Ship and associated methods of formation with vessels having connectable hulls
US7845297B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T70/10
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ship and associated methods of formation with vessels having connectable hulls. In an example embodiment, a method of operating a ship includes providing a plurality of vessels over water, each comprising at least two spaced-apart hull sections defining a cavity when the vessel is afloat. Each hull section on each vessel is configurable as a portion of a coupling mechanism with fore and aft portions of each hull section reduced in width relative to intermediate hull section portions. Pairs of hull section fore portions may be lapped with and connected to pairs of hull section aft portions on different vessels to form complete coupling mechanisms which connect vessels to one another. Accordingly, the plurality of vessels can form a single assembly and power can be transferred between vessels to move the vessels through water in a tandem arrangement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.