Guide device of gravity balance chain for ship lift
By introducing a guide device body into the ship lift, using rolling friction instead of sliding friction, and combining it with a buffer block design, the wear and noise problems of the gravity balance chain are solved, achieving efficient and quiet operation of the equipment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422921000.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-28
AI Technical Summary
The traditional gravity balance chain guiding method results in high frictional resistance and severe wear, affecting equipment life and safety, and also generates a lot of noise, making it difficult to meet the high-efficiency operation requirements of ship lifts.
The guide device body, including a bracket, bearing housing and roller, replaces sliding friction with rolling friction and uses buffer blocks to reduce impact and noise.
It significantly reduces friction loss, extends equipment life, reduces noise, improves the reliability and stability of the guidance system, and reduces the failure rate.
Smart Images

Figure CN223497142U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of hydraulic metal structures, and specifically relates to a guiding device for a gravity balance chain used in a ship lift. Background Technology
[0002] In large-scale hydraulic facilities such as ship lifts, a series of complex mechanical systems are typically used to ensure the safe and smooth passage of ships through areas with significant water level differences. Among these systems, the gravity balance chain system is a crucial component ensuring the stable operation of the entire system. Traditional gravity balance chain designs often employ direct sliding contact as the guiding method. This not only increases the system's frictional resistance but may also lead to accelerated wear between the chain and the supporting structure, affecting the equipment's service life and safety.
[0003] With technological advancements and increasing environmental protection requirements, reducing noise and vibration generated during the operation of mechanical equipment has become a new research direction. This is especially true in applications like ship lifts, where prolonged, high-intensity working environments place a severe strain on the durability of components. Therefore, developing a novel guiding device that can effectively reduce friction loss and wear while maintaining quiet operation is of paramount importance. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a guiding device for a gravity balance chain of a ship lift. It has a simple structure, is easy to operate and use, and can guide the balance chain device efficiently and quickly to meet the needs during operation.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:
[0006] A guide device for a gravity balance chain of a ship lift includes a guide device body, which is installed at the corner of the balance chain. The number of guide device bodies is at least two, and the guide device bodies are used to assist the balance chain in turning.
[0007] The guide device body includes a bracket, on which bearing seats are mounted. A roller is provided between every two bearing seats, and a buffer block is provided on the roller for contacting the balance chain.
[0008] Preferably, the balancing chain is used to bypass the concrete right-angle structure, and the guide device body is installed on both sides of the concrete right-angle structure.
[0009] Preferably, the number of guide device bodies is four, with two guide device bodies installed on each side of the concrete right-angle structure.
[0010] Preferably, the guide device body has four bearing seats, and the axes of the four bearing seats are arranged coaxially.
[0011] Preferably, the buffer block is a ring of engineering plastic products installed around the periphery of the roller.
[0012] The present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:
[0013] By converting sliding friction in traditional solutions to rolling friction, energy loss is significantly reduced, and the equipment's lifespan is extended. The introduction of cushioning materials absorbs impact forces and reduces noise during operation, improving operating conditions. A rational layout and material selection strategy enhances the reliability and stability of the entire guidance system, reducing the failure rate. Attached Figure Description
[0014] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:
[0015] Figure 1 This is the general layout drawing of the present utility model;
[0016] Figure 2 This is the front view of the present utility model;
[0017] Figure 3 This is a side view of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 4 This is a partial view of the present invention installed on a concrete right-angle structure;
[0019] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the effect of the roller and balance chain working together in this utility model.
[0020] In the diagram: 1. Guide device body; 2. Buffer block; 3. Roller; 4. Bearing seat; 5. Bracket; 6. Balance chain; 7. Torque balance reassembly; 8. Ship chamber structure; 9. Concrete right-angle structure. Detailed Implementation
[0021] Preferred solutions include Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a guiding device for a gravity balance chain in a ship lift includes a guiding device body 1, a buffer block 2, a roller 3, a bearing seat 4, and a bracket 5. The bracket 5 is a steel structure welded into a single unit and is installed on embedded parts at the required guiding positions. The bearing seats 4 are bolted to the bracket 5; each guiding device has four bearing seats 4. The roller 3 is the main rolling guiding device, installed between every two bearing seats 4, for a total of two rollers 3. The buffer block 2 is a ring of engineering plastic material installed around the roller, primarily used to buffer the impact from the balance chain and maintain relative quietness, while also preventing wear on the roller 3. Specifically, the functions of each component are as follows:
[0022] The support frame 5 is made of welded steel structure, which meets certain strength and rigidity requirements and can withstand the load of the balance chain during the rolling process.
[0023] The bearing housing 4 is fixed to the bracket 5 with bolts and is one of the main components that converts sliding friction into rolling friction during the guiding process.
[0024] Roller 3 is the main rolling guide device, installed between every two bearing seats 4;
[0025] Buffer block 2 is a ring of engineering plastic products installed around the outside of the roller. Its main function is to buffer and balance the impact of the chain and maintain a relatively quiet state. In addition, it can prevent the roller 3 from being worn.
[0026] There are four bearing housings 4;
[0027] There are two rollers.
[0028] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:
[0029] The balancing chain employs a structure in which steel blocks are suspended by two steel wire ropes. The steel wire ropes on both sides of the steel blocks are secured with pressure plates. One end of the balancing chain is connected to a lifting lug on the outer web of the main longitudinal beam of the ship's compartment, then loops around a concrete right-angle structure, and the other end is connected to a torque-balancing heavy safety beam frame. A guiding device is required when looping around the concrete structure to ensure smooth and unobstructed rotation during operation. The balancing chain guiding device consists of guide wheels, supports, bearing seats, etc.
[0030] One end of the balance chain is connected to a lifting lug on the outer web of the main longitudinal beam of the ship's compartment, then passes around a concrete right-angle structure, and the other end is connected to a torque-balancing heavy safety beam frame. A guide device is needed when passing around the concrete structure to ensure smooth and unobstructed rotation during operation. The balance chain guide device consists of guide wheels, supports, and bearing seats. The entire structure comprises the guide device body 1, buffer block 2, roller 3, bearing seat 4, and support 5.
[0031] When the balancing chain passes around the corner of the concrete, the two balancing chains are supported by the guide device, and the chains press on the roller. Supported by the bearing seats on both sides, the sliding friction is converted into rolling friction, making the operation flexible and without jamming.
[0032] The above embodiments are merely preferred technical solutions of this utility model and should not be considered as limitations on this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model should be the technical solution described in the claims, including equivalent substitutions of the technical features described in the claims. That is, equivalent substitutions and improvements within this scope are also within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A guiding device for a gravity balance chain used in a ship lift, characterized in that: Includes a guide device body (1), which is installed at the corner of the balance chain (6). The number of guide device bodies (1) is at least two. The guide device bodies (1) are used to assist the balance chain (6) in turning. The guide device body (1) includes a bracket (5), a bearing seat (4) is installed on the bracket (5), a roller (3) is provided between every two bearing seats (4), a buffer block (2) is provided on the roller (3), and the buffer block (2) is used to contact the balance chain (6).
2. The guiding device for a gravity balance chain of a ship lift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The balancing chain (6) is used to bypass the concrete right-angle structure, and the guide device body (1) is installed on both sides of the concrete right-angle structure.
3. The guiding device for a gravity balance chain of a ship lift according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of guide device bodies (1) is four, and two guide device bodies (1) are installed on each side of the concrete right-angle structure.
4. The guiding device for a gravity balance chain of a ship lift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide device body (1) has four bearing seats (4), and the axes of the four bearing seats (4) are arranged coaxially.
5. The guiding device for a gravity balance chain of a ship lift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer block (2) is a ring of engineering plastic products installed around the outside of the roller (3).