US3680514A

US3680514A - Method of constructing a ship{40 s hull

Info

Publication number: US3680514A
Application number: US110825A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert H Gunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-29
Filing date: 1971-01-29
Publication date: 1972-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-01

Abstract

A novel method of constructing a ship''s hull whereby successive spaced decks having individual deck edge contours defining an overall hull configuration are placed in successive order above girder frames which are attached to a keel plate before an outer hull skin is attached to the deck outer edges to complete the hull. Stanchions are utilized which extend through suitable holes in a plurality of such decks to maintain alignment of center line, offsets, and overlays, and columns are used between the decks for support along with fore and aft I-beams.

Description

United States Patent Gunn [ 51 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A SHIPS HULL [.72] Inventor: Herbert H. Gunn, 2334 W. 241st St., Space 48, Lomita, Calif. 90717 [22] Filed: Jan. 29, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 110,825

52 us. 01. ..114/65 R [51] me or. ..B65b 3/08 58 Field of Search.....l 14/65 R, 77 R, 77 A, 79, 82, 114/65; 9/6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,844,483 2/1932 Sharp ..114/79 R 3,439,366 4/1969 Matthews ..9/6

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Hadd S. Lane Attorney-Sokolski & Wohlgemuth and John Holtriter, Jr. 3

[5 7] ABSTRACT A novel method of constructing a ships hull whereby successive spaced decks having individual deck edge contours defining an overall hull configuration are placed in successive order above girder frames which are attached to a keel plate before an outer hull skin is attached to the deck outer edges to complete the hull. Stanchions are utilized which extend through suitable holes in a plurality of such decks to maintain alignment of center line, offsets, and overlays, and columns are used between the decks for support along with fore and aft I-beams.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PMENTEDAuB' 1 1 SHEET 1 OF 2 Herbrr H. Gunn,

INVENTOR.

BY. M

ATTORNEY.

, Fig. 4.

Q N t. g

O N L1.

N m N 0 LL 3 Herbert H. Gunn,

INVENTOR ATTORN EY.

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A SHIP 'S HULL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background of the invention will be set forth in two parts.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally pertains to the field of ship construction and more particularly to an improved and novel method of constructing a ships hull.

2. Description of the Prior Art The art of hull construction for ships has been well established over a long period of time. The methods utilized generally were determined by the material to be used in the construction. For example, in wood ships, a skeleton frame was first built and the hull planks attached thereafter. Decks were then built one after the other within the hull. In more recent times, especially in steel ships, the hull exterior plate or skin was attached to outer frame members prior to the fabricating of decks within the frame structure. Stillmore recently, complete sections of a ship were constructed prior to assembly of these sections to form a complete ship structure. In all of these prior art ship construction methods, there was present the significant disadvantage of requiring a lengthy assembly time and, in the case of the sectional type construction, a very complicated, time-consuming and expensive procedure in matching the sections together. In all these methods, the ships outer hull skin was completed before deck construction was started or completed, which severely limited access to the interior of the structure. Also, the transportation and positioning of large and heavy sectional structures presents a very serious problem for a shipbuilder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing factors and conditions characteristic of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of constructing a ships hull wherein all the decks are positioned prior to attaching the outer hull plates thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of constructing a ships hull which allows easy access to all decks prior to enclosing this area by attaching the ships outer plating.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive method for the construction of a ships hull which is readily adaptable to either passenger or transport configuration.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of constructing a ships hull wherein the decks are prefabricated and aligned prior to assembly, for accurate alignment and ease of assembly.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for constructing a ships hull wherein torsional stresses are minimized in a seaway with a minimum of slip joints or limbers.

According to the present invention, a method of constructing a ships hull is provided which includes the steps of laying a keel plate assembly, successively thereafter setting decks and deck spacing members to form a plurality of spaced decks each resting on a spacing member projecting above a lower deck, the decks having peripheral contours defining a desired hull configuration, and lastly the step of attaching shell plating to the outer edges of the deck to complete the hull.

It is contemplated in the invention that successive decks may be easily aligned by the use of vertical stanchions attached to the keel plate, which pass through appropriately positioned holes in each deck.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like referenced characters refer to like elements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view of a cargo ship structure, partially broken away, constructed in accordance with the method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram generally laid out as a plan view of a ship structure showing the contours of the various stacked decks which define the shape of the hull and the contours of the keel girders, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of a ship constructed in accordance with the method of the present invention, the I-beams not being shown;

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a deck, a deck spacing member or column, and a deck-aligning stanchion passing through the deck; and

FIG. 5 is a view of a passenger ship constructed by the method used for the ship shown in FIG. 1.

Referring again to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a ship construction 11 wherein a keel plate assembly 12 is laid first and upon which successive ones of deck spacing members 13 and decks 15 are positioned to form a plurality of spaced decks 15 each resting on a spacing member 13 projecting above a next lower deck. At the forward and aft ends of the assembly 12 are attached a conventional stem piece and stern post assembly, not separately illustrated for the sake of clarity.

It will-be noted from FIG. 3 that the decks 15 are all horizontally positioned and that the spacing members or columns 13 only extend between decks, while rodlike stanchions 17 pass through holes 19 in the decks 15. The vertically disposed stanchions extend through all the decks to provide a guide to maintain proper alignment and, when welded to the stanchion 17 at the holes 19, will, with the columns 13, bind the various structures to form a complete unit. The stanchions l7 may, if desired, be supported by tubular sleeves 23, for example, or by diagonal braces or connecting I-beams under each deck (not shown).

The stanchions 17 are anchored or bolted to an upper or inner surface 25 of a keel plate 26 of the assembly 12 by welded stanchion stands 27 at positions generally near each side of the hull and along a longitudinal center line 29 of the ship, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is to be pointed out that the stands 27 are disposed between selected transversely positioned keel girders 31. The girders 31 are also illustrated schematically in FIG. 2 to indicate their respective end contours 32 which dictates the shape of a keel plate assembly 12. In a true plan view, these members would be represented by straight parallel lines in FIG. 2. Girder bracing members 33, triangular in form, which are welded at spaced positions along the length of each girder on either its forward or aft side, and to the inner surface 25 of the keel plate 26, would appear as short transverse lines extending either fore or aft, depending upon their respective location in either the forward or aft portion of the ship (see FIG. 1). The girders are provided with openings 31A to provide a uniform liquid flow, reduce weight, and for ease of access within a tank, for example.

The columns 13 are the main vertical supports for the decks 15. These columns are located directly above selected girders 31 to transmit dead weight from each deck to the keel plate assembly, and should be further supported by I-beams located under each deck in both transverse and longitudinal directions, but not shown for clarity.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that each deck 15 has a somewhat different outer edge contour (34a-34f) and width and length dimensions so that by attaching hull plates 35 to these edges 34, a desired hull configuration is provided.

Once completed, the hull structure produced by following the steps of the invention looks similar to hull structures fabricated by the use of conventional methods. However, the invention provides the distinct advantage of saving as much as one-half the time normally required to construct a ships hull.

In following the inventive method, the basic feature is that of successively constructing deck spacing members and decks over a previously laid keel structure before the hulls outer shell or plates are attached to the outer edges 34 of the decks 15.

To take full advantage of this unique procedure, the material for the decks, the keel and spacing members are all laid out in advance of assembly, and all necessary holes are drilled. Thus, each deck 15 is fabricated with its proper outer edge contour and laid out one on top of the other in the proper order of sequence of assembly before drilling holes 19 (FIG. 4) in the proper places through all the decks at the same time to make the center line 29 of all the decks lay in tandem and centered one above the other.

Construction begins by first laying the keel assembly 12, that is, by setting out a keel plate 26, whereupon the girders 31 are positioned and welded. The peripheral area 36 of the keel plate 26 is then bent upwardly by any conventional keel plate forming process or technique, such as a rolling arrangement, and then welded to the edges 32 of the girders 31. Pipe lines, not shown, may then be laid through the girders 31 for loading and the transferring of fuel. Water lines should not pass through spaces and compartments used to store fuel.

Columns, bulkheads and the like may then be secured to the deck 15 in marked off position before the next higher deck, with its holes 19 lined up over the stanchions 17, is lowered to rest on the columns 13. The stanchions, columns and bulkheads, etc., may then be welded to the lower surface 37 of this newly positioned deck.

This procedure is continued until all decks have been properly positioned, making plumb checks on the center line 29 at each deck 15. If desired, hull ribs 41 may then be welded to the inner edges 34 of the deck 15 prior to the welding or otherwise attaching the whole shell plating 35. However, the ribs should never extend beyond this edge. A great advantage of securing the ribs 41 after the decks are secured is that the natural resting positions of the decks have a tendency to minimize the torsional stresses in a seaway.

A vessel, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, which is constructed by the method described herein may be converted from a van carrier to a tanker by only requiring the installation of additional bulkheads and pipelines with holes cut in decks to facilitate the flow and equalization of the cargo level. The structure may also be converted to a passenger-van carrier 60, as shown in FIG. 6, by the construction of cabin superstructure 61.

Although only a few embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and embodiments within the skill of those working in the art. Accordingly, any size vessel can be efficiently and economically constructed by the method herein described and it should be understood that the illustrations provided are not to any scale and the dimensions of any particular portion of the structure need not have any dimensional relevance to the dimension of any other portion of the structure. It should therefore be evident that vessels from the size of an aircraft carrier down to that of a pleasure yacht, and even that of a toy, may benefit from the present invention.

What is claimed is: 1. A method of constructing a ships hull, comprising the steps of:

laying a keel plate assembly; successively thereafter setting decks and deck spacing members in spaced relation to said keel assembly to form a plurality of spaced decks each resting on spacing members projecting above a next lower deck, said decks being each continuous and prefabricated and having peripheral contours define defining a desired hull configuration; and

attaching shell plating to the outer edges of said decks and to said keel assembly to complete said hull.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said keel plate assembly is fabricated by positioning on and attaching to an upper surface of a keel plate a plurality of spaced girders each lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis center line of said ships hull before rounding the peripheral area of said keel plate about the contoured edge configuration of said girders.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the succession of deck spacing members and decks commences with a first deck laid above the top of said keel plate and resting on the edges of said girders.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said deck spacing members are tubular columns extending between decks and positioned directly above selected girders.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of rod-like stanchion members are attached to said keel plate and extend vertically thereabove, said decks including apertures aligned with said stanchion members and positioned over a preceding deck, whereby by lowering each of said decks so that said stanchions pass through said apertures, the center line, offsets and overlays are positioned correctly.

keel plate assembly.

7. The method according to claim 1, including the step of welding rib members to the inner edges of said decks prior to the step of attaching said shell plating thereto.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a ship''s hull, comprising the steps of: laying a keel plate assembly; successively thereafter setting decks and deck spacing members in spaced relation to said keel assembly to form a plurality of spaced decks each resting on spacing members projecting above a next lower deck, said decks being each continuous and prefabricated and having peripheral contours define defining a desired hull configuration; and attaching shell plating to the outer edges of said decks and to said keel assembly to complete said hull.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said keel plate assembly is fabricated by positioning on and attaching to an upper surface of a keel plate a plurality of spaced girders each lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis center line of said ship''s hull before rounding the peripheral area of said keel plate about the contoured edge configuration of said girders.

6. The method according to claim 1, including the step of laying out the decks in proper sequence of assembly, one on the other, and forming holes in proper places through all said plates at the same time to make the center line of all decks lay in tandem and centered one above the other, all prior to the step of laying said keel plate assembly.