CA1176113A - Semi-submersible tanker with directional ice cutters - Google Patents
Semi-submersible tanker with directional ice cuttersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1176113A CA1176113A CA000404392A CA404392A CA1176113A CA 1176113 A CA1176113 A CA 1176113A CA 000404392 A CA000404392 A CA 000404392A CA 404392 A CA404392 A CA 404392A CA 1176113 A CA1176113 A CA 1176113A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mast
- hull
- ice
- bridge section
- rotation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
- B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
- B63B1/04—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
- B63B2001/044—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull with a small waterline area compared to total displacement, e.g. of semi-submersible type
Landscapes
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
12918:MRS
Abstract of the Disclosure A tanker having a submersible hull has a mast extending above the hull supporting a bridge section.
The base of the mast is journaled in the hull for rotation about a vertical axis. The bridge section is rotatably supported on the mast. Drive means rotates the mast relative to the hull and the bridge section such that the hull and bridge section remain aligned while the angular position of the mast is changed. Rotary ice cutters are positioned along one side of the mast and are positioned relative to the surrounding ice by rotation of the mast so as to be aligned with the direction in which the ice encroaches on the mast.
Abstract of the Disclosure A tanker having a submersible hull has a mast extending above the hull supporting a bridge section.
The base of the mast is journaled in the hull for rotation about a vertical axis. The bridge section is rotatably supported on the mast. Drive means rotates the mast relative to the hull and the bridge section such that the hull and bridge section remain aligned while the angular position of the mast is changed. Rotary ice cutters are positioned along one side of the mast and are positioned relative to the surrounding ice by rotation of the mast so as to be aligned with the direction in which the ice encroaches on the mast.
Description
1 1761~3 SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE TANKER
WITH DIRECTIONAL ICE CUTTERS
Field of the Invention This invention relates to submersible vessels operable in ice covered waters.
Background of the Invention In U.S. Patent No. 3,868,920 there is described a cargo vessel having a submergible cargo carrying hull and a bridge from which the vessel is operated-suppo~ed~
above the surface by a mast projecti-ng from the hull. The vessel therein described is designed to operate in ice 25 covered waters by submerging the hull below the surface of the ice with the bridge supported above the surface of the ice by the mast. Rotary ice cutters extending along the front edge of the mast operate to cut a path in front of the mast. The vessel therein described serves to transport petroleum and other mineral values from arctic shores to the consuming areas of the United States and other parts of the world in a sa~e, economical and year-round ~ransporta-tion system.
I ~7611~
Summar of the Invention y The present invention is an improvement on the vessel described in the above-identified patent. One problem encountered in navigation of the semi-submersible tanker is that surface winds or water currents may produce relative movement between the surface ice and the vessel which is at an angle relative to the heading of the vessel~
As a result, the surface ice may encroach on the position of the mast from any direction. Since the ice cutting arrangement is designed to cut a path ahead of the mast ih the direction in which the vessel is pointing/ lateral encroachment of the ice may force the vessel off its course or require delicate maneuvering of the ~essel to clear the ice in a direction in which the vessel is intended to move.
The present invention provides a mast with its ice cutters along one edge that is rotatable relative to the hull while still providing support for the bridge. This is accomplished, in brief, by providing a semi-submersible tanker comprising a submergible hull including propulsion means, depth control means and attitude control means for directing the hull beneath the surface of ~he water and beneath any ice floating on the surface of the water.
2S bridge section including means for monitoring and ~ontroll-ing the speed, depth, and attitude of the hull is supported above the ice and the surface of the water ~y a mast projecting from the hull. The mast includes a base which is circular in cross-section and journaled in the hull for rotation about a generally vertical axis. The mast is formed with a leading edge that extends at an angle to the axis of rotationO Rotary ice cutters are positioned along the leaaing edge of the mast. By rotating the mast relative to the hull, the ice cutters can always be positioned between the encroaching ice and the mastO At least a portion of the ! ~76113 1 bridge is supported on the mast for rotation about a vertical axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the mast. The rotation of the bridge section is controlled such that the bridge section is always aligned with the hull regardless of changes in the angular position of the mast.
! 17611~
1 Brief Description of the Drawings For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view showing the bow and stern sections of the vessel of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view;
FIG. 3 is a partial top view showing the bow and stern portions of the vessel;
FIG. 4 is a front view partially in section of the ice cutter assembly; and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the' mast taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 1 l76113 Detailed Descri tion p As stated above, the present invention is directed to a semi-submersible cargo transport system generally of 5~ the type described in U.S. Patent 3~868,920~_b~e~
ina^~ uL~ . Thus the present invention comprises a tanker or other cargo vessel which includes a submersible hull 10 which may be quite long in the fore and aft direction and which terminates at either end in a bow section 12 and.a stern section 14. Between the bow and the stern sections the hull provides storage for oil or other liquids, but may also be used for storing natural gas as well as solid or fungible commodities. The bow section is provided wi~h diviny planes 28 ~sed to control the depth. Similar diving planes 30 are provided in the stern section 14 along with suitable propulsion means including propellers 31. Both the bow and stern are provided with vertical and horizontal thrusters for separately imparting horizontal or vertical positioning of the bow and stern sections even when the hull is motionless in the water. Horizontal thruster ports are indicated respectively at 36 and 38 with vertical thr~ster ports being indicated at 41 and 43. The horizontal thruster ports open on both sides of the vessel, while the vertical thruster ports open above and below the vessel. Suitable impellers (not shown) move water vertically or horizontally through the thruster ports to impart lateral or vertical movement respectively to the bow and stern sections of the hull. Forward and rear drive is provided by the propellers 31 in conventional manner. The stern section is provided with rudders 35 for steering the vessel when it is underway.
A surface bridge 20 is suppor~ed above the surface of the water and ice by a supporting mast 18. The mast 18 is provided with a rotary ice cutter assembly 76. The bridge 20 includes a main ~ection which is rigidly ~ttached 1 to the upper end of the mast 18 and provides space for crews quarters and power equipment for the vessel~ In addition, a bridge section 40 provides the location for all the navigational equipment, control equipment, radar and other equipment generally found on the bridge of an ocean going vessel. The bridge section 40 is rotatably mounted on a pedestal 42 on top of the surface bridge 20 for rotation about a vertical axis. A drive motor assembly 44 mounted on the surface bridge has a pinion engaging a suitable ring gear on the bottom of the bridge section 44 imparting relative rotation between the bridge section 40 and the surface ~ridge 20.
The supporting mast 18 is in the form of a blade having a leading edge 19 and a trailing edge 21. The ice cutter assembly 76, with its two rows of cutters 78~ is positioned in front of the leading edge 19. ~he cutters are ~ounted on parallel shafts 80 and 82 driven from a~ove and below ~y motor drives 84 and 86. The cutter assembly and leading edge extend at an angle to the vertical to improve the cutting action. The ice cutter assembly is described in detail in the above-identified patent. Strakes 22 project out from both sides of the supporting mast. The strakes slant upwardly to the rear so tha~ forward motion of the strakes produces a lifting action on the ice particles ~rom the cutters. The strakes 22' below the ice may slant downwardly to push some of the ice particles below the surrounding ice. The mast is preferably hollow in construction with an outer skin and inner bulkheads and gusset plates, in the manner of conventionai ship construction. The lower end of the mast 18 is extended in a forward direction in a faired intermediate section 23 and frustoconical base section 25u The base section is journaled in bearings 26 and 27 mounted in an opening 29 extending ! 176113 1 vertically through the stern section 14 of the vessel 10.
The tapered base allows the bearing 27 to be of smaller diameter than the bearing 26 so that the bearings 26 and 27 provide both radial and thrust support for the mast.
Also, because of the tapered shape of the base 25, the mast and bridge assembly can be lifted vertically out of the hull, permitting the mast and bridge to be readily removed from the hull while doing repairs or shipping the vessel. Rotation of the mast 18 and surface bridge 20 are supported on the mast within the suppor~ bearings 26 and 27 is provided by a suitable electric drive~ such as a motor 33 having a pinion 37 engaging a ring gear 39 attached to the bottom of the hull 10. Thus the motor 33 rotates the mast 18 about a common vertical axis to change the angular position of the mas~ 18 and surface bridge 20 relative to the hull 10. ~he motor drive 44 and motor drive 33 may be connected as a common selsyn drive, for example~ so as ~o maintain the same angular relationship between the mas~ and the bridge section 40 and between the mast and the hull 10~
In this way the bridge section 40 can be maintained aligned in a fore and aft direction with the hull, asshown in the dotted lines in the top view of FIG. 3. ~hus persons navigating the vessel from the bridge are able to mainta~n their heading aligned with the heading of the hull at all times regardless of changes in the angular orien~ation of the supporting mast.
Access to the interior of the hull 10 from the surf~ce bridge 20 is provided through the hollow interior of the mast 18. Manhole type locks 70 between the mast and interior of the hull allow the pressure connection when the mast is xotated and locked in the fore-aft po~ition~
WITH DIRECTIONAL ICE CUTTERS
Field of the Invention This invention relates to submersible vessels operable in ice covered waters.
Background of the Invention In U.S. Patent No. 3,868,920 there is described a cargo vessel having a submergible cargo carrying hull and a bridge from which the vessel is operated-suppo~ed~
above the surface by a mast projecti-ng from the hull. The vessel therein described is designed to operate in ice 25 covered waters by submerging the hull below the surface of the ice with the bridge supported above the surface of the ice by the mast. Rotary ice cutters extending along the front edge of the mast operate to cut a path in front of the mast. The vessel therein described serves to transport petroleum and other mineral values from arctic shores to the consuming areas of the United States and other parts of the world in a sa~e, economical and year-round ~ransporta-tion system.
I ~7611~
Summar of the Invention y The present invention is an improvement on the vessel described in the above-identified patent. One problem encountered in navigation of the semi-submersible tanker is that surface winds or water currents may produce relative movement between the surface ice and the vessel which is at an angle relative to the heading of the vessel~
As a result, the surface ice may encroach on the position of the mast from any direction. Since the ice cutting arrangement is designed to cut a path ahead of the mast ih the direction in which the vessel is pointing/ lateral encroachment of the ice may force the vessel off its course or require delicate maneuvering of the ~essel to clear the ice in a direction in which the vessel is intended to move.
The present invention provides a mast with its ice cutters along one edge that is rotatable relative to the hull while still providing support for the bridge. This is accomplished, in brief, by providing a semi-submersible tanker comprising a submergible hull including propulsion means, depth control means and attitude control means for directing the hull beneath the surface of ~he water and beneath any ice floating on the surface of the water.
2S bridge section including means for monitoring and ~ontroll-ing the speed, depth, and attitude of the hull is supported above the ice and the surface of the water ~y a mast projecting from the hull. The mast includes a base which is circular in cross-section and journaled in the hull for rotation about a generally vertical axis. The mast is formed with a leading edge that extends at an angle to the axis of rotationO Rotary ice cutters are positioned along the leaaing edge of the mast. By rotating the mast relative to the hull, the ice cutters can always be positioned between the encroaching ice and the mastO At least a portion of the ! ~76113 1 bridge is supported on the mast for rotation about a vertical axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the mast. The rotation of the bridge section is controlled such that the bridge section is always aligned with the hull regardless of changes in the angular position of the mast.
! 17611~
1 Brief Description of the Drawings For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view showing the bow and stern sections of the vessel of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view;
FIG. 3 is a partial top view showing the bow and stern portions of the vessel;
FIG. 4 is a front view partially in section of the ice cutter assembly; and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the' mast taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 1 l76113 Detailed Descri tion p As stated above, the present invention is directed to a semi-submersible cargo transport system generally of 5~ the type described in U.S. Patent 3~868,920~_b~e~
ina^~ uL~ . Thus the present invention comprises a tanker or other cargo vessel which includes a submersible hull 10 which may be quite long in the fore and aft direction and which terminates at either end in a bow section 12 and.a stern section 14. Between the bow and the stern sections the hull provides storage for oil or other liquids, but may also be used for storing natural gas as well as solid or fungible commodities. The bow section is provided wi~h diviny planes 28 ~sed to control the depth. Similar diving planes 30 are provided in the stern section 14 along with suitable propulsion means including propellers 31. Both the bow and stern are provided with vertical and horizontal thrusters for separately imparting horizontal or vertical positioning of the bow and stern sections even when the hull is motionless in the water. Horizontal thruster ports are indicated respectively at 36 and 38 with vertical thr~ster ports being indicated at 41 and 43. The horizontal thruster ports open on both sides of the vessel, while the vertical thruster ports open above and below the vessel. Suitable impellers (not shown) move water vertically or horizontally through the thruster ports to impart lateral or vertical movement respectively to the bow and stern sections of the hull. Forward and rear drive is provided by the propellers 31 in conventional manner. The stern section is provided with rudders 35 for steering the vessel when it is underway.
A surface bridge 20 is suppor~ed above the surface of the water and ice by a supporting mast 18. The mast 18 is provided with a rotary ice cutter assembly 76. The bridge 20 includes a main ~ection which is rigidly ~ttached 1 to the upper end of the mast 18 and provides space for crews quarters and power equipment for the vessel~ In addition, a bridge section 40 provides the location for all the navigational equipment, control equipment, radar and other equipment generally found on the bridge of an ocean going vessel. The bridge section 40 is rotatably mounted on a pedestal 42 on top of the surface bridge 20 for rotation about a vertical axis. A drive motor assembly 44 mounted on the surface bridge has a pinion engaging a suitable ring gear on the bottom of the bridge section 44 imparting relative rotation between the bridge section 40 and the surface ~ridge 20.
The supporting mast 18 is in the form of a blade having a leading edge 19 and a trailing edge 21. The ice cutter assembly 76, with its two rows of cutters 78~ is positioned in front of the leading edge 19. ~he cutters are ~ounted on parallel shafts 80 and 82 driven from a~ove and below ~y motor drives 84 and 86. The cutter assembly and leading edge extend at an angle to the vertical to improve the cutting action. The ice cutter assembly is described in detail in the above-identified patent. Strakes 22 project out from both sides of the supporting mast. The strakes slant upwardly to the rear so tha~ forward motion of the strakes produces a lifting action on the ice particles ~rom the cutters. The strakes 22' below the ice may slant downwardly to push some of the ice particles below the surrounding ice. The mast is preferably hollow in construction with an outer skin and inner bulkheads and gusset plates, in the manner of conventionai ship construction. The lower end of the mast 18 is extended in a forward direction in a faired intermediate section 23 and frustoconical base section 25u The base section is journaled in bearings 26 and 27 mounted in an opening 29 extending ! 176113 1 vertically through the stern section 14 of the vessel 10.
The tapered base allows the bearing 27 to be of smaller diameter than the bearing 26 so that the bearings 26 and 27 provide both radial and thrust support for the mast.
Also, because of the tapered shape of the base 25, the mast and bridge assembly can be lifted vertically out of the hull, permitting the mast and bridge to be readily removed from the hull while doing repairs or shipping the vessel. Rotation of the mast 18 and surface bridge 20 are supported on the mast within the suppor~ bearings 26 and 27 is provided by a suitable electric drive~ such as a motor 33 having a pinion 37 engaging a ring gear 39 attached to the bottom of the hull 10. Thus the motor 33 rotates the mast 18 about a common vertical axis to change the angular position of the mas~ 18 and surface bridge 20 relative to the hull 10. ~he motor drive 44 and motor drive 33 may be connected as a common selsyn drive, for example~ so as ~o maintain the same angular relationship between the mas~ and the bridge section 40 and between the mast and the hull 10~
In this way the bridge section 40 can be maintained aligned in a fore and aft direction with the hull, asshown in the dotted lines in the top view of FIG. 3. ~hus persons navigating the vessel from the bridge are able to mainta~n their heading aligned with the heading of the hull at all times regardless of changes in the angular orien~ation of the supporting mast.
Access to the interior of the hull 10 from the surf~ce bridge 20 is provided through the hollow interior of the mast 18. Manhole type locks 70 between the mast and interior of the hull allow the pressure connection when the mast is xotated and locked in the fore-aft po~ition~
Claims (5)
1. A semi-submersible tanker for operation in ice covered waters, comprising:
a submergible hull including propulstion means, depth control means, and attitude control means for directing the hull beneath the surface of the water and any ice, a bridge section, a bridge supporting mast projecting upwardly from the hull and supporting the bridge section above the surface of the water and any ice, bearing means in the hull supporting the bottom of the mast in the hull for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, rotary ice cutting means supported on and extending along one side of the mast and laterally offset from said axis between the hull and the bridge section for cutting ice encroaching on the mast from the direction of the cutting means, means rotating the supporting mast relative to the hull about said substantially vertical axis to position the ice cutting means between the mast and any encroaching ice', means for rotating the mast relative to the bridge section about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the mast relative to the hull, and means maintaining the angular position of the bridge section fixed relative to the hull with rotation of the mast.
a submergible hull including propulstion means, depth control means, and attitude control means for directing the hull beneath the surface of the water and any ice, a bridge section, a bridge supporting mast projecting upwardly from the hull and supporting the bridge section above the surface of the water and any ice, bearing means in the hull supporting the bottom of the mast in the hull for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, rotary ice cutting means supported on and extending along one side of the mast and laterally offset from said axis between the hull and the bridge section for cutting ice encroaching on the mast from the direction of the cutting means, means rotating the supporting mast relative to the hull about said substantially vertical axis to position the ice cutting means between the mast and any encroaching ice', means for rotating the mast relative to the bridge section about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the mast relative to the hull, and means maintaining the angular position of the bridge section fixed relative to the hull with rotation of the mast.
2. The tanker of claim 1 wherein the mast has the shape of a flat blade forming a leading edge and a trailing edge, the cutter means extending along the leading edge.
3. The tanker of claim 2 wherein the leading edge of the mast extends at an acute angle to the axis of rotation of the mast.
4. The tanker of claim 3 wherein the cutter means includes a pair of shafts extending parallel to the leading edge of the mast, a plurality of rotary cutters on said shafts, and drive means mounted on the mast for rotating the shafts in counter rotation.
5. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower end of said mast includes a tapered section journaled in said bearing means for transferring a vertical thrust load as well as any lateral load on the mast to the hull, the tapered position of the mast being-liftable out of the bearing means and the hull.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000404392A CA1176113A (en) | 1982-06-03 | 1982-06-03 | Semi-submersible tanker with directional ice cutters |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000404392A CA1176113A (en) | 1982-06-03 | 1982-06-03 | Semi-submersible tanker with directional ice cutters |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1176113A true CA1176113A (en) | 1984-10-16 |
Family
ID=4122916
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000404392A Expired CA1176113A (en) | 1982-06-03 | 1982-06-03 | Semi-submersible tanker with directional ice cutters |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1176113A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112722169A (en) * | 2021-03-10 | 2021-04-30 | 李刚 | Linear transportation device for mechanical parts |
-
1982
- 1982-06-03 CA CA000404392A patent/CA1176113A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112722169A (en) * | 2021-03-10 | 2021-04-30 | 李刚 | Linear transportation device for mechanical parts |
| CN112722169B (en) * | 2021-03-10 | 2022-08-12 | 李刚 | Linear transportation device for mechanical parts |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |