The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 27, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 30, 2000
Vincent J. Castelli, Severna Park, MD (US);
Joseph F. Korczynski, Jr., Glen Burnie, MD (US);
Wayne C. Jones, Baltimore, MD (US);
Ely G. Fishlowitz, Silver Spring, MD (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
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.