Ships – Towing or pushing – Coupling means
Patent
1976-08-12
1978-03-28
Blix, Trygve M.
Ships
Towing or pushing
Coupling means
280492, 403 74, B63B 2156
Patent
active
040809218
ABSTRACT:
An improved system for coupling together two objects, particularly sea-going vessels, while permitting relative and at least limited movement in at least three axes -- roll, pitch and yaw -- with a one or more vertical elements mounted on the stern of one towing vessel each coupled to a horizontal element mounted on the bow of a second towed vessel to permit formation of a sea-going barge train pulled by a tug. The horizontal element includes a fluid-tight housing which is mounted for limited lateral movement and which defines an internal chamber in which a piston member and an attached rod move. The rod extends outboard to connect to the vertical element and specifically to one of a pair of concentric vertical members, the other of which is fixedly mounted on the towing vessel. The vertical members move slidably in a vertical direction with respect to each other. The piston of the horizontal element divides the chamber into first and second sub-chambers which are coupled to pneumatic or hydraulic sources which supply fluid or gas to damp piston movement and/or aid in steering. A lateral damping member may be connected to each housing of the horizontal element, particularly when only two couplers are mounted on opposite sides of the vessels. A rigid center coupler flanked by the two piston couplers can be used on larger barges in place of the two side couplers, and also effectively minimizes lateral movement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2838229 (1958-06-01), Belanger
patent: 2867452 (1959-01-01), Ricklick
patent: 2890065 (1959-06-01), Shaffer
patent: 3461829 (1969-08-01), Mosvold
patent: 3742892 (1973-07-01), Freitag
Basinger Sherman D.
Blix Trygve M.
SBT Development Corporation
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