Ships

Abstract

The present invention provides a vessel that can increase the amount of cables it can carry while suppressing an increase in the weight of the hull. [Solution] The vessel 1 has a multi-hull section 2 in part in the forward and aft direction. The multi-hull section 2 is positioned where the cable storage section 10 for the cable 50 is provided. The multi-hull section 2 has a main hull 4 and auxiliary hulls 6A and 6B on both sides of the main hull 4 in the width direction. The multi-hull section 2 can secure a large deck area for installing the storage section 10. The vessel 1 has a single-hull section 3 in the part other than the multi-hull section 2, i.e., the part where the storage section 10 is not provided. The single-hull section 3 does not have auxiliary hulls 6A and 6B, so the deck area of ​​the part other than the storage section 10 can be reduced compared to a vessel in which the entire hull is a multi-hull section 2, and thus the weight can be reduced. This makes it possible to secure deck area for the part where the cable 50 is mounted while reducing the weight of the other parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship.

Background Art

[0002] As a ship, a ship including a main hull and sub-hulls provided on both sides of the main hull is known (Patent Document 1). Such a ship is called a multi-hull ship type.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, as an object carried by a ship, a cable for application to an offshore substation or the like may be adopted. Since the conveyance destination of the cable of such a ship is the sea, it is required to increase the amount of cable loaded at one time. However, if the entire hull of the ship is made into a multi-hull ship type structure to secure the deck area in order to increase the amount of cable that can be loaded, a problem occurs in that the weight of the hull increases.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a ship capable of increasing the amount of cable that can be loaded while suppressing an increase in the weight of the hull.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vessel according to the present invention is a vessel for carrying cables, having a multi-hull section in part in the forward and aft direction, and a single-hull section in the other part, the multi-hull section being composed of a main hull and secondary hulls on both sides of the main hull in the width direction, the single-hull section being composed of a main hull, and the multi-hull section being positioned where a cable storage section is provided.

[0007] The vessel according to the present invention has a multi-hull section in part in the forward and aft direction. The multi-hull section is positioned where a cable storage area is provided. The multi-hull section comprises a main hull and secondary hulls on both sides of the main hull in the width direction. Therefore, the multi-hull section can secure a large deck area for installing the storage area. Furthermore, the multi-hull design improves the stability of the vessel, making it easier to perform cable and robot deployment operations. On the other hand, the vessel has a single-hull section in the part other than the multi-hull section, i.e., the part where the storage area is not provided. Because the single-hull section does not have secondary hulls, the deck area of ​​the part other than the storage area can be reduced compared to a vessel where the entire hull is a multi-hull section, thus reducing the weight. This makes it possible to secure deck area for the cable storage area while reducing the weight of other parts. As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of cable that can be carried while suppressing an increase in the weight of the hull.

[0008] The cable extending from the storage area is unfurled from the stern of the vessel toward the rear, and a device for lowering a predetermined piece of equipment into the water is provided on the stern side of the vessel, and the device may lower the equipment toward the rear from the stern of the vessel. In this case, by unfurling both the cable and the predetermined piece of equipment toward the stern of the vessel, the cable and the predetermined piece of equipment can be positioned aft on the extension of the vessel's direction of travel, making retrieval easier. For this reason, retrieval is easier compared to when the cable and the predetermined piece of equipment are unfurled in the direction of the vessel's width. More specifically, when both the cable and the predetermined piece of equipment are unfurled in the direction of the vessel's width, there is a risk that the cable and the predetermined piece of equipment may interfere with each other or that the cable may become entangled. Also, when the cable and the predetermined piece of equipment are unfurled in the direction of the vessel's width, there is a risk of interference with the vessel's propeller (see "90" in Figure 1). On the other hand, by deploying both the cable and the designated equipment towards the stern of the vessel, interference between the cable and other equipment can be prevented, and since the cable and equipment are deployed from behind the propeller, there is no risk of them becoming entangled in the propeller.

[0009] The multi-hull section is located at the stern of the vessel, and the single-hull section is located at the bow. A living area may be provided at the boundary between the multi-hull and single-hull sections. In this case, the living area is located closer to the center of the hull in the fore-aft direction than at the bow. Therefore, the living area can be positioned in a location where it is less susceptible to the acceleration of the hull's movement, thereby improving the living environment of the living area.

[0010] The living quarters may be located in the multi-hull section. In this case, compared to a structure where the living quarters are located in the single-hull section, the living quarters can be widened in the width direction of the ship, while the length in the fore-aft direction can be reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to position the living quarters closer to the center of the ship in the fore-aft direction, thereby improving the living environment in the living quarters. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vessel that can increase the amount of cables that can be installed while suppressing an increase in the weight of the hull. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing an example of a vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a view of the ship from the right side. [Figure 3] This is a view of a ship from the rear. [Figure 4] (a) is a schematic diagram showing how the cable is unfurled, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing how the underwater robot is unfurled. [Figure 5] This is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of a vessel related to a comparative example. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of the vessel in the comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the terms "front" and "rear" correspond to the direction of travel of the ship, the terms "left" and "right" correspond to the width direction of the ship when viewed from the rear to the front, and the terms "up" and "down" correspond to the vertical direction of the ship.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a view of vessel 1 from above. Figure 2 is a view of vessel 1 from the right side. Figure 3 is a view of vessel 1 from the rear. Vessel 1 is a vessel that carries cables. Vessel 1 carries cables to be used as power transmission cables for offshore substations. In offshore wind power generation, wind energy captured by wind turbines is sent to offshore substations and converted into electrical energy. Offshore substations collect electricity and transmit it to onshore substations using power transmission cables laid on the seabed. Vessel 1, which has equipment for carrying and transporting power transmission cables, is used for the installation work of power transmission cables.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vessel 1 has a multi-hull section 2 in one part in the longitudinal direction and a single-hull section 3 in the other part. In this embodiment, the multi-hull section 2 is located on the stern side of the vessel 1, and the single-hull section 3 is located on the bow side of the vessel 1. In this embodiment, the bow end 2c of the multi-hull section 2 may be located further forward than the center position in the longitudinal direction of the vessel 1. However, the size of the multi-hull section 2 in the longitudinal direction may be appropriately changed depending on the structure provided on the deck and other factors.

[0016] The vessel 1 has a main hull 4 extending in the forward and backward directions. The portion of the main hull 4 corresponding to the multi-hull section 2 may be referred to as the first main hull 4A, and the portion corresponding to the single-hull section 3 as the second main hull 4B. The multi-hull section 2 is composed of a main hull 4 (first main hull 4A) and auxiliary hulls 6A and 6B. The single-hull section 3 is composed of a main hull 4 (second main hull 4B).

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the main hull 4 is not particularly limited in shape, but may have sides 4a and 4b extending approximately vertically in the vertical direction on both sides in the width direction of the hull, and a bottom surface 4c that spreads horizontally at the bottom. The main hull 4 has a portion on the bottom surface 4c side submerged in water, and a portion on the upper side protruding from the water surface WF. As shown in Figure 1, the sides 4a and 4b of the first main hull 4A extend approximately parallel in the longitudinal direction. The sides 4a and 4b of the second main hull 4B have a curved shape that tapers towards the bow. Note that the sides 4a and 4b of the main hull 4 correspond to the sides 3a and 3b in the width direction of the single-hull section 3 (see Figure 1).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the side hulls 6A and 6B are arranged on both sides in the ship width direction of the main hull 4 (the first main hull 4A). The side hull 6A is arranged at a position spaced apart from the first main hull 4A to the right side. The side hull 6B is arranged at a position spaced apart from the second main hull 4B to the left side. The side hulls 6A and 6B have outer side surfaces 6Aa and 6Ba in the ship width direction and inner side surfaces 6Ab and 6Bb in the ship width direction. A part of the lower end side of the side hulls 6A and 6B is arranged in water, and a part of the upper side protrudes from the water surface WF. The side surfaces 6Aa and 6Ba may be inclined so as to face outward in the ship width direction as they go upward. The side surfaces 6Ab and 6Bb may be inclined so as to face inward in the ship width direction as they go upward. The inner side surfaces 6Ab and 6Bb are arranged to face each other in a state of being spaced apart from the side surfaces 4a and 4b of the first main hull 4A. The side surfaces 6Aa and 6Ab of the side hull 6A and the side surfaces 6Ba and 6Bb of the side hull 6B extend substantially parallel in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 1). Note that the side surface 6Aa of the side hull 6A corresponds to the right side surface 2a of the multi-hull portion 2. The side surface 6Ba of the side hull 6B corresponds to the left side surface 2b of the multi-hull portion 2.

[0019] The multi-hull portion 2 includes a connecting portion 7A that connects the first main hull 4A and the side hull 6A and a connecting portion 7B that connects the first main hull 4A and the side hull 6B. The connecting portions 7A and 7B are provided at the upper end sides of the first main hull 4A and the side hulls 6A and 6B and are provided at positions above the water surface WF. The upper surface of the first main hull 4A, the upper surfaces of the side hulls 6A and 6B, and the upper surfaces of the connecting portions 7A and 7B are configured as the same plane and are configured as the upper deck 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper deck 8 is provided so as to extend to both sides in the ship width direction from the upper surface of the single-hull portion 3. The upper deck 8 extends in the ship width direction from the right side surface 2a to the left side surface 2b of the multi-hull portion 2. The upper deck 8 extends in the front-rear direction from the bow-side end 2c to the stern-side end 2d of the multi-hull portion 2.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, various outfittings (machines installed on the deck) are provided on the upper deck 8 of the multi-hull portion 2. For example, the upper deck 8 is provided with a storage portion 10 for the cable 50, a guide mechanism 11 for guiding the cable 50, a device 12 for lowering the underwater robot 60 (see FIG. 4(b)) into the water, and a crane 13.

[0021] The storage portion 10 is a device that stores the cable 50 in a wound state and pays out the stored cable 50. The storage portion 10 is provided at a substantially central position of the upper deck 8. The storage portion 10 has an annular outer peripheral wall 10a and an annular inner peripheral wall 10b centered on the center line CL. The bundle 51 of the wound cable 50 is stored in the space between the outer peripheral wall 10a and the inner peripheral wall 10b. The stored cable 50 is paid out from the storage portion 10 toward the stern side via the loading arm 30 and the guide mechanism 11. The storage portion 10 has a size that extends at least outside the side surfaces 4a and 4b of the main hull 4 in the ship width direction. Thereby, the storage portion 10 can secure a wide space for storing the bundle 51 of the cable 50.

[0022] The guide mechanism 11 is provided at a position on the stern side with respect to the storage portion 10. The guide mechanism 11 is provided so as to extend from the stern-side end 2d of the multi-hull portion 2 toward the storage portion 10 on the bow side. The guide mechanism 11 guides the cable 50 paid out from the storage portion 10 to the stern side. Thereby, the cable 50 extending from the storage portion 10 is paid out rearward from the stern side of the ship 1. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the paid-out cable 50 is drawn out of the ship 1 so as to extend rearward from the upper deck 8 beyond the stern-side end 2d and sent into the water.

[0023] Device 12 is installed on the edge of the upper deck 8 near the stern end 2d, in an area where the guide mechanism 11 is not provided. Here, device 12 is positioned to the left of the guide mechanism 11 on the edge near end 2d. Crane 13 is installed at a position toward the bow relative to device 12. Device 12 lowers the underwater robot 60 aft from the stern of the vessel 1. Device 12 has a gate-shaped structure when viewed from the front or rear direction (see Figure 3). As shown in Figure 4(b), device 12 is connected to the underwater robot 60 via a wire 61 by a beam member 12a at its upper end. Normally, device 12 is positioned in a posture that extends upward from the upper deck 8 (see device 12 shown by the dashed line). When lowering the underwater robot 60 into the water, device 12 tilts so that the beam member 12a faces stern. The underwater robot 60 enters the water from the upper deck 8, at a position aft of the stern end 2d. The underwater robot 60 moves underwater and takes pictures of the underwater environment with its camera. This allows the underwater robot 60 to observe the cable 50 installed in the sea. Note that the device 12 is not limited to a gantry structure. For example, if the underwater robot 60 is small, it can be handled by a general crane device. The underwater robot 60 is not limited to this function and may perform various other functions.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a living quarters 15 is provided at the boundary 20 between the multi-hull section 2 and the single-hull section 3. The living quarters 15 are located in the multi-hull section 2. The living quarters 15 are compartments for the crew to live in within the vessel 1. The living quarters 15 are provided to extend in the width direction of the ship along the edge of the upper deck 8 near the bow end 2c. The living quarters 15 extend outward in the width direction beyond the sides 4a and 4b on both sides of the main hull 4. In this embodiment, the living quarters 15 extend to the sides 2a and 2b on both sides of the multi-hull section 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the living quarters 15 have a structure that is longer in the width direction than in the fore-aft direction.

[0025] Next, the operation and effects of the vessel 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0026] First, with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the comparative example vessel 100 will be described. The comparative example vessel 100 has a single-hull section 3 along the entire length of the hull. In such a vessel 100, in order to increase the amount of cable 50 that can be carried, it is necessary to widen the deck area on which the storage section 10 is provided and to increase the diameter of the storage section 10. Therefore, for a single-hull vessel 100, there is no other way than to enlarge the entire hull, which may result in the following operational effects. Specifically, enlarging the hull in the width direction may lead to a deterioration in propulsion performance due to increased underwater resistance and a corresponding increase in engine output. Also, if the hull shape below the waterline is made elongated in order to suppress the increase in underwater resistance, enlarging the hull in the vertical direction may lead to a deterioration in stability in the width direction due to a rise in the center of gravity. Furthermore, changing the main dimensions of the hull may lead to problems such as changes in applicable regulations and exceeding restrictions in ports, canals, and bridges.

[0027] Next, as another comparative example, we will describe a vessel in which the entire hull is made up of a multi-hull section 2. Such a vessel may have the problem of increased hull weight because the deck area of ​​the parts other than the storage section 10 is large.

[0028] In contrast, the vessel 1 according to this embodiment has a multi-hull section 2 in a portion of its length in the forward and backward direction. The multi-hull section 2 is positioned where the cable storage section 10 for the cable 50 is provided. The multi-hull section 2 comprises a main hull 4 and two secondary hulls 6A and 6B on both sides of the main hull 4 in the width direction. Therefore, the multi-hull section 2 can secure a large deck area for installing the storage section 10. Furthermore, the multi-hull design improves the stability of the vessel 1, making it easier to deploy the cable 50 and the robot. On the other hand, the vessel 1 has a single-hull section 3 in the part other than the multi-hull section 2, i.e., the part where the storage section 10 is not provided. Because the single-hull section 3 does not have secondary hulls 6A and 6B, the deck area of ​​the part other than the storage section 10 can be reduced compared to a vessel where the entire hull is the multi-hull section 2, thus reducing the weight. This makes it possible to secure deck area for the part where the cable 50 is loaded while reducing the weight of the other parts. As described above, it is possible to increase the amount of cable 50 that can be carried while suppressing an increase in the weight of the hull. In this way, by making the storage area 10 larger and increasing the amount of cable 50 that can be carried, the ship 1 can complete the cable work in fewer voyages.

[0029] The cable 50 extending from the storage unit 10 is unfurled from the stern side of the vessel 1 toward the rear, and a device 12 for lowering an underwater robot 60 (a predetermined device) into the water is provided on the stern side of the vessel 1, and the device 12 may lower the underwater robot 60 toward the rear from the stern side of the vessel 1. In this case, by unfurling both the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 toward the stern side of the vessel 1, the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 can be positioned aft on the extension of the direction of travel of the vessel 1, making retrieval easier. For this reason, retrieval is easier compared to when the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 are unfurled in the width direction of the vessel 1. More specifically, when both the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 are unfurled in the width direction of the vessel 1, there is a risk that the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 may interfere with each other or that the cable 50 may become entangled. Furthermore, if the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 are deployed in the direction of the ship's width, there is a risk of interference with the ship's propeller 90 (see Figure 1). On the other hand, by deploying both the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 towards the stern of the ship's width, interference between the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 can be prevented, and since the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 are deployed from behind the propeller 90, there is no risk of them becoming entangled with the propeller 90. Note that if the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 are deployed from the direction of the ship's width, they will be deployed in a direction intersecting the direction of travel, which could lead to them becoming entangled in the secondary hulls 6A, 6B, etc. during retrieval. However, with the above configuration, the risk of entanglement can be eliminated.

[0030] The multi-hull section 2 is positioned at the stern of the vessel 1, and the single-hull section 3 is positioned at the bow of the vessel 1. A living quarters 15 may be provided at the boundary 20 between the multi-hull section 2 and the single-hull section 3. In this case, the living quarters 15 are positioned closer to the center of the hull in the fore-aft direction than they are at the bow of the vessel 1. Therefore, the living quarters 15 can be positioned in a location where they are less susceptible to the acceleration of the hull's movement, thereby improving the living environment of the living quarters 15.

[0031] The living quarters 15 may be located in the multi-hull section 2. In this case, compared to a structure in which the living quarters 15 are located in the single-hull section 3, the living quarters 15 can be widened in the width direction of the ship, while the length in the fore-aft direction can be reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to position the living quarters 15 closer to the center of the ship in the fore-aft direction, thereby improving the living environment of the living quarters.

[0032] Furthermore, the vessel 1 can improve its propulsion performance by having a single-hull section 3 with low resistance (tapered). Also, by making the stern section a multi-hull section 2, the deck area is increased, creating a more convenient working environment for the crew. Moreover, by adopting the multi-hull section 2, the vessel can be made more stable and stable, creating an even more convenient working environment.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0034] For example, in the above embodiment, a multi-hull section 2 is provided on the stern side and a single-hull section 3 is provided on the bow side, but the invention is not limited to this, and the multi-hull section 2 and the single-hull section 3 may be provided anywhere.

[0035] The living area 15 may be provided in the single-hull section 3. Furthermore, the location of the living area 15 may be in a place other than the boundary section 20.

[0036] Furthermore, the direction in which the cable 50 and the underwater robot 60 are deployed is not limited to the rear of the vessel 1.

[0037] While an underwater robot 60 was given as an example of the equipment lowered by the device 12, other equipment such as a plow-type burial machine may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1...ship, 2...multi-hull section, 3...single-hull section, 4...main hull, 6A,6B...secondary hull, 12...equipment, 15...living quarters, 20...boundary section.

Claims

1. A ship that carries cables, It has a multi-body section in part in the front-to-back direction, and a single-body section in the other part. The aforementioned multi-hull section is configured with a main hull and secondary hulls on both sides of the main hull in the width direction. The aforementioned single-hull section is comprised of the main hull, The multi-hull section is positioned in a vessel where the cable storage section is provided.

2. The cable extending from the storage compartment is unfurled aft from the stern side of the vessel. The stern of the aforementioned vessel is equipped with a device for lowering a predetermined piece of equipment into the water. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the device lowers the equipment aft from the stern side of the vessel.

3. The multi-hull section is located on the stern side of the vessel, and the single-hull section is located on the bow side of the vessel. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein a living quarters are provided at the boundary between the multi-hull section and the single-hull section.

4. The vessel according to claim 3, wherein the living quarters are provided in the multi-hull portion.

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