AU3137801A - Pontoon replacement apparatus or floatation device - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Pontoon Replacement Apparatus or Floatation Device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: Page 1 PONTOON REPLACEMENT APPARATUS or FLOTATION DEVICE The present invention relates to pontoons, dry and floating docks, slipways and vessel storage and in particular to an apparatus for launching, retrieval or conveyance of vessels, or the like, or any materials normally transported on water.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Existing pontoons are constructed as hollow rectangular prisms. Being of the displacement type, they are subject to significant motion during the transition 10 of waves. This motion further results in the production of considerable S: noise.The displacement type requires that marine growth be periodically cleaned from the closed bottom, which may be difficult to access.

S•Existing fixed dry docks are tidal, and therefore, time and tide dependent.

Floating dry docks require the use of a crane or that the dry dock be submerged sufficiently to enable the retrieval ofa vessel followed by the pumping out of water introduced to submerge the Floating dry dock.

Existing slipways are tide dependant and therefore time dependent and have a fixed location.

Existing dry storage for vessels requires that the vessel be relocated away from its normal moored position.

OBJECT OF THE IENVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide such apparatuses which substantially overcome or ameliorate the abovementioned disadvantages. At the very least, an object of the present invention is to provide a more stable and easier to maintain alternative to known apparatuses and methods of pontoon docking, dry docking, float docking, vessel slipping and dry vessel storage. A further object of the present invention is to overcome the time constraints associated with the tide dependency of existing methods.

Page 2 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION To this end the present invention provides an apparatus comprised of at least three chambers of any practical shape, all of which are wholly or substantially open at the bottom. These chambers can be adjacent or remote from each other and are rigidly mechanically connected. The apparatus may be raised, lowered, or remain static by directing air to or from none, all, any, or any combination of these chambers. By the addition or subtraction of air to the chambers the plane of the apparatus can be varied to compensate for varying loads on the apparatus deck or platform. In the case of an apparatus consisting of four chambers a load applied to one chamber will result in the apparatus tilting towards that chamber. In this apparatus the tendency to tilt will be reduced by the increase in pressure within the loaded chamber and a reduction in pressure in the diagonally opposite chamber. There will therefore be a dampening torque offsetting the additional load.

e .9.

15 An important feature of this invention is that the open, or substantially open bottomed chambers allow the transition of waves beneath the apparatus without the apparatus suffering the displacing upthrust experienced by all existing apparatuses. This results in a much more stable platform.

S:"i Further uses of the present invention may include Marine Buoys, Vehicular Ferries, Enclosed Swimming Areas, Floating or Submerged Fish Traps, Fish Breeding or Rearing Areas, Oil Rigs or Platforms and Retrieval of Submerged Objects.

Particular embodiments of the invention will now be described with S. reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1. is a three directional view of a typical apparatus when used to replace an existing pontoon.

Figure 2. is an isometric projection of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3. is a three directional view of a typical apparatus when used as a replacement for a slipway, dry dock or vessel storage.

Figure 4. Depicts a typical air control box, 408, including blower and valve assembly for the apparatus shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5. is an isometric projection of the apparatus shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6. Describes the steps involved in using the apparatus as a dry dock, slipway, or vessel storage facility replacement.

Page 3 Figure 7a. is a three directional view of the main section of a typical apparatus when used as a replacement for a slipway, dry dock or vessel storage for deep keeled vessels.

Figure 7b. is a three directional view of the secondary section of a typical apparatus when used as a replacement for a slipway, dry dock or vessel storage for deep keeled vessels.

Figure 7c. Represents the apparatus in the raised position with the lower deck clear of the water.

Figure 7d. Represents the apparatus with the main section submerged.

Figure 7e. Represents the apparatus with the main section submerged with •a deep keeled vessel floated between the support cradle.

Figure 7f Represents the apparatus in the raised position with the vessel S" clear of the water.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a hollow rectangular prism, as designated by numeral 106, open or substantially open at the bottom The prism is divided into four chambers 111,112,113,and 114, by the partitions S101, 102,103 and 104. Each of these partitions are sealed along each edge.

20 A fender strip, 105, made of a suitable material, may be attached to the sides of the apparatus.

A typical apparatus can be manufactured from a 6mm fibreglass laminate, or the like, both for all four sides and deck of the prism, and partitions.

When the apparatus is initially placed in the water a fixed and level waterline can be obtained by the addition or subtraction of air from all or any of the chambers.

Embodiment 2.

The apparatus shown in Figure 3 is comprised of two sets of adjacent hollow rectangular prisms, designated by numerals 301 and 302, and 303 and 304, open or substantially open at the bottom. Partitions, 308 and 309, are inserted during manufacture to form the two sets of adjacent chambers. These two sets of adjacent chambers are remote from each other and are rigidly mechanically attached by the lower deck, 305.

Page 4 The air distribution box, 307, as further described in Figure 4, is mounted above chamber 302.

Air lines, 311,312,313 and 314, lead from the air distribution box, 307, to chambers 301, 302,303 and 304 respectively, and are typically 50mm in diameter. Each airline is sealed to the wall of its respective chamber so as to ensure that air is directed to or from the chambers only via these airlines.

All component parts of the apparatus are typically 6mm thick fibreglass laminate,or the like, with the exception of the airlines which are of PVC pipe.

Figure 4 shows the air distribution box, 408, comprising a motor, 406, a blower, 405, four valves, 401,402,403 and 404, and entry points, 411,412,413 and 414. These entry points lead to chambers, 301,302,303 and 304 respectively via airlines 311,312,313 and 314 as detailed in Figure 3. Item 407, PVC pipe, connects the blower to the valve assembly.

~Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the apparatus described in figure 3.

1.

*.o*b Embodiment 3 °o.o.i This embodiment is applicable to vessels having a long keel, for example, yachts.

The apparatus is comprised of two parts. The main section is of the form as "described in Figure 7a. Two hollow rectangular prisms, 720 and 721, wholly 20 or substantially open at the bottom are divided into four chambers 731,732,733 and 734, by sealed partitions 723 and 724. The two sets of adjacent chambers, 731 and 732, and 733 and 734, are remote from each other and are rigidly mechanically attached to the lower deck, 722. Tubes 741, 742, 743 and 744 are sealed to the underside of the top decks,725 and 726, to ensure that no air can escape from the chambers. Holes, sufficient in size to permit the passage of rods, 754 and 755 (see Figure 7b are drilled through the top decks, 725 and 726, on the same centres as 741,742,743 and 744.

The secondary section is comprised of two separate but identical devices as described in Figure 7b. Each is a rectangular prism, 750, wholly or substantially open at the bottom, and divided into two chambers, 751 and 752, by a sealed partition 753. On one of these devices is mounted an air.

control box of the type described in Figure 4. Flexible air lines (not shown) feed from the air control box to the four chambers in the main section.Fixed to both ends of the prism, and projecting vertically downwards, are rods, 754 and 755, both of which have screwed ends to accept plates 756 and 757.

A typical apparatus can be manufactured from a 6mm fibreglass laminate, or the like, both for all four sides and deck of the prisms, and partitions.

Page SUMMARY OF OPERATION (embodiment 1) When the apparatus is used as a replacement for a standard pontoon maintenance is considerably reduced because of the fact that the apparatus has a reduced bottom surface area thus preventing marine growth.

Further the apparatus is more stable due to the dampening effect of the air in the open bottomed chambers.

Additionally there is a reduction in noise as a result of there being reduced bottom surface area against which waves may slap.

Existing pontoons require the load be centralised to avoid tilting whereas air can be introduced into any of the chambers of this apparatus, as required, to adjust the level of the deck.This allows for off-centre loading of the apparatus.

Whereas the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and 15 scope of this invention.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION (embodiment 2) In Figure 6a the cross sections of chambers 302 and 304 (see Figure 3) are represented by the numbers 62 and 64 respectively. 63 is the rigid deck as indicated by 305 on Figure 3. Vessel support brackets 65,66,67 and 68 are attached to 63. The air control box is represented by the numeral 60 see also numeral 408 in Figure 4).

Figure 6a represents the apparatus in the raised position with 63 clear of the water.

By allowing most of the air to escape equally from all four chambers by opening valves 401,402,403 and 404 see Figure 4 and with the blower not S. running, the apparatus partially submerges. When the water level reaches that S"indicated in Figure 6b all the valves are then closed.

Figure 6c indicates a vessel has been floated into position between the support brackets.

By introducing air into all chambers the vessel can be raised until it is clear of the water as shown in Figure 6d. The amount of air introduced into each chamber will depend on the distribution of the load. The air is directed to the various chambers by operating valves 401,402,403 and 404 as required, whilst the blower, 405, is being driven by the motor, 406 see Figure 4 When the apparatus is used as a replacement for dry docks, slipways and vessel storage facilities maintenance is considerably reduced because of the fact that the apparatus has a reduced bottom surface area thus preventing marine growth.

Further the apparatus is more stable, when used to replace any current floating device due to the dampening effect of the air in the open bottomed chambers.

Additionally there is a reduction in noise as a result of there being reduced bottom surface area against which waves may slap.

The apparatus also displays an advantage over slipways and dry docks in that it is not tide dependent and may be used irrespective of the state of the tide.

Page 6 When a vessel is raised, as indicated in Figure 6d, the vessel may be stored without having to transport it to a land-based facility and may be raised at its normal moored position.

All existing apparatuses, with the exception of slipways, are of the displacement type and are therefor subject to wave motion. The wholly or substantially open bottomed chambers, of this apparatus, dampens the motion caused by waves passing beneath it.

Existing slipways allow polutants to enter the waterway. By sealing the ends of the apparatus polutants may be contained within the confines of the apparatus.

Whereas the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

15 SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS (embodiment 3) The outlines shown in Figures 7c,7d,7e and 7f describe the operation of the apparatus.

In Figure 7c the cross sections of chambers 732 and 734 see Figure 7a) of the main section are represented by the numbers 702 and 704 respectively, and that of the lower deck by 700. Vessel support brackets 713,714,715 and 716 are attached to the lower deck. The rods 754 and 755 on the two secondary sections are fed through the holes in the top decks (725 and 726 in Figure 7a) S-of the main section and the two sets of plates 756 and 757 screwed to the ends.

The cross sections of the secondary apparatus are represented by 707 and 708.

The air control box is represented by 717.

Figure 7c represents the apparatus in the raised position with the lower deck of the main apparatus clear of the water.

Most of the air is allowed to escape from all four chambers of the main apparatus by opening valves 401,402,403 and 404 (see Figure 4) with the blower not running. The main apparatus submerges. When it reaches the level indicated in Figure 7d it is prevented from submerging further by plates 756 and 757. At this point the main apparatus is supported by the secondary apparatus as described in Figure 7b.

Figure 7e indicates a vessel has been floated into position between the support brackets.

By introducing air into all chambers of the main apparatus the vessel can be raised until it is clear of the water as shown in Figure 7f The amount of air introduced into each chamber will depend on the distribution of the load. The air is directed to the various chambers by operating valves 401,402,403 and 404 as required, whilst the blower, 405, is being driven by the motor, 406 Page 7 (see Figure 4).

When the apparatus is used as a replacement for dry docks, slipways and vessel storage facilities maintenance is considerably reduced because of the fact that the apparatus has a reduced bottom surface area thus preventing marine growth.

Further the apparatus is more stable, when used to replace any current floating device due to the dampening effect of the air in the open bottomed chambers.

Additionally there is a reduction in noise as a result of there being reduced bottom surface area against which waves may slap.

The apparatus also displays an advantage over slipways and dry docks in that it is not tide dependent and may be used irrespective of the state of the tide.

When a vessel is raised, as indicated in Figure 7f, the vessel may be stored without having to transport it to a land-based facility and may be raised at its normal moored position.

All existing apparatuses, with the exception of slipways, are of the °o displacement type and are therefor subject to wave motion. The wholly or substantially open bottomed chambers, of this apparatus, dampens the motion caused by waves passing beneath it.

Existing slipways allow polutants to enter the waterway. By sealing the ends 20 of the apparatus polutants may be contained within the confines of the apparatus.

i Whereas the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

The Claims defining the invention are as follows: g 1. A replacement apparatus for pontoons, slipways, dry docks, floating docks S• •and vessel storage facilities, being comprised of at least three open-bottomed or substantially open-bottomed chambers, rigidly joined, either remote or adjacent, the horizontal axes of which are not all co-linear and being able to be raised, lowered or remain static by the addition or extraction of air to or from none, all, any, or any combination or these chambers.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, being wholly or substantially open at the bottom is not a displacement apparatus and as such does not react to wave motion experienced by a displacement type apparatus having a substantially or completely closed bottom.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the air extracted from the chambers is controlled independently from each chamber by a seeries of pipes and controlled by individual valves allowing the apparatus to be partially or wholly submerged so that vessels of differing draughts can be accommodated.

Claims (3)

1. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1, being wholly or substantially open at the bottom is not a displacement apparatus and as such does not react to wave motion experienced by a displacement type apparatus having a substantially or completely closed bottom.
2. 3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the air extracted from the chambers is controlled independently from each chamber by a seeries of pipes and controlled by individual valves allowing the apparatus to be partially or wholly submerged so that vessels of differing draughts can be accommodated. Page 8
3. 4. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the air added to the chambers is supplied by a suitable motor driven blower, transmitted by a series of pipes and controlled by individual valves, allowing the apparatus and any vessel or cargo to be raised to the desired level, with full control of stability despite variations in load disposition. The apparatus of Claims 3 and 4, wherein the air added to or extracted from the chambers can be varied to offset the effects of off-centre loads applied to the apparatus described in Claim 1. DATED this TWENTY-NINTH day of MARCH 2001 ROBERT GRAHAM/NICKOS OlDI JOHN JOSEPH WESTERN