Systems, apparatus, and methods for transporting vessels

A vessel transfer system, the system comprising:

• multiple bogies, each bogie including a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member comprising a hydraulic lift cylinder, the lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames, wherein the lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame;
• wherein each bogie comprises a hydraulic drive coupled with at least one wheel of the bogie and a hydraulic power unit;
• wherein the multiple bogies are linked together in at least one bogie train, wherein the hydraulic power unit is hydraulically coupled with the hydraulic lift cylinder and the hydraulic drive of each of the multiple bogies;
• and
• a lateral transfer drive assembly comprising a frame on wheels, wherein the hydraulic power unit is positioned on the frame of the lateral transfer drive assembly, and wherein the lateral transfer drive assembly is towed by at least one bogie in the at least one bogie train.

A vessel transfer system, the system comprising:

• a bogie, the bogie including a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames, wherein the lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame;
• a shipyard, the shipyard including rail tracks, wherein the wheels of the bogie are engaged on the rail racks;
• a gear rack coupled to a surface of the shipyard;
• and
• a rack and pinion bogie, the rack and pinion bogie including a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame, wherein the pinion gears are coupled with the gear rack.

A method of moving a cradled vessel within a shipyard, wherein the cradled vessel includes a vessel supported on a cradle, the method comprising:

• positioning at least two bogie trains relative to the cradled vessel, wherein each bogie train includes at least two bogies, wherein each bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and wherein the lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame;
• actuating the lift members to engage the cradle and lift the cradled vessel above a surface of the shipyard;
• actuating the wheels to move the bogie trains within the shipyard, thereby moving the cradled vessel within the shipyard;
• actuating the lift members to lower the cradled vessel into engagement with the shipyard and to disengage the lift members from the cradle;
• wherein the lift member of each bogie is rigidly coupled with the second side frame thereof, wherein the second side frame with the at least one wheel coupled therewith is a static wheel truck that remains static relative to a position of the lift member during actuation of the lift members and movement of the bogie trains within the shipyard;
• and
• wherein the first side frame with the at least one wheel coupled therewith of each bogie is a pivoting wheel truck that is pivotable relative to the lift member thereof during actuation of the lift members and movement of the bogie trains within the shipyard.

A method of moving a cradled vessel within a shipyard, wherein the cradled vessel includes a vessel supported on a cradle, the method comprising:

• positioning at least two bogie trains relative to the cradled vessel, wherein each bogie train includes at least two bogies, wherein each bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and wherein the lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame;
• actuating the lift members to engage the cradle and lift the cradled vessel above a surface of the shipyard;
• actuating the wheels to move the bogie trains within the shipyard, thereby moving the cradled vessel within the shipyard;
• actuating the lift members to lower the cradled vessel into engagement with the shipyard and to disengage the lift members from the cradle;
• wherein the lift members include flanges, and wherein engaging the cradle with the lift members includes capturing the flanges within cradle mountings on a frame of the cradle.

A method of moving a cradled vessel within a shipyard, wherein the cradled vessel includes a vessel supported on a cradle, the method comprising:

• positioning at least two bogie trains relative to the cradled vessel, wherein each bogie train includes at least two bogies, wherein each bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and wherein the lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame;
• actuating the lift members to engage the cradle and lift the cradled vessel above a surface of the shipyard;
• actuating the wheels to move the bogie trains within the shipyard, thereby moving the cradled vessel within the shipyard;
• actuating the lift members to lower the cradled vessel into engagement with the shipyard and to disengage the lift members from the cradle;
• wherein each bogie train moves along rail tracks on the shipyard;
• wherein, when a first bogie train of the at least two bogie trains is engaged with a first rail track of the rail tracks and a second bogie train of the at least two bogie trains is engaged with a second rail track of the rail tracks, and wherein the first and second rail tracks are not at the same elevation, the method includes:
• actuating the lift members of at least one of the first and second bogie trains to raise or lower the lift members, thereby maintaining the cradled vessel level and equally distributing load amongst all wheels of the bogies.

A bogie, the bogie comprising:

• a pivoting wheel truck having a first wheel coupled with a first frame;
• a static wheel truck having a second wheel coupled with a second frame;
• and
• a lift cylinder coupled with the pivoting wheel truck and the static wheel truck, wherein the pivoting wheel truck is pivotable relative to the lift member.

A method of moving a cradled vessel within a shipyard, wherein the cradled vessel includes a vessel supported on a cradle, the method comprising:

• positioning a bogie relative to the cradled vessel, wherein the bogie comprises a pivoting wheel truck having a first wheel coupled with a first frame, a static wheel truck having a second wheel coupled with a second frame, and a lift cylinder coupled with the pivoting wheel truck and the static wheel truck, wherein the pivoting wheel truck is pivotable relative to the lift member;
• actuating the lift member to engage the cradle and lift the cradled vessel;
• and
• actuating the first and second wheels to move the bogie within the shipyard, thereby moving the cradled vessel within the shipyard.