Hydraulic tensioning ship-lift butt joint locking device and method

Abstract

This invention provides a hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device and method for a ship lift. At least four docking and locking devices are symmetrically arranged on a platform extending from the upper part of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment. Each docking and locking device includes a docking and locking cylinder, a lifting wire rope, a ship compartment, a locking support surface, a main hoist, a torque wire rope, a counterweight device, a counterweight lock, and a tower column. The main hoist suspends the ship compartment via the lifting wire rope and the counterweight device via the torque wire rope. A locking support surface is provided on the outer side of the tower column. The docking and locking cylinder employs an angle-deflecting end, creating an angle between the docking surface of the cylinder and the locking support surface to accommodate in-plane tilting of the ship compartment during docking and locking. This invention has a smaller number of components, improving reliability while reducing construction work. The angle-deflecting end of the device can accommodate a certain degree of ship compartment tilting, preventing vertical displacement of the ship compartment and ensuring the safety of the ship lift operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water conservancy, hydropower and navigation facilities engineering, specifically a docking and locking device and method for a ship lift using hydraulic tensioning. Background Technology

[0002] Vertical ship lifts built on navigation facilities are subject to changes in water level and water flow during docking. These changes alter the weight of the water inside the lift, affecting the tension, elastic elongation, and position of the suspension cables. To prevent vertical displacement of the lift during docking and to withstand the vertical load between the lift and the lock tower, a docking locking device is needed to vertically lock the lift during the docking process.

[0003] Traditional ship lift docking and locking devices employ a clamping type, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the ship compartment. They utilize the static friction generated by hydraulic cylinders clamping along clamping tracks embedded in the tower column to lock the ship compartment in place. Multiple clamping-type docking and locking devices are typically used, each consisting of clamping cylinders with friction plates at the ends, guide bearings, supports, etc. The cylinders are installed in reverse, with the piston rod fixed and the cylinder body moving within the guide bearing. This type of docking and locking device is structurally complex and requires clamping tracks along the tower column, resulting in a significant engineering workload. Furthermore, this type of docking and locking device has a large number of cylinders, each containing different types of hydraulic fluid with independently controlled pressure. When the ship compartment has a certain tilt angle, the clamping force and angle at different points in the docking and locking device can easily become inconsistent. This can cause localized vertical displacement of the ship compartment due to the failure of static friction, leading to docking failure and posing safety issues to the operation of the ship lift. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention addresses the shortcomings of the aforementioned docking and locking devices for ship lifts by providing a novel docking and locking device and operating method for ship lift cabins. This eliminates the need for clamping rails on the ship lift tower, and the device has a smaller number of components, improving reliability while reducing construction work. Furthermore, the device is vertically arranged, avoiding the static friction failure of traditional docking locks. It also employs an angle-deflecting end, which can adapt to a certain degree of cabin tilt, preventing vertical displacement of the cabin and ensuring the safety of the ship lift operation.

[0005] A hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift is disclosed. At least four docking and locking devices are symmetrically arranged on a platform extending from the upper part of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment. Each docking and locking device includes a docking and locking cylinder, a lifting wire rope, a ship compartment, a locking support surface, a main hoist, a torque wire rope, a counterweight device, a counterweight lock, and a tower column. The main hoist is located on a hoisting machine room platform above the tower column. The main hoist suspends the ship compartment via the lifting wire rope and the counterweight device via the torque wire rope. A locking support surface is provided on the outer side of the tower column to restrict the ship compartment from continuing to move upwards during docking. A platform is provided on the outer side of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment, and the docking and locking cylinder is installed on the platform. The locking support surface on the tower column serves as the support interface for the docking and locking cylinder. The docking and locking cylinder employs an angle-deflecting end, creating an angle between the docking surface of the cylinder and the locking support surface to accommodate in-plane tilting of the ship compartment during docking and locking.

[0006] Furthermore, the lifting wire rope and the ship's cabin are located on the outside of the tower column, while the torque wire rope and the counterweight device are located on the inside of the tower column.

[0007] Furthermore, a counterweight lock is provided on the inner bottom of the tower column to limit the continuous descent of the counterweight device.

[0008] Furthermore, the docking locking cylinder includes a docking locking block, a thrust ball sliding bearing, a cylinder support seat, a piston rod, and a piston; the docking locking cylinder is installed vertically, with its rod-side chamber at the top and its rodless chamber at the bottom; the docking locking block is connected to the cylinder piston rod via the thrust ball sliding bearing, the fixed end of the thrust ball sliding bearing is rigidly connected to the top of the piston rod, and the movable end is rigidly connected to the docking locking block; the docking locking block and the thrust ball sliding bearing form the angle deflection end, and the docking locking block, through the rotation of the thrust ball sliding bearing, generates a 0-2° angle relative to the plane of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment and the plane of the cylinder support seat; the piston is located below the piston rod and is rigidly connected to the piston rod.

[0009] Furthermore, the rod-side chambers of the docking locking cylinders of the at least four docking locking devices are interconnected, and the rodless chambers are interconnected.

[0010] Furthermore, the docking locking cylinder is installed and fixed on the extended platform of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment by connecting bolts, and the installation location is the cylinder support seat.

[0011] A docking and locking method for a ship lift employing hydraulic tensioning, using the docking and locking device described above, the method comprising:

[0012] During the lifting and lowering process of the ship compartment, the docking locking cylinder remains in the extended L1 stroke state;

[0013] When the ship compartment is docked with the lock head, the docking locking cylinder continues to push out and presses against the docking locking support surface on the tower column with a set pressure, thereby completing the tension pre-tensioning of the ship compartment hoisting wire rope.

[0014] Subsequently, the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder is locked during the entire docking process;

[0015] After the docking of the ship compartments is completed, the docking locking device slowly unloads, allowing the remaining additional load on the ship compartments to be smoothly transferred to the main hoisting equipment. Then, the hydraulic cylinder is retracted to the L1 stroke state.

[0016] Furthermore, the method specifically includes:

[0017] Step 1: During the upward movement of the ship compartment, the piston rod of the docking locking device supports the docking locking block at position S1, at which time the cylinder stroke is L1;

[0018] Step 2: When the main hoist drives the ship compartment to continue moving upward and approaches the docking and locking position, piston rod 1 moves upward to a stroke of L2;

[0019] Step 3: When the ship compartment reaches the docking locking position, that is, when the docking locking block contacts the locking panel on the locking support surface, proceed to step 4; otherwise, repeat step 2.

[0020] Step 4: Main hoist 5 stops and engages the gate;

[0021] Step 5: The docking locking cylinder actively increases the upward load, while the position of the cabin and the piston rod stroke remain unchanged, and the tension W1 of the lifting wire rope continues to increase;

[0022] Step 6: When the working load F1 of the docking locking cylinder increases to the preset value a, proceed to step 7; otherwise, repeat step 5. Here, a is the maximum weight value of the ship chamber calculated for the maximum misload depth.

[0023] Step 7: The hydraulic circuit of the docking locking cylinder is locked. At this time, the tension of the lifting wire rope will remain unchanged at W1 = w. The load that the docking locking cylinder can bear is F2 = W2 - G1 - G2, where G1 is the total weight of the cabin under ideal conditions and G2 is the actual weight value of the cabin due to water depth.

[0024] Step 8: The working door of the cabin is opened, and the ship enters or leaves the cabin. The tension of the lifting wire rope remains unchanged. The weight of the cabin due to water depth G2 is (-a—a), and the pressure F2 that the docking locking cylinder bears is (0—2a).

[0025] Step 9: Once the vessel has completed the action of entering or exiting the cabin, the main hoist releases the brake, the cabin descends, and the process ends.

[0026] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. The cylinder extension structure composed of thrust ball sliding bearing and docking locking block can adapt to the inclination of 0°-2° in the plane during the docking and locking process of the ship compartment, so that the docking and locking device is basically under axial pressure throughout the process, avoiding docking failure caused by excessive force angle deviation.

[0028] 2. This device can eliminate the need for clamping rails on the ship lift tower column, and the device has a smaller number of components, which improves reliability while reducing the amount of engineering construction.

[0029] 3. All the docking locking cylinders of this device have interconnected chambers of the same name, so that the output force at each point is the same during docking.

[0030] 4. The device is vertically arranged, avoiding the failure of static friction in traditional docking and locking. Furthermore, the device employs an angle-deflecting end, which can adapt to a certain degree of tilting of the ship compartment, preventing vertical displacement and ensuring the safety of the ship lift operation. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a side view of the arrangement of the hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift, as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a top view of the arrangement of the hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for the ship lift in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 This is an overall diagram illustrating the functional implementation of the hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift, as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift, as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of section N, with the device in a vertical position;

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the N-section structure in an inclined position;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention before locking, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0038] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Enlarged view of section M;

[0039] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the locking state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of the locking block contacting the locking panel on the locking support surface during locking according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 11 This is the normal operating procedure of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the maintenance process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] In the diagram: 100—docking locking device, 1—docking locking cylinder, 2—lifting wire rope, 3—ship compartment, 4—locking support surface, 5—main hoist, 6—torque wire rope, 7—counterweight device, 8—counterweight locking, 9—tower column, 1.1—docking locking block, 1.2—thrust ball sliding bearing, 1.3—cylinder support seat, 1.4—cylinder piston rod, 1.5—piston, 1.6—rod chamber, 1.7—rodless chamber, 4.1—locking panel. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] Please see Figure 1-10 The present invention adopts one embodiment of a hydraulically tensioned ship lift docking locking device 100. The docking locking device 100 is installed on the upper part of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment 3, with a total of four sets, which are symmetrically arranged along the transverse center line and the longitudinal center line of the ship compartment.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the docking locking device 100 includes a docking locking cylinder 1, a lifting wire rope 2, a ship chamber 3, a locking support surface 4, a main hoist 5, a torque wire rope 6, a counterweight device 7, a counterweight lock 8, and a tower column 9.

[0047] The main hoist 5 is located on the hoisting machine room platform at the top of the tower column 9. The main hoist 5 suspends the ship compartment 3 via hoisting wire rope 2 and the counterweight device 7 via torque wire rope 6. The hoisting wire rope 2 and the ship compartment 3 are located on the outside of the tower column 9, while the torque wire rope 6 and the counterweight device 7 are located on the inside of the tower column 9. A locking support surface 4 is provided on the outside of the tower column 9, i.e., the side of the ship compartment, which can restrict the ship compartment 3 from continuing to move upward when in the docking position. A counterweight lock 8 is provided at the bottom of the inside of the tower column 9, which can restrict the counterweight device 7 from continuously descending and bear the weight of the counterweight device 7. A platform is provided on the outside of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment 3, and a docking locking cylinder 1 is installed on the platform. The locking support surface 4 on the tower column 9 can serve as the support interface for the docking locking cylinder 1.

[0048] When the ship lift is in lifting mode, the main hoist 5 drives the lifting wire rope 2, thereby lifting the ship compartment 3 upwards. At the same time, the torque wire rope 6 and the counterweight device 7 on the other side move downwards. When the ship compartment reaches the docking and locking position, the docking locking cylinder 1 contacts the locking support surface 4, restricting the ship compartment from continuing to move upwards, and simultaneously providing conditions for the operation of the docking locking device. When the ship lift is in descending mode, the counterweight device 7 drives the main hoist 5 to rotate through the torque wire rope 6, thereby causing the lifting wire rope 2 on the other side to drive the ship compartment 3 downwards.

[0049] like Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the docking locking cylinder 1 is installed and fixed on the extended platform of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment 3 by connecting bolts 10, and the installation location is the cylinder support seat 1.3. The docking locking cylinder 1 includes a docking locking block 1.1, a thrust ball sliding bearing 1.2, a cylinder support seat 1.3, a piston rod 1.4, and a piston 1.5. The docking locking cylinder 1 is installed vertically, with its rod chamber 1.6 at the top and its rodless chamber 1.7 at the bottom. The docking locking block 1.1 is connected to the cylinder piston rod 1.4 through the thrust ball sliding bearing 1.2. The fixed end of the thrust ball sliding bearing 1.2 is rigidly connected to the top of the piston rod 1.4, and the movable end is rigidly connected to the docking locking block 1.1. The docking locking block 1.1 can generate a 2° angle relative to the plane of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment 3 and the plane of the cylinder support seat 1.3 by the rotation of the thrust ball sliding bearing 1.2. Figure 6 (As shown). Piston 1.5 is located below piston rod 1.4 and is rigidly connected to piston rod 1.4. When piston 1.5 moves, the locking block 1.1 will move in the same direction through the transmission of piston rod 1.4.

[0050] Before the docking locking device is in the locking operation, the stroke of the docking locking cylinder is L1. At this time, the position of the docking locking block 1.1 relative to the ship compartment 3 is S1, and the docking locking block 1.1 is not in contact with the locking support surface 4.

[0051] When the docking locking device is locked, the states of each component are as follows: Figure 9 As shown. A locking panel 4.1 is welded to the lower end of the locking support surface 4. When the docking locking action is performed, the piston rod 1.5 of the docking locking cylinder 1 moves upward and the stroke reaches L2. At this time, the docking locking block 1.1 is at position S2 relative to the ship compartment 3, and the docking locking block 1.1 contacts the locking panel 4.1 on the locking support surface 4.

[0052] like Figure 11 As shown, the docking locking method of the docking locking device in this embodiment of the invention is as follows:

[0053] Step 1: During the upward movement of the ship compartment 3, the piston rod 1.4 of the docking locking device supports the docking locking block 1.1 at position S1, and the cylinder stroke is L1 at this time;

[0054] Step 2: When the main hoist 5 drives the ship compartment 3 to continue moving upward and approaches the docking and locking position, the piston rod 1.4 moves upward to a stroke of L2;

[0055] Step 3: When the ship compartment 3 reaches the docking locking position, that is, when the docking locking block 1.1 contacts the locking panel 4.1 on the locking support surface 4, execute step 4; otherwise, repeat step 2.

[0056] Step 4: Main hoist 5 stops and engages the gate;

[0057] Step 5: The docking locking cylinder 1 actively increases the upward load, while the position of the cabin 3 and the stroke of the piston rod 1.4 remain unchanged, and the tension W1 of the lifting wire rope 2 continues to increase;

[0058] Step 6: When the working load F1 of the docking locking cylinder 1 increases to the preset value a (the maximum weight value of the water depth of the ship chamber 3 that is misloaded, a is a positive number), proceed to step 7; otherwise, repeat step 5.

[0059] Step 7: The hydraulic circuit of docking locking cylinder 1 is locked. At this time, the tension of steel wire rope 2 will remain unchanged at W1 = w. The load that docking locking cylinder 1 can bear is F2 = W2 - G1 - G2, where G1 is the total weight of the cabin 3 under ideal conditions and G2 is the actual weight value of the cabin 3 under the water depth of the misload.

[0060] Step 8: The working door of the cabin 3 is opened, and the ship enters or leaves the cabin 3. The tension of the lifting wire rope 2 remains unchanged. The weight G2 of the cabin due to water depth is approximately (-a—a), and the pressure F2 borne by the docking locking cylinder 1 is approximately (0—2a).

[0061] Step 9: Once the vessel has completed the action of entering or exiting the cabin 3, the main hoist 5 releases the brake, the cabin 3 descends, and the process ends.

[0062] like Figure 12As shown, the working process of the docking locking device during ship compartment maintenance of the present invention is as follows:

[0063] Step 1: During the upward movement of the ship compartment 3 shown, the piston rod 1.4 of the docking locking device cylinder supports the docking locking block 1.1 at position S1, and the cylinder stroke is L1 at this time;

[0064] Step 2: When the main hoist 5 drives the ship compartment 3 to continue moving upward and approaches the docking and locking position, the piston rod 1.4 moves upward to a stroke of L2;

[0065] Step 3: When the ship compartment 3 reaches the docking locking position, that is, when the docking locking block 1.1 contacts the locking panel 4.1 on the locking support surface 4, execute step 4; otherwise, repeat step 2.

[0066] Step 4: The docking locking cylinder 1 continues to increase the upward load. At this time, the position of the cabin 3 and the stroke of the piston rod 1.4 do not change, the main hoist 5 is still in the released state, and the tension of the hoisting wire rope 2 continues to increase to w;

[0067] Step 5: Increase the load on locking cylinder 1 to F1 and proceed to step 6; otherwise, repeat step 4.

[0068] Step 6: The ship compartment 3 begins to release water, the main hoist 5 reverses the counterweight device 7 to hold it, at this time the tension W1 of the hoisting wire rope 2 decreases, the tension W2 of the gravity wire rope 6 decreases, and the load N1 on the counterweight lower locking 8 increases.

[0069] Step 7: As the tension decreases, the length of the steel wire ropes on both sides decreases, the stroke of the docking locking cylinder 1 increases to L3, and the output of the main hoist 5 gradually decreases to 0;

[0070] Step 8: The water in the cabin is drained until it is finished. The main hoist 5 is locked and the hydraulic circuit of the locking cylinder (1) is locked. At this time, the tension of the hoisting wire rope 2 is W1=G3+F1, and the tension of the gravity wire rope 6 is W2=G4-N1=W1. The process ends.

[0071] This invention employs a hydraulic cylinder support mechanism for the ship chamber 3, consisting of a piston rod 1.4, a thrust ball sliding bearing 1.2, and a docking locking block 1.1. During operation, the mechanism exhibits a slight tilt angle, causing the four docking locking devices' docking locking blocks 1.1 to not be perfectly horizontal. When the docking locking action is performed, each docking locking device's docking locking block 1.1 will contact the locking panel 4.1 and be in a horizontal position. At this time, the thrust ball sliding bearing 1.2 will generate a certain deflection angle, with a maximum of 2°, which can adapt to most actual working conditions. The adaptability of the docking locking device to the tilt angle of the ship chamber 3 avoids the inconsistent force and angle at various points during the docking locking action of traditional docking locking devices. This prevents local vertical displacement of the ship chamber, avoiding docking failure and safety issues for the ship lift operation.

[0072] Furthermore, this invention employs a hydraulic cylinder operating scheme where the cylinders of the same name are interconnected in pairs. The rod-type and rodless-type cylinders of the docking locking devices at the upper and lower heads are interconnected, ensuring equal pressure within the cylinders in all states. When the ship compartment docks with the lock head, the docking locking cylinder continues to extend, pressing against the docking locking support surface on the tower column with a set pressure. At this point, the force output at each docking point is equal, preventing uneven force on the cylinders and thus avoiding the phenomenon of the ship compartment tilting at a single point, thereby further improving the safety of the ship lift.

[0073] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A docking and locking device for a ship lift employing hydraulic tensioning, characterized in that: At least four docking locking devices are symmetrically arranged on the extended platform above the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment. Each docking locking device includes a docking locking cylinder, a lifting wire rope, a ship compartment, a locking support surface, a main hoist, a torque wire rope, a counterweight device, a counterweight lock, and a tower column. The main hoist is located on the hoisting machine room platform above the tower column. The main hoist suspends the ship compartment via the lifting wire rope and the counterweight device via the torque wire rope. A locking support surface is provided on the outer side of the tower column to restrict the ship compartment from continuing to move upward when in the docking position. A platform is provided on the outer side of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment, and the docking locking cylinder is installed on the platform. The locking support surface on the tower column serves as the support interface for the docking locking cylinder. The docking locking cylinder adopts an angle deflection end, so that the docking surface of the docking locking cylinder and the locking support surface form an angle to adapt to the in-plane tilt of the ship compartment during the docking locking process.

2. The hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting wire rope and the ship's cabin are located on the outside of the tower column, while the torque wire rope and the counterweight device are located on the inside of the tower column.

3. The hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner bottom of the tower column is equipped with a counterweight lock to limit the continuous descent of the counterweight device.

4. The hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The docking locking cylinder includes a docking locking block, a thrust ball sliding bearing, a cylinder support seat, a piston rod, and a piston. The docking locking cylinder is installed vertically, with the rod-side chamber at the top and the rodless chamber at the bottom. The docking locking block is connected to the cylinder piston rod via the thrust ball sliding bearing. The fixed end of the thrust ball sliding bearing is rigidly connected to the top of the piston rod, and the movable end is rigidly connected to the docking locking block. The docking locking block and the thrust ball sliding bearing form the angle deflection end. The docking locking block, through the rotation of the thrust ball sliding bearing, generates an angle of 0-2° relative to the plane of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment and the plane of the cylinder support seat. The piston is located below the piston rod and is rigidly connected to the piston rod.

5. The hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The rod-side chambers of the at least four docking locking devices are interconnected, and the rodless chambers are interconnected.

6. The hydraulically tensioned docking and locking device for a ship lift as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The docking locking cylinder is installed and fixed on the extended platform of the main longitudinal beam of the ship compartment by connecting bolts, and the installation location is the cylinder support seat.

7. A docking and locking method for a ship lift using hydraulic tensioning, characterized in that: The docking locking device as described in any one of claims 1-6 is used, and the method includes: During the lifting and lowering process of the ship compartment, the docking locking cylinder remains in the extended L1 stroke state; When the ship compartment aligns with the lock head, the docking locking cylinder continues to extend, and at the set position... The pressure presses against the docking and locking support surface on the tower column, thereby completing the pre-tensioning of the steel wire rope for hoisting the ship compartment; Subsequently, the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder is locked during the entire docking process; After the docking of the ship compartments is completed, the docking locking device slowly unloads, allowing the remaining additional load on the ship compartments to be smoothly transferred to the main hoisting equipment. Then, the hydraulic cylinder is retracted to the L1 stroke state.

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