PALFINGER Slipway Systems for two USVs shown in an in-line configuration on a Cybele 90 m MCMV vessel design and the ARCIMS Modular USV system. Images of the mother ship and USVs are used with permission from Babcock International and ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK Ltd.
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Model PQBS-T-D-P

Configuration

  • Tiltable support frame-structure for slipway cradle
  • Slipway cradle with quad wheel-drive units
  • Drive and support mechanism for slipway cradle
  • Parking position for additional boat
    (Quad wheel-drive units on deck structure or on skid)
Low-friction guide rails and hydraulically powered, self-adjusting drive-wheel units mounted on a deployable slipway cradle, supported by a tiltable slipway frame.
Features

Features

SWL: Up to 12 tons
Wheel-drive system: Hydraulically powered
Quad wheel-drive units: Self-adjusting, adapting to different hull shapes
Slipway slope length: According to customers' request
Slipway access/entrance: Submerged guide rails and wheel-drive units on slipway cradle
Boat guiding system: Guide rail and tilting quad wheel-drive units
Slipway cradle dimensions: Designed to purpose and vessel interface
Slipway cradle suspension: Load bearing travelling rails with hydraulic tilt mechanism
Slipway cradle movement: Hydraulic rack and pinion drive and tilt mechanism
Max. cradle outreach: Designed to vessels waterline
Parking position for second boat: Parking cradle with guide rails and tilting quad wheel-drive units

Options

Options

  • Remote control from daughter craft
  • Various remote control options on vessel side
  • Power and control system redundancy
  • Emergency launch and recovery by accumulator and UPS
  • Parking position for additional boat(s)
  • Higher slope angle and/or SWL (if possible/feasible)

Detailed Product Information

Find out more about our Slipway and Stern Entry Systems with quad wheel-drive units.

Slipway Systems with Quad Wheel-Drive Units

PALFINGER's hydraulically powered, semi-automatic Slipway System consists of several wheel-drive units (quad units) in two (or multiple) rows that rotate on axes to automatically adapt the slipway to the hull shape of a daughter craft during launch and recovery operations.

A daughter craft can engage the slipways at a range of speeds, up to seven knots higher than the speed of the mother vessel with some systems. When a boat enters the slipway, the overrunning clutches allow free rotation of the wheels in the recovery direction until the boat speed and wheel-drive speeds match.

At that point, the hydraulically powered wheel-drive units take over under single-operator control and dock the daughter craft safely inside the slipway. End stoppers automatically set the craft in parking and stowage positions and engage failsafe brakes on the wheel-drives.

Max. Sea State for Slipway Operations

The structural strength of the system is high and is normally not the limiting factor. Test and operational use of PALFINGER Slipway Systems have been performed in Sea States above seven with the mother vessel steaming ahead at low speed.

Safe operations at high Sea States are highly dependent on:

  • Mother vessel heading and speed
  • Mother vessel responsiveness (RAO Profile)
  • Waves and wind pattern
  • Boat driver’s skills

Technical Data

Wheel-drive unit configuration:4 wheels on each wheel-drive unit
Brakes:1 for each wheel
Hydraulic motors:1 for each wheel
Over-running clutches:1 for each wheel
Number of quad wheel-drive units:Depending on length of slipway
Length of quad wheel-drive units:1.526 mm
Width of quad wheel-drive units:960 mm
Wheel diameter:Ø 600 mm
Wheel-drive units tilt mechanism:2x bearing arrangement
Wheel-drive unit tilt range:+/- 20°
Max. freewheel speed, inlet:0-240 m/min (0-7 knots)
Max. freewheel speed, outlet:0-35 m/min (0-1.1 knots)
Drive assist speed, in and out:0-25 m/min (0-0.8 knots)
Max. depth for installation:2 meter below water surface
Max. load, each wheel:4 tons
Weight (each wheel-drive unit):Approximately 725 kg

Download Area

Brochure: Shipboard Slipway Systems

English 2026

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