초록 ▼

A vessel transfer system utilizes a larger, surface effect vessel with a hull and a cargo deck, having a pressurized volume of air under its hull. The larger vessel cargo deck is lowered relative to a water surface in order to receive a smaller vessel. Lowering is achieved by depressurizing the volu

A vessel transfer system utilizes a larger, surface effect vessel with a hull and a cargo deck, having a pressurized volume of air under its hull. The larger vessel cargo deck is lowered relative to a water surface in order to receive a smaller vessel. Lowering is achieved by depressurizing the volume of pressurized air under the hull. Movable propulsors on an air cushion vehicle permit efficient operation under way in an outer position, while minimizing the envelope dimensions for stowage in a well deck, providing clearance from bridges, docks, etc. in an inner position. In the outer position, the propellers operate in more uniform inflow conditions, resulting in improved performance and lower noise levels. In addition, the craft can be arranged to use a full width stern ramp resulting in time saved during cargo loading/unloading. The propellers will be less likely to ingest green water in high sea states.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of transporting a smaller marine vessel upon a larger marine vessel that is a surface effect ship, comprising the steps of: a) providing a larger marine vessel that is a surface effect ship having a hull, and a propulsion system and one or more powered fans tha

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of transporting a smaller marine vessel upon a larger marine vessel that is a surface effect ship, comprising the steps of: a) providing a larger marine vessel that is a surface effect ship having a hull, and a propulsion system and one or more powered fans that enable a pressurized volume of air to be placed under the hull, said larger vessel traveling in a first, upper hull position that is generated by placing said pressurized volume of air under the hull of the larger marine vessel, said larger marine vessel having a cargo deck; b) the larger marine vessel traveling to a selected locale that is in deep water so that the hull of the larger marine vessel is not load bearing upon land or the seabed, a water surface area being next to the larger marine vessel; c) depressurizing the volume of air under the hull of the larger marine vessel by deactivating the fans so that the hull of the larger marine vessel lowers to a second, lower hull position; d) wherein in step “c” at least a part of the cargo deck is positioned next to the water surface to define a point of entry; e) the smaller marine vessel traveling to the selected locale; f) positioning the smaller marine vessel next to the larger marine vessel, wherein the smaller marine vessel is in deep water so that the hull of the smaller marine vessel is not load bearing upon land or the seabed; g) the smaller marine vessel traveling from the water surface area surrounding the larger marine vessel to the cargo deck of the larger marine vessel via the point of entry and while the larger marine vessel is in the lower hull position; and h) pressurizing the volume of air under the hull of the larger marine vessel by activating the powered fans until its hull, cargo deck and the smaller vessel that was placed upon the cargo deck in step “f” are elevated to the upper hull position. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the smaller marine vessel is a surface effect vessel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the smaller marine vessel is an amphibious vessel. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the smaller marine vessel is a hovercraft. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the larger marine vessel has a pair of spaced apart rigid hulls, a forward skirt and an aft skirt. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein step “d” includes positioning at least a part of the cargo deck near the water surface. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the cargo deck communicates with the stern of the larger marine vessel and in step “f” transfer occurs at the stern of the larger marine vessel. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the cargo deck communicates with the bow of the larger marine vessel and in step “f” transfer occurs at the bow of the larger marine vessel. 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the in step “f” the cargo deck is positioned near the water surface at the stern of the larger marine vessel. 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the cargo deck communicates with the stern of the larger marine vessel. 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the cargo deck has an inclined portion and in step “f” the smaller marine vessel travels to the point of entry by engaging the inclined portion. 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising lowering the larger marine vessel in step “c” larger marine vessel is lowered with ballasting in addition to depressurizing. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “a” the larger vessel has a pair of rigid, spaced apart hulls. 14. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “a” the larger vessel has a peripheral inflatable member or members. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the large vessel has front and rear curtains that surround the under deck area. 16. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “d” the point of entry is at the hull stern. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “d” the point of entry is at the hull bow. 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the hull has side walls on opposite sides of the cargo deck. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein step “d” includes positioning at least a part of the cargo deck near the water surface. 20. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “g” more than one smaller marine vessel travel to the cargo deck of the larger marine vessel at a time. 21. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “g” multiple smaller marine vessels travel nearly simultaneously to the cargo deck of the larger marine vessel. 22. A method of transferring a first marine vessel to a second marine vessel in a deep water environment that has a water surface and wherein neither vessel is supported by a seabed, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first marine vessel; b) providing a second marine vessel having a hull with a bow and stern, a cargo deck, one or more powered fans and an underdeck area that can be pressurized with air by activating the powered fans until the hull is primarily supported with a pressurized volume of air, the second marine vessel being a surface effect ship; c) transporting the first and second marine vessels to a selected locale upon a water surface in a deep water marine environment; d) pressurizing the volume of air under the hull of the second marine vessel at least for a time period in step “c”; e) lowering the pressure of the volume of air under the hull of the second marine vessel by deactivating the fans, wherein the hull and the cargo deck of the second marine vessel are lowered in elevation relative to the water surface; and f) the first vessel transferring from the water surface of the deep water marine environment to the lowered cargo deck of the second marine vessel. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein step “f” is completed after step “e” is completed. 24. The method of claim 22 wherein in step “e” the pressure is lowered to a pressure range near ambient atmospheric pressure (Pa). 25. The method of claim 22 wherein in step “d” the pressurized volume of air has a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure (Pa). 26. The method of claim 25 wherein in step “e” the pressure is lowered to less than 5.0 psi. 27. The method of claim 22 wherein the first marine vessel is a hovercraft. 28. The method of claim 22 wherein the first marine vessel is a surface effect ship. 29. The method of claim 22 wherein the cargo deck is at least partially inclined and in step “f” the first vessel travels from the water surface to the inclined portion of the cargo deck. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the inclined portion of the cargo deck is next to the hull stern. 31. The method of claim 29 wherein the inclined portion of the cargo deck is next to the hull bow. 32. The method of claim 22 wherein the first marine vessel is an amphibious vessel. 33. The method of claim 22 wherein step “e” includes lowering the hull of the second marine vessel until a part of the cargo deck is located next to the water surface. 34. The method of claim 22 wherein step “e” includes lowering the hull of the second marine vessel until a part of the cargo deck is located at the water surface. 35. The method of claim 22 wherein step “e” includes lowering the hull of the second marine vessel until a part of the cargo deck is located below the water surface. 36. The method of claim 22 wherein step “e” includes lowering the hull of the second marine vessel until a part of the cargo deck is located at an elevation that is near the water surface. 37. The method of transferring a first marine vessel to a second marine vessel of claim 22 wherein in step “f” more than one first marine vessels travel to the cargo deck of the second marine vessel at a time. 38. The method of transferring a first marine vessel to a second marine vessel of claim 22 wherein in step “f” multiple first marine vessels travel nearly simultaneously to the cargo deck of the second marine vessel. 39. A method of transporting a pair of marine vessels upon a water surface, comprising the steps of: a) providing first and second marine vessels comprising said pair of marine vessels, wherein the first marine vessel is to be loaded upon and transported by the second marine vessel; b) wherein in step “a” said second vessel is a surface effect ship having a hull, one or more powered blowers, a propulsion system for self propelling the hull and a cargo deck, said second vessel being configured to travel in at least two modes including a first mode wherein a first, upper hull elevation is generated by using the powered blowers to place a volume of air at a pressure that is greater than ambient atmospheric pressure under the hull of the second marine vessel and a second mode wherein the hull of the second marine vessel is positioned at a lower elevation; c) the second marine vessel traveling to a selected locale while at least for a time being in the first mode of travel; d) depressurizing the volume of air under the hull of the larger marine vessel by deactivating one or more of the powered blowers until it lowers to said lower hull position; e) wherein in step “d” at least a part of the cargo deck is positioned next to the water surface to define a point of entry; f) the first marine vessel traveling to the selected locale and to a position next to the second marine vessel, wherein the first marine vessel is in deep water so that the hull of the first marine vessel is not load bearing upon land or the seabed; g) the first marine vessel traveling from the water surface area surrounding the larger marine vessel to the cargo deck of the second marine vessel via the point of entry and in deep water so that the hull of the second marine vessel is not load bearing upon land or the seabed; and h) the second vessel leaving the selected locale, wherein the first vessel is supported upon the cargo deck of the second vessel, and wherein the second vessel travels at least for a time in the first mode of travel. 40. The method of claim 39 further comprising using a combination of ballasting and depressurizing in step “d” to lower the second marine vessel to the lower hull position. 41. The method of claim 39 wherein in steps “d” and “e” the cargo deck is positioned at least partially below the water surface. 42. The method of claim 39 wherein in step “b” the hull of the second marine vessel includes a pair of spaced apart rigid hulls, a forward seal, an aft seal and steps “b” and “c” include positioning the pressurized volume of air in between the hulls and in between the forward and aft seals. 43. The method of claim 39 wherein the pressure is lowered in step “d” to a pressure of about ambient atmospheric pressure. 44. The method of claim 39 wherein the second vessel is a surface effect ship having one or more inflatable peripheral members and in steps “c” and “d” include positioning the pressurized volume of air inside of the peripheral members. 45. Apparatus for performing the method of claim 1. 46. An air cushion vehicle comprising: a) a hull having a hull periphery, bow, stem, port side, starboard side and deck portions; b) an air based propulsion system for propelling the hull by thrusting in the surrounding air mass; and c) the air propulsion system including a pair of air propellers that each move generally laterally in reference to the hull between first and second positions, one position placing each air propeller at least in part outboard of the hull periphery, and a second position placing a majority of each propeller inboard of the hull periphery. 47. The air cushion vehicle of claim 46 wherein hydraulic rams or linear motors are mechanisms for pivoting the air propellers between first and second positions. 48. The air cushion vehicle of claim 46 wherein the air propellers engage the air during use. 49. The air cushion vehicle of claim 46 wherein one of the air propeller positions places the air propeller entirely within the periphery of the hull. 50. The air cushion vehicle of claim 46 wherein one air propeller is positioned next to the port side portion of the hull. 51. The air cushion vehicle of claim 46 wherein one air propeller is positioned next to the starboard side portion of the hull. 52. The air cushion vehicle of claim 50 wherein the port side air propeller moves between an outer position wherein it is at least partially outboard of the hull periphery on the port side of the hull to a position within the hull periphery next to the port side of the hull. 53. The air cushion vehicle of claim 51 wherein the starboard side air propeller moves between an outer position wherein it is at least partially outboard of the hull periphery on the starboard side of the hull to a position within the hull periphery next to the starboard side of the hull. 54. The air cushion vehicle of claim 46 wherein each air propeller moves between a position outside the hull periphery to a position inside the hull periphery, the air propellers being mounted on respective port and starboard sides of the stern portion of the hull. 55. A method of transporting a smaller marine vessel upon a larger marine vessel that is a surface effect ship, comprising the steps of: a) providing a larger marine vessel that is a surface effect ship having a hull, a propulsion system and one or more powered fans, said larger vessel traveling in a first, upper hull position that is generated by activating the powered fans to place a pressurized volume of air under the hull of the larger marine vessel, said larger marine vessel having a cargo deck; b) the larger marine vessel traveling to a selected locale that is in deep water so that the hull of the larger marine vessel is not load bearing upon land or the seabed, a water surface area being next to the larger marine vessel; c) depressurizing the volume of air under the hull of the larger marine vessel by deactivating one or more of the powered fans until the hull of the larger marine vessel lowers to a second, lower hull position; d) wherein in step “c” at least a part of the cargo deck is positioned next to the water surface to define a point of entry; e) the smaller marine vessel comprising the vehicle of any one of claims 46-49 and 50-54 and traveling to the selected locale; f) positioning the smaller marine vessel next to the larger marine vessel, wherein the smaller marine vessel is in deep water so that the hull of the smaller marine vessel is not load bearing upon land or the seabed; g) the smaller marine vessel traveling from the water surface area surrounding the larger marine vessel to the cargo deck of the larger marine vessel via the point of entry and while the larger marine vessel is in the lower hull position; and h) pressurizing the volume of air under the hull of the larger marine vessel by activating one or more of the powered fans until its hull, cargo deck and the smaller vessel that was placed upon the cargo deck in step “f” are elevated to the upper hull position. 56. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the smaller vessel comprises: a) a hull having a hull periphery, bow, stem, port side, starboard side and deck portions; b) an air based propulsion system for propelling the hull by thrusting in the surrounding air mass; c) the air propulsion system including one or more air propellers that move in reference to the hull between first and second positions, one position placing the air propeller at least in part outboard of the hull periphery.