Method of towing large masses at sea
US4299184A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1979 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H15/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A large floating mass (10) such as an off-shore structure or an iceberg is towed using two sea anchors (20 & 30) alternately. The motive power for towing is derived from winch means (15 & 16) on the large floating mass or on a barge immediately in front of it. The cable by which the towing force is transmitted runs from one of the sea anchors to the other so that it is payed out to one while the other is being winched towards the mass. The sea anchors are arranged to offer little resistance to forward movement through the water, but to offer a large resistance to backward movement, thereby offering a purchase from which towing is effected. The advantage of using two sea anchors is that with an alternating succession of towing operations it is possible to keep a substantially continuous tractive effort acting on the mass.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.