Barge pusher

Abstract

A sectional barge assembly and a hydraulic thruster apparatus for maneuvering the sectional barge assembly. The hydraulic thruster apparatus includes a hydraulic power unit and a thruster unit to move the barge assembly. A hydraulic connection panel is mounted on the thruster unit and includes a plurality of hydraulic connectors which allow a plurality of hydraulic lines to be removably connectable thereto, respectively. By this arrangement, the hydraulic pump provides pressurized hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic lines thereto the hydraulic motor and other components of the thruster unit. Additionally, the thruster unit includes at least one hydraulic cylinder for controlling vertical rectilinear sliding of a thruster unit mast between a top position and a bottom position. The thruster unit also includes a rotating mechanism for rotating the mast and a propeller assembly of the thruster unit about a longitudinal axis of the mast.

1 . A hydraulic thruster apparatus for maneuvering a marine vessel, the hydraulic thruster apparatus comprising:
 a hydraulic power unit positionable on a deck of the marine vessel, said hydraulic power unit comprising:
 an engine; and 
 a hydraulic pump connected to said engine; 
   a thruster unit connectable to the marine vessel, said thruster unit comprising:
 a frame removably connectable to the marine vessel; 
 a propeller assembly connected to said frame, said propeller assembly including:
 a hydraulic motor; and 
 a propeller drivingly connected to said hydraulic motor, whereby said propeller provides a thrust force that acts to move the marine vessel; 
 
 a rotating mechanism for rotating said propeller assembly about a generally vertical axis relative to said frame; and 
 a raising and lowering mechanism for controlling vertical rectilinear sliding of said propeller assembly relative to said frame; and 
   a hydraulic connection panel mounted on said thruster unit, wherein at least one of said hydraulic motor, said rotating mechanism, and said raising and lowering mechanism is hydraulically connected to said hydraulic power unit by way of said hydraulic connection panel.   
     
     
         2 . The hydraulic thruster apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said hydraulic motor, said rotating mechanism, and said raising and lowering mechanism are hydraulically connected to said hydraulic power unit by way of said hydraulic connection panel. 
     
     
         3 . The hydraulic thruster apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein all three of said hydraulic motor, said rotating mechanism, and said raising and lowering mechanism are hydraulically connected to said hydraulic power unit by way of said hydraulic connection panel. 
     
     
         4 . The hydraulic thruster apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said raising and lowering mechanism comprises a mast rotatably connected to said frame. 
     
     
         5 . The hydraulic thruster apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said hydraulic power unit comprises a plurality of first hydraulic lines in fluid communication with said hydraulic pump; and   said thruster unit comprises a plurality of second hydraulic lines in fluid communication with at least one of said hydraulic motor, said rotating mechanism, and said raising and lowering mechanism, said first hydraulic lines connected to at least some of said second hydraulic lines through said connection panel.   
     
     
         6 . The hydraulic thruster apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said hydraulic connection panel comprises a support member including a plurality of first hydraulic connectors and a plurality of second hydraulic connectors, said first hydraulic lines removably connectable to said first hydraulic connectors, respectively, and said second hydraulic lines connectable to said second hydraulic connectors, respectively, whereby said hydraulic pump provides pressurized hydraulic fluid through said first hydraulic lines and said second hydraulic lines to at least one of said hydraulic motor, said rotating mechanism, and said raising and lowering mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The hydraulic thruster apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least said first hydraulic connectors are quick connect fittings capable of being connected and disconnected without the use of tools. 
     
     
         8 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A thruster unit for maneuvering a marine vessel, the thruster unit comprising:
 a frame removably connectable to the marine vessel;   a mast rotatably connected to said frame;   a propeller assembly connected to said mast, said propeller assembly including:
 a motor; and 
 a propeller drivingly connected to said motor, whereby said propeller provides a thrust force that acts to move the marine vessel; 
   a rotating mechanism rotatably connected to and vertically supported on said frame, said mast engaged with said rotating mechanism for rotation therewith and vertical rectilinear sliding relative thereto,   wherein said rotating mechanism, said mast, and said propeller assembly rotate together about a longitudinal axis of said mast.   
     
     
         23 . The thruster unit of  claim 22 , wherein said rotating mechanism comprises a turntable bearing assembly. 
     
     
         24 . The thruster unit of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a steering motor mounted on said frame; and   a gear driven by said steering motor and drivingly connected to said turntable bearing assembly, whereby said steering motor drives said gear which rotates said turntable bearing assembly.   
     
     
         25 . The thruster unit of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a first key component located on said mast; and   a second key component located on said turntable bearing assembly, said first key component of said mast engaged with said second key component such that said turntable bearing assembly controls rotation of said mast relative to said frame and permits vertical sliding movement of said mast.   
     
     
         26 . The thruster unit of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a raising and lowering mechanism for controlling vertical rectilinear sliding of said mast relative to said frame between a top position and a bottom position.