USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Ely G Fishlowitz

Vincent J Castelli

Wayne C Jones

Joseph F Korczynski, Jr

A dynamic ramp interface system to allow a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ship to unload and load onto a pier, floating storage facility, or other ship during high sea states. The dynamic ramp interface system includes a motion compensation damping system attached to a first platform, a first ramp also attached to the first platform leading up to the motion compensation damping system, and second ramp that is hingedly connected to a second platform and also leading to the motion compensation damping system. The motion compensation damping system includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a series of interconnected hollow bladders, and a pivot support structure. Through this arrangement, the top plate is allowed to pivot relative to the bottom plate, with the bladder system providing a damping effect. The first ramp is slideably in communication with the top plate by means of a set of articulated fingers. The second ramp is also slideably in communication with the top plate. When used for unloading a roll-on/roll-off ship, the first platform would likely be a pier or floating storage facility, the second platform would be the roll-on/roll-off ship, and the second ramp would be the roll-on/roll-off ship's ramp. By means of the dynamic ramp interface system described herein, the roll-on/roll-off ship would be able to load and unload its cargo in both normal conditions and during high sea states.

Dynamic ramp interface system

A method for the manufacture of underwater flotation spheres using a persl computer and spreadsheet linked to a numerical control machine is provided. Base data is entered into the spreadsheet and may be verified. Formulae for the design equations are entered and computed for each sphere with data in the spreadsheet. The results of the calculations are readily available and may be displayed in a graphical manner. Sphere design geometry is transmitted to the controller of a numerical controlled (NC) machine. The NC machine produces finished spheres.

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Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Ely G Fishlowitz