US 9,003,988 B2 · Marine lifting apparatus

Abstract

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. 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. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method of lifting a package in a marine environment, comprising the steps of:

a) first and second vessels;
b) spanning a first frame between the vessels;
c) spanning a second frame between the vessels;
d) spacing the frames apart and connecting the frames to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart;
e) connecting the first frame to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection that is not a universal joint, said hinged connection only enabling rotation of said first frame relative to said second vessel about a single axis;
f) connecting the second frame to the second vessel with a universal joint, and to the first vessel with a hinged connection that is not a universal joint, said hinged connection only enabling rotation of said second frame relative to said first vessel about a single axis;
g) extending each frame upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the vessels, enabling a marine vessel to position in between the vessels and under the frames;
and
h) rigging each frame with a winch and a winch line for enabling the combination of vessels and frames to lift objects from a position generally under the frames and in between the vessels.

6 more elements

A method creating an overall structurally integrated vessel from two existing vessels comprising the steps of:

1) providing a first used vessel, the first vessel comprising:
(a) a hull,
(b) a thruster for the first vessel powering the hull of the first vessel,
(c) a position reference system for the first vessel providing the position of the first vessel, and
(d) a DP controller system for the first vessel operatively connected to the first thruster of the first vessel and first position referencing system of the first vessel;
2) providing a second used vessel comprising:
(a) a hull,
(b) a thruster for the second vessel powering the hull of the second vessel,
(c) a position referencing system for the second vessel providing the position of the second vessel,
(d) a DP controller system for the second vessel operatively connected to the thruster for the second vessel and position referencing system for the second vessel;
3) retrofitting the first and second vessels by
(i) spanning a first frame between the vessels;
(ii) spanning a second frame between the vessels;
(iii) spacing the frames apart and connecting the frames to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart;
(iv) connecting the first frame to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection;
(v) connecting the second frame to the second vessel with a universal joint, and to the first vessel with a hinged connection;
(vi) extending each frame upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the vessels, enabling a marine vessel to position in between the vessels and under the frames;
and
(vii) rigging each frame with a winch and a winch line for enabling the combination of vessels and frames to lift objects from a position generally under the frames and in between the vessels;
4) providing an overall DP controller system operatively connected to both the DP controller system for the first vessel and the DP controller system for the second vessel, wherein the overall DP controller system directly or indirectly controls one or more of the following:
(i) thruster for the first vessel,
(ii) position referencing system for the first vessel,
(iii) thruster for the second vessel, and
(iv) position referencing system for the second vessel.

21 more elements

A method creating an overall structurally integrated vessel from two existing vessels comprising the steps of:

1) providing a first used vessel, the first vessel comprising:
(a) a hull,
(b) a plurality of thrusters for the first vessel, each powering the hull of the first vessel,
(c) a plurality of position referencing systems for the first vessel, each providing the position of the first vessel, and
(d) a plurality of DP controller systems for the first vessel, each being operatively connected to the plurality of thrusters for the first vessel and plurality of position referencing systems for the first vessel;
2) providing a second used vessel comprising:
(a) a hull,
(b) a plurality of thrusters for the second vessel, each powering the hull of the second vessel,
(c) a plurality of position referencing systems for the second vessel, each providing the position of the second vessel,
(d) a plurality of DP controller systems for the second vessel, each being operatively connected to the plurality of thrusters for the second vessel and plurality of position referencing system for the second vessel;
and
3) retrofitting the first and second vessels by
(i) spanning a first frame between the vessels;
(ii) spanning a second frame between the vessels;
(iii) spacing the frames apart and connecting the frames to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart;
(iv) connecting the first frame to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection;
(v) connecting the second frame to the second vessel with a universal joint, and to the first vessel with a hinged connection;
(vi) extending each frame upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the vessels, enabling a marine vessel to position in between the vessels and under the frames;
and
(vii) rigging each frame with a winch and a winch line for enabling the combination of vessels and frames to lift objects from a position generally under the frames and in between the vessels;
and
4) providing an overall DP controller system operatively connected to both the DP controller system for the first vessel and the DP controller system for the second vessel, wherein the DP controller can directly or indirectly control any of the following:
(i) one or more of the thrusters for the first vessel,
(ii) one or more of the position referencing systems for the first vessel,
(iii) one or more of the thrusters for the second vessel, and
(iv) one or more of the position referencing systems for the second vessel.

23 more elements

A method creating an overall structurally integrated vessel from two existing vessel comprising the steps of:

1) providing a first used vessel, the first vessel comprising:
(a) a hull,
(b) a plurality of engines for the first vessel, each powering the hull of the first vessel, and
(c) a plurality of steerage systems for the first vessel, each steering the first vessel;
2) providing a second used vessel comprising:
(a) a hull,
(b) a plurality of engines for the second vessel, each powering the hull of the second vessel, and
(c) a plurality of steerage systems for the second vessel, each steering the second vessel,
3) retrofitting the first and second vessels by
(i) spanning a first frame between the vessels;
(ii) spanning a second frame between the vessels;
(iii) spacing the frames apart and connecting the frames to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart;
(iv) connecting the first frame to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection;
(v) connecting the second frame to the second vessel with a universal joint, and to the first vessel with a hinged connection;
(vi) extending each frame upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the vessels, enabling a marine vessel to position in between the vessels and under the frames;
and
(vii) rigging each frame with a winch and a winch line for enabling the combination of vessels and frames to lift objects from a position generally under the frames and in between the vessels;
and
4) providing an overall bridge controller computer operatively connected to each of the engines for the first vessel, steerage systems for the first vessel, engines for the second vessel, and steerage systems for the second vessel, wherein the overall bridge controller computer can directly or indirectly control the following:
(i) one or more of the engines for the first vessel,
(ii) one of more of the steerage systems for the first vessel,
(iii) one or more of the engines for the second vessel, and
(iv) one or more of the steerage systems for the second vessel.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Marine lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Marine lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24