A device for assisting with the loading and unloading of a towed array

Abstract

This invention relates to an auxiliary device for loading and unloading towed arrays, comprising a base plate, two telescopic frames, two support rods, and rollers. The base plate is mounted on the flight deck of a ship; the lower end of each telescopic frame is rotatably connected to the base plate and has a telescopic structure for adjusting its horizontal extension length; one end of each support rod is mounted on the edge of the ship's hull, and the other end is connected to the telescopic frame, also having a telescopic structure for adjusting its vertical support height; the rollers are mounted between the upper ends of the two telescopic frames to support and guide the transport of the towed array. By adjusting the horizontal extension length of the telescopic frames and the vertical support height of the support rods, the device can be adapted to different ship sizes. This invention can reduce the number of operators required for disassembling and assembling towed arrays, reduce labor intensity and personnel risk, solve the problem of equipment breakage, and improve the efficiency of towed array assembly and disassembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of ship equipment loading and unloading auxiliary tools, and specifically relates to a towed array loading and unloading auxiliary device. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technology, large tow cable arrays are over 200 meters long, tens of millimeters in diameter, and filled with a large amount of oil, with a total mass of approximately 800 kg in air. The tow cable array is coiled and wound, possessing a certain bending radius. This array is installed on a winch drum (with a drum diameter of up to 1880 mm or more) on the enclosed stern deck of the ship. During repairs, the tow cable array must be slowly released from the stern deck through the guide cable opening to the outside of the ship, and then coiled back onto a tooling drum for return to the factory for inspection.

[0003] During the existing towed cable array assembly and disassembly process, the towed cable array is slowly released from the stern second deck to the outside of the ship through the guide cable opening. Two operators are required to observe the position of the towed cable array, while two other operators stand at the side of the first flight deck directly above the stern second deck and manually pull the towed cable array upwards to the flight deck before winding it onto the tooling drum. The height difference between the two is approximately 6 meters.

[0004] The aforementioned prior art has the following disadvantages:

[0005] First, the entire assembly and disassembly of the towed array relies on manual labor, requiring at least six people: four people working in pairs near the railings to move the array segments up and down while coordinating with the stern deck's deployment and retraction; and at least two more people to rotate the drum. The operation is difficult and extremely strenuous for personnel standing near the railings on the flight deck, resulting in high physical exertion and low assembly and disassembly efficiency.

[0006] Secondly, personnel operating close to the ship's side are susceptible to being dragged into the water by the gravity of the towing array, posing a serious safety hazard.

[0007] Third, the space between the stern second deck and the flight deck is enclosed with steel. When the towed array is raised or lowered, it is easy to bump into the hull, which can cause the towed array sheath to break and leak oil.

[0008] Fourth, the lifting of the drag array requires multiple people, resulting in high labor costs.

[0009] To date, no effective loading and unloading auxiliary device for towed arrays has been found that can solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a drag array loading and unloading auxiliary device, which addresses the problems of high manpower consumption, personal safety hazards, easy damage to drag arrays, and high labor costs in the existing drag array disassembly and assembly process. This device can reduce the number of operators required to disassemble and assemble drag arrays, reduce labor intensity and personnel risk factors, solve the problem of easy equipment damage, and improve the efficiency of drag array disassembly and assembly.

[0011] The technical solution of the present invention is to provide a towed array loading and unloading auxiliary device, which is fixed by a triangular support method, reduces the transport resistance of the array segments by sliding through roller bearings, avoids the array segments from hitting the ship's side by a telescopic structure, and adapts to different ship sizes.

[0012] Specifically, the drag array loading and unloading auxiliary device provided by the present invention includes:

[0013] The base plate is used for installation on the flight deck surface of the ship.

[0014] Two telescopic frames, the lower ends of which are rotatably connected to the base plate, and the telescopic frames have a telescopic structure for adjusting the horizontal extension length of the telescopic frames.

[0015] Two support rods, one end of which is used to be installed on the edge of the ship's side, and the other end of which is connected to the telescopic frame. The support rods have a telescopic structure for adjusting the vertical support height of the support rods.

[0016] Rollers, installed between the upper ends of the two telescopic frames, are used to support and guide the towed array conveyor.

[0017] By adjusting the horizontal extension length of the telescopic frame and the vertical support height of the support rod, the device can be adapted to different ship sizes.

[0018] Preferably, the telescopic frame includes: a telescopic frame main rod, the lower end of which is connected to the base plate; a telescopic frame movable shaft, which is telescopically sleeved inside the telescopic frame main rod, and the roller is installed at the upper end of the telescopic frame movable shaft; and a first locking mechanism, which is disposed between the telescopic frame main rod and the telescopic frame movable shaft, for locking the telescopic frame movable shaft in the extended position.

[0019] Preferably, the first locking mechanism is a clamp, which includes a base and a top cover. The base is sleeved on the front end of the telescopic frame main rod, and the top cover is connected to the base by screws to clamp the movable shaft of the telescopic frame.

[0020] Preferably, the telescopic frame further includes a main support rod, which is connected between the two main poles of the telescopic frame to enhance the stability of the telescopic frame.

[0021] Preferably, the support rod includes: a main support rod, one end of which is used to be installed on the edge of the ship's side; a movable support rod shaft, which is telescopically sleeved inside the main support rod and connected to the telescopic frame; and a second locking mechanism, which is disposed between the main support rod and the movable support rod shaft, for locking the movable support rod shaft in the extended position.

[0022] Preferably, the base plate is provided with multiple slots distributed along the length direction, and the base plate is fixed by screws passing through the slots and engaging with existing fixing screw holes on the flight deck surface of the hull.

[0023] Preferably, the device further includes a hull connector, which is a plate-shaped structure with an open groove for engaging the edge of the hull. One end of the support rod is connected to the hull connector. A wear-resistant rubber sheet is provided in the open groove to protect the paint on the hull surface.

[0024] Preferably, the roller includes: a roller fixing shaft, installed between the upper ends of the two telescopic frames; a roller body, sleeved on the roller fixing shaft; a bearing, disposed between the roller fixing shaft and the roller body, allowing the roller body to rotate freely relative to the roller fixing shaft; and roller baffles, installed at both ends of the roller fixing shaft and located on both sides of the roller body, for preventing the drag array from deviating from the roller.

[0025] Preferably, the roller baffle includes a roller baffle base and a roller baffle sleeve. The roller baffle base is installed at the end of the roller fixed shaft, and the roller baffle sleeve is fitted onto the roller baffle base. The roller baffle sleeve is made of nylon material.

[0026] Furthermore, the roller body is made of nylon 66 material, and the outer diameter of the roller body is 180mm and the length is 500mm.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0028] (1) By using the device to assist in the conveyor line array, the disassembly and assembly work that originally required more than 6 people can be reduced to 2-3 people, which greatly reduces labor costs.

[0029] (2) By using the sliding of roller bearings to reduce the conveying resistance of the array, mechanical assistance replaces manual pulling, so that operators do not need to lift the array with effort.

[0030] (3) Operators do not need to work close to the edge of the ship's side, thus avoiding the safety hazard of being dragged into the water due to the gravity of the towing array.

[0031] (4) The towed array is supported to the outside of the ship by telescopic frame to avoid the towed array from hitting the ship when it is raised or lowered, and to prevent the towed array sheath from being damaged and leaking oil.

[0032] (5) The telescopic structure of the telescopic frame and support rod allows the device to be adapted to different ship sizes. The bottom plate is installed using the existing screw holes on the ship, without the need for additional drilling, making installation convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a design outline drawing of the auxiliary device for the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a design drawing of the base plate of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main support rod 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the main support rod 2 structure of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the main rod connector structure of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the movable shaft structure of the telescopic frame of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the clamp base structure of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 8 This is an assembly diagram of the telescopic frame of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the main support rod structure of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the movable shaft structure of the support rod of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the hull connecting plate structure of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 12 This is an assembly diagram of the support rod of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the roller fixing shaft structure of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the roller body structure of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 15 This is an assembly drawing of the rollers of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the roller baffle base structure of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the roller baffle sleeve structure of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 18 This is an assembly diagram of the auxiliary device of the present invention.

[0051] In the picture:

[0052] 1. Base plate; 2. Telescopic frame main pole; 3. Main pole connector; 4. Clamp base; 5. Telescopic frame movable shaft; 6. Roller; 7. Ship deck; 8. Telescopic frame support rod; 9. Main pole support rod one; 10. Main pole support rod two; 11. Support rod; 14. Hex socket head cap screw; 15. Roller fixing shaft; 16. Roller body; 17. Bearing; 18. Bearing cover; 19. Washer; 21. Support rod main pole; 22. Support rod movable shaft; 23. Hull connecting plate; 25. Roller baffle base; 26. Roller baffle sleeve; 40. Clamp top cover; 101. Base. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0054] This embodiment provides a loading and unloading auxiliary device for a linear array, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 18 As shown, the device includes a base plate 1, a telescopic frame main rod 2, a support rod 11, and rollers 6.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, base plate 1 is used for installation on the flight deck surface of the ship. Base plate 1 has a total length of 1200mm and a width of 163mm. Based on the installation spacing of the flight deck cable fixing screws, base plate 1 is slotted in three sections with slot lengths of 480mm, 280mm, and 280mm respectively, and a width of 34mm, and is fixed with M22 screws. Two bases 101 are welded onto base plate 1, with a distance of approximately 628mm between them. The opening size of base 101 matches the main rod 2 of the telescopic frame for installation, and is fixed with M10 screws. Base plate 1 is fixed by screws passing through the slots and engaging with existing fixing screw holes on the ship deck 7, allowing for a small range of movement to adapt to different ship hulls.

[0056] like Figure 3-8 As shown, the telescopic frame includes the telescopic frame main rod 2, the telescopic frame movable shaft 5, the clamp, and the main rod support rod.

[0057] The main pole 2 of the telescopic frame is made of steel pipe with a length of 1225mm, a diameter of Ø40mm, and a wall thickness of 14mm. Two main pole connectors 3 are welded to the bottom of the main pole 2 for connection to the base plate 1, and are fixed with M10 screws. Main pole support rod one 9 and main pole support rod two 10 are installed between the main poles 2. Main pole support rod one 9 is 538mm long and has a diameter of Ø30mm, and is welded to the main pole 2 at the 1180mm position; main pole support rod two 10 is 551mm long and has a diameter of Ø40mm, and is welded to the main pole 2 at the 170mm position.

[0058] Depending on the dimensions of the ship at the site, the movable shaft is designed with an adjustable length for the assembly and disassembly of the tow cable array. To prevent the tow cable array from impacting the ship's hull and to reduce the load on the tow cable array, the movable shaft 5 of the telescopic frame is 1254mm long, with its diameter divided into two parts: one part is 980mm long and Ø20mm in diameter, which is installed inside the main rod 2 of the telescopic frame for telescopic movement; the other part is 274mm long and Ø30mm in diameter. A Ø19mm diameter hole is machined 45mm from the front end of the Ø30mm diameter section of the telescopic frame movable shaft 5 for connecting the roller fixing shaft. A Ø10mm diameter hole is machined 240mm from the front end of the telescopic frame movable shaft 5 to accommodate a 635mm long telescopic frame support rod 8. This support rod 8 connects to the movable shaft and is secured at both ends with M10 nuts, increasing the stability of the device.

[0059] The clamp is used for the fixed connection between the main pole 2 of the telescopic frame and the movable shaft 5 of the telescopic frame. The clamp consists of a clamp base 4 and a clamp cover 40. The clamp base 4 adopts an integrated design of a cylinder and a semi-circular block. The cylinder has an inner diameter of Ø40mm and a width of 18mm and is fitted onto the front end of the main pole 2 of the telescopic frame. The semi-circular block has a radius of Ø15mm and a length of 42mm and is connected to the clamp cover 40 by hexagonal socket screws 14 to clamp the movable shaft 5 of the telescopic frame. The clamp cover 40 adopts a semi-circular block design, the main function of which is to connect with the semi-circular block of the base and fix it with hexagonal socket screws 14 to provide a fastening function after the movable shaft of the telescopic frame extends to the designated position.

[0060] During the assembly of the telescopic frame, the first main support rod 9 and the second main support rod 10 are welded between the two main telescopic frames 2 to enhance the stability of the telescopic frame; the two main rod connectors 3 are welded to the bottom of the main telescopic frame 2 respectively for connecting the base 101 of the base plate; the clamps are installed at the front end of the telescopic frame for fixing the movable shaft 5 of the telescopic frame.

[0061] like Figure 9-12 As shown, the main support rod 11 cooperates with the telescopic frame to adjust the auxiliary device at multiple angles. The support rod 11 includes the main support rod 21, the movable support rod shaft 22, the clamp, and the hull connecting plate 23.

[0062] The main support rod 21 is 615mm long and Ø30mm in diameter. One end has a deep hole with a diameter of Ø30mm and a depth of 500mm, which is used for assembling the support rod movable shaft 22. The other end has a flat part milled out, with a length of 55mm and a thickness of 15mm, and has a Ø15mm hole, which is used for connecting with the ship's side connector.

[0063] The movable shaft 22 of the support rod is 655mm long and Ø30mm in diameter. One end is milled into a flat section, 60mm long and 20mm thick, with a Ø15mm hole for connection with the main support rod 10. The movable shaft 22 of the support rod is inserted into the main support rod 21 and fixed with a clamp.

[0064] The hull connecting plate 23 is a rectangular plate structure, designed according to the height and thickness of the hull edge, with a length of 140mm and a width of 80mm. The structure is divided into two parts: the upper square body is installed in conjunction with the main support rod 21 and fixed with M14 screws. The lower open slot is inserted into the hull edge, and two Ø10mm threaded holes are machined on the open slot surface. A wear-resistant rubber sheet is added between the mating surfaces of the two to prevent damage to the hull paint when tightening the screws.

[0065] During assembly, the movable shaft 22 of the support rod is inserted into the main rod 21 of the support rod and fixed with clamps and snap rings; the hull connecting plate 23 is inserted into one end of the main rod 21 of the support rod and fixed with M14 screws, flat washers, spring washers and nuts.

[0066] like Figure 13-15 As shown, the roller 6 includes a roller fixing shaft 15, a roller body 16, a bearing 17, a bearing cover 18, and a gasket 19.

[0067] Based on the distance between the two telescopic frames, the total length of the roller fixing shaft 15 is 666mm, and its diameter is divided into three parts. One part has two flat surfaces milled at both ends of the shaft, forming a 70mm long, 22mm thick threaded structure for mounting on the telescopic frame's movable shaft 5. A roller baffle is also added to the outside of the telescopic frame and secured with an M22 nut. The second part is a 30mm long, Ø30mm diameter cylinder machined for mounting bearings, ensuring smooth roller operation. The third part is a 466mm long, Ø36mm diameter cylinder for roller assembly.

[0068] Based on the bending radius of the drag array, the roller body 16 is designed with an outer diameter of Ø180mm and a length of 500mm. The inner diameter is Ø50mm, according to the diameter requirement of the roller fixing shaft 15. The roller is extended inward by 20mm at both ends, with a diameter of Ø62mm, for bearing assembly. The roller body 16 is made of Nylon 66.

[0069] To secure the bearing 17, two bearing caps 18 are installed on both sides of the roller body 16. The bearing caps 18 have a diameter of Ø109mm and a thickness of 10mm. A through circle with a diameter of Ø32.5mm is machined around the center point for the roller fixing shaft 15 to pass through. Each bearing cap 18 has four through holes with a diameter of Ø6.2mm to connect to the roller body 16, and the bearing caps are secured with M6 screws.

[0070] The bearing 17 has an outer diameter of Ø62mm and an inner diameter of Ø30mm, and is installed at both ends of the roller fixing shaft 15, flush with the outer end of the roller body 16.

[0071] The gasket 19 is fitted to the outermost end of the bearing cover 18 to prevent it from bumping against the movable shaft 5 of the telescopic frame during assembly.

[0072] During assembly, the roller fixing shaft 15 is inserted into the roller body 16, with the reserved dimensions at both ends being the same; two bearings 17 are purchased from the market and installed on both ends of the roller fixing shaft 15, flush with the outer end of the roller body 16; the bearing cover 18 is passed through the roller fixing shaft 15 and located at both ends of the roller body 16, and then fixed with M6 screws; two gaskets are installed at the outermost end of the bearing cover 18 to prevent collision with the telescopic frame movable shaft 5 during assembly.

[0073] like Figure 16-17 As shown, the roller baffle includes a roller baffle base 25 and a roller baffle sleeve 26.

[0074] The roller baffle is fitted onto the roller fixing shaft 15 on the outside of the telescopic frame. It has a total length of 219mm. One end of the roller baffle base 25 is L-shaped, 115mm long, 18mm thick, and 45mm wide. An elliptical square hole with a radius of 9.5mm is machined at the center, 18mm from the bottom, for mounting onto the roller fixing shaft 15. The other end is cylindrical, 100mm long and Ø16mm in diameter, with a threaded front end for mounting the roller baffle sleeve and securing it with an M16 nut. A 4mm long, Ø19mm diameter step is machined between the two parts to prevent the roller baffle sleeve from slipping off.

[0075] The roller baffle sleeve 26 is installed on the cylindrical base of the roller baffle and secured with an M16 nut. It is 80mm long and Ø16mm in diameter (tolerance 0.05mm). The material is Nylon 66.

[0076] like Figure 18 As shown, the assembly steps of this device are as follows:

[0077] (1) Remove 3-4 rope lock fixing screws on the deck corresponding to the ship's guide cable opening, install the base plate 1 on the ship's deck 7 to fix the rope lock position, and ensure that the opening of the base plate 1 faces the bow direction, and install flat washers and screws.

[0078] (2) Install the bottom end of the telescopic frame main rod 2 on the base plate 1 with the top connection point facing down. Use M10 screws and nuts to fix the bottom end of the telescopic frame main rod 2 to the base 101 of the base plate 1. Do not tighten it too much so that the telescopic frame main rod 2 can rotate flexibly on the base 101 on the base plate 1.

[0079] (3) Assemble the bottom end of the support rod 11 with the hull connecting plate 23. First, install the rubber pad on the edge of the stern, then install the hull connecting plate 23 and the rubber pad on the edge of the stern and fix it with M10 screws. Each hull connecting plate 23 has four screws installed and tightened.

[0080] (4) Install the top end of the support rod 11 onto the top connection point of the two telescopic frame main rods 2 and fix it with M10 screws.

[0081] (5) Install the roller 6 on the outer end of the telescopic frame movable shaft 5, and install the roller baffle on both ends of the roller fixed shaft 15.

[0082] In operation, the towed cable array is released from the winch body at the stern of the ship to the guide cable opening, and then guided to the rollers 6 of this device. The towed cable array is smoothly conveyed on the rollers 6 by sliding on the bearings. The towed cable array is kept away from the ship's side by adjusting the movable shaft 5 of the telescopic frame to avoid collisions. The towed cable array is installed using the winch body's own power, and dismantled by manually rotating the drum. This device, as a conveying medium, distributes the weight of the towed cable array itself through the rollers 6, reducing the driving force of the drum, thereby reducing the number of operators and lowering labor intensity.

[0083] The above description only illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Any equivalent modifications made using this specification, such as increasing or decreasing the number of telescopic frames and support rods as needed (not limited to two), and locking mechanisms other than clamps, such as pins and threaded locking, are all included within the patent protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A towed array handling aid, characterized by: include Base plate, used for installation on the flight deck surface of the ship's hull; Two telescopic frames, the lower end of which is rotatably connected to the base plate, and the telescopic frames have a telescopic structure for adjusting the horizontal extension length of the telescopic frames; Two support rods, one end of which is used to be installed on the edge of the ship's side, and the other end of which is connected to the telescopic frame. The support rods have a telescopic structure for adjusting the vertical support height of the support rods. Rollers, installed between the upper ends of the two telescopic frames, are used to support and guide the towed array conveyor; By adjusting the horizontal extension length of the telescopic frame and the vertical support height of the support rod, the device can be adapted to different ship sizes.

2. The towbarless aircraft loader / unloader of claim 1, wherein: The telescopic frame includes: The telescopic frame's main pole has its lower end connected to the base plate; The telescopic frame movable shaft is telescopically fitted inside the telescopic frame main rod, and the roller is installed at the upper end of the telescopic frame movable shaft; The first locking mechanism is located between the main rod of the telescopic frame and the movable shaft of the telescopic frame, and is used to lock the movable shaft of the telescopic frame in the extended position.

3. The towbarless aircraft loader / unloader of claim 2, wherein: The first locking mechanism is a clamp, which includes a base and a top cover. The base is sleeved on the front end of the telescopic frame main rod, and the top cover is connected to the base by screws to clamp the telescopic frame movable shaft.

4. The auxiliary device for loading and unloading linear arrays according to claim 2, characterized in that: The telescopic frame also includes a main support rod, which is connected between the two main poles of the telescopic frame.

5. The auxiliary device for loading and unloading linear arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support rod includes: The main support rod has one end for installation on the edge of the ship's side. The movable shaft of the support rod is telescopically fitted inside the main support rod, and the movable shaft of the support rod is connected to the telescopic frame; The second locking mechanism is located between the main support rod and the movable shaft of the support rod, and is used to lock the movable shaft of the support rod in the extended position.

6. The towbar assembly of claim 1, wherein: The base plate is provided with multiple slots distributed along its length. The base plate is fixed by screws passing through the slots and engaging with existing fixing screw holes on the flight deck surface of the hull.

7. The towbar assembly of claim 1, wherein: It also includes a hull connector, which is a plate-shaped structure with an open groove. The open groove is used to engage the edge of the hull. One end of the support rod is connected to the hull connector. A wear-resistant rubber sheet is provided in the open groove to protect the paint on the hull surface.

8. The towbar assembly of claim 1, wherein: The roller includes: The roller fixing shaft is installed between the upper ends of the two telescopic frames; The roller body is sleeved on the roller fixed shaft; A bearing is disposed between the roller fixed shaft and the roller body, allowing the roller body to rotate freely relative to the roller fixed shaft; Roller baffles are installed at both ends of the roller fixing shaft and located on both sides of the roller body to prevent the drag line array from deviating from the roller.

9. The towbar assembly of claim 8, wherein: The roller baffle includes a roller baffle base and a roller baffle sleeve. The roller baffle base is installed at the end of the roller fixed shaft, and the roller baffle sleeve is fitted onto the roller baffle base. The roller baffle sleeve is made of nylon material.

10. The towbar assembly of claim 8, wherein: The roller body is made of nylon 66 material, and the outer diameter of the roller body is 180mm and the length is 500mm.

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