DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A PONTOON FOR PREVENTING A PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO A MARINE VESSEL

Applicant:
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Under Ministry of Defence,
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
Having address:
Dockyard Road, Mazagon,
Mumbai - 400010, Maharashtra, India

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY

[001] The present application claims priority from Indian Patent application no. (201821043314) filed on 17th November, 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a pontoon. More particularly, the pontoon further relates to prevent physical damage to a marine vessel.

BACKGROUND

[003] Generally, when a marine vessel like a submarine is berthed alongside a tug it is subjected to tidal variations. Considering a cylindrical hull form of the submarine, during tidal variations there is possibility exists that the submarine slams against the tug causing damages to the cylindrical hull and the propeller. A physical damage to the critical appendage like propeller leads to delay in the construction period by several months.

[004] Further, it is to be noted that, generally, during the construction phase and trails of the submarine, the submarine has to undergo numerous cold movements involving two tugs pushing the submarine from both port and starboard side. However, during cold movement of the submarine, it has been observed that the fenders, which are being used as a safe barrier between tug and submarine, were submerged when the submarine was pushed by tugs from both sides, thereby establishing the contacts between the submarine and tug and thus causing damage for both the tug and submarine hulls.

SUMMARY

[005] Before the present a pontoon for preventing a physical damage to a marine vessel, is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular systems, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular implementations or versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to the pontoon. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[006] In one implementation, a pontoon for preventing a physical damage to a marine vessel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pontoon comprises a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of reinforcement members, a deck, a plurality of fenders, and a plurality of twin bollards. In another embodiment, during assembly the plurality of sidewalls are joined to form a rectangular structure. In one another embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement members are mounted at an inner surface of the plurality of side walls to form a plurality of bulkheads.

[007] In one more embodiment, the deck is mounted on a top portion of the plurality of sidewalls. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of fenders are spaced at an equal distance from each other, further, the plurality of fenders has a D shape, and a flat portion of the D shape is mounted on an outer surface of the plurality of sidewalls. In one aspect, the plurality of twin bollards are mounted on the top surface of the deck and are located at each corner of the deck. In another aspect, during movement, the pontoon is disposed between the marine vessel and a tug using a plurality of ropes tied to the plurality of twin bollards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating of the present subject matter, an example of construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures; however, the invention is not limited to the specific system disclosed in the document and the figures.

[009] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a pontoon, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a pontoon, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a top view a tug, a pontoon, and a marine vessel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “preventing”, "comprising," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although a pontoon, similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, is now described. The disclosed embodiments for the pontoon is merely example of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0014] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments for the pontoon. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure for the pontoon is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

[0015] As described above, in order to avoid physical damage to a marine vessel like a submarine, conventionally, rubber fenders are placed between the marine vessel and a tug. However, the rubber fenders being round in shape similar to that of submarine fails to provide adequate protection for the marine vessel. Moreover, as the submarine is kept directly near the tug, it is not possible to maintain equidistance from the tug due to shape of the submarine that adds more problems to the safety. Thus there is a need overcome the limitation of the conventional systems.

[0016] In one implementation, a pontoon for preventing a physical damage to a marine vessel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pontoon comprises a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of reinforcement members, a deck, a plurality of fenders, and a plurality of twin bollards. In another embodiment, during assembly the plurality of sidewalls are joined to form a rectangular structure. In one another embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement members are mounted at an inner surface of the plurality of side walls to form a plurality of bulkheads. In one more embodiment, the deck is mounted on a top portion of the plurality of sidewalls.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the plurality of fenders are spaced at an equal distance from each other, further, the plurality of fenders has a D shape, and a flat portion of the D shape is mounted on an outer surface of the plurality of sidewalls. In one aspect, the plurality of twin bollards are mounted on the top surface of the deck and are located at each corner of the deck. In another aspect, during movement, the pontoon is disposed between the marine vessel and a tug using a plurality of ropes tied to the plurality of twin bollards.

[0018] In one embodiment, there may include an advantage, that is, the pontoon provides protection for the marine vessel against any physical damage when berthed alongside the tug, due to the plurality of fenders.

[0019] Now, referring to Figures 1-2, Figure 1 illustrates a front view 100 of a pontoon for preventing a physical damage to a marine vessel. The marine vessel may be a ship, a boat, a submarine and the like. Figure 2 illustrates a top view 200 of the pontoon.

[0020] The pontoon may be used for Scorpene class submarine. In one aspect, the pontoon may be a non-propelled barge. Further, the present subject is explained with reference to Figures 1 to 2, in order to maintain the readability of the present subject matter.

[0021] In one embodiment, various elements of the pontoon for preventing physical damage to a marine vessel is illustrated. In one implementation, the pontoon comprises a plurality of sidewalls 110, a plurality of reinforcement members 108, a deck 106, a plurality of fenders 202, and a plurality of twin bollards 102. In one aspect, during assembly the plurality of sidewalls 110 are joined to form a rectangular structure. Further, the plurality of reinforcement members 108 are mounted at an inner surface of the plurality of sidewalls 110 to form a plurality of bulkheads. The bulkheads may be used to store fuel or water. Furthermore, the deck 106 is mounted on a top portion of the bulkhead created by the plurality of sidewalls 110.

[0022] In addition, the plurality of fenders 202 are spaced at an equal distance from each other, whereas the plurality of fenders 202 has a D shape, and a flat portion of the D shape is mounted on an outer surface of the plurality of sidewalls 110. The plurality of fenders 202 may be bolted to the outer surface of the plurality of sidewalls 110.

[0023] In another aspect, the plurality of twin bollards 102 are mounted on the top surface of the deck 106 and are located at each corner of the deck 106. In another embodiment, the plurality of air escape pipes 104 are located on the top surface of the deck 106. The plurality of air escape pipes 104 removes air from the plurality of bulkheads.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, a plurality of threaded strips 206 may be located on the top surface of the deck 106, and the plurality of threaded strips 206 are spaced at an equal distance from each other. In one implementation, a plurality of manholes 204 may be located on a top surface of the deck 106. In one more embodiment, the plurality of threaded strips 206 may be rectangular.

[0025] Now referring to figure 3, figure 3 illustrates a top view 300 of the pontoon, a tug 306, and the marine vessel 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0026] In one implementation, the pontoon is disposed between the marine vessel 304 and the tug 306, when the marine vessel 304 in the water 308 is berthed alongside the tug 306. Further, the pontoon may be berthed by using a plurality of ropes 302.

[0027] The plurality of ropes 302 may be tied to the plurality of twin bollards 102, the tug 306 and the marine vessel 304 to be berthed. The tug may be a tugboat or a type of a marine vessel that may move other marine vessels by pushing or pulling the marine vessels. The pontoon may be used to absorb the kinetic energy form the marine vessel 304 or the tug 306 while movement in the water 308 in order to prevent physical damage or to provide a safe barrier between the marine vessel 304 and the tug 306 during cold movement (non-self-propelling).

[0028] In subsequent embodiment, the dimensions of the pontoon are mentioned in the table:

Length overall 12.00 meter
Beam 4.50 meter
Depth 2.2 meter
Max Draft 0.7 meter

[0029] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide an advantage, this may include the following.

[0030] Some embodiments of the pontoon provides protection for the marine vessel 304 against any physical damage when berthed alongside the tug 306.

[0031] Although implementations for the pontoon have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementation for the pontoon.
,CLAIMS:
1. A pontoon for preventing a physical damage to a marine vessel, wherein the pontoon comprises:
a plurality of side walls (110), wherein during assembly the plurality of side walls (110) are joined to form a rectangular structure;
a plurality of reinforcement members (108), wherein the plurality of reinforcement members (108) are mounted at an inner surface of the plurality of side walls (110) to form a plurality of bulkheads;
a deck (106), wherein the deck (106) is mounted on a top portion of the plurality of side walls (110);
a plurality of fenders (202), wherein the plurality of fenders (202) are spaced at an equal distance from each other, wherein the plurality of fenders (202) has a D shape, wherein a flat portion of the D shape is mounted on an outer surface of the plurality of side walls (110);
a plurality of twin bollards (102), wherein the plurality of twin bollards (102) are mounted on the top surface of the deck (106) and are located at each corner of the deck (106),
wherein during movement, a pontoon is disposed between the marine vessel (304) and a tug (306) using a plurality of ropes (302) tied to the plurality of twin bollards (102).

2. The pontoon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pontoon is for a Scorpene class submarine.

3. The pontoon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pontoon is a non-propelled barge.

4. The pontoon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bulkheads are used to store fuel or water.

5. The pontoon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fenders (202) are bolted to the outer surface of the plurality of sidewalls (110).

6. The pontoon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pontoon comprises a plurality of air escape pipes (104), wherein the plurality of air escape pipes (104) are configured to remove air from the plurality of bulkheads.

7. The pontoon as claimed in claim 1, the pontoon comprises a plurality of manholes (204), wherein the plurality of manholes (204) are located on a top surface of the deck (106).

8. The pontoon as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of air escape pipes (104) are located on the top surface of the deck (106).

9. The pontoon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pontoon comprises a plurality of threaded strips (206), wherein the plurality of threaded strips (206) are located on the top surface of the deck (106) , wherein the plurality of threaded strips (206) are spaced at an equal distance from each other, wherein the plurality of threaded strips (206) are rectangular in shape.