DISTANCE SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a spacing system for ships with respect to other objects, with at least one fender which can be positioned at least in the region of the ship side wall and can be moved out of a rest position into a functional position. Here, the at least one fender is attached to a boom frame, wherein the boom frame has one supporting arm or two supporting arms which run approximately in parallel. The fender is provided at the outer end of the supporting arm or between the outer ends of the supporting arms, wherein the supporting arm or supporting arms is or are connected to the ship so as to be able to be lowered and raised.

Description

[0001] SPACING SYSTEM

[0002] The invention relates to a distance system for ships relative to other objects, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Distance systems are well known for ships and boats, whereby in the usual cases when mooring to quay walls or when docking with other ships, fenders are placed on the corresponding ship's side wall, which can absorb the movement forces of the ship against the other object in a dampening manner, so that greater frictional forces and damage to the ship's wall(s) can be avoided.

[0004] The disadvantage of these fender systems, however, is that the size or diameter of such fenders is very limited and usually lies in the range of about 0.5 m to 1.5 m.

[0005] In addition to the fenders mentioned above, boats and ships also have outrigger systems that usually serve purposes other than absorbing movement forces between ships or other objects such as quay walls.

[0006] For example, FR 2 810 624 A1 discloses a system in which extendable or retractable stabilizers are provided on the side walls to improve and increase the displacement volume of the hull, which provide the entire ship with a larger displacement volume, thus improving the stability of the ship.

[0007] Another example of a boom system for boats is shown in US Pat. No. 1,127,901. Here, a buoyant plate can be deployed between two guide rods on the desired side of the boat, thus improving the boat's heeling stability.

[0008] Other outrigger systems are known, for example, from Polynesian boats. However, these systems are rigidly connected to the boat and usually consist of smaller-diameter tree trunks, so they can significantly improve the boat's heeling stability.

[0009] From JPH 10 10 92 A a fold-out fender is known to protect the ship from other objects, whereby this solution only achieves a relatively small distance between the ship and the other object.

[0010] DE 10 2012 019 440 A1 also shows a system of extendable fenders, where the distance between the ship's side wall and another object is determined by the size of the fender.

[0011] In the case of tanker and bunker vessels, there is the problem and requirement that the distance between the side wall of the tanker and the other object, for example a cruise ship, must be considerably greater, particularly for safety reasons, than could previously be achieved with simple fenders.

[0012] Especially for LNG (liquid natural gas) bunker vessels, there is a need for a greater distance between the LNG bunker vessel and the vessel being refueled. For example, a distance of between approximately 2 m and 12 m.

[0013] The object of the invention can therefore be seen in the creation of a distance system for ships from other objects in which fenders can be used, but in terms of ship technology and safety, considerably greater distances can be achieved between a ship, for example an LNG bunker ship, and a ship to be refueled, for example a cruise ship.

[0014] To solve this problem and the object, the present invention proposes a spacing system having the features of claim 1.

[0015] In this case, the at least one fender is attached to a boom frame, essentially in particular horizontally.

[0016] To support the weight of the fender and the forces acting on it, as well as to allow the fender to be extended and retracted from its rest position to its functional position, a boom frame with one or two approximately parallel support arms is provided, which may include transverse stiffeners. The support arm(s) can be lowered from the rest position to a functional position and raised again from the functional position to the rest position, for example, after the bunkering process has been completed. For this purpose, the boom frame is rigidly but pivotably connected to the ship.

[0017] The at least one fender, which is expediently cylindrical and designed in the manner of a barrel, is arranged at the outer end of the support arm or between the outer ends of the support arms.

[0018] The design of this standoff system therefore allows distances between a bunkering vessel and another receiving vessel in the range of approximately 2 m to approximately 12 m or more, which is determined specifically by the total weight of the standoff system and the length of the boom frame including the fender diameter, taking into account the relevant ship's technical requirements.

[0019] The distance system according to the invention is particularly suitable for ships that must maintain a larger distance of, for example, 10 m between the ship's side walls when transferring hazardous goods to other ships, such as when bunkering LNG to a receiving ship such as a cruise ship. For example, on cruise ships, the ship's technical design or lifeboats extending beyond the side of the ship may necessitate a larger distance. Especially on LNG bunker ships, a large distance between the ships is mandatory due to the LNG discharge and the required maintenance of a safety zone.

[0020] Advantageously, the support arm(s) of the boom frame can be designed to be lowerable and liftable by means of mechanical means attached to the ship's hull, in particular by means of hydraulic cylinders.

[0021] This advantageously also enables an inclined arrangement of the boom frame, so that this measure enables better alignment of the boom frame including the fender. This measure also allows the attachment point of the fender on the other object or ship to be aligned more precisely. For ships equipped with spacing systems according to the invention, two systems are preferably provided on each side of the ship. In this case, one spacing system is taken into account on each side of the ship, both in the front side area and in the aft side area. With regard to the weights and forces to be taken into account in the spacing system according to the invention, an LNG bunker ship with a ship length of approximately 80 m to 90 m is cited as an example. A fender used in the spacing system can expediently be made of an elastomer or also be made of solid rubber. Pneumatic fenders are also suitable.The weight of such a pneumatic fender for a ship length of 90 m can be about 2 t.

[0022] For a ship tonnage of approximately 6,000 tons, a corresponding fender must be able to absorb a minimum energy of 1,100 kNm. The minimum energy absorption guaranteed by a fender in the example mentioned should be approximately 1,300 kNm.

[0023] It is advantageous to mount the fender at the outer end of the support arm or between the two outer ends of the parallel support arms, allowing for a rotational design, allowing for better compensation for fluctuating water levels. The arrangement with a slight axial displacement also makes it easier to compensate for longitudinal movements of the vessel.

[0024] In its lowered functional position, the boom frame is designed for a distance of approximately 2 m to 12 m from the ship's side wall to another vessel or object. In the previously mentioned example of an LNG bunker vessel with a length of approximately 90 m, the boom frame can be approximately 10 m long up to the fender axis.

[0025] Particularly advantageous is the design of the support arms with adjustable length and / or angled sections. This allows for even better adjustment of the distance between two ship sides or from a quay wall.

[0026] To allow the boom frame, including the corresponding fender, to pivot, the support arm(s) are mounted on a pivoting mount in the outer area of ​​the hull, particularly slightly above the waterline. For this purpose, two bearings are advantageously provided in the side area of ​​the hull, positioned slightly above the waterline. This allows the boom frame to pivot approximately horizontally above the water surface at a considerable distance from the ship.

[0027] The point of application of the mechanical means or hydraulic cylinders on the support arm(s) is selected so that it is approximately 1 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the length of the support arms from the ship's hull. This design allows the weights and forces exerted by the boom frame to be effectively absorbed and managed.

[0028] The inventive design of the spacing system with boom frame and fender provides that in the phases in which the spacing system is not needed, the fender and the boom frame can be pivoted into their rest position, wherein at least the fender can be placed and stored in a receptacle, which is designed approximately like a pocket, on the ship's hull or the ship's superstructure.

[0029] The transverse stiffeners of the boom frame are expediently designed as diagonal stiffeners, approximately cross-shaped, between the support arms, so that an improved stiffness of the boom frame is achieved with regard to the weight of the fender and the corresponding force and energy absorption.

[0030] The distance system according to the invention, which can also be referred to as a boom system or outrigger system, creates a very flexible device that meets the regulations and requirements for the transfer of dangerous goods, especially for bunker vessels carrying dangerous liquids or gases, which must maintain a required large distance from the receiving vessels.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show:

[0032] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vessel, specifically an LNG bunker vessel with two standoff systems on the starboard side;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a single spacing system with a fender between two support arms;

[0034] Fig. 3 is a partial view of a vertical cross-section of the vessel according to Fig. 1 viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vessel with the spacing system extended;

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a schematic vertical section through a ship according to Fig. 1 with the distance system pivoted out, relative to the side wall of a fragmentary depicted ship, in particular a cruise ship; and Fig. 5 shows a fragmentary plan view of the ship according to Fig. 4 with the distance system pivoted out.

[0036] In the schematic example shown in Fig. 1, a perspective view of a vessel 10, in particular an LNG bunker vessel, is shown with two distance systems 1 pivoted on the starboard side. The ship's superstructures with bridge 3 are shown at the stern. Further ship's superstructures can be seen toward the bow above corresponding tanks 21, which are surrounded by a surrounding railing.

[0037] The spacer system 1 according to the invention essentially comprises two parallel, outwardly extending support arms 6, which are reinforced by a cross-like transverse stiffener 14 (Fig. 2) to form a boom frame 5. This boom frame 5 is pivotally connected to the ship's hull 12 via corresponding bearings 35 (Fig. 3). The two parallel support arms 6 are also connected at an attachment point 37 (Fig. 3) to hydraulic cylinders 8, which are fixed to the ship 10.

[0038] At the end of the boom frame 5, the spacing system 1 has a barrel-shaped, cylindrical fender 7. In the situation shown in Fig. 1, the two spacing systems 1 provided on the starboard side are lowered and shown in the functional position 31 or working position. From the functional position of the spacing system 1 shown in Fig. 1, the system can be raised or swung open by means of the hydraulic cylinders 8 acting on the boom frame 5, so that, in particular, the fender 7 can be raised into a pocket-like receptacle 15 and moved into a rest position 30 (Fig. 4).

[0039] In a functionally consistent manner, other spacing systems 1 can also be pivoted up and down from their functional position 31 into a corresponding rest position.

[0040] According to the plan view of a spacing system 1 according to Fig. 2, it can be seen that a fender 7 is provided on an axis 9 between the front ends 27 of the support arms 6. For the ship length of approximately 90 m mentioned above as an example and two spacing systems 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the length of the fender 7 can be approximately 5.5 m, and the length of the fender axis can have a dimension of approximately 6.5 m. The distance A or the length of the corresponding support arms 6 can be approximately 10 m between the axis 9 of the fender 7 and the pivot bearings 35 (Fig. 3).

[0041] In the example mentioned above, the weight of the fender, as a pneumatic fender, can be approximately in the range of 2 t.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a partial view of a vertical section through the ship 10 viewed in the longitudinal direction of the ship, in front of the front spacing system 1 from Fig. 1 . The support arms 6 of the boom frame 5 are pivoted out and carry a corresponding fender 7 at the front ends in the functional position 31. The hydraulic cylinders 8 are hinged here at the attachment points 37 on the support arms 6. When the hydraulic cylinders 8 are retracted, the boom frame 5, including the fender 7, is raised to an approximately vertical position. Further mechanical devices can then enable the boom frame 5, including the fender 7, to be pivoted in further into the rest position 30 (Fig. 4).

[0043] The bearings 35 of the boom frame 5 are positioned so that they are located slightly above the waterline 33 in the outer area of ​​the ship's hull 12. This also allows the boom frame 5, including the fenders 7, to be pivoted out into a substantially horizontal position. This arrangement also allows the boom frame 5 to be pivoted relatively easily up and down into its rest position 30 in a corresponding receptacle 15.

[0044] The view according to Fig. 4 in the longitudinal direction of the two vessels 10 and 50 represents a schematic vertical section through the LNG bunker vessel 10 with a distance system 1 with end fender 7 swung out in a largely horizontal position.

[0045] For example, a fragmentary depiction of a cruise ship 50 is shown, whose lifeboats 52 extend considerably beyond the ship's side. Especially when carrying hazardous materials such as LNG and supplying such a ship 50 in port or at sea, the greatest possible distance A between the two side walls 11 and 51 of the ships 10, 50 is required.

[0046] In the example shown in Fig. 4, the spacing system 1 of the LNG bunker vessel 10 is supported by the two fenders 7, seen along the length of the vessel 10, on the hull 51 of the vessel 50. The distance A between the vessels can be, for example, 10 m or more.

[0047] According to Fig. 4, on the right side of the ship 10, a spacer system 1 can be seen which is in its rest position 30, whereby the fender 7 can be placed approximately in the receptacle 15.

[0048] A position 19 of the fender 7 can be adjusted and determined by means of the hydraulics 8.

[0049] The fragmentary top view according to Fig. 5 shows a section of the LNG bunker vessel shown in Fig. 4. The spacing system 1 according to the invention with end fender 7 can be seen here.

[0050] The fender 7 should be made of a buoyant material so that a supplementary buoyancy force for the spacing system 1 can act as a relieving force on the spacing system 1 in the event of the fender 7 being immersed in the water.

[0051] The distance system 1 according to the invention can, in principle, be used on very different types of ships, for example, directly on cruise ships or supply vessels. This creates an elegant technical solution for applications requiring a particularly large distance between ships or other objects.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Distance system (1) for ships (10) from other objects (50), with at least one fender (7) which can be placed at least in the area of ​​the ship's side wall (11) and can be brought from a rest position (30) into a functional position (21), characterized in that the at least one fender (7) is attached, in particular substantially horizontally, to a boom frame (5), that the boom frame (5) has one or two approximately parallel supporting arms (6) which can have transverse stiffeners (14), that the fender (7) is provided at the outer end of the supporting arm (6) or between the outer ends (27) of the supporting arms (6), wherein the supporting arm(s) (6) is connected to the ship (10) in such a way that it can be lowered and raised.

2. Distance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the support arm(s) (6) can be lowered and raised by means of mechanical elements attached to the ship's hull (12), in particular by means of hydraulic cylinders (8).

3. Spacing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fender (7) is cylindrical in the shape of a barrel. Spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fender (7) is arranged rotatably and / or axially displaceably at the end of the support arm (6) or between the ends (27) of the support arms (6). Spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the boom frame (5), in the lowered functional position (31), is designed for a spacing length A from the ship's side wall (11) of approximately 2 m to 12 m, in particular approximately 10 m, to the axis of the fender (7). Spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fender (7) is made of an elastomer, a solid rubber, or is designed as a pneumatic fender. Spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support arm(s) (6) are adjustable in length and / or angled.A spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support arm(s) (6) is / are rotatably mounted in the outer region of the ship's hull (12), in particular slightly above the waterline (33) of the ship (10). A spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the point of application (37) of the mechanical means or the hydraulic cylinders (8) on the support arm(s) (6) is located at a distance from the ship's side (11) approximately 1 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the length of the support arms (6). A spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fender (7) and boom frame (5) can be pivoted into the rest position (30), in which at least the fender (7) can be placed in a receptacle (15) on the ship's hull (12) or the ship's superstructure (3). A spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transverse stiffeners (14) of the boom frame (5) are designed as diagonal stiffeners between the support arms (6). A spacing system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that two systems (1) are provided on each side of a ship (10).