US3478526A

US3478526A - Ship launching apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US3478526A
Application number: US725621A
Authority: US
Inventors: Christopher J Foster
Original assignee: CHRISTOPHER J FOSTER
Current assignee: CHRISTOPHER J FOSTER
Priority date: 1968-05-01
Filing date: 1968-05-01
Publication date: 1969-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-18

Description

Nov. 18, 1969 c. J. FOSTER SHIP LAUNCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1968 INVENTOR C/IR/J'TOP/IFR J. #03754 a r 1 ATTORNEYf' Nov. 18, 1969 c. J. FOSTER SHIP LAUNCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed s 1. 1968 NGQ I Wip M TTORNEY! United States Patent .0

3,478,526 SHIP LAUNCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD Christopher J. Foster, Sands Point, NY. (14 Vanderventer Ave., Port Washington, N.Y. 11050) Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 538,447, June 17, 1966. This application May 1, 1968. Ser.

Int. Cl. B63c 3/00 US. C]. 61-67 22 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of the invention This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 538,447, filed June 17, 1966, now abandoned.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for launching a floatable structure of virtually any size.

Conventional practice for launching large ships dictates that the ship be constructed on sloping fixed ways and thereafter moved down the sloping ways and into the water. The necessity for having to construct a ship on sloping launching ways has many disadvantages which include the necessity for providing launching ways for all ships under construction at the same time and a long water front to accommodate the multiple launching sites. In addition, production will normally be lower since the number of launching sites will determine the number of ships which can be constructed at any one time.

Brief summary I have now developed a new and improved launching apparatus which permits a floatable structure such as a ship to be constructed on the apparatus in a horizontal position or on conveniently located level ground and then moved to the apparatus for launching.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which will permit a floatable structure to be built on the apparatus or on conveniently located level ground and then moved to the apparatus for launching.

Another object of this invention also contemplates an apparatus for side or end launchings in which a floatable structure is launched from an inclined platform or from a sloping ramp employed in conjunction with an inclined platform.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method for launching a floatable structure.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the launching apparatus with a vessel resting on rollers on the launching platform;

FIGURE 1A is an enlarged view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 used to restrain the vessel on the platform to prevent premature launching;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the launching apparatus with the launching platform inclined and the vessel being launched using rollers; and

3,478,526 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 "ice FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the launching apparatus with the launching platform inclined and the vessel being launched using greased launching ways.

An apparatus for launching a floatable structure, in accordance with my invention, comprises a platform for supporting a floatable structure; means for supporting the platform; means for tilting or inclining the platform; and means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down the inclined platform so that as the platform inclines downwardly the floatable structure will move down the inclined platform and into the water. The offshore side of the platform need not be in contact with the water but may terminate above the level of the water. Another feature of this invention includes a sloping ramp located on the offshore side of the platform which, for example, consists of a soil embankment, a supported structure, or the like. The ramp should be sloped at an angle which aligns the ramp with the platform in the inclined or tilted position. In addition, the ramp may be provided with suitable flooring, e.g. wood, and means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across the inclined platform, down the ramp, and then into the water. The ramp need not be in actual contact with the water but instead may be built to the edge of the water, or extend over the water somewhat, so that the velocity of the floatable structure moving down the ramp is sufficient to carry it into the water. The platform and ramp may be constructed of, for example, reinforced concrete, timber or steel.

The platform can be supported by resting it on the ground or a foundation or on a structure built over the water.

Means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down the inclined platform or sloping ramp include rollers, wheeled trucks mounted on tracks, lubricated launching ways (e.g., grease, nylon, Teflon or other chemical lubricated material), dollies, air cushion and the like.

The launching apparatus in accordance with this invention is designed such that the stability of the floatable structure, ship or vessel, as the case may be, when it confacts the water after sliding down the inclined platform or ramp, is always ensured against overturning because the buoyancy of the inundated outer triangular portion of the hull section when entering the water parallel to the waves creates a stabilizing righting moment much greater than the upsetting moment of the water upon impact.

Any conventional means can be used to move the ship from the construction location to the platform. Such conventional means include rollers, wheeled trucks, lubricated sliding ways (e.g. grease, nylon, Teflon or other chemical lubricated material), dollies, air cushion and the like.

Means for tilting or inclining the platform comprise an assembly which includes means for pivoting the platform; a confined basin, positioned beneath the upland or offshore ends of the platform, which is filled with liquid to a first predetermined level; means for changing the liquid level in the basin; buoyant supporting means supporting the end of the platform; means for supporting the buoyant support; and means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across the platform so that as the liquid level in the basin is changed to a second predetermined level, the

- platform inclines downwardly and the floatable structure by resting it on the ground, a foundation or a structure built over the water. If the confined basin is located beneath the upland end of the platform, the offshore end of the platform should extend somewhat beyond the platform support to permit the offshore end freedom to move downwardly. In this latter embodiment, a support can be positioned below the horizontal to support the offshore end in the down position.

The means for changing the liquid level in the basin can be one or more double-acting pumps which can either remove liquid from the basin or pump liquid from a reservoir into the basin, or a gravity, pressure, or vacuum system. For instance, if the confined basin is positioned beneath the upland end of the platform, the pump will deliver water to the basin and thus raise the upland end of the platform from the horizontal to an inclined position for launching.

The buoyant supporting means can, for example, include a timber structure or pontoon tanks made for instance of metal, wood, fiber glass, concrete or synthetic materials.

The means for supporting the buoyant support when the liquid level in the basin is changed to a predetermined level can, for example, comprise an underwater supporting member submerged in the basin and constructed of sand or gravel fill, timber, steel or concrete piles and caps, or a concrete floor slab. When the confined basin is located beneath the upland end of the platform, the underwater member can be positioned to permit the buoyant support to rest on it when the platform is horizontal.

Restraining means may also be provided to prevent the ship from prematurely launching during the pivoting operation. Such means include concentric or eccentric restraining devices which are restrained and released by remote controlled hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical trigger mechanisms.

Besides the hydraulic means exemplified by a confined basin and floatable support, the means for tilting or inclining the platform may instead comprise a pivoting means and, positioned beneath an end of the platform, a hydraulic ram. If the ram is positioned beneath the offshore end of the platform, in the raised or extended position, it will maintain the platform horizontal and, in the lowered or retracted position, it will permit the offshore end of the platform to pivot downwardly below the horizontal under the weight of the floatable structure. From the tilted platform, the floatable structure is allowed to move down the platform and into the water for launching or to a sloping ramp and then into the water for launching. Instead of a hydraulic ram, a pneumatic system for lowering the offshore side of the platform could be employed. Alternatively, a mechanical gear arrangement could be installed for lowering the platform on the offshore side from the horizontal to a declivity sufiicient for launching a floatable structure. Another means for tilting or inclining the platform comprises a pivoting means positioned beneath the offshore end of the platform and a hydraulic ram, pneumatic ram, or gear arrangement located on the upland side or positioned beneath the upland end of the platform. In this latter assembly, the hydraulic ram, pneumatic ram or gear arrangement, as the case may be, will cause the upland end of the platform to be moved upwardly above the normal horizontal position while the offshore end of the platform moves downwardly. If the pivoting, means are positioned at the offshore end, the upward movement of the upland end merely causes the offshore end to pivot about the pivoting means. Thus, the platform may be tilted or inclined to an angle sufficient to permit the floatable structure to move downwardly into the water or onto a sloping ramp and then into the water.

The angle or tilt or declination that the platform makes with the horizontal when in the inclined or tilted position for launching a floatable structure is not critical. The angle necessary for launching will vary with the coefficient of friction and the particular means chosen to move the floatable structure down the inclined platform or ramp. In this connection, the angle of declination (as measured from the horizontal) need not be as great when the means for moving the floatable structure down the inclined platform or sloping ramp consist of rollers, or wheeled trucks running on tracks. If the means for traveling the floatable structure down the inclined platform or ramp comprise greased ways, then the angle should be somewhat steeper. I have found that a slope of approximately one quarter inch vertical in twelve inches horizontal is sufficient to permit the ship or other floatable structure to readily move down the inclined platform and aligned sloping ramp into the water when rollers running on tracks are supplied. When greased ways are used as the traveling means, a slope of about one and one-half inches vertical in twelve inches horizontal is sufficient.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows the launching apparatus which comprises a platform 1 located in the vicinity of a body of water 12 and rigidly supported 2 on the upland side. A ship or vessel 5 which has been transported to the platform on rollers 6 which move along tracks 7 has been placed on the platform 1 in the horizontal position. While on the platform, the vessel rests on rollers 6. The platform is supported on the offshore side by a pontoon 3 which is attached to the platform by welded joint 15. The pontoon is floating in water 10 of confined basin 16. The water level in the confined basin is at a first predetermined height so that the platform is in the substantially horizontal position. As can be seen from FIGURE 2, the water level in the confined basin 16 has been decreased to a second predetermined level so that pontoon 3 rests upon submerged support 11 and the weight of the vessel 5 causes the platform 1 to tilt or incline in the direction of the water on pivot bearing 4 located between the basin and the upland support. Ramp 9 of the offshore side of platform 1 and basin 16 slopes downwardly toward the body of water 12 and is aligned with the platform 1 in the tilted position. Downwardly sloping ramp 9 is also provided with tracks 7 upon which rollers 6 travel to affect movement of the vessel down the ramp and into the water. FIGURE 2 shows the vessel 5 in the inclined position traveling downwardly across the tilted platform onto downwardly sloping ramp 9 from which it is launched into the water 12.

The water level in the confined basin 16 can be increased or decreased by means of a conventional pumping apparatus which comprises a double-acting pump 18 and connecting line 13. Valve 14 controls the rate of water addition or removal from the basin. The water level in the basin may be increased to any predetermined height by the same conventional pumping means 18 which can also be used to pump water from a reservoir into the basin 16 and raise the water level a predetermined amount.

Conventional restraining device 19 shown in FIGURES 1, 1A and 2 can maintain the vessel in position even though platform 1 is tilted in the launching position by positioning lever arm 20 in slot 22 and against projecting member 21 which is fastened to roller 6. When it is desirous to permit the launching to take place, restraining device 19 may be deactuated by causing lever arm 20 to rotate downwardly in a clockwise direction using, for example, a synchronous motor so that all restraining devices will be released at the same time. When lever arm 20 is moved downwardly into the deactuated position, vessel 5 is free to travel down the tilted platform onto the sloping ramp and then into the water as shown in FIG- URE 2.

Pontoon 3 is attached to platform 1 through welded joint 15. Instead of welding the pontoon to the platform, the pontoon may be detachably connected with a bolted joint or a pin connected joint.

FIGURE 3 shows platform 1 and the downwardly sloping ramp 9 provided with fixed greased launching ways 8 for moving the vessel down the inclined platform and sloping ramp to the water.

As shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, rollers 6 running on track 7 can be used to move the vessel to the launching platform. FIGURE 3 shows the rollers 6 on tracks 7 which are used to transport the vessel from an upland construction site. The vessel 5 is then moved from the rollers 6 to the fixed greased launching ways 8 of platform 1. The vessel can also be moved to the launching platform using fixed greased launching ways in conjunction with traveling ways.

The launching apparatus, in accordance with my invention, can be used for launching floatable structures .yvhich would include ships or vessels or virtually any size, barges, floating bridges, caissons, and the like. When launching very large ships, e.g. about 800 feet or longer in length, it is not practical to use the launching apparatus thus described as a single continuous apparatus approaching the length of the ship. Instead, several launching platforms can be employed by lining the launching assemblies side-by-side along the entire length of the ship. In such an arrangement, the tilting of the platforms would have to be done simultaneously so that the vessel or other floatable structure could be moved down the several platforms comprising the launching assembly.

FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 show a side launching of vessel 5 although the launching apparatus in accordancewith my invention is not limited to such side launchings. In addition, my launching apparatus can be arranged for use in end launchings. For end launchings, the dimesions of the platform, ramp and floatable support or pontoon would have to be arranged so that the length of the ship is taken into consideration.

This invention also contemplates a method for launching a floatable structure which comprises placing a fioatable structure on a supported platform situated in the vicinity of a body of water, said platform having means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across its surface; and then inclining the platform in the directtion of the water (i.e. in the direction which permits the floatable structure to travel down the inclined platform and into the water), whereby the floatable structure moves downwardly along the inclined platform and into the water. This method for launching a floatable structure may also be carried out when a downwardly sloping ramp, provided with means for permitting a floatable structure to travel across its surface, is placed on the offshore side of the platform and is aligned with the platform when the platform is in the tilted position.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as those skilled in the art will readily understand.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for launching a fiotatable structure from a position adjacent a body of water which comprises:

a platform for supporting the fiotatable structure;

means for supporting the platform;

means for pivoting the platform from a normally horizontal position to an inclined launching position;

a stationary ramp located adjacent the offshore side of the platform, said ramp being aligned with the platform in the inclined position; and

means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across the platform and ramp, so that as the platform is inclined downwardly the floatable struc ture will move down the inclined platform, onto the ramp, and into the water.

2. An apparatus for launching a floatable structure from a position adjacent a body of water which comprises:

(a) a platform for supporting the floatable structure;

(b) means for supporting the platform;

(c) means for pivoting the platform;

(d) a confined basin, positioned beneath an end of the platform, which is filled with liquid to a first predetermined level;

(e) means for changing the liquid level in the basin;

(f) bouyant supporting means positioned in the basin supporting said end; and

(g) means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across the platform, so that as the liquid level in the basin is changed to a second predetermined level the platform inclines downwardly and the floatable structure will move down the inclined platform and into the water.

3. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including a ramp located adjacent the offshore side of the platform, said ramp being aligned with the platform in the inclined position and provided with means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down the ramp and into the water.

4. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 which includes restraining means for preventing the floatable structure from prematurely launching.

5. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 which includes means for supporting the buoyant support.

6. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the confined basin is positioned beneath the offshore end of the platform.

7. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 6 which includes restraining means for preventing the floatable structure from prematurely launching.

8. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the buoyant supporting means comprise pontoons.

9. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means for supporting the buoyant support when the liquid level in the basin is decreased to the second predetermined level comprise a supporting member submerged in the basin.

10. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the means for pivoting the platform comprise a pivot bearing.

11. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the means for affecting movement of the floatable structure on the platform comprise lubricated launchmg ways.

12. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the means for affecting movement of the floatable structure on the platform comprise tracks and rollers.

13. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the means for changing the liquid level in the basin comprise a double-acting pump.

14. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the liquid in the basin is water.

15. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 14 including a ramp located on the offshore side of the platform, said ramp being aligned with the platform in the inclined position and provided with means for affectmg movement of the floatable structure down the ramp and into the water.

16. A method of launching a floatable structure from an apparatus positioned adjacent a body of water, said apparatus comprising a platform for supporting the floatable structure, means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across the surface of the platform, means for pivoting the platform, releasable restraining means for preventing premature launching of the floatable structure, and a stationary ramp positioned adjacent the offshore side of the platform; including the steps of pivoting the platform from a horizontal position to an inclined launching position, aligning the platform with the stationary ramp, and then deactuating the restraining means, whereby the floatable structure will move down the inclined platform, onto the ramp, and into the water.

17. A method of launching a floatable structure from an apparatus situated in the vicinity of a body of water and having a platform for supporting a fioatable structure, means for supporting the platform, means for pivoting the platform in the direction of the water, a confined basin positioned beneath an end of the platform and which is filled with liquid to a first predetermined level, means for changing the liquid level in the basin, buoyant supporting means supporting said end of the platform, means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across the platform and releasable restraining means for preventing the floatable structure from prematurely launching when the platform is inclined; including the steps of moving the fioatable structure onto the platform, changing the liquid level in the basin to a second predetermined level, whereby the platform inclines in the direction of the water, and then deactuating the restraining means, so that the fioatable structure will move down the inclined platform and into the water.

18. A method of launching a fioatable structure in accordance with claim 17 wherein the launching apparatus includes a stationary, downwardly sloping ramp positioned adjacent the offshore side of the platform and having means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down the ramp, including the step of aligning the inclined platform with the ramp, whereby the floatable structure will move down the inclined platform, onto the ramp, and into the water.

19. A method of launching a floatable structure from an apparatus situated in the vicinity of a body of water and having a platform for supporting a floatable structure, means for supporting the platform, means for pivoting the platform in the direction of the water, a confined basin positioned beneath an end of the platform and which is filled with liquid to a first predetermined level, means for changing the liquid level in the basin, buoyant supporting means supporting said end of the platform, means for affecting movement of the fioatable structure across the platform, and releasable restraining means for preventing the floatable structure from prematurely launching when the platform is inclined; in-

cluding the steps of constructing the fioatable structure on the platform, changing the liquid level in the basin to a second predetermined level, whereby the platform inclines in the direction of the water, and then deactuating the restraining means, whereby the fioatable structure will move down the inclined platform and into the water.

20. A method of launching a floatable structure in accordance with claim 19 wherein the launching apparatus includes a stationary, downwardly sloping ramp positioned adjacent the oifshore side of the platform and having means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down the ramp, including the step of aligning the platform with the ramp, whereby the floatable structure will move down the inclined platform, onto the ramp, and into the water.

21. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for pivoting the platform are positioned intermediate the ends of the platform.

22. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the means for pivoting the platform are positioned intermediate the ends of the platform.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 766,974 8/1904 Salyesen 6l67 2,334,794 11/1943 Smith 6l67 2,370,431 2/1945 Ward et al 6l67 2,381,789 8/1945 Turnbull 6l67 X 2,395,066 2/1946 Reynolds et a1 6l-67 3,164,965 1/1965 Martin 61-67 3,227,292 1/1966 Jacobs 6l67 X 3,362,172 1/1968 Rutter 6l67 X 1,021,876 4/1912 Lister 19338 X JACOB SHAPIRO, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 19338; 2l4-1