Crane apparatus equipped with container security scanning system

Abstract

Crane apparatus is equipped with a container security scanning system for scanning containers for radioactive material, such as neutron or gamma ray emissions. The crane apparatus has a crane for unloading containers from a marine vessel and placing the containers on a deck located at the portal girder level of the crane and for transferring the containers from the deck to another location. The container security scanning system comprises one or more scanning units disposed on the deck, each scanning unit having one or more scanning platforms for supporting a container such that a bottom of the container is vertically spaced from the deck. A scanning device is movable beneath the container in a space between the underside of the scanning platforms and the deck for scanning the container to detect whether radioactive material is present. Existing cranes can be retrofitted with the container security scanning system, and newly manufactured cranes can be upgraded to include such a system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to container cranes, and more particularly to a crane apparatus equipped with a container security scanning system for scanning containers during transshipment thereof between transportation modes. Three major problems are increasingly plaguing older marine container terminals in densely populated regions: 1. Security issues. 2. Congestion due to limited terminal space. 3. Environmental problems caused by diesel emissions. Security Issues Containers entering seaports now represent a security risk. Most, if not all, incoming containers now need to pass through detection devices in order to determine if they are radioactive: Specifically to detect for radioactive material, such as may be in “dirty” bombs or nuclear devices. It may already be too late, however, if radioactivity is only detected after a container has been unloaded, especially in a densely populated seaport such as Los Angeles, Seattle or New York...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

A further object of the present invention is to provide a crane apparatus having a container security scanning system that is efficient, rapid, accurate and highly reliable.

One important aspect of the crane apparatus of the present invention, and of its methods of operation and container handling, is that it achieves all its direct intermodal transshipment and container security scanning functions without generating any diesel emissions. This significant environmental benefit is achieved because all equipment operations are electrical and thus devoid of any diesel power generation.

Problems solved by technology

Three major problems are increasingly plaguing older marine container terminals in densely populated regions: 1.

Congestion due to limited terminal space.

Environmental problems caused by diesel emissions.

Containers entering seaports now represent a security risk.

It may already be too late, however, if radioactivity is only detected after a container has been unloaded, especially in a densely populated seaport such as Los Angeles, Seattle or New York.

In addition, there is no way that the reliability of these overseas origin detection centers can be adequately monitored.

The risk of non-compliance is great indeed.

Congestion Due to Limited Terminal Space

The problem is being compounded by a shortage of terminal space and increasing congestion caused by standard type terminal operations, i.e., the six or more separate container handling operations required for the movement of containers within and around the terminal from ship to stacks, within stacks, and from stacks to trailer-trucks.

The problem of diesel powered emissions from terminal yard equipment and truck-trailers serving container terminals, and compounded by traffic congestion, has reached an expensive level.

Images