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Hover Barges by Jones,
Kerwin and Associates
Jones, Kerwin and Associates has been engaged in the field of air cushion technology for the past 30 years and during that time has developed a number of hovercraft, hover barges and air cushion assist units for a wide variety of tasks. Companies using these devices have been involved in mining and exploration, oil and gasfield management, forestry, freight forwarding and agriculture.
Virtually all air cushion assist units, hover barges and air cushion agricultural sprayers were made to order. Depending on the operational need, units were either self-propelled or towed, extended use or one time use (throw away).
Following is a resume of hover barges built to date.
One Ton Payload Hover Barge
This unit was developed for the forestry industry, was 20' by 10', with a hover height in excess of 18" in order to pass over stumps of that height. In order to provide sufficient lift pressure, the unit used a 200 HP gasoline engine and two 30" centrifugal fans.
Four Ton Payload Hover Barge
This craft was developed for a logging task, was 30' by 12 feet and was powered by a 180 HP Diesel engine.
Five Ton Payload Hover Barge
This unit was developed for an oil exploration company and employed a "Helirig" Seismic Drilling Rig drilling through the floor of the craft when it was off cushion. The hoverbarge and the drilling rig were delivered to the seismic line by helicopter, assembled and conducted drilling. The unit was then moved along the seismic line by a small tractor and was recovered by helicopter when the exploration task was completed.
15 Ton Payload Hover Barge
This unit was developed for a mining company. It was 40' by 18' and was powered by two diesel engines. Ten units were eventually built and shipped to a northern mining company.
20 Ton Combine Harvester
A 20 ton assist package was placed under a standard combine harvester so that it could be used with a full bin to harvest rice. The concept is feasible only where the number of kits produced can bring the unit cost to a reasonable level, given the need to harvest the crop in that manner.
150 Ton Payload
This unit was designed to carry a dredger into very shallow water.
Air Cushion-assisted Trailers
Kits have been developed to enable logging, flatbed and van style trailers to negotiate marginal terrain with a suitable towing unit. The units were successful, but the unit cost was high. These units would likely only be suitable where there was no other alternative and/or production quantities could get the unit cost down.
Air Cushion Pallet
An air cushion pallet has been designed to move a standard 20 foot container.
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