Patent ID: 6550408
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A method of loading cargo packed in at least one floatable container onto a seaworthy vessel comprising:(i) first and second substantially parallel hulls which lie beneath the water surface; (ii) first and second hull tanks for regulating the draft and horizontal position of said vessel wherein when said hull tanks are substantially filled with water said vessel is at a loading draft and when said hull tanks are substantially filled with air said vessel is at voyage draft; (iii) a generally horizontal submersible platform; (iv) a bearing bar projecting from said platform; (v) a transverse truss coupled between said first and second hulls and generally perpendicular to said platform; (vi) a support rail on said transverse truss for engaging said bearing bar and supporting said platform; (vii) an air cell, subdivided longitudinally and transversely, beneath said platform; (viii) a first air compressor; (ix) first piping means for injecting air from said first air compressor into said air cell; (x) a first valve which regulates the flow of air from said first air compressor into said air cell; (xi) first vent piping means for ejecting air from said air cell; (xii) a second valve which regulates the venting of air from said air cell; (xiii) a second air compressor; (xiv) second piping means for injecting air from said second air compressor into said hull tanks; (xv) a third valve which regulates the flow of air from said second air compressor into said hull tanks; (xvi) second vent piping means for ejecting air from said hull tanks; (xvii) a fourth valve which regulates the venting of air from said hull tanks; (xviii) a first plurality of sensors mounted on said platform providing feed-back on depth of immersion and horizontal position of said platform to said central processor; (xix) a second plurality of sensors mounted on said hulls providing feed-back on depth of immersion and horizontal position of said hulls to said central processor; and (xx) a central processor including calculated flow rates for setting said first and third valves which regulate the flows of compressed air from said air compressors to said air cell and said hull tanks, respectively, and the calculated flow rates for said second and fourth valves which regulate the flows of air vented from said air cell and said hull tanks, respectively, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) submersing said platform beneath the water surface level wherein said platform is supported on said hulls when said vessel is at said loading draft; (b) floating said cargo above said platform; (c) injecting air from said first air compressor through said first piping means at a first calculated flow rate by said first valve until said platform first engages said cargo; (d) injecting air from said first air compressor through said first piping means at a second calculated flow rate by said first valve until said platform rises until it is at water level; (e) injecting air from said first air compressor through said first piping means at a third calculated flow rate by said first valve until platform is at a programmed freeboard level; (f) extending said support rail to engage said bearing bar; and (g) injecting air from said second air compressor through said second piping means until said vessel is at voyage draft.