Patent US3875887A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3875887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and system for transporting and positioning prefabricated modules in the construction of seagoing ships
Assignee: Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-01-24
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1992-01-24
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a system including both a method and apparatus for use in the transport and positioning of prefabricated modules during the construction of seagoing ships. The system consists of a rotatable cradle for receiving port or starboard bound modules on their side. Rotation of the cradle into a dock positions and uprights the module for reception by a set of hydraulically operated transverse rail cars to traverse the dock between its port and starboard positions and having lift and descend mode functions incorporated as part of its internal structure. The transverse cars lift the module from the cradle and move it to the opposite side of the dock where it deposits the module on blocks by the descend or lowering function, then moves out of the way. A set of longitudinal rail mounted transport cars, tended by a power and control car moves under the deposited module, lifts it and transports it to either a second deposit zone for return to the cradle side of the dock for movement to the ship or transports the module to the ship at the side of the dock where the module was initially deposited. If the longitudinal transport cars deposit the module in the second deposit zone, it is then lifted, traversed across the dock to a third deposit zone by the transverse cars which are again removed and the longitudinal transport cars are again used to lift and transport the module to final position on that side of the ship. While transverse cars need only have forward, reverse, lift and descend functions, the longitudinal cars, which travel along the axis of the ship under construction, have forward, reverse, lift, descend, lateral movement, roll, pitch and yaw functions incorporated therein. These functions are powered and controlled by the attending power and control car. In the preferred embodiment, all systems are operated hydraulically.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold A Futtrup
- 👤 Oliver Johnstone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:15
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C3/00; B63C3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A car for use in the transport of prefabricated hull modules during the construction of seagoing ships within a construction dock which comprises: a. a chassis; b. a multiplicity of associated pairs of axle mounted rail engaging wheels, each pair of wheels coupled in rotational relationship to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion means to one another and to said chassis in pivotal relationship at one end thereof and each frame of a pair coupled at the opposed end thereof to said chassis by control means, said control means adapted to pivot said frames about the axis of rotation of associated pairs of wheels to permit controlled raising and lowering of said chassis relative to the wheels to a selected position while capable of maintaining said chassis essentially level in a transverse direction, at least a portion of the multiplicity of the pairs of axle mounted wheels being provided with means to propel said car in a forward and reverse direction; and c. means associated with said chassis to support said modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A car for use in the transport of prefabricated hull modules during the construction of seagoing ships within a construction dock which comprises: a. a chassis; b. a multiplicity of associated pairs of axle mounted rail engaging wheels, each pair of wheels coupled in rotational relationship to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion means to one another and to said chassis in pivotal relationship at one end thereof and each frame of a pair coupled at the opposed end thereof to said chassis by control means, said control means adapted to pivot said frames about the axis of rotation of associated pairs of wheels to permit controlled raising and lowering of said chassis relative to the wheels to a selected position while capable of maintaining said chassis essentially level in a transverse direction, at least a portion of the multiplicity of the pairs of axle mounted wheels being provided with means to propel said car in a forward and reverse direction; and c. means associated with said chassis to support said modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A car as claimed in claim 1 in which the means associated with said chassis to support said modules comprises a module supporting platen spaced from said chassis by a plurality of slide bearing surfaces and connected to the fore and aft portions of said chassis by means adapted to move said platen in a horizontal plane laterally relative to said chassis and rotationally relative to said chassis without raising or lowering of said platen relative to said chassis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A car as claimed in claim 2 in which the multiplicity of associated frame mounted pairs of axle mounted rail engaging wheels are divided into forward and aft groups, each group interacting in conjunction through the control means provided for each associated pair of wheels to provide a selected degree of pitch to the car.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A car as claimed in claim 2 in which the control means to pivot said frames about the axis of said associated pairs of axle mounted wheels and the means to propel said car are hydraulically actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A car as claimed in claim 4 in which the means adapted to move said platen laterally and rotationally relative to said chassis is hydraulically activated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A car as claimed in claim 1 in which the multiplicity of associated frame mounted pairs of axle mounted rail engaging wheels are divided into forward and aft groups, each group interacting in conjunction through the control means provided for each associated pair of wheels to provide a selected degree of pitch to the car.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A car as claimed in claim 6 in which the forward and aft groups of wheels are separately activated by an interconnected hydraulic system to provide pitch to the car and with an hydraulically operated drive system associated with a portion of the axle mounted wheels of each group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A car as claimed in claim 1 in which the control means to pivot said frames about the axis of said associated pairs of axle mounted wheels and the means to propel said car are hydraulically actuated.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
284 words
A method for transporting hull modules from dockside to a seagoing ship under construction which comprises: a. depositing the module onto a supporting cradle and rotating said cradle into a construction dock to position the module above a set of transverse tracks in an upright position; b. moving a set of rail mounted transverse cars having a module supporting chassis and at least the operational functional modes of forward, reverse, and lift and descent of the chassis relative to the tracks under the module, the chassis of the set of cars being in a descent mode when moved under the module; c. lifting the module from the cradle by raising the chassis of said transverse cars and moving the module transversely across the dock; d. depositing the module onto preset supports by lowering the chassis of the set of transverse cars and moving the transverse cars from under the module; e. moving under the module a set of rail mounted transport cars having module supporting chassis attended by at least one power-control car for said transport cars, the set of transport cars, as controlled by the power-control car, having the functional modes of forward, reverse, and with respect to the chassis thereof lift, descent, pitch, roll and yaw, the chassis of the transport cars being in the descent mode when brought under the module; f. lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of the transport cars and moving the module supporting transport cars along a longitudinal set of rails; g. positioning the module against a preassembled existing portion of the ship hull by manipulation of the operational modes of the transport cars for securement to the existing portion of the hull.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
284 words
A method for transporting hull modules from dockside to a seagoing ship under construction which comprises: a. depositing the module onto a supporting cradle and rotating said cradle into a construction dock to position the module above a set of transverse tracks in an upright position; b. moving a set of rail mounted transverse cars having a module supporting chassis and at least the operational functional modes of forward, reverse, and lift and descent of the chassis relative to the tracks under the module, the chassis of the set of cars being in a descent mode when moved under the module; c. lifting the module from the cradle by raising the chassis of said transverse cars and moving the module transversely across the dock; d. depositing the module onto preset supports by lowering the chassis of the set of transverse cars and moving the transverse cars from under the module; e. moving under the module a set of rail mounted transport cars having module supporting chassis attended by at least one power-control car for said transport cars, the set of transport cars, as controlled by the power-control car, having the functional modes of forward, reverse, and with respect to the chassis thereof lift, descent, pitch, roll and yaw, the chassis of the transport cars being in the descent mode when brought under the module; f. lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of the transport cars and moving the module supporting transport cars along a longitudinal set of rails; g. positioning the module against a preassembled existing portion of the ship hull by manipulation of the operational modes of the transport cars for securement to the existing portion of the hull.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
469 words
A method for transporting hull modules from dockside to a seagoing ship under construction which comprises: a. depositing the module onto a supporting cradle and rotating said cradle into a construction dock to position the module above a set of transverse tracks in an upright position; b. moving a set of rail mounted transverse cars having a module supporting chassis and at least the operational functional modes of forward, reverse, and lift and descent of the chassis relative to the tracks under the module, the chassis of the set of cars being in a descent mode when moved under the module; c. lifting the module from the cradle by raising the chassis of said transverse cars and moving the module transversely across the dock; d. depositing the module onto preset supports by lowering the chassis of the set of transverse cars and moving the transverse cars from under the module; e. moving under the module a set of rail mounted transport cars having module supporting chassis attended by at least one power-control car for said transport cars, the set of transport cars, as controlled by the power-control car, having the functional modes of forward, reverse, and with respect to the chassis thereof lift, descent, pitch, roll and yaw, the chassis of the transport cars being in the descent mode when moved under the module; f. lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of the transport cars and moving the module supporting transport cars along longitudinal rails and depositing the module onto another set of supports associated with a second set of transverse rails by lowering the chassis of the transport cars; g. moving the set of transport cars from under the deposited module; h. moving a set of transverse cars with the chassis thereof in a descent mode under the module and lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of transverse cars and moving the module supporting transverse cars to return the module transversely across the dock; i. depositing the module onto another set of supports by lowering the chassis of the transverse cars and moving the transverse cars from under the deposited module; j. moving a set of transport cars with at least one attendant power-control car said transport cars as controlled by the power-control car having the functional modes defined in under the module with the chassis of the transport cars being in the descent mode when moved under the module; k. lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of the transport cars and moving the module supporting transport cars along a longitudinal set of rails; l. positioning the module against a preassembled existing portion of the ship hull by manipulation of the operational modes of the transport cars for securement to the existing portion of the hull.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
469 words
A method for transporting hull modules from dockside to a seagoing ship under construction which comprises: a. depositing the module onto a supporting cradle and rotating said cradle into a construction dock to position the module above a set of transverse tracks in an upright position; b. moving a set of rail mounted transverse cars having a module supporting chassis and at least the operational functional modes of forward, reverse, and lift and descent of the chassis relative to the tracks under the module, the chassis of the set of cars being in a descent mode when moved under the module; c. lifting the module from the cradle by raising the chassis of said transverse cars and moving the module transversely across the dock; d. depositing the module onto preset supports by lowering the chassis of the set of transverse cars and moving the transverse cars from under the module; e. moving under the module a set of rail mounted transport cars having module supporting chassis attended by at least one power-control car for said transport cars, the set of transport cars, as controlled by the power-control car, having the functional modes of forward, reverse, and with respect to the chassis thereof lift, descent, pitch, roll and yaw, the chassis of the transport cars being in the descent mode when moved under the module; f. lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of the transport cars and moving the module supporting transport cars along longitudinal rails and depositing the module onto another set of supports associated with a second set of transverse rails by lowering the chassis of the transport cars; g. moving the set of transport cars from under the deposited module; h. moving a set of transverse cars with the chassis thereof in a descent mode under the module and lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of transverse cars and moving the module supporting transverse cars to return the module transversely across the dock; i. depositing the module onto another set of supports by lowering the chassis of the transverse cars and moving the transverse cars from under the deposited module; j. moving a set of transport cars with at least one attendant power-control car said transport cars as controlled by the power-control car having the functional modes defined in under the module with the chassis of the transport cars being in the descent mode when moved under the module; k. lifting the module from the supports by raising the chassis of the transport cars and moving the module supporting transport cars along a longitudinal set of rails; l. positioning the module against a preassembled existing portion of the ship hull by manipulation of the operational modes of the transport cars for securement to the existing portion of the hull.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
208 words
A system for transporting hull modules in an upright position within a construction dock which comprises: a. at least one set of transverse rail mounted transverse cars having at least the operational modes of forward, reverse, and with respect to the chassis of said transverse cars the modes of lift and descent, said transverse cars adapted to traverse the interior of a construction dock and transport a module on associated sets of transverse rails contained within the dock; b. at least one set of longitudinal rail mounted transport cars having at least one attending power-control car, the transport cars adapted to move longitudinally on associated pairs of associated sets of longitudinal rails contained within the construction dock along the port and starboard sides of the interior of the construction dock, said power-control car having the capacities of forward and reverse modes of operation as well as with respect to a module supported by the chassis of the set of transport cars of imparting forward and reverse modes of operation through said transport cars and through the chassis of said transport cars, the modes of lift, descent, pitch, roll, lateral movement and yaw, the modes of lateral movement and yaw being impartable without raising or lowering of said module.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
208 words
A system for transporting hull modules in an upright position within a construction dock which comprises: a. at least one set of transverse rail mounted transverse cars having at least the operational modes of forward, reverse, and with respect to the chassis of said transverse cars the modes of lift and descent, said transverse cars adapted to traverse the interior of a construction dock and transport a module on associated sets of transverse rails contained within the dock; b. at least one set of longitudinal rail mounted transport cars having at least one attending power-control car, the transport cars adapted to move longitudinally on associated pairs of associated sets of longitudinal rails contained within the construction dock along the port and starboard sides of the interior of the construction dock, said power-control car having the capacities of forward and reverse modes of operation as well as with respect to a module supported by the chassis of the set of transport cars of imparting forward and reverse modes of operation through said transport cars and through the chassis of said transport cars, the modes of lift, descent, pitch, roll, lateral movement and yaw, the modes of lateral movement and yaw being impartable without raising or lowering of said module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
A system as claimed in claim 11 in combination with a rotary positioning fixture associated with a set of transverse rails employed by the transverse cars which comprises a framework contained within the dock and having thereon a rotatable el-shaped cradle adapted to accept a hull module in a side position and by rotation of the cradle deposit the module within the dock in an upright position at a predetermined elevation for reception by a set of transverse cars.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
254 words
Ship building apparatus for constructing a hull from prefabricated modules within a construction dock comprising first and second rail mounted movable support platforms each platform comprising a chassis and a platen separated from the chassis by slide bearing surfaces and a multiplicity of axle connected associated wheel pairs, each wheel pair coupled in rotational relationship to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion means to one another and to said chassis in pivotal relationship at one end thereof and each frame of a pair coupled at the opposed end thereof to said chassis by control means, said platforms supporting one of said modules; means for moving said platforms along parallel paths extending lengthwise of the hull being constructed for positioning the module longitudinally; said control means for controllably raising or lowering one platform relative to the other for rotating the module about a horizontal longitudinal axis to impart roll, and for tilting both platforms simultaneously in a fore or aft direction for rotating the module about a horizontal lateral axis to impart pitch; and means for transversely moving the platens of each platform relative to the chassis without raising and lowering the platens of each platform relative to the chassis and for rotating the platens of both platforms in a horizontal plane and in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction and simultaneously moving one platform longitudinally relative to the other for rotating the module about a vertical axis without raising and lowering of the module to impart yaw.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
254 words
Ship building apparatus for constructing a hull from prefabricated modules within a construction dock comprising first and second rail mounted movable support platforms each platform comprising a chassis and a platen separated from the chassis by slide bearing surfaces and a multiplicity of axle connected associated wheel pairs, each wheel pair coupled in rotational relationship to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion means to one another and to said chassis in pivotal relationship at one end thereof and each frame of a pair coupled at the opposed end thereof to said chassis by control means, said platforms supporting one of said modules; means for moving said platforms along parallel paths extending lengthwise of the hull being constructed for positioning the module longitudinally; said control means for controllably raising or lowering one platform relative to the other for rotating the module about a horizontal longitudinal axis to impart roll, and for tilting both platforms simultaneously in a fore or aft direction for rotating the module about a horizontal lateral axis to impart pitch; and means for transversely moving the platens of each platform relative to the chassis without raising and lowering the platens of each platform relative to the chassis and for rotating the platens of both platforms in a horizontal plane and in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction and simultaneously moving one platform longitudinally relative to the other for rotating the module about a vertical axis without raising and lowering of the module to impart yaw.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said control means comprise first and second groups of hydraulic lift cylinders pivotably interconnecting the spaced frames to the chassis, the groups of lift cylinders being positioned adjacent opposite ends of the chassis, and means for imparting transverse movement and yaw comprising first and second groups of hydraulic lateral cylinders interconnecting the chassis and the platen, the groups of lateral cylinders being positioned adjacent opposite ends of the chassis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for positioning a load comprising a car movable along parallel rails, the car including a multiplicity of rotatable axle connected rail engaging wheel pairs and a chassis; each wheel pair rotatably coupled to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion bars and to said chassis in pivotal relation at one end thereof and at the opposed end thereof to said chassis through a pair of pivotable hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic cylinders of the wheel pairs divided into first and second groups of hydraulic cylinders for controllably raising, lowering, rolling and pitching the chassis relative to the rails, and hydraulic drive means for driving the car in either direction along the rails; the load being applied to the chassis, the first group of hydraulic cylinders being positioned adjacent the front end of the car and the second group of hydraulic cylinders being positioned adjacent the back end of the car, all the cylinders in a group being interconnected hydraulically to each other so that hydraulic fluid pressure is equalized in all the cylinders of a group, the cylinders of each pair being positioned adjacent opposite sides of the car, means controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure separately to the two groups of cylinders; said torsion bars resisting unequal vertical movement of the opposite sides of the chassis relative to the wheels.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for positioning a load comprising a car movable along parallel rails, the car including a multiplicity of rotatable axle connected rail engaging wheel pairs and a chassis; each wheel pair rotatably coupled to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion bars and to said chassis in pivotal relation at one end thereof and at the opposed end thereof to said chassis through a pair of pivotable hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic cylinders of the wheel pairs divided into first and second groups of hydraulic cylinders for controllably raising, lowering, rolling and pitching the chassis relative to the rails, and hydraulic drive means for driving the car in either direction along the rails; the load being applied to the chassis, the first group of hydraulic cylinders being positioned adjacent the front end of the car and the second group of hydraulic cylinders being positioned adjacent the back end of the car, all the cylinders in a group being interconnected hydraulically to each other so that hydraulic fluid pressure is equalized in all the cylinders of a group, the cylinders of each pair being positioned adjacent opposite sides of the car, means controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure separately to the two groups of cylinders; said torsion bars resisting unequal vertical movement of the opposite sides of the chassis relative to the wheels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15 further comprising a separate hydraulic fluid source for each group of cylinders, means for limiting the output pressure of each of said sources to a level insufficient to lift the chassis when subject to the full weight of the load, and means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said pressure limiting means and said sources.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
249 words
A car for use in the transport of prefabricated hull modules during the construction of seagoing ships within a construction dock which comprises: a. a chassis; b. means associated with said chassis to support said modules comprising a module supporting platen spaced from said chassis by a plurality of slide bearing surfaces and connected to the fore and aft portion of said chassis by means adapted to move said platen in a horizontal plane laterally to said chassis and rotationally relative to said chassis without raising or lowering of said platen relative to said chassis; c. a multiplicity of associated pairs of axle mounted rail engaging wheels, each pair of wheels coupled in rotational relationship to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion means to one another and to said chassis in pivotal relationship at one end thereof and each frame of a pair coupled at the opposed end thereof to said chassis by control means, said control means adapted to pivot said frames about the axis of rotation of associated pairs of wheels to permit controlled raising and lowering of said chassis relative to the wheels to a selected position while capable of maintaining said chassis essentially level in a transverse direction, at least a portion of the multiplicity of the pairs of axle mounted wheels being provided with means to propel said car in a forward and reverse direction; and d. means associated with said chassis to support said modules.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
249 words
A car for use in the transport of prefabricated hull modules during the construction of seagoing ships within a construction dock which comprises: a. a chassis; b. means associated with said chassis to support said modules comprising a module supporting platen spaced from said chassis by a plurality of slide bearing surfaces and connected to the fore and aft portion of said chassis by means adapted to move said platen in a horizontal plane laterally to said chassis and rotationally relative to said chassis without raising or lowering of said platen relative to said chassis; c. a multiplicity of associated pairs of axle mounted rail engaging wheels, each pair of wheels coupled in rotational relationship to a pair of oppositely spaced frames, each pair of said frames connected by torsion means to one another and to said chassis in pivotal relationship at one end thereof and each frame of a pair coupled at the opposed end thereof to said chassis by control means, said control means adapted to pivot said frames about the axis of rotation of associated pairs of wheels to permit controlled raising and lowering of said chassis relative to the wheels to a selected position while capable of maintaining said chassis essentially level in a transverse direction, at least a portion of the multiplicity of the pairs of axle mounted wheels being provided with means to propel said car in a forward and reverse direction; and d. means associated with said chassis to support said modules.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
A car as claimed in claim 17 in which the multiplicity of associated frame mounted pairs of axle mounted rail engaging wheels are divided into forward and aft groups, each group interacting in conjunction through the control means provided for each associated pair of wheels to provide a selected degree of pitch to the car.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A car as claimed in claim 17 in which the control means to pivot said frames about the axis of said associated pairs of axle mounted wheels and the means to propel said car are hydraulically actuated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A car as claimed in claim 17 in which the means adapted to move said platen laterally and rotationally relative to said chassis is hydraulically actuated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |