SHIPBUILDING AND LAUNCHING SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS

摘要

Multiple groups of wheeled truck units are located on railroad tracks which extend from a ship construction area to a ship launching area adjacent a body of water. Each group of truck units carries an elongated support beam or tilt beam which extends transversely across the railroad tracks and is tiltable in such transverse direction. During the construction phase, the truck units are positioned in the construction area, the tilt beams are maintained in a horizontal position and elongated, slidable skid assemblies are positioned on top of the tilt beams in a lengthwise manner. The hull of the ship is then constructed on top of these skid assemblies, the longer dimension of the hull running crosswise to the skid assemblies and underlying tilt beams. Launching is accomplished by moving the loaded truck units to the launching area and alongside an inclined launchway structure which slopes downwardly to the adjacent body of water. The tilt beams are tilted and the ship hull and skid assemblies slide down the launchway and into the body of water, the hull entering the water in a sidewise manner.