Gravity dock gate

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of dock technology and discloses a gravity dock gate. The gravity dock gate body has a main ballast tank and can float or sink, having a floating position and a bottom-sitting position. When the dock gate body is in the bottom-sitting position, it contacts and seals against the dock bottom. When the dock gate body is in the floating position, it is spaced apart from the dock bottom. A main ballast pump is used to deliver water to the main ballast tank or to discharge water from the main ballast tank, causing the dock gate body to float or sink, thus opening or closing the gravity dock gate. A main thruster is located on the dock gate body and can drive the dock gate body to move along its length. A side thruster is located on the dock gate body and can drive the dock gate body to move along its width. Therefore, the main thruster and side thrusters can drive the dock gate body to move, giving the gravity dock gate self-propulsion capability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dock technology, and more particularly to gravity dock gates. Background Technology

[0002] Dock gates are an important component of modern shipbuilding and repair docks. They separate the dock from the inner and outer water bodies, and the drainage system of the dock pumps out the water, creating a difference in water level between the inside and outside, thus providing a dry and safe construction environment for shipbuilding and repair.

[0003] Currently, gravity-type dock gates are commonly used. When opening, the ballast water tanks are drained through the gate's drainage system, causing the gate to gradually rise. External forces, such as tugboats pushing the gate, are then used to tow it to a suitable position near the dock entrance. When closing the gate, tugboats move it back to the dock sill, and ballast water is injected into the ballast tanks, causing the gate to sink and stabilize on the seawall, relying on the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the gate to achieve a tight fit. However, traditional dock gates require tugboat assistance in pushing the gate, and the speed and thrust of this external force are difficult to control, and it consumes valuable tugboat resources at the dock or in the waterway. Furthermore, in rough sea conditions, relying solely on external forces for floating body positioning remains technically challenging and poses certain safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a gravity-type dock gate is provided to solve the problems in the prior art where dock gates require tugboat assistance for pushing, making it difficult to control speed and thrust, and posing significant technical challenges in positioning the floating body under adverse sea conditions.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] Gravity dock gates include:

[0007] The dock gate body has a main ballast tank. The dock gate body can float or sink and has a floating position and a bottoming position. When the dock gate body is in the bottoming position, the dock gate body is in contact with the dock bottom and is sealed. When the dock gate body is in the floating position, the dock gate body is spaced apart from the dock bottom.

[0008] The main thruster is located on the dock gate body and is capable of driving the dock gate body to move along its length.

[0009] A side thruster is provided on the dock gate body and is capable of driving the dock gate body to move along its width direction;

[0010] The main ballast pump is used to deliver water to the main ballast tank or to discharge water from the main ballast tank so that the dock gate body floats or sinks.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of a gravity-type dock gate, the dock gate body has a side push hole that extends through both sides of the dock gate body along its width direction. The side thruster includes a side thruster body and side thruster blades. The side thruster body is used to drive the side thruster blades to rotate, and the side thruster blades are disposed within the side push hole.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of a gravity-type dock gate, the side push hole communicates with the external water area through a side push hole opening located at one end. The dock gate body is also provided with a side push hole cover, which is used to close or open the side push hole opening.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of gravity-type dock gate, the main thruster is a full-rotation thruster, and two main thrusters are provided, with the two main thrusters respectively located at both ends of the dock gate body along its length direction.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of a gravity-type dock gate, the dock gate body also includes an auxiliary ballast tank and an auxiliary ballast pump. The auxiliary ballast pump is used to deliver water to the auxiliary ballast tank or to discharge water from the auxiliary ballast tank.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the gravity dock gate, multiple auxiliary ballast tanks are provided, some of which are upper ballast tanks and some are lower ballast tanks. The upper ballast tanks are located above the lower ballast tanks. The gravity dock gate also includes a submersible ballast pump, which is used to transport water from the lower ballast tanks to the upper ballast tanks.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of a gravity-type dock gate, the cross-section of the middle part of the dock gate body is I-shaped along the length direction of the dock gate body, and includes a top, a bottom, and a connecting part located between the top and the bottom, with the auxiliary ballast tank disposed at the bottom.

[0017] As a preferred option for gravity-type dock gates, an overflow compartment is also included, which is always in communication with the external waters.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the gravity-type dock gate, the dock gate body is boat-shaped, and the bottom height of both the bow and stern ends of the dock gate body is higher than the bottom height of the middle part of the dock gate body.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of gravity-type dock gates, the bottom surface of the dock gate body is provided with water-stopping rubber.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] This invention provides a gravity-type dock gate, including a gate body, a main thruster, side thrusters, and a main ballast pump. The gate body has a main ballast tank and is capable of floating or sinking, having a floating position and a bottom-sitting position. When the gate body is in the bottom-sitting position, it contacts and seals against the dock bottom. When the gate body is in the floating position, it is spaced apart from the dock bottom. The main ballast pump is used to deliver water to the main ballast tank or to discharge water from the main ballast tank, causing the gate body to float or sink, thereby adjusting the gate body to the floating or bottom-sitting position. To enable the opening and closing of the gravity-type dock gate, a main thruster is installed on the gate body, driving it to move along its length; a side thruster is installed on the gate body, driving it to move along its width. Thus, the main thruster and side thruster can drive the gate body to move, giving the gravity-type dock gate self-propulsion capability. This reduces the time and material costs of moving the gravity-type dock gate, enables precise positioning during sinking and floating, and allows the gravity-type dock gate to more flexibly adjust its docking position to perform different water-blocking tasks. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the gravity dock gate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the gravity-type dock gate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first partial structure of the gravity-type dock gate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second partial structure of the gravity dock gate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the third partial structure of the gravity-type dock gate in an embodiment of the present invention (when the dock gate body is in a floating position).

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth partial structure of the gravity-type dock gate in an embodiment of the present invention (when the dock gate body is in the bottom position).

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning operation process of the gravity dock gate in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 100. Dock door body; 101. Main ballast tank; 102. Side thruster port; 1021. Side thruster port opening; 1022. Side thruster port cover; 1023. Hinge; 103. Secondary ballast tank; 1031. Upper ballast tank; 1032. Lower ballast tank; 1033. Side water inlet pipe; 1034. Remote control butterfly valve; 104. Side thruster compartment; 105. Overflow compartment; 106. Main propulsion compartment; 107. Pipeline passage; 108. Main stairway; 109. Engine room control room; 110. DP control room; 111. Fuel tank; 112. Engine room; 113. Electrical equipment compartment;

[0031] 1. Main thruster;

[0032] 2. Side thruster; 21. Side thruster blade;

[0033] 3. Submersible ballast pump;

[0034] 4. Water-stopping rubber;

[0035] 5. Generator set. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0037] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0039] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0040] Dock gates are an important component of modern shipbuilding and repair docks. Currently, gravity-type dock gates are commonly used. When opening, the ballast water tanks are drained through the gate's drainage system, causing the gate to gradually rise. External forces, such as tugboats pushing the gate, are then used to tow it to a suitable position near the dock entrance. When closing the gate, tugboats again move it to the dock sill, and ballast water is injected into the ballast tanks, causing the gate to sink and stabilize on the bottom. The pressure difference between the inside and outside of the gate allows for a tight fit against the hull. However, traditional dock gates require tugboat assistance in pushing the gate. When using external forces to push the gate, the speed and thrust are difficult to control, and it consumes valuable tugboat resources at the dock or in the waterway. Furthermore, in rough sea conditions, relying solely on external forces for floating body positioning remains technically challenging and poses certain safety hazards.

[0041] In response, this embodiment provides a gravity-type dock gate to solve the problems in the prior art where dock gates require tugboat assistance for pushing, making it difficult to control speed and thrust, and posing significant technical challenges for buoy positioning in adverse sea conditions.

[0042] Reference Figures 1-7The gravity-type dock gate includes a dock gate body 100, a main thruster 1, side thrusters 2, and a main ballast pump. The dock gate body 100 has a main ballast tank 101. The dock gate body 100 can float or sink, having a floating position and a bottom-sitting position. When the dock gate body 100 is in the bottom-sitting position, it contacts and seals against the dock bottom. When the dock gate body 100 is in the floating position, it is spaced apart from the dock bottom. The main ballast pump is used to deliver water to the main ballast tank 101 or to discharge water from the main ballast tank 101, causing the dock gate body 100 to float or sink, thereby adjusting the dock gate body 100 to the floating position. The gravity dock gate can be opened or closed by positioning it at the bottom. The main thruster 1 is located on the dock gate body 100 and can drive the dock gate body 100 to move along its length direction; the side thruster 2 is located on the dock gate body 100 and can drive the dock gate body 100 to move along its width direction. Thus, the dock gate body 100 can be driven to move by the main thruster 1 and the side thruster 2, so that the gravity dock gate has self-propulsion capability, which can reduce the time and material cost of moving the gravity dock gate, achieve precise positioning during sinking and floating, and also make the gravity dock gate more flexible in adjusting its docking position to perform different water blocking tasks.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The dock gate body 100 has a side thrust hole 102, which extends through both sides of the dock gate body 100 along its width. The side thruster 2 includes a side thruster body and side thruster blades 21. The side thruster body drives the side thruster blades 21 to rotate. The side thruster blades 21 are disposed within the side thrust hole 102 and can provide lateral thrust in different directions by rotating the side thruster blades 21 forward and backward. In addition, when the side thruster 2 is activated, the side thrust hole 102 can also serve as a flow channel for the dock gate body 100 to reduce the reverse head and decrease the backwater height and opening / closing force during the opening and closing process of the dock gate body 100.

[0044] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7The side push hole 102 communicates with the external water area through a side push hole opening 1021 located at one end. The dock gate body 100 is also provided with a side push hole cover 1022, which is used to close or open the side push hole opening 1021. Both ends of the side push hole 102 have side push hole openings 1021, located on opposite sides of the dock gate body 100. Two side push hole covers 1022 are also provided, corresponding to the two side push hole openings 1021. Optionally, the side push hole cover 1022 is rotatably connected to the side wall of the side push hole opening 1021 via a hinge 1023, so as to facilitate the closing or opening of the side push hole opening 1021. Optionally, a side thrust chamber 104 is also provided above the side thrust hole 102. The side thrust chamber 104 is used to place the side thruster body. In this embodiment, the side thruster body is specifically a propulsion motor.

[0045] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The main thruster 1 is a full-rotation thruster, and there are two main thrusters 1, which are respectively located at both ends of the dock gate body 100 along its length. By placing the main thrusters 1 at both ends of the dock gate body 100 along its length, it is convenient to drive the dock gate body 100 to move as a whole. In addition, the main thruster 1 is a full-rotation thruster, which can change the thrust direction according to actual needs to improve the positioning flexibility of the dock gate body 100. Optionally, the dock gate body 100 has main thruster compartments 106 at both ends along its length. The main body of the main thruster 1 is located in the main thruster compartment 106, and the propeller extends out of the main thruster compartment 106.

[0046] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The dock gate body 100 also includes an auxiliary ballast tank 103 and an auxiliary ballast pump. The auxiliary ballast pump is used to deliver water to or discharge water from the auxiliary ballast tank 103. The auxiliary ballast tank 103 is located at the bottom of the dock gate body 100, primarily serving to lower the center of gravity of the dock gate body 100 and improve navigation stability. Optionally, multiple main ballast tanks 101 and auxiliary ballast tanks 103 are provided. Multiple main ballast tanks 101 are located at both ends of the dock gate body 100 along its length, and multiple auxiliary ballast tanks 103 are located in the middle of the dock gate body 100. Optionally, the auxiliary ballast pump is located on a side inlet pipe 1033 on one side of the auxiliary ballast tank 103. The side inlet pipe 1033 is equipped with a remote-controlled butterfly valve 1034, which is used to open or close the side inlet pipe 1033.

[0047] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7The system includes multiple auxiliary ballast tanks 103, some of which are upper ballast tanks 1031 and others are lower ballast tanks 1032. The upper ballast tanks 1031 are positioned above the lower ballast tanks 1032. This arrangement allows for double or multiple layers of auxiliary ballast tanks 103. However, a drawback is that the lower ballast tanks 1032, being deeper, can achieve rapid ballasting through the side inlet pipe 1033. The upper ballast tanks 1031, due to their smaller level difference with the free surface and susceptibility to wave and tide effects, cannot achieve rapid ballasting through the side inlet pipe 1033. To address this, the gravity dock gate also includes a submersible ballast pump 3. This pump transports water from the lower ballast tanks 1032 to the upper ballast tanks 1031, while the lower ballast tanks 1032 can rapidly receive water through the side inlet pipe 1033, thereby improving ballast efficiency.

[0048] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 Along the length of the dock gate body 100, the cross-section of the middle part of the dock gate body 100 is I-shaped, and includes a top, a bottom, and a connecting part located between the top and the bottom. The auxiliary ballast tank 103 is located at the bottom. Optionally, the top is used to house the engine room 112, and the middle part, from top to bottom, consists of an overflow tank 105, a side thrust tank 104, and a side thrust port 102.

[0049] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The gravity dock gate also includes an overflow compartment 105, which is always connected to the external waters. When the gravity dock gate is installed on the dock sill, the overflow compartment 105 is always connected to the waters near the sea, so that the water level of the overflow compartment 105 is always consistent with the sea level. When the dock gate body 100 is in the floating position, the height of the dock gate body 100 relative to the shore remains unchanged, thus maintaining the stability of the buoyancy of the dock gate body 100. When the dock gate body 100 is in the bottom position, it can ensure that the water level of the overflow compartment 105 is consistent with the sea level, thereby reducing the overall stress change of the dock gate body 100.

[0050] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The dock gate body 100 is boat-shaped, and the bottom height of the bow and stern of the dock gate body 100 is higher than the bottom height of the middle part of the dock gate body 100. This arrangement can reduce fluid resistance. In addition, two main thrusters 1 are respectively set at the bow and stern of the dock gate body 100 to facilitate the installation of propellers.

[0051] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The bottom surface of the dock gate body 100 is provided with a water-stop rubber 4, so that when the dock gate body 100 is in the bottom position, the bottom surface of the dock gate body 100 can be tightly fitted with the dock bottom, thereby ensuring the water tightness of the gravity dock gate during use.

[0052] Optionally, the gravity dock also includes a generator set 5, which generates electrical energy and supplies power to various devices of the gravity dock. The generator set 5 is located in the engine room 112 at the top of the dock body 100.

[0053] Optionally, the dock gate body 100 is also provided with an engine room control room 109 and a DP control room 110, and a pipeline passage 107 for pipelines and wiring harnesses to pass through. In addition, the dock gate body 100 is also provided with a main ladder 108 for personnel passage.

[0054] Optionally, the dock gate body 100 is also provided with a fuel tank 111 for storing fuel oil and an electrical equipment compartment 113 for storing electrical equipment.

[0055] The following combination Figure 7 This embodiment describes the positioning process of the gravity dock gate. First, the gravity dock gate moves from its docking position to the target position. During this process, the main thruster 1 drives the dock gate body 100 along its length, assisted by side thrusters 2 for steering and lateral driving. Furthermore, since the main thruster 1 is a full-rotation thruster, the position of the gravity dock gate can be flexibly adjusted by changing the thrust direction of the main thruster 1. When the gravity dock gate is driven to a position close to the dock, the side thrusters 2 drive the gravity dock gate to turn, continuously bringing it closer to the dock, preparing for subsequent precise positioning. Subsequently, water is pumped into the main ballast tank 101 by the main ballast pump to cause the dock gate body 100 to sink. When the bottom of the dock gate body 100 is about 0.5m from the bottom of the dock, the gravity dock gate is driven to move laterally again by the main thruster 1 and the side thruster 2 to gradually reduce the lateral and longitudinal errors between the gravity dock gate and the target position. After the gravity dock gate has accurately reached the target position, water is pumped into the main ballast tank 101 by the main ballast pump again to cause the dock gate body 100 to sink to the bottom position.

[0056] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of disclosure in this invention is not limited to technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-disclosed concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this invention.

Claims

1. A gravity-type dock gate, characterized in that, include: The dock gate body (100) has a main ballast tank (101). The dock gate body (100) can float or sink and has a floating position and a bottoming position. When the dock gate body (100) is in the bottoming position, the dock gate body (100) contacts and seals with the dock bottom. When the dock gate body (100) is in the floating position, the dock gate body (100) is spaced apart from the dock bottom. The main thruster (1) is disposed on the dock gate body (100) and is capable of driving the dock gate body (100) to move along its length direction; A side thruster (2) is disposed on the dock gate body (100) and is capable of driving the dock gate body (100) to move along its width direction; The main ballast pump is used to deliver water to the main ballast tank (101) or to discharge water from the main ballast tank (101) so that the dock gate body (100) floats or sinks. The dock gate body (100) has a side push hole (102), which penetrates both sides of the dock gate body (100) along the width direction. The side thruster (2) includes a side thruster body and a side thruster blade (21). The side thruster body is used to drive the side thruster blade (21) to rotate. The side thruster blade (21) is disposed in the side push hole (102). The side push hole (102) is connected to the external water area through the side push hole opening (1021) located at one end. The dock gate body (100) is also provided with a side push hole cover (1022), which is used to close or open the side push hole opening (1021).

2. The gravity-type dock gate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main thruster (1) is a full-rotation thruster, and there are two main thrusters (1), which are respectively located at both ends of the dock gate body (100) along its length direction.

3. The gravity-type dock gate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The dock gate body (100) also has a secondary ballast tank (103) and a secondary ballast pump, which is used to deliver water to the secondary ballast tank (103) or to discharge water from the secondary ballast tank (103).

4. The gravity-type dock gate according to claim 3, characterized in that, Multiple auxiliary ballast tanks (103) are provided. Some of the auxiliary ballast tanks (103) are upper ballast tanks (1031), and some of the auxiliary ballast tanks (103) are lower ballast tanks (1032). The upper ballast tank (1031) is located above the lower ballast tank (1032). The gravity dock gate also includes a submersible ballast pump (3), which is used to transport water from the lower ballast tank (1032) to the upper ballast tank (1031).

5. The gravity-type dock gate according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the length of the dock gate body (100), the cross-section of the middle part of the dock gate body (100) is I-shaped and includes a top, a bottom and a connecting part located between the top and the bottom, and the auxiliary ballast tank (103) is located at the bottom.

6. The gravity-type dock gate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes an overflow chamber (105) that is always in communication with the external waters.

7. The gravity-type dock gate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The dock gate body (100) is boat-shaped, and the bottom height of the bow and stern of the dock gate body (100) is higher than the bottom height of the middle part of the dock gate body (100).

8. The gravity-type dock gate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the dock gate body (100) is provided with a water-stop rubber (4).

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