Systems, apparatus, and methods for transporting vessels

Abstract

Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A vessel transfer system, the system comprising:
 a vessel cradle comprising a cradle frame configured to support a vessel;   a bogie train comprising a plurality of bogies linked together, wherein each bogie comprises a bogie frame, a wheel coupled with the bogie frame, a lift cylinder coupled with the bogie frame, and a cradle coupler on the lift cylinder, wherein the cradle coupler is configured to engage with the vessel cradle.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the vessel transfer system has at least two configurations, the at least two configurations including:
 a first configuration wherein the lift cylinders are retracted, the cradle couplers are clear of the vessel cradle, and the vessel cradle is at a first height; and   a second configuration wherein the lift cylinders are extended, the cradle couplers are engaged with the vessel cradle, and the vessel cradle is lifted to a second height, wherein the second height is greater than the first height.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein each lift cylinder comprises a rod engaged within a cylinder, and wherein each cradle coupler comprises a flange on the rod, the flange configured to engaged with cradle frame. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein each flange is configured to mechanically lock onto the cradle frame. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein each lift cylinder is a hydraulic lift cylinder. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein each hydraulic lift cylinder is a double-acting hydraulic lift cylinder. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein each lift cylinder is a hydraulic lift cylinder, and wherein each bogie comprises a hydraulic drive coupled with the wheel of the bogie and configured to drive operation of the wheel. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein each hydraulic drive comprises a motor and gearbox coupled with a drive adaptor, and wherein the drive adapter is coupled with the wheel. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 a lateral transfer drive assembly comprising a frame coupled with the bogie train; and   a hydraulic power unit on the frame of the lateral transfer drive assembly, wherein the hydraulic power unit is hydraulically coupled with each hydraulic lift cylinder and with each hydraulic drive, and wherein the hydraulic power unit is configured to drive operation of each hydraulic lift cylinder and each hydraulic drive.   
     
     
         54 . A method of moving a cradled vessel within a shipyard, the method comprising:
 a cradled vessel comprising a vessel supported on a vessel cradle, wherein the cradled vessel is positioned at a first location in the shipyard;   positioning a first bogie train beneath the vessel cradle and positioning a second bogie train beneath the vessel cradle, wherein the first and second bogie trains each comprise a plurality of bogies linked together, wherein each bogie comprises a bogie frame, a wheel coupled with the bogie frame, a lift cylinder coupled with the bogie frame, and a cradle coupler on the lift cylinder;   actuating the lift cylinders to engage the cradle couplers with the vessel cradle and to lift the cradled vessel above a surface of the shipyard;   actuating the wheels to move the bogie train within the shipyard, thereby moving the cradled vessel from the first location to a second location in the shipyard; and   actuating the lift cylinders to lower the cradled vessel onto the shipyard at the second location and to disengage the cradle couplers from the vessel cradle.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein engaging the cradle couplers with the vessel cradle comprises coupling a flange of the lift cylinder with a frame of the vessel cradle. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein each lift cylinder is a hydraulic lift cylinder, and wherein each bogie comprises a hydraulic drive coupled with the wheel of the bogie and configured to drive operation of the wheel. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein actuating the lift cylinders comprises providing hydraulic pressure to the lift cylinders, and wherein actuating the wheels comprise providing hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic drives. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the hydraulic pressure is provided from a hydraulic power unit, the hydraulic power unit positioned on a lateral transfer drive assembly having a frame coupled with the bogie trains, wherein the hydraulic power unit is hydraulically coupled with each hydraulic lift cylinder and with each hydraulic drive. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein engaging the cradle couplers with the vessel cradle comprises mechanically locking the cradle couplers with the vessel cradle. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising, while moving the cradled vessel from the first location to the second location, maintaining the cradled vessel level and equally distributing load amongst the wheels by selectively actuating the lift members of the first and second bogie trains. 
     
     
         61 . A vessel transfer system, the system comprising:
 a vessel cradle comprising a cradle frame configured to support a vessel;   a first bogie train comprising a plurality of bogies linked together;   a second bogie train comprising a plurality of bogies linked together;   wherein each bogie of the first and second bogie trains comprises a bogie frame, a wheel coupled with the bogie frame, a hydraulic drive coupled with the wheel and configured to drive the wheel, a hydraulic lift cylinder coupled with the bogie frame, and a cradle coupler on the lift cylinder, wherein the cradle coupler is configured to engage with the vessel cradle; and   a hydraulic power unit hydraulically coupled with each hydraulic lift cylinder and with each hydraulic drive, wherein the hydraulic power unit is configured to drive operation of each hydraulic lift cylinder and each hydraulic drive.   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising a lateral transfer drive assembly comprising a frame coupled with the first and second bogie trains, wherein the hydraulic power unit is positioned on the frame of the lateral transfer drive assembly. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein each hydraulic lift cylinder is a double-acting hydraulic lift cylinder comprising a rod engaged within a cylinder. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein each hydraulic drive comprises a motor and gearbox coupled with a drive adaptor, and wherein each drive adapter is coupled with at least one of the wheels.