Patent · US Active

System for refloating grounded vessels

US9139270B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
23References
12Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 3, 2013
Grant dateSep 22, 2015
Priority date—
Expiry dateDec 13, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63C7/12
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for refloating a grounded floatable vessel uses cylinder-shaped inflatable buoyant rollers that are placed under the vessel hull, inflated until they support the bottom hull and then caused to roll seaward while carrying the vessel into the water. An independently propelled vehicle pulls the vessel resting on the rollers into the water. An operator wirelessly controls inflation and deflation of the rollers to ensure stability of the vessel during the refloating operation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.