Ships – Towing or pushing – Steering
Reexamination Certificate
2005-06-28
2005-06-28
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Ships
Towing or pushing
Steering
Reexamination Certificate
active
06910436
ABSTRACT:
A conventional style of towboat has been used on U.S. waterways for decades, with steering control reliant on a triad of rudders for each screw, resulting in up to a dozen rudders installed. This propulsion steered towboat relies on an enhanced method of steering with engines to turn towboat, tow, and, an optional pivotal hull slewing under the foredeck and pilothouse. The simple device of horizontally angling fixed propulsion shafting to increase the turning moment available to the propulsion is described, as is the expectation that no measurable propulsion loss is expected for low angles of such horizontal deviation from the standard parallel alignment. If the pivotal hull is included, turning force is greatly increased even at low power settings; it should be possible to top a tow roughly within its own length. Hull position indication is provided with a fixed arm always parallel to the hull, and follow-up type steering is provided with a single steering lever. An unique hull form with simple plating is described to mechanically and hydrodynamically facilitate rapid slewing. The ability of this towboat to so direct thrust without the drag from rudders should substantially reduce the en route power settings required, particularly downstream, and effect a corresponding decrease in fuel consumption.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1364961 (1921-01-01), Thompson
patent: 3550550 (1970-12-01), Fletcher
patent: 3820258 (1974-06-01), Fahrner
patent: 3937171 (1976-02-01), Seaborn
patent: 4270307 (1981-06-01), Arigaya
patent: 5850801 (1998-12-01), Grimmig
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