Patent US3707934A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3707934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating stable terminal
Assignee: MARITRANS OPERATING PARTNERS LP A OF DE LP
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Filing: 1971-01-14
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A horizontal bank of structurally tied, horizontally extending, usually submerged storage cylinders. An above water, horizontal wing structure fitted for berthing ships alongside. A plurality of rows of vertical struts joining the cylinder bank and wing structure, and providing therebetween slips for docking barges. Means for cargo storage and transfer. Provision for ballasting of the struts and storage cylinders. Support facilities for the berthed ships.
Inventors
- 👤 E Frankel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:45
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A deep water ship terminal adapted to be anchored or free flowing and/or to be connected by pipe lines to shore or underwater storage, and comprising, in combination: a. a number of usually submerged, horizontally disposed, watertight, terminal stabilizing storage and/or ballast tanks; b. means for structurally tying said tanks in a generally parallel, laterally spaced, level banked array; c. an above-water, horizontal wing structure proportioned to accommodate one or more tankers or other ships at berths along at least its longer sides; d. a plurality of parallel rows of vertical struts interconnecting said wing stRucture and at least some of said tanks, said strut rows spaced to define self-contained slips for safe berthing of barges; and u. concentric inside cylinders comprised in at least some of said vertical struts and providing access trunks from said wing to said tanks for ducts, pipes, conduits, and human access; said tanks and struts supplying to the terminal substantial storage capacity, and said tanks and struts supplying also substantial ballast volumes controllable to achieve varying drafts, and controllable more generally to provided: better sea and position keeping; improved adaptation to berthed tankers, bulk carriers and other ships and barges; and reduced motion response.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A deep water ship terminal adapted to be anchored or free flowing and/or to be connected by pipe lines to shore or underwater storage, and comprising, in combination: a. a number of usually submerged, horizontally disposed, watertight, terminal stabilizing storage and/or ballast tanks; b. means for structurally tying said tanks in a generally parallel, laterally spaced, level banked array; c. an above-water, horizontal wing structure proportioned to accommodate one or more tankers or other ships at berths along at least its longer sides; d. a plurality of parallel rows of vertical struts interconnecting said wing stRucture and at least some of said tanks, said strut rows spaced to define self-contained slips for safe berthing of barges; and u. concentric inside cylinders comprised in at least some of said vertical struts and providing access trunks from said wing to said tanks for ducts, pipes, conduits, and human access; said tanks and struts supplying to the terminal substantial storage capacity, and said tanks and struts supplying also substantial ballast volumes controllable to achieve varying drafts, and controllable more generally to provided: better sea and position keeping; improved adaptation to berthed tankers, bulk carriers and other ships and barges; and reduced motion response.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, and e. hydraulic or other mooring and/or fendering means associated with said wing structure for safe berthing of large ships alongside.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, and f. loading and off loading facilities for transfer of cargo via the terminal between ship and ship, or between ship and barge, or between ship and pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein said vertical struts comprise cylinders of uniform length and proportion, and g. bracket means at and rigidifying the junctures of said cylinders with said wing structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, and h. roller bumper and/or other fender means supported within said struts to engage said barges, and thereby further defining said slips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, and i. truss means spanning between said tanks and joined to said struts, and wherein said struts are of a length to accord freedom of relative vertical movement to said barges above said truss means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein said horizontal tanks comprise cylinders terminating in rounded, projecting end closures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein said horizontal tanks comprise cylinders of uniform section and of substantially the length of said wing structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein said struts and tanks define storage and/or ballast volumes, and j. means for charging and discharging liquid cargo and/or water to and from said volumes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein said horizontal storage tanks comprise one or more series of closely spaced, shorter cylinders spanning between said strut rows, and k. transverse girder means joined to said shorter and to said strut-joined cylinders, said girder means ordering and strengthening said shorter cylinders in lateral banks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 10, wherein said shorter cylinder banks extend equally-oppositely of the longitudinal center of the terminal and intermediate said barge slips.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, and l. terminal strengthening and stiffening braces or guys criss-crossed between said struts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 12, and m. girders at and stiffening the intersections of said braces or guys.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, and n. means carried by said tanks for anchoring the terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, and o. propulsor means carried by said struts or tanks for maintaining or moving the terminal into position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein said wing structure comprises p. a rigid core structure, q. panel sides, and r. a top or deck.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 16, wherein said wing core structure is built up of girders.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 16, wherein said wing core structure is of bulkhead-web construction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 16, wherein said deck is recessed to Provide openings uncovering said barge slips, and wherein said wing structure further comprises s. girders spanning across the slip-uncovering deck openings at suitable, cargo-admitting intervals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 16, wherein said wing structure further comprises t. ballast-storage tanks provided within said core structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein said struts and tanks are reinforced by longitudinal ring or bulkhead type stiffeners.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement and ballasting of said horizontal tanks is to provide a very large added mass and vertical inertia, reducing to substantially zero the vertical movement response of the terminal to wave motion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is constructed and arranged to have a very small water plane area for displacement, yielding negligible motion in severe weather.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is constructed and arranged to have a low center of gravity in relation to its center of buoyancy, permitting heavy loads to be placed on said wing structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
A deep water ship terminal according to claim 15, wherein said propulsors are at least two propulsors incorporated into the bottom of the four corner struts or the extreme ends of the outboard of said horizontal tanks and operable for position keeping and also for moving the terminal into position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |