Interface Heads
Intercon couplers can be customized for various types of service. There are three styles of interface heads that mount to the ram and provide connection to a barge’s ladder surfaces.
Intercon Coupler Nominal Data
Imperial Units/ Metric Units
Model 21 | Model 34 | Model 50 | Model 64 | |||
Specifications | ||||||
Drive | Single Speed Electric | C-Drive | C-Drive | Two Speed Electric | C-Drive | Two Speed Electric |
Max. Tug Displacement | 400 LT | 1250 LT | 2300 LT | 2300 LT | 4200 LT | 4200 LT |
Max. Significant Wave Height | 16.4 ft | 23.0 ft | 23.0 ft | 23.0 ft | 23.0 ft | 23.0 ft |
Ram Diameter | 21″ | 34″ | 50″ | 50″ | 64″ | 64″ |
Approx. Installed Weight | 24,000 lbs | 100,000 lbs | 225,000 lbs | 260,000 lbs | 350,000 lbs | 365,000 lbs |
Interface Head (Helmet) Options | Star | Star or Single-Sided Wave | Single-Sided Wave | Tooth-Friction | Single-Sided Wave | Tooth-Friction |
Engagement Force Generated | 100,000 lbs | 200,000 lbs | 300,000 lbs | 200,000 lbs | 300,000 lbs | 300,000 lbs |
Max. Rate of Travel | 63 IPM | 40 IPM | 72 IPM | 150 IPM | 15 IPM | 118 IPM |
Minimum Installation Envelope (Tug) | ||||||
Beam | 14 ft | 27 ft | 32 ft | 32 ft | 36 ft | 36 ft |
Bow to Stern | 5 ft | 9 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft |
Height | 6 ft | 8 ft | 8 ft | 8 ft | 9 ft | 9 ft |
Approximate Performance
Model 21 | Model 34 | Model 50 | Model 64 | |||
Specifications | ||||||
Drive | Single Speed Electric | C-Drive | C-Drive | Two Speed Electric | C-Drive | Two Speed Electric |
Max. Tug Displacement | 410 Metric Tons | 1275 Metric Tons | 2350 Metric Tons | 2350 Metric Tons | 4275 Metric Tons | 4275 Metric Tons |
Max. Significant Wave Height | 5m | 7m | 7m | 7m | 7m | 7m |
Ram Diameter | 533.4mm | 863.6mm | 1270.0mm | 1270.0mm | 1625.6mm | 1625.6mm |
Approx. Installed Weight | 11,000 kg | 45,500 kg | 102,000 kg | 118,000 kg | 159,000 kg | 166,000 kg |
Interface Head Options | Star | Star or Single-Sided Wave | Single-Sided Wave | Tooth-Friction | Single-Sided Wave | Tooth-Friction |
Engagement Force Generated | 445 kN | 890 kN | 1,335 kN | 890 kN | 1,335 kN | 1,335 kN |
Rate of Travel | 1.6 m/min | 1.0 m/min | 1.8 m/min | 3.8 m/min | 0.4 m/min | 3.0 m/min |
Minimum Installation Envelope (Tug) | ||||||
Beam | 4.27m | 8.23m | 9.76m | 9.76m | 10.98m | 10.98m |
Bow to Stern | 1.53mm | 2.75m | 3.66m | 3.66mm | 3.66mm | 3.66mm |
Height | 1.83m | 2.44m | 2.44m | 2.44m | 2.75m | 2.75m |
Approximate Performance
Interface Heads
Star
Tooth-Friction
Wave
• Star Helmet – Basic interface head for Model 21 and Model 34 couplers. The star profile supports easier alignment when the tug engages the barge, and allows for limited lightering operations.
• Single Sided Wave Helmet – Advanced lightering interface head for Model 34, Model 50 and Model 64 couplers. When fully engaged the wave pattern ensure vertical locking between tug and barge. When minimally retracted, tug and barge may lighter without fully disengaging the connection. This interface type allows for lightering while the vessels are under way.
• Tooth-Friction Helmet – Basic interface head for Model 50 and Model 64 couplers. The helmet may be engaged with the teeth oriented fore and aft to lock vertical engagement between tug and barge. When the helmet is engaged with the friction plates oriented fore and aft the tug and barge are able to lightering while in calm seas.
Coupler Drives
Two types of coupler drives are offered. The Standard Drive (multi-motor) style incorporates a high speed motor for rapid ram travel, and a low speed motor to develop high engagement forces at a slower travel. The C-Drive style incorporates one electric motor for rapid travel which provides initial engagement. Hydraulic pressure then develops high engagement forces. Both types of drive provide mechanical engagement to keep the vessels connected even if power is lost.
Intercon welcomes your inquiry regarding the type of connection and drive that would best serve your ATB mission. Application analysis, coupler sizing, and model testing support, if needed, are provided by Intercon’s Engineering Department.