Spacing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a spacing system for a vessel with respect to other objects, comprising at least one fender which can be placed at least in the region of a side wall of the vessel and which can be brought from a rest position into a functional position. In this case, at least one fender is attached to the boom frame, where the boom frame includes one or two approximately parallel support arms. A fender is provided at the outer ends of the support arms or between the outer ends of two support arms, wherein the support arms are connected to the vessel such that they can be lowered and raised.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spacing system for a vessel relative to other objects according to the general term of claim 1.

[0002] Spacer systems are well known in ships and vessels, wherein in the usual case, when moored to a quay wall or to other ships, fenders are placed on the side walls of the respective ship, which fenders can absorb the movement forces of the ship relative to other objects in a cushioning manner, so that greater friction and damage to the ship's wall can be avoided.

[0003] However, a disadvantage of these fender systems is that the size or respective diameter of these fenders is very limited, typically in the range of about 0.5 m to 1.5 m.

[0004] In addition to the above-mentioned fenders, there are also known boom systems on ships and boats, which are often used for purposes other than absorbing the forces of movement between the ship or other objects, such as quay walls.

[0005] For example, a system is known from FR 2 810 624 A1, in which extendable or retractable stabilizers are provided on the side walls to improve and increase the displacement volume of the hull, which provides a larger displacement volume for the entire vessel, so that the stability of the vessel is improved.

[0006] Another example of a boom system for a boat is shown in US 1,127,901. Here, a buoyancy plate can be placed between two guide rods on the sides of the boat where required, so that this system improves the boat's heeling stability.

[0007] For example, other boom systems are known from Polynesian boats. However, these systems are rigidly connected to the boat and usually consist of trunks of relatively small diameter, so that the heeling stability of the boat can be substantially improved with these systems.

[0008] JPH 10 10 92A describes a retractable fender for keeping a vessel away from other objects, wherein the solution only achieves a relatively small distance between the vessel and the other object.

[0009] DE 10 2012 019 440 A1 also shows a retractable fender system, in which the distance between the side wall of the vessel and another object is determined by the size of the fender.

[0010] In the case of tankers and bunker ships, in particular the problem and the requirement still remain in terms of safety that the distance between the ship's sidewall of a tanker and other objects (eg cruise ships) must be significantly greater than was previously achievable with simple fenders.

[0011] Especially for LNG (liquefied natural gas) fueled ships, a greater distance is required between the LNG fueled ship and the ship to be refueled, for example, a distance between about 2m and 12m.

[0012] The object of the present invention can therefore be seen from the creation of a spacing system for a vessel relative to other objects, in which fenders can be used, but in terms of vessel technology and safety, a significantly greater distance can be achieved between the vessel (e.g. an LNG fuelled vessel) and the vessel to be refuelled (e.g. a cruise ship).

[0013] In order to solve this problem and achieve the object, the present invention proposes a spacing system having the features of claim 1 .

[0014] Here, at least one fender is attached, in particular substantially horizontally, to the boom frame.

[0015] In order to carry the weight of the fender and the forces acting thereon and to enable the retraction and extension of the fender from its rest position to its functional position, a boom frame with one or two approximately parallel extending arms is provided, which may have transverse stiffeners. The support arm or the two support arms can be lowered from the rest position to the functional position and can be raised again from the functional position to the rest position, for example after completion of a refueling process. For this purpose, the boom frame is connected to the vessel in a fixed but pivotable manner.

[0016] At least one fender, which is conveniently cylindrical and shaped like a barrel, is provided here at the outer end of the support arm or between the outer ends of two support arms.

[0017] Therefore, the configuration of the present spacing system allows the distance between the fuel vessel and other receiving vessels to be in the range of about 2m to about 12m or more, which is specifically determined by the total weight of the spacing system and the length of the boom frame including the fender diameter, while taking into account the corresponding ship technical requirements.

[0018] The spacing system according to the invention is particularly suitable for ships where a distance of more than 10 m must be maintained between the ship's side walls, for example when releasing dangerous goods to other ships, for example when bunkering LNG to a receiving ship such as a cruise ship. In the case of cruise ships, for example, the technical design of the ship or lifeboats protruding from the side of the ship may require a greater distance. In the case of LNG-fueled ships in particular, the transfer of LNG and the need to maintain a safety zone mean that a larger distance between ships is a mandatory requirement.

[0019] Conveniently, the support arms of the boom frame may be lowered and raised by using mechanical means attached to the hull, in particular by hydraulic cylinders.

[0020] This also advantageously allows the boom to be arranged at an angle so that this measure enables better alignment of the boom including the fender. This measure also allows more precise alignment of the contact point of the fender with other objects or vessels.

[0021] Preferably, a ship equipped with a spacer system according to the invention is provided with two systems on each side of the ship. In this case, one spacer system is provided on each side of the ship, in the bow side area and in the stern side area. For the weights and forces to be taken into account in the spacer system according to the invention, an LNG fueled ship with a ship length of approximately 80 to 90 m is cited only as an example. The fenders used in the spacer system can usefully consist of an elastomer or also of solid rubber. Pneumatic fenders are also suitable. The weight of such a pneumatic fender with a ship length of 90 m can be around 2 tons.

[0022] For a vessel tonnage of around 6,000 tons, the corresponding fenders must be able to absorb a minimum of 1,100 kNm of energy. The minimum energy absorption ensured by the fenders in the above example should be around 1,300 kNm.

[0023] In a swivel design it is advantageous to attach the fender to the outer end of the support arm or between the two outer ends of the parallel support arms so that highly fluctuating water levels can be better compensated. An arrangement with a slight axial displacement also makes it easier to compensate for movements of the vessel in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] In its lower functional position, the boom is configured to have a distance of about 2m to 12m from the vessel sidewall to another vessel or object. In the above cited example of an LNG fuel vessel having a length of about 90m, the length of the boom to the axis of the fender may be around 10m.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the support arm is configured to be adjustable in length and / or angled. In this way, the distance between two ship side walls or relative to the quay wall can be better adjusted.

[0026] With regard to the pivotability of the boom frame including the corresponding fenders, the support arm or the two support arms are rotatably mounted in the outer region of the hull, in particular slightly above the waterline of the vessel. For this purpose, two bearings are advantageously provided in the side regions of the hull of the vessel, wherein this takes place slightly above the waterline. This allows the boom frame to be rotated approximately horizontally above the water surface at a greater distance from the vessel.

[0027] The application point of the mechanical device or hydraulic cylinder on the support arm is selected so that it is approximately 1 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the support arm length from the side of the vessel. With this design, the weight and forces from the boom frame can be well absorbed and handled.

[0028] The configuration of the spacing system with boom holder and fender according to the invention provides that, in phases when the spacing system is not needed, the fender and boom holder can be pivoted into their static position, wherein at least the fender can be placed and stored in a receptacle configured approximately like a pocket and located on the hull of the vessel or on the superstructure of the vessel.

[0029] The transverse stiffeners of the boom bracket are conveniently configured as diagonal stiffeners between the support arms, for example in a cross shape, so that an improved rigidity of the boom bracket is achieved with respect to the weight of the fender and the corresponding force and energy absorption.

[0030] The spacing system according to the invention, also known as a boom system or outrigger system, creates a very flexible and adaptable device, in particular for fuel vessels carrying hazardous liquids or gases which must maintain the required large distance from the receiving vessel, which device complies with the regulations and requirements for the transfer of hazardous goods.

[0031] The present invention is explained in more detail below based on schematic diagrams. In the accompanying drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 A perspective view of a vessel is shown, in particular an LNG fuelled vessel having two partition systems on the starboard side;

[0033] Figure 2 A top view of a single spacer system with fenders between two support arms is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 The following diagram shows the longitudinal direction of the ship. Figure 1 A vertical section of a ship with the spacer system extended;

[0035] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1 A schematic vertical section of a vessel of FIG. 1 , with the partition system pivoted out relative to a side wall of a partially shown vessel, in particular a cruise ship; and

[0036] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 4 Partial top view of the vessel with the spacer system pivoted out.

[0037] In accordance with Figure 1 In the schematic example of FIG. 1 , a vessel 10, in particular an LNG fuel vessel, with two partition systems 1 pivoted out on the starboard side is shown in a perspective representation. The vessel superstructure with the wheelhouse 3 is shown at the stern of the vessel. Other vessel superstructures can be seen in the bow direction above the corresponding cabins 21, which are surrounded by outer railings.

[0038] The spacing system 1 according to the invention essentially comprises two parallel outwardly extending support arms 6, which are connected by cross-shaped transverse reinforcement ribs 14 ( Figure 2 ) strengthens the support arm 6 to form a boom frame 5. On the one hand, the boom frame 5 is provided with corresponding bearings 35 ( Figure 3 ) is pivotally connected to the hull 12 ( Figure 3 On the other hand, the two parallel support arms 6 are at the application point 37 ( Figure 3 ) is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 8, and the hydraulic cylinder 8 is fixed on the ship 10.

[0039] The spacer system 1 comprises a barrel-shaped cylindrical fender 7 at the end region of the boom frame 5. Figure 1 In the case shown, the two spacer systems 1 arranged on the starboard side are lowered and are shown in the functional position 31 or the respective working position. The spacer system 1 can be lowered from the starboard side by means of hydraulic cylinders 8 acting on the boom frame 5. Figure 1 The functional position of the illustrated spacer system 1 is lifted or respectively pivoted upwards so that in particular the fender 7 can be lifted into the pocket-like receiving portion 15 and moved into the rest position 30 ( Figure 4 ).

[0040] Furthermore, depending on its function, the spacing system 1 can also be pivoted upwards and inwards from its functional position 31 into a corresponding rest position.

[0041] According to the plan view of the spacer system 1, as shown Figure 2 As shown, it can be appreciated that the fender 7 is arranged on the axis 9 between the front ends 27 of the support arms 6. In the example described at the beginning, a ship length of about 90 m is used as an example. Figure 1 In the case of the two spacer systems 1 shown, the length of the fender 7 can be about 5.5 m and the length of the fender shaft can have a dimension of about 6.5 m. The distance A or the respective length 6 of the support arm 6 can be between the shaft 9 of the fender 7 and the pivot bearing 35 ( Figure 3 ) is about 10m apart.

[0042] In the above example, the weight of the fender as the pneumatic fender may be around 2 tons.

[0043] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 1 Detail of a vertical section of a vessel 10 viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vessel in front of the bow spacing system 1. The support arm 6 of the boom frame 5 is pivoted out here and carries the corresponding fender 7 in the functional position 31 at the front end. The hydraulic cylinder 8 is hinged here at the application point 37 on the support arm 6. When the hydraulic cylinder 8 is retracted, the boom frame 5 including the fender 7 is correspondingly raised to an approximately vertical position. Other mechanical means can then be used to allow the boom frame 5 including the fender 7 to be further pivoted upwards to the rest position 30 ( Figure 4 ).

[0044] The bearings 35 of the boom bracket 5 are positioned so that they are arranged in an outer area of ​​the hull 12 slightly above the waterline 33. This also allows the boom bracket 5 including the fender 7 to be pivoted out to a substantially horizontal position. This arrangement also allows the boom bracket 5 to be relatively easily pivoted upwards and inwards to a rest position 30 in a corresponding housing 15.

[0045] according to Figure 4 The view in the longitudinal direction of the two vessels 10 and 50 shows a schematic vertical section of an LNG fuelled vessel 10 with a spacer system 1 pivoted out in a substantially horizontal position with fenders 7 at the ends.

[0046] For example, a detail of a cruise ship 50 is shown, whose lifeboat 52 protrudes significantly beyond the side wall of the ship. Especially in the case of dangerous goods such as LNG and refueling of such a ship 50 in port or at sea, a distance A as large as possible is required between the two side walls 11 and 51 of the ship 10, 50.

[0047] In accordance with Figure 4 In the example of , the spacing system 1 of the LNG fueled vessel 10 is therefore supported by two fenders 7 seen on the wall 51 of the vessel 50 along the length of the vessel 10. The distance A between the two vessels may here be, for example, 10 m or more.

[0048] Figure 4 The spacer system 1 is shown pivoted into its rest position 30 on the right side of the vessel 10 , wherein the fender 7 can be placed approximately in the receptacle 15 .

[0049] The position 19 of the fender 7 can be set and determined by using the hydraulic device 8 .

[0050] according to Figure 5 The partial top view shows Figure 4 A cross section of an LNG fuelled vessel is shown. Here a spacer system 1 with end fenders 7 according to the invention can be seen.

[0051] The fender 7 should be composed of a buoyant material so that the supplementary buoyancy to the spacer system 1 can act as a relief force to the spacer system 1 if the fender 7 is submerged in water.

[0052] The spacing system 1 according to the invention can in principle be used on very different types of vessels, for example directly on cruise ships or supply vessels. Thus, an ingenious solution is created for use in situations where particularly large distances between vessels or relative to other objects are required.

Claims

1. A spacing system (1) for a vessel (10) relative to another object (50), comprising at least one fender (7), which can be placed at least in the region of a side wall (11) of the vessel and can be brought from a rest position (30) into a functional position (21); It is characterized in that The at least one fender (7) is in particular attached substantially horizontally to the boom frame (5); The boom frame (5) comprises one or two approximately parallel support arms (6), and the support arms (6) may comprise transverse reinforcing ribs (14); The fender (7) is arranged at the outer end of the support arm (6) or between the outer ends (27) of the two support arms (6); wherein, The support arm (6) is connected to the vessel (10) so that the support arm can be raised and lowered.

2. The spacer system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The support arm (6) can be lowered and raised by mechanical elements attached to the hull (12) of the vessel, in particular by hydraulic cylinders (8).

3. The spacer system according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The fender (7) is configured to be barrel-shaped and cylindrical.

4. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The fender (7) is rotatably and / or axially movably arranged at the end of the support arm (6) or between the ends (27) of the two support arms (6).

5. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The boom frame (5) in the lower functional position (31) is configured such that the distance A from the side wall (11) of the vessel to the axis of the fender (7) is about 2m to 12m, in particular about 10m.

6. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The fender (7) is formed of an elastomer, solid rubber, or is configured as a pneumatic fender.

7. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that The support arm (6) is designed to be adjustable in length and / or angle.

8. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It is characterized in that The support arm (6) is rotatably mounted in an outer region of the hull (12) of the vessel, in particular slightly above the waterline (33) of the vessel (10).

9. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that The application point (37) of the mechanical device or the hydraulic cylinder (8) on the support arm (6) is located at a distance from the ship's wall (11) of approximately 1 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the length of the support arm (6).

10. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, It is characterized in that The fender (7) and the boom bracket (5) can be pivoted to the static position (30), in which at least the fender (7) can be placed in a receiving portion (15) on the hull (12) of the vessel or on the superstructure (3) of the vessel.

11. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It is characterized in that The transverse reinforcement ribs (14) of the boom frame (5) are configured as diagonal reinforcement ribs between the support arms (6).

12. A spacing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, It is characterized in that Two systems (1) are provided on each side of the vessel (10).

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