Remote-Controlled Inflatable Fender System and Methods

Abstract

An inflatable fender system for a marine vessel provides one or more inflatable bladders with air control valves and residing along a fender substrate, a stanchion, a housing containing the stanchion, and one or more tracks disposed along the hull of the marine vessel for guiding and supporting the fender substrate. The fender system includes an inflator for inflating the one or more inflatable bladders, and a control system for sequential operation. The fender substrate comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, with air pockets forming the bladders. The substrate is fabricated from a durable, waterproof material. The system is designed for efficient storage and deployment, accommodating various hull contours and vessel features. Methods of use are also provided.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An inflatable fender system for a marine vessel, the marine vessel having a hull, and the inflatable fender system comprising:
 at least one pneumatic pump;   a first stanchion;   a first upper guide track extending along at least a portion of the hull; and   a first fender substrate wound around the first stanchion;   and wherein the first fender substrate comprises:
 a first end secured to the first stanchion, and a second end opposite the first end; 
 a plurality of bladders residing along the first fender substrate between the first end and the second end; 
 a top side operatively secured to the first upper guide track and configured to be moved along the first upper guide track as the fender substrate is unwound from the first stanchion; 
 an air channel configured to move a flow of air from the at least one pneumatic pump into each of the plurality of bladders after the first fender substrate has been unwound from its respective stanchion, thereby forming a first fender system; and 
   a valve controlling the flow of air from the at least one pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders, and to hold air pressure in the plurality of bladders along the first fender substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the hull has a port side and a starboard side;   the first fender system resides on the port side;   and the inflatable fender system further comprises:
 a second stanchion; 
 a second upper guide track extending along at least a portion of the starboard side of the hull; and 
 a second fender substrate wound around the second stanchion; 
   and wherein the second fender substrate comprises:
 a first end secured to the second stanchion, and a second end opposite the first end; 
 a plurality of bladders residing along the second fender substrate between the first end and the second end; 
 a top side operatively secured to the second upper guide track and configured to be moved along the second upper guide track as the fender substrate is unwound from the second stanchion; 
 an air channel configured to move the flow of air from the at least one pneumatic pump into each of the plurality of bladders after the second fender substrate has been unwound from the second stanchion, thereby forming a second fender system; and 
 a valve controlling the flow of air from the at least one pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders, and to hold air pressure in the plurality of bladders along the second fender substrate. 
   
     
     
         3 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first housing residing adjacent to the hull of the marine vessel on its port side; and   a second housing residing adjacent to the hull of the marine vessel on its starboard side;   and wherein:
 the first stanchion resides within the first housing; 
 the second stanchion resides within the second housing; and 
 the valve controlling the flow of air from the at least one pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders for each of the first fender system and the second fender system is a check valve. 
   
     
     
         4 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 each of the first fender substrate and the second fender substrate further comprises at least one bleed valve for controlling air flow out of the plurality of bladders as the respective fender substrates are wound around the respective stanchions, with the at least one bleed valve comprising a normally-closed, remote-controlled valve, with the valve remaining closed during inflation of the one or more inflatable bladders, and opened during deflation of the one or more inflatable bladders; and   the first upper guide track and the second upper guide track are configured to guide and support the respective first and second fender substrates, with each of the first fender substrate and the second fender substrate being hung from its respective first and second upper guide tracks.   
     
     
         5 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first upper guide track and the second upper guide track is secured to its respective side of the hull of the marine vessel in a horizontal orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the valve controlling the flow of air from the at least one pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders along the first fender system is a first pump of the at least one pneumatic pump; and   the valve controlling the flow of air from the at least one pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders along the second fender system is a second pump of the at least one pneumatic pump.   
     
     
         7 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first tether at the second end of the first fender substrate, and a second tether at the second end of the second fender substrate, wherein the first tether and the second tether enable an operator to separately pull each of the first tether and the second tether in order to move the first and second fender substrates along the respective first and second upper guide tracks; and   a first crank arm connected to the first stanchion, and a second crank arm connected to the second stanchion, with the first crank arm and the second crank arm enabling the operator to manually wind the first fender substrate and the second fender substrate around the respective first and second stanchions.   
     
     
         8 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an opening along the first housing for receiving the second end of the first fender substrate as it is unwound along the first upper guide track;   an opening along the second housing for receiving the second end of the second fender substrate as it is unwound along the second upper guide track;   a bearing platform in the first housing for supporting the first stanchion, and enabling the first stanchion to rotate along a vertical axis; and   a bearing platform in the second housing for supporting the second stanchion, and enabling the second stanchion to also rotate along a vertical axis.   
     
     
         9 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of bladders within each of the first fender substrate and the second fender substrate are spaced along the respective first fender substrate and the second fender substrate to optimize protection of the vessel hull when the fender system is deployed. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first pulley residing along the port side of the marine vessel;   a second pulley residing along the starboard side of the marine vessel;   a first rope placed along the first pulley and connected to the second end of the first fender substrate; and   a second rope placed along the second pulley and connected to the second end of the second fender substrate;   wherein the first rope and the second rope are configured to enable an electric drive motor to pull the respective first and second fender substrates along the respective first and second upper guide tracks for deploying the inflatable fender system.   
     
     
         11 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first motor associated with the first stanchion, configured to mechanically rotate the first stanchion in order to retract the first fender substrate back into the first housing; and   a second motor associated with the second stanchion, configured to mechanically rotate the second stanchion in order to retract the second fender substrate back into the second housing.   
     
     
         12 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first electrical crawler motor associated with the first upper guide track, configured to mechanically pull the second end of the first fender substrate along the first upper guide track in order to unwind the first fender substrate out of the first housing; and   a second electrical crawler motor associated with the second upper guide track, configured to mechanically pull the second end of the second fender substrate along the second upper guide track in order to unwind the second fender substrate out of the second housing.   
     
     
         13 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a control system for activating the first and second motor and the at least one pneumatic pump in sequence, wherein (i) activating the first and second motors causes the respective first fender substrate and the second fender substrate to be pulled along the first upper guide track and the second upper guide track, respectively, while (ii) activating the at least one pneumatic pump causes air to flow through the at least one valve and into the plurality of bladders.   
     
     
         14 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a first lower track extending along at least a portion of the port side of the hull and running below and parallel to the first upper guide track;   a second lower guide track extending along at least a portion of the starboard side of the hull and running below and parallel to the second upper guide track;   and wherein each of the first fender substrate and the second fender substrate further comprises:
 a bottom side operatively secured to a respective lower guide track and configured to be moved along the lower guide track as the fender substrate is unwound from its respective stanchion. 
   
     
     
         15 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 each of the first upper guide track, the first lower guide track, the second upper guide track, and the second lower guide track is adjustable to accommodate contours and configurations of the marine vessel; and   each of the first lower track and the second lower track is disposed at a waterline of the marine vessel, and each of the first upper guide track and the second upper guide track is disposed at a rub rail of the marine vessel.   
     
     
         16 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of inflatable bladders further comprises a first layer of material comprising an inner layer, and a second layer of material comprising an outer layer, wherein an airtight air pocket is preserved between the inner layer and the outer layer. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 16 , wherein the inner and outer layers are fabricated from a durable, waterproof fabric selected from the group consisting of a coated textile, PVC fabric, PUL, TPU, polyester, nylon, vinyl, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pocket created between the inner and outer layers within each of the plurality of inflatable bladders comprises an airtight and waterproof bladder sewn, glued, or welded into the fender substrates. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one pneumatic pump comprises:
 a first pneumatic pump residing in the first housing, and fluidically in communication with the plurality of inflatable bladders along the first fender substrate; and   a second pneumatic pump residing in the second housing, and fluidically in communication with the plurality of inflatable bladders along the second fender substrate.   
     
     
         20 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the air channel associated with the first fender substrate comprises a first air channel that feeds air into a first set of the plurality of inflatable bladders in the first fender substrate, and a second air channel that feeds air into a second set of the plurality of inflatable bladders in the first fender substrate; and   the air channel associated with the second fender substrate comprises a first air channel that feeds air into a first set of the plurality of inflatable bladders in the second fender substrate, and a second air channel that feeds air into a second set of the plurality of inflatable bladders in the second fender substrate.   
     
     
         21 . The inflatable fender system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 each of the first housing and the second housing is affixed to the hull of the marine vessel at a location forward a widest point of the marine vessel; and   the inflatable fender system is deployed from forward to aft of the marine vessel, and is retracted from aft to forward of the marine vessel.   
     
     
         22 . A method of deploying an inflatable fender system for a marine vessel, with the marine vessel comprising a hull having a port side and a starboard side, and the method comprising:
 providing a first inflatable fender system for the marine vessel, the first inflatable fender system comprising:
 a first pneumatic pump residing on the port side of the marine vessel; 
 a first stanchion also residing on the port side of the marine vessel; 
 a first upper guide track extending along at least a portion of the port side of the hull; 
 a first fender substrate wound around the first stanchion, wherein the first fender substrate comprises a plurality of inflatable bladders; and 
 an air channel configured to move a flow of air from the first pneumatic pump into each of the plurality of inflatable bladders after the first fender substrate has been unwound from the first stanchion, thereby forming a first fender system; 
 a check valve controlling the flow of air from the first pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders, and to hold air pressure in the plurality of bladders along the first fender substrate; and 
 a bleed valve for controlling air flow out of the plurality of bladders as the first fender substrate is wound around the first stanchion, with the bleed valve comprising a normally-closed valve that is configured to be opened during deflation of the plurality of inflatable bladders; 
   pulling the first fender substrate from the first housing along the first upper guide track; and   activating the first pneumatic pump in order to inflate each of the bladders along the first fender substrate thereby deploying the first inflatable fender system.   
     
     
         23 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 22 , wherein the first fender substrate comprises:
 a first end secured to the first stanchion, and a second end opposite the first end;   a top side operatively secured to the first upper guide track and configured to be moved along the first upper guide track as the first fender substrate is unwound from the first stanchion.   
     
     
         24 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the marine vessel comprises a first housing along the port side; and   the first pneumatic pump and the first stanchion reside within the first housing.   
     
     
         25 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 providing a second inflatable fender system for the marine vessel, the second inflatable fender system comprising:
 a second pneumatic pump residing on the starboard side of the marine vessel; 
 a second stanchion also residing on the starboard side of the marine vessel; 
 a second upper guide track extending along at least a portion of the starboard side of the hull; 
 a second fender substrate wound around the second stanchion, wherein the second fender substrate comprises a plurality of inflatable bladders; and 
 an air channel configured to move a flow of air from the second pneumatic pump into each of the plurality of inflatable bladders after the second fender substrate has been unwound from the second stanchion, thereby forming a second fender system; 
 a check valve controlling the flow of air from the second pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders, and to hold air pressure in the plurality of bladders along the second fender substrate; and 
 a bleed valve for controlling air flow out of the plurality of bladders as the second fender substrate is wound around the second stanchion, with the bleed valve comprising a normally-closed valve that is configured to be opened during deflation of the plurality of inflatable bladders; 
   pulling the second fender substrate from the second housing along the second upper guide track; and   activating the second pneumatic pump in order to inflate each of the bladders along the second fender substrate thereby deploying the second inflatable fender system.   
     
     
         26 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 25 , wherein the first fender substrate comprises:
 a first end secured to the second stanchion, and a second end opposite the first end;   a top side operatively secured to the second upper guide track and configured to be moved along the second upper guide track as the second fender substrate is unwound from the second stanchion.   
     
     
         27 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the marine vessel comprises a second housing along the starboard side; and   the second pneumatic pump and the second stanchion reside within the second housing.   
     
     
         28 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first pneumatic pump acts as the check valve for the first inflatable bladder system;   the second pneumatic pump acts as the check valve for the second inflatable bladder system.   
     
     
         29 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the first inflatable fender system further comprises an opening along the first housing for receiving the second end of the first fender substrate as it is unwound along the first upper guide track;   the second inflatable fender system further comprises an opening along the second housing for receiving the second end of the second fender substrate as it is unwound along the second upper guide track;   the first housing comprises a bearing platform in for supporting the first stanchion, and enabling the first stanchion to rotate along a vertical axis; and   second housing comprises a bearing platform for supporting the second stanchion, and enabling the second stanchion to also rotate along a vertical axis.   
     
     
         30 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 29 , wherein:
 each of the first housing and the second housing is rotatable from a horizontal position, representing a sailing position, to a vertical position, representing a docking position; and   the method further comprises rotating each of the first housing and the second housing before unwinding the respective first and second fender substrates.   
     
     
         31 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 26 , wherein the inflatable fender system further comprises:
 a first tether at the second end of the first fender substrate, and a second tether at the second end of the second fender substrate; and   a first crank arm connected to the first stanchion, and a second crank arm connected to the second stanchion;   and wherein the method further comprises:   pulling each of the first tether and the second tether in order to move the fender substrates along the respective first and second upper guide tracks; and   rotating each of the first crank arm and the second crank arm in order to manually rewind the first fender substrate and the second fender substrate around the respective stanchions.   
     
     
         32 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of bladders within each of the first fender substrate and the second fender substrate are spaced along the respective first fender substrate and the second fender substrate to optimize protection of the vessel hull when the fender system is deployed. 
     
     
         33 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 26 , wherein each of the first upper guide track and the second upper guide track is secured to its respective side of the hull of the marine vessel in a horizontal orientation, allowing the first and second inflatable fender systems to be deployed horizontally along the hull of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         34 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 26 , wherein the inflatable fender system further comprises:
 a first motor associated with the first stanchion; and   a second motor associated with the second stanchion;   and wherein the method further comprises:   activating the first motor in order to rotate the first stanchion, thereby retracting the first fender substrate back into the first housing; and   activating the second motor in order to rotate the second stanchion, thereby retracting the second fender substrate back into the second housing.   
     
     
         35 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 34 , wherein the inflatable fender system further comprises:
 a first electrical crawler motor associated with the first upper guide track; and   a second electrical crawler motor associated with the second upper guide track;   and wherein the method further comprises:   activating the first electric crawler motor in order to pull the second end of the first fender substrate along the first upper guide track in order to unwind the first fender substrate out of the first housing; and   activating the second electric crawler motor in order to pull the second end of the second fender substrate along the second upper guide track in order to unwind the second fender substrate out of the second housing.   
     
     
         36 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 35 , wherein the inflatable fender system further comprises:
 a control system for activating the first and second motors and the first and second pneumatic pumps in sequence, wherein (i) activating the first and second motors causes the respective first fender substrate and the second fender substrate to be pulled along the first upper guide track and the second upper guide track, respectively, while (ii) activating the first and second pneumatic pumps causes air to flow through the valve and into the plurality of bladders.   
     
     
         37 . The method of deploying the inflatable fender system of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 remotely opening the bleed valve contained within the first fender substrate to remove air contained within the plurality of inflatable bladders of the first fender substrate;   remotely opening the bleed valve contained within the second fender substrate to remove air contained within the plurality of inflatable bladders of the second fender substrate;   rewinding the first fender substrate around the first stanchion; and   rewinding the second fender substrate around the second stanchion.   
     
     
         38 . An inflatable fender for a marine vessel, comprising:
 a fender substrate fabricated from a water-resistant material, wherein the fender substrate comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top edge, and a bottom edge;   an air channel extending along the fender substrate configured to receive pressurized air;   a check valve configured to receive the pressurized air;   a bleed valve configured to release the pressurized air; and   a plurality of bladders disposed along the fender substrate, with each of the bladders being in fluid communication with the air channel;   and wherein:
 the first end of the fender substrate is configured to be connected to a rotatable stanchion on the marine vessel; 
 the fender substrate is configured to be wound around the stanchion in a roll when the stanchion is rotated in a first direction; and 
 the fender substrate is configured to be unfurled from the stanchion and to extend along a hull of the marine vessel when the stanchion is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction; 
 thereby forming an inflatable fender when the plurality of bladders are inflated. 
   
     
     
         39 . The inflatable fender for the marine vessel of  claim 38 , wherein:
 at least three of the plurality of bladders are equi-distantly spaced along the fender substrate;   (i) the bladders comprise two layers of airtight material along the fender substrate; (ii) the bladders reside inside of a non-airtight fabric; or (iii) a combination thereof;   the check valve resides proximate a first end of the fender substrate; and   the bleed valve resides proximate a second end of the fender substrate, opposite the first end.