 112 is positioned in the gap between the two pontoons 102. In some embodiments, a top surface of the lift platform 112 is substantially plumb or flush with a top surface of the pontoons 102 when in the raised position. The lift platform 112 may be positioned in the raised position when receiving a vessel (e.g., from the surface of another vessel) that is to be launched or when offloading a vessel (e.g., onto the surface of another vessel) that has been recovered from the water. The lift platform 112 can be raised to a height that meets the quay elevation for roll on roll off of the other vessel, as needed.

The lift platform 112 can be lowered from the raised position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 3. The lift platform 112 can be raised and lowered using hoists on the suspension frames 104. In some embodiments, the hoists are controlled using a hydraulic fluid power system to raise and lower the lift platform. In the lowered position, the lift platform 112 is lowered to a position below the two pontoons 102 and within the water at or below the sea level 111. The lift platform 112 may be positioned in the lowered position when launching a vessel from the lift platform 112 into the sea or when recovering a vessel from the sea. In some embodiments an entirety of the lift platform 112 is positioned below an entirety of the pontoons 102 when in the lowered position.

The system 100 is transportable between multiple different locations. For example, the pontoons 102, suspension frames 104, and lift platform 112 can be removed from the piles 108 (e.g., lifted off of the piles) for transport. In some embodiments, the buoyancy of the pontoons 102 allows the system 100 to be floated (e.g., towed) to another location. In other embodiments, the system 100 is transported to another location on another vessel, such as a barge. For example, the system 100 may be dismantled, at least partially, and shipped by sea or over land to another location. At the other location, the system 100 can be engaged with other piles, moored, or can otherwise maintain station. In embodiments that do not include piles, the system can be transported between locations without having to remove the system from the piles. FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the system 100 without piles. FIG. 5 is identical to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the exception of lacking piles. Rather than piles, the system 100 of FIG. 5 is moored via mooring lines 502 to maintain position. While shown as moored to the sea floor in FIG. 5, in other embodiments the system can be moored to another location, such as quayside.

Some embodiments of the system 100 may not include or require ballast water management and can be operated reliably at a low-maintenance cost. In other embodiments, the system does include ballast water management. In some embodiments, the system does not include brakes, gearboxes or other submerged moving parts (e.g., sheaves) positioned in the seawater. Embodiments of the system 100 do not require use of lubricants or other fluids in the water.

Launch and Recovery Sequence

With reference to FIG. 6, an exemplary sequence of steps for the launch and recovery of a vessel will now be described. Launch and recovery method 600 includes a vessel transport step 602, including transporting the vessel to a modular launch and recovery site. For example, SPMTs can be used to bring the vessel to an offshore or near shore site where a modular launch and recovery system is positioned.

Method 600 includes a vessel deployment step 604. At the site, the vessel is deployed by moving the vessel onto the lift platform. For example, SPMTs can be used to move the vessel onto the lift platform. In some embodiments, the SPMTs, while holding the vessel, can move from the surface of one vessel (e.g., a barge) onto the surface of the lift platform. After deployment of the vessel onto the lift platform, the SPMTs can be driven back onto land or onto the surface of the other vessel (e.g., barge) before the vessel being launched is lowered into the water by the lift platform.

Method 600 includes a lowering lift platform step 606. The lift platform, with the vessel thereon, is lowered into the water. In some embodiments, the lift platform is lowered until the vessel is entirely submerged in the water. In other embodiments, the lift platform is lowered until the vessel is only partially submerged in the water. Lowering the vessel includes actuating the hoists on the suspension frame to pay out the chains until the lift platform is lowered the desired amount.

Method 600 includes a vessel launch step 608. With the lift platform lowered, launching the vessel includes releasing the vessel from the lift platform into the water. In some embodiments, the vessel is passively released from the lift platform via the buoyancy of the vessel in the water (i.e., without requiring active steps to release the vessel from the lift platform). After the vessel is launched, the launch and recovery method 600 includes raising the lift platform step 610.

To retrieve the vessel, the method 600 includes a lowering the lift platform step 612, in which the lift platform is lowered back into the water. With the lift platform lowered into the water, the method 600 includes a vessel recovery step 614, including positioning the vessel above and on the lift platform. With the vessel positioned on and above the lift platform, the method 600 includes raising the lift platform step 616. With the lift platform and vessel raised, the launch and recovery method 600 includes a vessel transport step 618 in which the vessel is moved from the lift platform onto the SPMTs and transported back to land or another location. The methods disclosed herein are not limited to including the steps shown in FIG. 6, and may include additional steps, eliminate some steps, and/or include performance of the steps in a different order.

Installation Sequence

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an exemplary installation sequence for installing the modular launch and recovery system that include piles. Installation method 700 includes a towing step 702. During the towing step 702, the system is floated (e.g., towed) on the pontoons to the site. If the piles are connected with the pontoons and/or suspension frame during the towing, then the piles are maintained in a jacked-up position during the towing such that the piles are not touching the seafloor during transport. Once at the site, the method 700 includes a pile lowering step 704. In the pile lowering step 704, the piles are jacked downwards towards the sea floor until footings of the piles are set on the seafloor and secured thereto. Once the footings of the piles are set on the seafloor, the method 700 includes a pontoon raising step 706. The pontoon raising step 706 includes jacking up the pontoons along a height of the piles to raise the pontoons to the desired height above sea level (e.g., a height equal to the quay height or higher). In embodiments that do not include piles, the installation sequence includes towing the system to the site and then mooring the system at the site (or otherwise maintaining station at the site).

Although the present embodiments and advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. A marine vessel launch and recovery system, the system comprising: at least one buoyant structure;at least one frame coupled with the at least one buoyant structure;at least one hoist coupled with the at least one frame;a lift platform suspended from the at least one frame via the at least one hoist, wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform relative to the at least one frame.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one buoyant structure comprises a first pontoon.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one buoyant structure comprises a second pontoon, wherein the second pontoon is spaced-apart from the first pontoon.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform relative to the at least one frame between a raised position wherein the lift platform is positioned between the first and second pontoons and a lowered position wherein the lift platform is positioned below the first and second pontoons.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one frame comprises a first suspension frame and a second suspension frame, wherein each suspension frame is coupled to the first pontoon and to the second pontoon.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of piles, wherein each pile is coupled with the at least one frame.

9. The system of claim 8, further wherein each pile extends from the at least one frame to a seabed.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one buoyant structure is movably coupled with the plurality of piles.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a jack coupled with at least one of the piles and coupled with the at least one buoyant structure on that pile, and wherein the jack is configured to raise or lower the at least one buoyant structure along a length of the plurality of piles.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one buoyant structure is moored to a seabed.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein, in the raised position, the lift platform is above sea level, and wherein, in the lowered position, the lift platform is at or below sea level.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one buoyant structure has a buoyancy sufficient such that the system is transportable by floating the system from one location to another location.

24. A marine vessel launch and recovery system, the system comprising: a first pontoon;a second pontoon, wherein the second pontoon is spaced-apart from the first pontoon such that a gap is positioned between the first and second pontoons;at least one suspension frame coupled with the first pontoon and the second pontoon, wherein the at least one suspension frame spans the gap between the first and second pontoons;at least one hoist coupled with the at least one suspension frame; anda lift platform suspended from the at least one suspension frame via the at least one hoist, wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein in the raised position the lift platform is positioned within the gap and above a sea level, and wherein in the lowered position the lift platform is positioned at or below sea level.

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. A method of deploying and retrieving marine vessels, the method comprising: securing a floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at an offshore or near shore site;receiving a vessel or equipment on a lift platform of the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system, wherein the lift platform is at a first height;raising or lowering the lift platform from the first height to a second height, wherein the second height is different than the first height; anddeploying the vessel or equipment with the lift platform at the second height.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein securing the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at the offshore or near shore site comprises coupling the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system with piles at the offshore or near shore site, wherein the piles are secured to a sea floor at the offshore or near shore site; or mooring the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at the offshore or near shore site.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the securing comprising coupling the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system with the piles, wherein the piles are secured to a frame of the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system, and wherein the piles are slidably coupled with at least one buoyant structure of the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system, further comprising adjusting a height of the at least one buoyant structure along a length of the piles.

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising, prior to the securing, transporting the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system to the offshore or near shore site, wherein the transporting comprises towing.

35. (canceled)

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system includes pontoons, a suspension frame movably coupled with the pontoons, a hoist coupled with the suspension frame, wherein the lift platform is suspended from the suspension frame via the hoist, and piles coupled with the suspension frame and configured to engage the see floor, wherein the pontoons are floating during the towing, and wherein the piles are raised above the sea floor during the towing.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein securing the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system comprises: jacking the piles downwards to the sea floor until footings of the piles are coupled with the sea floor; andwith the piles coupled with the sea floor, jacking up the pontoons along a height of the piles until the pontoons are positioned above sea level.

38. The method of claim 29, further comprising: transporting the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system to a second offshore or near shore site; andsecuring the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at the second offshore or near shore site.