US 8,960,114 B2 · Marine lifting apparatus

Abstract

A catamaran lifting apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. First and second frames span between the vessels. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges. An object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A marine lifting apparatus comprising:

a) first and second vessels;
b) a first frame that spans between the vessels, the first frame having a first base;
c) a second frame that spans between the vessels, the second frame having a second base;
d) the frames being spaced apart and being connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart;
e) at least one of the first and second frames extending upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frames and in between the vessels, enabling a marine vessel to be positioned in between the vessels and under the frames;
f) a grab supported under the frame with a plurality of cables, the grab comprised of first and second three dimensional truss sections and a beam, each truss section pivotally mounted to the beam;
and
g) some of the cables lifting and lowering the beam, other of the cables opening the truss sections by moving them away from each other or closing the truss sections by moving them together or toward each other.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Marine lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Marine lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17