The
Basic Couple Pontoon Unit The
basic coupling pontoon is built of steel plate with internal
bulkheads and stiffeners. The pontoon is 6000 mm long, 2400
mm wide and 1600 mm high. The interior of the pontoon can
be accessed by means of a 550 x550 mm manhole in the deck
surface.
Coupling
Units Together On
all sides of the unit pairs of flange plates (one top , one
bottom)allow male and female couplers to
be connected using
four M24 hexagon head screws per coupler. When coupled the
pontoons provide a straight flat deck surface, which allows
a maximum load of two tons per square metre. The pontoons
are inspected, tested and approved and are compliant to all
international standards.
The coupling
of the pontoons is done while in the water by two operators.
The pontoons are first hand-pulled together. At the bottom
side of the pontoons a set of one upturned and one downturned
hook establishes the connection. The operator on the pontoon
with the downturned hook can tilt the pontoon by shifting
his weight. The downturned hook can now engage with the upturned
hook on the other pontoon. By tilting the pontoon back to
level, the female and male couplers at the top will engage
and can be secured by a pin and spring clip.
The entire
coupling operation is swift, safe and reliable. The pontoons
can be connected end to end, side or end to side, allowing
a variety of configurations.
Connecting
uniflotes together works in the same way as the couple pontoons.
Decks are designed to carry standard wheel loads of 75.5 kN
and axle loads of 144 kN for single axles or 152.2 kN for
bogie axles.
