MODULAR BARGE

Abstract

A modular barge has a plurality of barge sections. Each barge section has first and second connections on opposite sides of the barge body. The connections include top connectors adjacent to the top surface of the barge body, an insert or receiver adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body, and an engagement profile disposed between the first top connector and the receiver that includes a lateral component. The first and second barge sections of the plurality of barge sections are connected by engaging the insert and receivers of the barge sections, engaging the engagement profiles of the first and second barge sections, and connecting the top connectors of the first and second barge section.

Claims

1. A modular barge, comprising: a plurality of barge sections, each barge section comprising: a barge body having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first set of connections on a first side of the barge body, the first set of connections comprising: a first top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; a receiver adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body; and a first engagement profile disposed between the first top connector and the receiver, the first engagement profile comprising a lateral component; and a second set of connections on a second side of the barge body that is opposite the first side, the second set of connections comprising: a second top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; an insert adjacent to the bottom surface; and a second engagement profile disposed between the second top connector and the insert, the second engagement profile being sized and configured to engage the first engagement profile; wherein first and second barge sections of the plurality of barge sections are adapted to be connected by: engaging the insert of the first barge section and the receiver of the second barge section; engaging the first engagement profile of the first barge section and the second engagement profile of the second barge section; and connecting the first top connector of the first barge section and the second top connector of the second barge section.

2. The modular barge of claim 1, wherein the first top connector comprises a first recess that extends along the first side of the barge body and the second top connector comprises a second recess along the second side of the barge body.

3. The modular barge of claim 2, wherein the first recess and the second recess are defined by flanges, each flange having a series of pin-receiving apertures, and wherein the first top connector and the second top connector are adapted to be connected using pin connectors.

4. The modular barge of claim 2, wherein the first recess and the second recess define equipment-mounting profiles.

5. The modular barge of claim 4, wherein the equipment-mounting profiles are adapted to receive bottom skids of mounted equipment.

6. The modular barge of claim 1, wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile define a tongue and groove connection that is configured to resist relative vertical movement when engaged.

7. The modular barge of claim 1, wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile comprise one or more corresponding protrusions and recesses that are configured to resist relative vertical and lateral movement when engaged.

8. The modular barge of claim 1, wherein the barge body further comprises a third side and a fourth side that extend in parallel spaced relation between the first side and the second side of the barge body, wherein the third side comprises a third set of connections that are the same as the first set of connections, and the fourth side comprises a fourth set of connections that are the same as the second set of connections.

9. The modular barge of claim 1, wherein: the receiver comprises a lateral channel that has a length that extends along the first side of the body; and the insert comprises an elongate body mounted adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body that is sized and adapted to be received within the lateral channel.

10. The modular barge of claim 1, wherein: the insert is adapted to be lowered into engagement with the receiver of the first set of connections, wherein the engagement between the insert and the receiver permits limited vertical movement of the first side of the first barge section relative to the second side of the second barge section; and the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile are adapted to engage as the first barge section moves laterally relative to the second barge section and as the insert engages the receiver, and such that the first top connector is adjacent to the second top connector.

11. The modular barge of claim 1, further comprising at least one equipment module, the at least one equipment module comprising one or more module attachments adapted to connect to the first set of connections or the second set of connections.

12. A method of assembling a modular barge, comprising: providing a plurality of barge sections, each barge section comprising: a barge body having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first set of connections on a first side of the barge body, the first set of connections comprising: a first top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; a receiver adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body; and a first engagement profile disposed between the first top connector and the receiver, the first engagement profile comprising a lateral component; and a second set of connections on a second side of the barge body that is opposite the first side, the second set of connections comprising: a second top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; an insert adjacent to the bottom surface; and a second engagement profile disposed between the second top connector and the insert, the second engagement profile being sized to engage the first engagement profile; and attaching a first barge section and a second barge section of the plurality of barge sections by: engaging the insert of the first barge section and the receiver of the second barge section; engaging the first engagement profile of the first barge section and the second engagement profile of the second barge section; and connecting the first top connector of the first barge section and the second top connector of the second barge section.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first top connector comprises a first recess that extends along the first side of the barge body and the second top connector comprises a second recess along the second side of the barge body.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first recess and the second recess are defined by flanges, each flange having a series of pin-receiving apertures, the method further comprising the step of connecting the first top connector and the second top connector using pin connectors.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first recess and the second recess define equipment-mounting profiles, and the method further comprises the step of installing equipment by inserting and securing bottom skids of the equipment in the first recess and the second recess of at least one of the first barge section and the second barge section.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile define a tongue and groove connection that are configured to resist relative vertical movement when engaged.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile comprise one or more corresponding protrusions and recesses that are configured to resist relative vertical and lateral movement when engaged.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein: the barge body of each barge section further comprises a third side and a fourth side that extend in parallel spaced relation between the first side and the second side of the barge body; the third side comprises a third set of connections that are the same as the first set of connections, and the fourth side comprises a fourth set of connections that are the same as the second set of connections; and the method further comprises the steps of engaging additional barge sections of the plurality of barge sections by engaging the first sets of connections and the second sets of connections, and the third sets of connections and the fourth sets of connections of adjacent ones of the plurality of barge sections.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein: the receiver comprises a lateral channel that has a length that extends along the first side of the body; and the insert comprises an elongate body mounted adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body that is sized and adapted to be received within the lateral channel.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: with the first barge section at an angle relative to the second barge section, lowering the insert of the second set of connections into engagement with the receiver of the first set of connections; and engaging the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile as the first barge section moves laterally relative to the second barge section, and such that the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile move substantially laterally into engagement; and connecting the first top connector to the second top connector.

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: providing one or more equipment modules having at least one module attachment that is adapted to connect to the first set of connections or the second set of connections; and mounting the one or more equipment modules to the plurality of barge sections using the at least one module attachments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barge section.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a partially transparent, side elevation view of a barge section.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a detailed side elevation view of side surfaces of adjacent barge sections.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevation view of partially-engaged side surfaces of adjacent barge sections.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a detailed side elevation view of engaged side surfaces of adjacent barge sections.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a top exploded view of a modular barge including multiple barge sections.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of equipment mounted to a top surface of a modular barge section.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of equipment mounted to a top surface of an alternative modular barge section.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a modular barge with equipment attached to the barge sections.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a barge section with equipment attached.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative barge section.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of an alternative barge section.

[0022] FIGS. 13-15 are detailed side elevation views of corners of a barge section.

[0023] FIGS. 16-19 are perspective views of modular barges in different configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] A modular barge, generally identified by reference numeral 100, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through 19.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 9, modular barge 100 is made up of multiple barge sections 10. The depicted modular barge 100 may be as shown or may more or fewer sections, or may have different ancillary equipment 57 attached.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, each barge section 10 has a barge body 12 having a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16, a first side 18 and a second side 20 that is opposite first side 18. Referring to FIG. 2, barge section 10 may be designed such that, in used, top surface 14 and bottom surface 16 are generally parallel to a water surface 22 with top surface 14 at or above water surface 22 when the barge body is suspended in a body of water. As shown, first and second sides 18 and 20 may be generally perpendicular to water surface 22, with top surface 14 and bottom surface 16 designed to be parallel to a lateral plane that corresponds with the water surface 22 that is expected during use.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, barge body 12 of barge section 10 may include a structural frame 102, that are connected together in a structural frame. For example, structural frame 102 may be made up of structural members that may be welded, pin connected, or otherwise attached together as a truss frame. Structural frame 102 may be made from standard metal, such as I-beams, angle iron, square tubing, round tubing, channel, etc. and may be a combination of different types of structural pieces. By way of example, top connectors 32 and 42 discussed below may be U-channels, and square tubing and I-beams may be used for engagement profiles 36 and 46 discussed below. In this manner, barge body 12 may be made from standard components without requiring any custom pieces that may otherwise need to be cast or machined, while providing a high degree of strength. Buoyancy may be provided by floats 104, such as hollow HDPE (high density polyethylene) containers, which are carried within structural frame 102, and may be spaced from the outer surface to provide some additional protection against damage. Each float 104 may be pressurized and may include a pressure sensor 108 that allows a change in pressure occurs to be detected, which may be indicative of a loss of pressure. Sensors 108 may communicate by a wired connection or a wireless connection to a controller or operator interface. For example, sensors 108 may communicate readings or status via a Wi-fi connection to a controller or operator interface. Barge sections 10 may be provided with cladding around floats 104, including decking on top surface 14 for a work surface, or may have one or more exposed sides. In any event, where buoyancy is provided by floats 104, the cladding may not be required to be water-or air-tight, although it may be useful to do so in some circumstances. In addition, while cladding may contribute to structural integrity, the strength may be primarily primary determined by the design of structural frame 102. This may be particularly useful in designing barge 100 to resist damage from work operations, collisions with other operations, or the like.

[0028] Barge sections 10 may be provided with lift points, such as a lift ring 106, which allows barge sections 10 to be lifted and moved by a crane or other lifting equipment. Lift ring 106 may be positioned in the center as shown so that only one lift point is required. Other lift point arrangements may also be used. Lift ring 106 or other lift points may be used to facilitate the assembly discussed below. By having a lift ring 106 centered in barge section 10, it may be easier to manipulate and pivot barge sections 10 in making up the connections between adjacent barge sections 10, which may be done either on land or in the water.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, first side 18 of barge body 12 has a first set of connections 30 that include a first top connector 32 adjacent to top surface 14, a receiver 34 adjacent to bottom surface 16, and a first engagement profile 36 disposed between first top connector 32 and receiver 34. Second side 20 of barge body 12 has a second set of connections 40 that include a second top connector 42 adjacent to top surface 14, an insert 44 adjacent to bottom surface 16, and a second engagement profile 46 disposed between second top connector 42 and insert 44.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3 through 5, when first and second sets of connections 30 and 40 are made up, first top connector 32 and second top connector 42 may be positioned in first and second recesses 52 and 54, respectively, that extend along first and second sides 18 and 20 of top surface 14. First and second top connectors 32 and 42 may comprise a series of pin-receiving apertures 56 that are spaced along, and recessed within, first and second recesses 52 and 54. Pin connectors, such as a nuts and bolts 58, may extend through pin-receiving apertures 56 to secure first and second top connectors 32 and 42. Off-the-shelf nuts and bolts 58 may be used, such that they are easily installed and replaced if damaged or lost and avoids the difficulties associated with custom parts. Nuts and bolts 58 may also be tightened to a desired torque, which may then be measured and recorded for quality assurance. It will be noted that other components that are part of connections 30 and 40 and allow adjacent barge sections 10 to be attached are structurally attached to barge body 12.

[0031] First engagement profile 36 and second engagement profile 46 each extend along first and second sides 18 and 20. As shown, first and second engagement profiles 36 and 46 are substantially horizontal, although other orientations may be used, provided that first and second engagement profiles 36 and 46 are able to enter into engagement as discussed herein. In some examples, first engagement profile 36 and second engagement profile 46 may define one or more tongue and groove connections that extend parallel to the lateral plane.

[0032] In the example depicted in FIG. 1, second engagement profile 46 is made up of matching tongue and groove profiles that, when made up, resist relative vertical movement of adjacent barge bodies 12. Second engagement profile 46 may also have profile elements that resist relative lateral (i.e., horizontal) movement of adjacent barge bodies 12. In the example depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, second engagement profile 46 is made up of a series of tongue and groove profiles, spaced vertically along the sides of barge bodies 12 as well as discrete protrusions 70 and matching recesses 72 that, when made up, resist both relative vertical and horizontal movement of barge bodies 12. Protrusions and recesses 72 may be in line with the tongue and groove profiles, or may be offset. Second engagement profile 46 may also be made up entirely of discrete protrusions 70 and/or recesses 72 that are arrayed on the side of barge body 12. Protrusions 70 and recesses 72 may be contoured to facilitate being made up in the manner described below.

[0033] As shown, receiver 34 is a lateral channel that has a length that extends along first side 18 of barge body 12 and a width that extends out from first side 18 of barge body 12. Insert 44 is an elongate body that extends along second side 20 of barge body 12 and as shown, underlies bottom surface 16, however insert 44 may be positioned at any suitable position to allow engagement with receiver 34. Insert 44 is sized to be received within receiver 34. As shown, receiver 34 is a V-channel, and insert 44 is a V-shaped body. Other cross-sections may also be used. In some examples, a cross-section of receiver 34 and insert 44 may be selected that permits limited rotational movement to facilitate the connection procedure between first and second barge sections 10A and 10B. Receiver 34 and insert 44 may also be designed such that, when engaged, the engagement resists lateral movement. When engaged, receiver 34 and insert 44 may also provide some vertical support however the primary purpose is to provide support against lateral movement. Connections 30 and 40 may be designed to resist relative lateral movement, vertical movement, and rotational movement. Connections 30 and 40 may also be designed to be sufficiently strong to allow one barge units 10A to support another. This may be particularly useful, for example, where wheels or other transport equipment are attached to connections 30 and 40 as discussed below.

[0034] The connection profiles described above are intended to resist relative movement of adjacent and connected barge bodies 12. As operations proceed with modular barge 10, which may include moving modular barge 10 mounting or dismounting equipment, or performing operations, relative movement to be resisted may include roll, pitch, or yaw of adjacent barge bodies 12, in addition to relative In some examples, vertical or lateral movement.

[0035] An example of a connection procedure will now be described. Referring to FIG. 3, first barge section 10A and second barge section 10B are shown prior to being connected. Referring to FIG. 4, first and/or second barge sections 10A and 10B may be tilted slightly to allow insert 44 to engage receiver 34. In the depicted example, this requires insert 44 to be raised above receiver 34, and first and second sides 18 and 20 tilted back relative to each other to prevent First and second engagement profiles 36 and 38 from interfering with the movement of first and second barge sections 10A and 10B. Once insert 44 and receiver 34 are engaged, the tolerances or the shape of insert 44 and receiver 34 may allow for some limited pivotal movement. This may facilitate the next step, shown in FIG. 5, where barge sections 10A and 10B are then be returned to a substantially horizontal orientation, causing engagement profiles 36 and 46 to engage, and placing first and second top connectors 32 and 42 adjacent to each other. Referring to FIG. 6, first and second top connectors 32 and 42 may then be connected together, such as by inserting pin connectors 58 through pin-receiving apertures 56. Once engaged, first and second top connectors 32 and 42 restrict relative lateral movement of top surfaces 14; the engagement between receiver 34 and insert 44 restrict relative lateral movement of bottom surfaces 16; and the engagement between engagement profiles 36 and 46 restrict relative vertical movement of first and second sides 18 and 20.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 11, each barge section 10 may include a third side 60 that has a third set of connections 62 that are similar to first set of connections 30 and a fourth side 64 with a fourth set of connections 66 that are similar to second set of connections 40. Third and fourth sides 60 and 64 extend in parallel spaced relation between first side 18 and second side 20 of barge body 12. In this manner, an arbitrary number of barge sections 10 may be connected together.

[0037] In some examples, referring to FIG. 7, first and second recesses 52 and 54 may be used as equipment-mounting profiles that allow equipment 57 to be mounted to top surface 14 of barge body 12. For example, recesses 52 and 54 may be sized and separated to receive bottom skids 55 of mounted equipment. In the depicted example, the spacing between first and second recesses 52 and 54 may be designed to be a standard distance apart to permit connection. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 8, there may be additional recesses 52A and 54A that are separate from recesses 52 and 54 where barge body 12 is not conducive to a standard side. In such a case, where additional recesses 52A and 54A are present, the design of first and second top connectors 32 and 42 may be varied, and may not be provided with recesses 52 and 54. Equipment skids 55 may be installed and secured within recesses 52 and 54 using pin-receiving apertures 56, or another suitable connection. First and second recesses 52 and 54 (or 52A and 54A) may be used to mount equipment 57 such as matting, lifting tools such as gantries and cranes, pulling tools such as winches, power packs, icebreaking tools, excavating tools, dredges, drills, safety railings, and crew cabins to be mounted to barges sections 10. Where recess 52/54 are U-channels, the attachment piece carried by equipment 57 that is inserted into the respective recess may be a slightly smaller U channel that fits inside recess 52/54, and may be designed to be secured using a similar connection, such as by the same pin connectors 58 that are used to attach adjacent barge sections 10.

[0038] In other examples, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, equipment 59 may be connected to the side of modular barge 100 in the same manner that barge sections 10 are connected together. Module equipment 59 may include propulsion units, wheels, cranes, bumpers, crew workspace, or other equipment that may be beneficially mounted to the side of modular barge 100. Module equipment 59 may include module connectors 68 that are similar to first and/or section sets of connections 30 and 40, depending on the side to which equipment 59 will be mounted. Module equipment 59 may be shorter (or longer) than barge section 10 to which it is mounted. If module connectors 68 are also sufficiently strong to be load-bearing, modular barge 100 may be provided with module equipment 59 in the form of wheels or skids that allow modular barge 100 to be pulled onto shore. Module equipment 59 is motorized or otherwise powered such that it may be mobile in water and/or on land. By way of example, module equipment 59 may be hydraulic thrusters or other suitably powered propulsion units. Module equipment 59 may be designed to engage connections 30 and/or 40 in the same manner as adjacent barge sections 10 to improve the strength of the connections, and may be sufficiently strong to support the weight of modular barge 100.

[0039] Where connections 30 and 40 are uniform or repeated in a predictable pattern, modular barge 100 may have different configurations by varying the connections between barge sections 10, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 16-19. Referring to FIG. 16, barge sections 10 are connected in end-to-end and side-to-side configurations, to form a rectangular or square modular barge 100. Referring to FIG. 17, some barge sections are connected with ends adjacent to sides, to form a hollow rectangular modular barge 100. Referring to FIG. 18, barge sections 10 are connected in an offset arrangement, and in FIG. 19, barge sections 10 are connected in an overlapping connection to form a T-shaped modular barge 100. As can be seen, if the connections are designed to be substantially universal, various types of configurations are possible, depending on the preferences of the user and the requirements of any given implementation.

[0040] In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0041] The scope of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples above and in the drawings, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.