GB1096359A - Improvements in or relating to articulated ships - Google Patents

Abstract

1,096,359. Articulated ships; indicating strains. MISSOURI RESEARCH Inc. April 1, 1965 [April 1, 1964], No, 13794/65. Headings B7A and B7M. An articulated ship has coupling means 25, Fig. 1, between adjacent sections 21 to 24 of the hull, which means comprises a pair of pins 33, Fig. 5, that lie athwartships and engage with tubular members 29 lodged in part-cylindrical members 26, 27 attached to the stern of the associated sections of the hull, the pins being retractable against the action of springs 36 into a tubular member 32 situated within a part-cylindrical member (28), Fig. 2 (not shown), attached to the bow of the adjacent section of the hull, whereby the said sections can be readily connected or disconnected with respect to one another. The transverse cross-section of each of the members 26, 27 has a profile in the region adjacent the bottom of the hull that is similar to that of the turn of bilge (43), Fig. 6 (not shown). Each of the coupling means 25 may be spanned by a bridge (49), Fig. 3 (not shown), which is pivotally connected at one end (51) to one of the associated sections of the hull whereas the other end has a wheel (53) that rolls on the adjacent section. Each section of the hull includes a plurality of ballast chambers 48 defined by the bottom (42), Fig. 4 (not shown), thereof, a false bottom 46 and vertical partitions 47 therebetween. Forces acting upon the coupling means 25 are determined by readings obtained from strain gauges 178, Fig. 8, which are affixed to flexible portions 168, 169, 172, 173, 174, 177 of a bar 165 that is attached to a T-shaped member 163, 164 on section 124 of the hull and has its ends lodged in boxes 171, 176 on the limbs of 162 of a U-shaped member whose base 161 is affixed to the adjacent section 123.