Patent ID: 6799528
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
An integrated and self contained diesel hydraulic thruster system integral with a dynamic positioning control system for dynamic positioning of any waterborne vessel having a hull with at least two sides and a deck connecting the sides, comprising:a. at least two azimuthing thrusters, each removably mounted to the vessel, comprising: i. a skid removably secured to the deck; ii. an upper thruster housing, removably connected to the skid, containing steering gear with hydraulic slewing drive and electrical steering angle feedback sensors and a multi-port hydraulic swivel assembly; iii. a stem moveably connected with a connector to the skid; iv. a strut connected to the stem; v. a hydraulic pod connected to the strut; wherein the pod comprises a housing a hydraulic motor contained within the housing; vi. a drive shaft connected to the hydraulic motor on one end; vii. at least one propeller with nozzle connected to the drive shaft; and viii. a bundle of stem hydraulic hoses connecting on one end to the multi-port hydraulic swivel assembly and on the other end to the hydraulic motor; b. at least two self-contained diesel hydraulic power units removably secured to the deck, one for each thruster, comprising: i. a housing comprising a diesel engine with a fuel day tank, wherein the diesel engine is connected to a hydraulic pump with a hydraulic reservoir and a hydraulic cooler; ii. a cooling system for the engine; iii. an exhaust system for the engine; iv. an alternator for the engine; v. an electrical control system for the engine; vi. an electric starter for the engine; vii. a battery for the engine; and viii. a bundle of hydraulic hoses and an electrical control cable, each having a first and second end, wherein each the first ends are secured to the hydraulic power unit and the other ends are secured to the thruster skid; c. at least one dynamic positioning computer connected to each of the self contained diesel hydraulic power units; d. at least one motion reference sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer to correct reference position signals for motion of the vessel; e. at least one heading sensor; and f. at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of position reference sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer; environmental sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer; and combinations thereof.