Autonomous container ship
US6321673A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B2039/067
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention concerns an autonomous container ship comprising a hull, a propulsion system, loading and unloading systems for loading and unloading containers, and a balancing system. The ship transports containers from larger ports equipped with facilities for loading and unloading containers to smaller ports which may not provide such equipment and may be less than 4 meters deep. The ship includes a propulsion system to propel the ship to cruising speed on the high seas and at lower speeds in estuaries and ports, loading and unloading systems adapted to ports not provided with appropriate equipment, and a balancing system for balancing the ship at sea by providing stability and trim during container handling operations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.