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US 6,877,450 B2Granted
Variable-draft vessel
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsTerrence W. Schmidt, Anthony J. Mannino, Lewis D. Madden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable-draft vessel. The variable-draft vessel including a center hull; a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull; a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull; and at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls, wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls.
Claims28
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls;
- and
- a ramp coupled to a first end of the center hull,
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls.
4 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls, and
- a lifting mechanism configured to vertically translate the center hull with respect to the first and second side hulls,
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls,
- wherein the lifting mechanism includes a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled between the center hull and the first and second side hulls, and
- wherein the hydraulic actuators are disposed in the side hulls.
5 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls;
- and
- a lifting mechanism configured to vertically translate the center hull with respect to the first and second side hulls,
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls, and
- wherein the lifting mechanism includes a plurality of ballast tanks disposed in the center hull and in the side hulls.
5 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- and
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls;
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls, and
- wherein the side hulls are walls.
4 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- and
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls;
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls, and
- wherein the side hulls include a plurality of guides, and the center hull includes a plurality of lifting blocks configured to engage the guides to vertically guide the center hull during vertical translation thereof.
4 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- and
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls;
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls, and
- wherein the side hulls are configured to be lifted above a surface of a body of water.
4 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- and
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls;
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls,
- wherein the first side hulls includes one or more struts coupled to one or more hulls,
- wherein the second side hulls includes one or more struts coupled to one or more hulls, and
- wherein the struts are vertically disposed.
6 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull;
- and
- at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls;
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls,
- wherein the first side hulls includes one or more struts coupled to one or more hulls,
- wherein the second side hulls includes one or more struts coupled to one or more hulls, and
- wherein the struts are canted.
6 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a center hull that includes a first plurality of ballast tanks;
- a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull, the first side hull including a second plurality of ballast tanks;
- a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull, the second side hull including a third plurality of ballast tanks;
- and
- at least one cross support configured to couple the first and second side hulls,
- wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls by selectively transferring ballast water into or out of one or more of the ballast tanks.
3 more elements
A vessel comprising:
- a central hull;
- a plurality of struts coupled to the central hull, the struts extending downward with respect to the central hull;
- a plurality of pods coupled to the struts;
- and
- a plurality of floatation devices slidably coupled to the struts, wherein a draft of the pods is configured to be increased or decreased by vertically translating the floatation devices.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.