HEAVY LIFTS WITH FLUID BEARINGS

The Author, of Rolair Systems (UK) Ltd, divides industrial air- and water-film load-moving system: into the three basic elements (i) the compliant air/water bearing, (ii) the air/water film transporter, and (iii) the operating environment. After discussing each of these, and giving general information on the systems (see also Abstracts No. 43,257-43,259, July 1976), he describes several applications of systems as supplied by Rolair. "Rigging" applications commonly employ a set of four or more bearings, connected by a manifold, for such purposes as moving oil-rig modules and heavy machinery and plant; examples illustrated include four 120-ton transporters, operating on sea water, which the U.S. Navy uses for moving 300-ton landing-craft to storage areas ashore. The routine handling of heavy dense loads such as 1,000-ton pressure-vessels (moved in and out of an X-ray room) and 180-ton turbo-generator rotors (moved to a winding-bay) with Rolair equipment is briefly described. Production lines (an example from an excavator factory is shown) can be moved or adjusted in length with air-film transporters. An unusual requirement, the routine movement of 7,000-ton spectator-stands along tracks at a sports stadium, has been met with Rolair bearings. Sections of large ships and complete smaller vessels are now being moved with air/water film equipment, and their are proposals for moving ships of up to 50,000 tons. Some advantages of this equipment, in addition to financial considerations, are its cleanliness and virtual silence.

• Corporate Authors:

  Kalerghi Publications

  51 Welbeck Street
  London W1,   England 
• Authors:
  • Wright, B H
• Publication Date: 1977-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 5 p.
• Serial:
  • Hovering Craft and Hydrofoil
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Kalerghi Publications

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cargo handling equipment; Heavy lift vessels; Lifting equipment; Materials management; Shipyards
• Old TRIS Terms: Heavy lifts
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165395
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 23 1977 12:00AM