초록 ▼

A configurable, multi-function vessel that comprises first and second pontoon barges and a plurality of interconnecting barges. The first and second pontoon barges have a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard sides thereof. The plurality of interconnecting barges are disposable bet

A configurable, multi-function vessel that comprises first and second pontoon barges and a plurality of interconnecting barges. The first and second pontoon barges have a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard sides thereof. The plurality of interconnecting barges are disposable between the inboard sides of the first and second pontoon barges so that a plurality of connection members disposed on opposite sides of the interconnecting barges are adjacent to the connection members on either said first or second pontoon barge. A plurality of connectors releasably couple adjacent connection members so that the pontoon barges and the interconnecting barges form a unitary, oceangoing vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A configurable, multi-function vessel comprising: a first pontoon barge having a plurality of connection members disposed on an inboard side thereof; a second pontoon barge disposed parallel to said first pontoon barge and having a plurality of connection members disposed on

What is claimed is: 1. A configurable, multi-function vessel comprising: a first pontoon barge having a plurality of connection members disposed on an inboard side thereof; a second pontoon barge disposed parallel to said first pontoon barge and having a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard side thereof; a plurality of interconnecting barges disposed between the inboard sides of said first and second pontoon barges, wherein each of said plurality of interconnecting barges comprises a plurality of connection members disposed on opposite sides thereof and adjacent to the connection members on either said first or second pontoon barge; and a plurality of connectors that releasably couple adjacent connection members so that said pontoon barges and said interconnecting barges form a unitary, oceangoing vessel, said plurality of connectors comprising: a first plurality of bolts extending substantially normally between the inboard side of the first pontoon barge and one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in a first direction, the first plurality of bolts configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in the first direction; and a first shear pin extending in the first direction between the inboard side of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges, the first shear pin configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in a second direction normal to the first direction. 2. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, wherein at least two of said plurality of interconnecting barges further comprise a plurality of connection members disposed on all sides thereof. 3. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 2, wherein the at least two of said plurality of interconnecting barges are disposed adjacent to each other so that a plurality of connectors releasably connect connection members on the adjacent barges. 4. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, wherein said interconnecting barges have a rectangular shape with the length being greater than the width. 5. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 4, wherein the vessel has a first configuration wherein said interconnecting barges are disposed between said pontoon barges so that the beam of the vessel is equal to the beam of said pontoon barges plus the width of said interconnecting barges. 6. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 4, wherein the vessel has a second configuration wherein said interconnecting barges are disposed between said pontoon barges so that the beam of the vessel is equal to the beam of said pontoon barges plus the length of said interconnecting barges. 7. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, wherein said pontoon barges and interconnecting barges are configured to facilitate the installation of subsea equipment. 8. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, wherein the connecting members comprise a frame extending from the side of the barge supporting a flange that is parallel to the side of the barge, wherein the flange comprises a plurality of bolt holes and a shear pin receptacle. 9. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, further comprising a thruster module coupled to one of said barges. 10. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, further comprising a lifting/lowering system disposed on one of said barges. 11. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, wherein said plurality of connectors further comprises: a second plurality of bolts extending substantially normally between the inboard side of the second pontoon barge and one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in the first direction, the second plurality of bolts configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the second pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in the first direction; and a second shear pin extending in the first direction between the inboard side of the second pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges, the second shear pin configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the second pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in the second direction. 12. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of interconnecting barges is disposed parallel to the first and the second pontoon barges. 13. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 12, further comprising a topsides supported thereon, wherein the topsides is configured for float-over installation onto a partially submerged semi-submersible having two or more legs spaced apart a distance greater than a length and a width of the coupled first and second pontoon barges. 14. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of interconnecting barges is disposed normal to the first and the second pontoon barges. 15. The configurable, multi-function vessel of claim 14, further comprising a topsides supported thereon, wherein the topsides comprises a submerged hull extending downward through an opening formed between the first and second pontoon barges and one or more of the plurality of interconnecting barges. 16. A vessel comprising: a first and second pontoon barge; a plurality of interconnecting barges disposed between said first and second pontoon barges; a connection system operable to releasably couple said plurality of interconnecting barges to said first and second pontoon barge to form a unitary, oceangoing vessel having a plurality of configurations, said connection system comprising: a first frame coupled to the first pontoon barge and having a bolt pattern and a shear pin receptacle; a second frame coupled to one of the plurality of interconnecting barges and having a bolt pattern and a shear pin receptacle; a first plurality of bolts extending substantially normally between the bolt patterns in a first direction, the first plurality of bolts configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in the first direction; and a first shear pin extending in the first direction between the shear pin receptacles, the first shear pin configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in a second direction normal to the first direction. 17. The vessel of claim 16, wherein said interconnecting barges have a rectangular shape with the length being greater than the width. 18. The vessel of claim 17, wherein the vessel has a first configuration wherein said interconnecting barges are disposed between said pontoon barges so that the beam of the vessel is equal to the beam of said pontoon barges plus the width of said interconnecting barges. 19. The vessel of claim 17, wherein the vessel has a second configuration wherein said interconnecting barges are disposed between said pontoon barges so that the beam of the vessel is equal to the beam of said pontoon barges plus the length of said interconnecting barges. 20. The vessel of claim 16, wherein said connection system further comprises: a third frame coupled to the second pontoon barge and having a bolt pattern; a fourth frame coupled to one of the plurality of interconnecting barges and having a bolt pattern; and a second plurality of bolts extending substantially normally between the bolt patterns of the third and fourth frames in a third direction, the second plurality of bolts configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the second pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in the third direction. 21. The vessel of claim 20, wherein the third and fourth frames each further comprise a shear pin receptacle and wherein said connection system further comprises: a second shear pin extending in the third direction between the shear pin receptacles of the third and fourth frames, the second shear pin configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the second pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in a fourth direction normal to the third direction. 22. The vessel of claim 21, wherein the third direction is parallel to the first direction. 23. The vessel of claim 21, wherein the third direction is normal to the first direction. 24. A vessel comprising: a first pontoon barge and a second pontoon barge; a connection system operable to releasably couple said first and second pontoon barge to form a unitary, oceangoing vessel, said connection system comprising: a first frame coupled to the first pontoon barge, the first frame having a bolt pattern and a shear pin receptacle; a second frame coupled to the second pontoon barge, the second frame having a bolt pattern and a shear pin receptacle; a plurality of bolts extending substantially normally between the bolt patterns in a first direction, the first plurality of bolts configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the second pontoon barge in the first direction; and a shear pin extending in the first direction between the pin receptacles, the first shear pin configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon and the second pontoon barge in a second direction normal to the first direction; and a topsides supported thereon, wherein the topsides is configured for float-over installation onto a partially submerged semi-submersible having two or more legs spaced apart a distance greater than a length and a width of the coupled first and second pontoon barges. 25. A vessel comprising: a first pontoon barge and a second pontoon barge; and a connection system operable to releasably couple said first and second pontoon barges to form a unitary, oceangoing vessel, said connection system comprising: a first frame coupled to the first pontoon barge, the first frame having a bolt pattern and a shear pin receptacle; a second frame coupled to the second pontoon barge, the second frame having a bolt pattern and a shear pin receptacle; a plurality of bolts extending substantially normally between the bolt patterns in a first direction, the first plurality of bolts configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the second pontoon barge in the first direction; and a shear pin extending in the first direction between the pin receptacles, the first shear pin configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon and the second pontoon barge in a second direction normal to the first direction; and a spar hull supported thereon.