TANK-BORNE PARTY FERRY Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC B63B35/36 B63B35/54 

FIELD: bridge crossing equipment; ferrying heavy materiel through river barriers.

SUBSTANCE: proposed ferry may be transported by land and may be launched into water by means of specialized vehicle. It is provided with deployment mechanisms articulated together and equipped with roadway built in decks, central propulsion pontoon and side hinged pontoons, deck house with control members, engine with its systems and propulsion and steering complex mounted in propulsion pontoons, fore and aft fairings with wash plates and swivel ramps mounted on side pontoons. Pontoons have similar displacement; they are divided into watertight compartments by means of bulkheads. Each ramp is made in form of watertight displacement-type skeleton imparting additional transversal stability to ferry during embarkation of tanks which may be locked in any position on hinged pontoon within preset angles of turn. Fore and aft deck parts of propulsion pontoon are extended beyond fore and aft transoms of side pontoons for position of fore superstructure on the extended parts together with built-in deckhouse and aft superstructure and laying the side pontoons between superstructures, thus transforming the ferry into three-tier stack when it is returned from deployed position to stowed position. Fuel tanks of engine supply system are arranged in middle compartment of central propulsion pontoon; they are arranged in groups located symmetrically relative to center of mass of ferry; each of them is provided with service tank fitted with fuel-contents gage and interconnected by means of pipe lines for centralized refueling through filler neck located in fore superstructure, thus ensuring smooth consumption of fuel from tanks both through service tanks and through one of them; provision is made for disconnection of group of tanks in case of damage to one of them with the aid of electric two-way valves. Propulsion and steering complex includes radial-type water-jet propellers at varying thrust vector; water-jet propellers are provided with vacuum pumps which are so mounted that air may be evacuated from water-jet propeller trunks which are filled with water before switching-on the pumps. Pumps may be switched on/off both automatically and manually from control console mounted in deckhouse.

EFFECT: increased cargo carrying capacity of ferry; improved running properties in shallow water; enhanced resistance to damage in combat.

10 cl, 9 dwg