Patent · US Active

System for refloating grounded vessels

US9475556B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
23References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 10, 2015
Grant dateOct 25, 2016
Priority date—
Expiry dateJun 10, 2035

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.