FLOATING DOCK AND METHOD OF SELF-DOCKING Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: ship-repairing; building of self-docking docks. SUBSTANCE: floating dock has side horizontal ballast tanks to which transversal beams are connected; deck plating is laid in these beams; ballast tanks are provided with vertical side walls. In center plane of dock there are at least two central horizontal ballast tanks located in one axis; these tanks are articulated for turn about this axis. Transversal beams are connected with central ballast tanks by means of detachable lock joints fitted in lower and upper parts of central tanks and in upper and lower parts of extremity of transversal beams. Method of self-docking of such dock consists in disconnection of lock joints, receiving ballast in ballast tanks, securing lock joints in new position and discharging ballast for floating of dock. It is good practice to receive ballast in side tanks for drying of central tanks and to secure lock joints in second position. For drying side tanks, it is good practice to receive ballast in central tanks and to secure lock joints in third position and to receive ballast in one side tank after floating. Proposed method facilitates operation of dock in pilotage of dock in water lines. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency; reduction of transversal bending moment. 6 cl, 11 dwg