Transition rails for shiplift transfer systems
AssigneeBardex Corporation
InventorsCharlie O'Rourke, Daniel Lyons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shiplift transfer system for moving a ship between a shiplift platform and a shipyard is disclosed. The system includes transition rails coupled with the shipyard that are pivotable about trunnion pins between a position that bridges a gap between the shipyard and the shiplift platform and a position that is clear of the gap and of the shiplift platform. The pins are positioned such that the load is not transferred to the pins. Load on the transition rails is reacted at curved surfaces of the transition rails that are engaged with curved surfaces on the yard. The transition rails are accessible for maintenance and replacement via removable plates. The rails include beveling to accommodate misalignment between the yard and platform.
Claims37
A shiplift transfer system, the system comprising:
- a shipyard, the shipyard having a shipyard rail thereon;
- a shiplift platform positioned adjacent the shipyard, the shiplift platform having a platform rail thereon;
- a transition rail, wherein the transition rail is movably coupled with the shipyard or is movably coupled with the shiplift platform, wherein the transition rail is movable between at least two positions;
- wherein the at least two positions include a first rail position wherein the transition rail extends across a gap between the shipyard and the shiplift platform and is engaged with the shipyard and the shiplift platform and wherein the transition rail is positioned between the shipyard rail and the platform rail;
- and
- wherein the at least two positions include a second rail position wherein the transition rail is disengaged from one of the shipyard and the shiplift platform.
A method of transferring a ship between a shipyard and a shiplift platform, the method comprising:
- positioning a shiplift platform adjacent a shipyard, wherein the shipyard has a shipyard rail thereon and the shiplift platform has a platform rail thereon, and wherein a gap is between the shipyard and the shiplift platform such that the shipyard rail and the shiplift platform are spaced apart;
- positioning a transition rail into a first rail position such that the transition rail extends across the gap and is engaged with the shipyard and the shiplift platform and such that the transition rail is positioned between and aligned with the shipyard rail and the platform rail;
- and
- moving a ship supported on a transfer cradle between the shiplift platform and the shipyard, wherein moving the ship comprises moving the ship on a rail wheel, and wherein during the moving the rail wheel rolls along each of the shipyard rail, the transition rail, and the platform rail;
- and
- after moving the ship, moving the transition rail into a second rail position such that the transition rail is disengaged from one of the shipyard and the shiplift platform and is clear of the gap.
A shiplift transfer system, the system comprising:
- a first end block having a rail slot, a pin slot, and a concave contact surface;
- a transition rail having a trunnion pin and a convex contact surface;
- wherein the transition rail is coupled within the rail slot and the trunnion pin is positioned within the pin slot;
- wherein the convex contact surface is movably engaged with the concave contact surface, and wherein a clearance gap is maintained between the trunnion pin and walls of the pin slot;
- and
- wherein the transition rail is pivotable about the trunnion pin between at least two positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.