A filling crane structure for an LNG carrier

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the technical field of LNG carrier bunkering equipment, and provides a bunkering crane structure for LNG carriers, including: a telescopic boom structure, which includes an inner boom and an outer boom that can slide relative to each other; a front-end connecting component, disposed at the end of the telescopic boom structure; a hose descent device, disposed at the front-end connecting component; and a multi-winch linkage control system, including at least three independently controlled winches. Compared with the prior art, this utility model, by setting a telescopic boom structure including an inner boom and an outer boom, can dynamically adjust the overall length of the bunkering crane, effectively absorbing the relative displacement of the ship under the action of waves; the front-end connecting component realizes reliable docking between the bunkering hose and the interface of the receiving ship, ensuring a sealed and stable delivery path; the hose descent device can limit the descent speed of the bunkering hose in emergency detachment or severe undulation conditions; and the multi-winch linkage control system realizes real-time compensation for the three-dimensional motion of the receiving ship through coordinated control of rotation, amplitude change, and attitude.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of LNG ship bunkering equipment, specifically relating to a bunkering crane structure for LNG ships. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread application of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a clean energy source in the global shipping industry, LNG bunkering technology has gradually become a key link in ensuring the supply of ship fuel. Currently, LNG bunkering mainly involves delivering LNG to the receiving vessel through bunkering vessels or shore-based facilities. Among these, the bunkering crane (or LNG bunkering boom / crane system) is the core equipment for ensuring the safe and stable connection of the bunkering hose from the bunkering vessel to the receiving vessel.

[0003] Existing LNG bunkering cranes mostly employ fixed or single-degree-of-freedom adjustable bunkering arm structures. During actual offshore operations, especially in environments with large waves and complex sea conditions, the receiving vessel experiences significant heave, roll, and pitch movements due to wave action. This dynamic displacement leads to severe relative motion between the bunkering hose and the receiving vessel interface. If the bunkering system lacks sufficient adaptability and buffering capacity, the following problems can easily arise: Inadequate emergency safety: In emergency situations (such as sudden ship displacement or system failure), if the refueling hose cannot be controlled to detach or falls freely, it may hit the ship's structure, causing equipment damage or personal injury; Weak interface compatibility: Different receiving vessels have different refueling interface pipe diameters (such as DN150, DN200, DN250, etc.), while existing refueling cranes usually adopt a fixed pipe diameter design, which lacks flexible conversion capability and limits their versatility. Low operational flexibility: Some refueling systems rely on manual assistance to lift hoses, resulting in low operational efficiency and high operational risks in inclement weather.

[0004] To address these challenges, some improved refueling arms have begun to incorporate telescopic structures or slewing mechanisms, but most remain limited to single-direction adjustment, failing to achieve multi-degree-of-freedom coordinated control. Furthermore, existing systems generally lack effective buffering mechanisms for the refueling hose's descent and do not fully integrate power-driven emergency disengagement functions, leaving overall safety and operational adaptability to be improved.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a new type of LNG bunkering crane structure that can effectively adapt to complex offshore conditions, has good motion compensation capabilities, a reliable emergency protection mechanism, and high operational flexibility, thereby improving the safety and reliability of LNG bunkering operations. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a refueling crane structure for LNG ships, in view of the current state of the technology.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: A refueling crane structure for LNG carriers is proposed, wherein the refueling crane includes: The telescopic boom structure includes an inner boom and an outer boom that can slide relative to each other. The outer boom is slidably disposed inside the inner boom and is used to adjust the overall length of the refueling crane. A front-end connection component is disposed on the telescopic arm structure and is used to connect the telescopic arm structure and the filling hose; A hose descent device is provided at the front-end connection assembly to limit the descent speed of the refueling hose in case of emergency evacuation or significant hull movement. The multi-winch linkage control system includes at least three independently controlled winches. These winches control the rotation, luffing, and attitude adjustment of the refueling hose of the telescopic boom structure, and are capable of synchronous operation to compensate for the three-dimensional motion of the receiving vessel under wave action in real time, maintaining a stable connection between the refueling hose and the receiving vessel interface. In one of the above-mentioned refueling crane structures for LNG carriers, the hose descent device includes a buffer nylon rope or a hydraulic damper to absorb the instantaneous impact force of the refueling hose.

[0008] In the aforementioned refueling crane structure for LNG carriers, the front-end connection assembly includes multiple boom head pulley frames movably mounted on the telescopic boom structure. Each boom head pulley frame is connected to the telescopic boom structure via pulleys, and the multiple boom head pulley frames are distributed along the refueling hose to reduce its sway amplitude.

[0009] In the aforementioned refueling crane structure for LNG carriers, the telescopic boom structure is equipped with multiple connectors, which are used to adapt refueling hoses of different diameters to match the interface specifications of the receiving vessel.

[0010] In the aforementioned refueling crane structure for LNG carriers, the multi-winch linkage control system includes a first winch, a second winch, and a third winch arranged in a triangular pattern.

[0011] The aforementioned refueling crane structure for LNG carriers also includes a control system. The front end of the refueling hose is connected to the main body via a power-driven emergency disconnection device. The emergency disconnection device is electrically connected to the control system and is used to automatically disconnect when an external force exceeding a set threshold is detected.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) By setting up a telescopic boom structure including an inner arm and an outer arm, the overall length of the refueling crane can be dynamically adjusted, effectively absorbing the relative displacement of the ship under the action of waves, and avoiding mechanical stress concentration or collision caused by insufficient telescopic extension; the hose descent device can limit the falling speed of the refueling hose in emergency detachment or violent undulation conditions, preventing it from falling freely and hitting the hull, significantly improving emergency safety; the multi-winch linkage control system realizes real-time compensation of the three-dimensional motion of the receiving ship through coordinated control of rotation, amplitude and attitude, maintaining a stable connection between the refueling hose and the interface, fundamentally solving the technical problem of the refueling hose being easily detached due to the undulation of the waves in the existing technology, and improving the safety, adaptability and reliability of LNG refueling operations.

[0013] (2) The first winch adjusts the overhang length of the refueling hose to achieve precise docking; the second winch winds up the main body of the refueling hose, undertakes the main load-bearing task, and can be used as an emergency crane in case the control system fails; the third winch controls the overall luffing angle of the refueling crane and coordinates the boom posture. The three have clear division of labor and work together. They can be operated independently to meet the needs of fine adjustment, or they can be linked synchronously to achieve overall posture control, which greatly improves the system's adaptability to complex sea conditions and ensures that the refueling process is stable and controllable.

[0014] (3) By installing this power-driven emergency disengagement device between the front end of the refueling hose and the main body, and electrically connecting it to the control system, the system can monitor key parameters such as tension, torque, or displacement in real time. When any parameter exceeds the preset safety threshold, the control system immediately issues a command to trigger the emergency disengagement action. This mechanism effectively avoids the expansion of equipment damage, interface tearing, or LNG leakage accidents caused by violent ship movements. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a refueling crane structure for LNG carriers according to this utility model.

[0016] In the diagram, 100 is the telescopic boom structure; 110 is the connector; 200 is the front-end connection assembly; 210 is the boom head pulley frame; 300 is the hose descent device; 400 is the multi-winch linkage control system; 410 is the first winch; 420 is the second winch; 430 is the third winch; 500 is the filling hose; 510 is the front end; 520 is the main body; and 600 is the emergency detachment device. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0018] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a refueling crane structure for LNG carriers, comprising: a telescopic boom structure 100, a front-end connecting assembly 200, a hose descent device 300, and a multi-winch linkage control system 400.

[0020] Specifically, the telescopic boom structure 100 includes an inner boom and an outer boom that can slide relative to each other. The outer boom is slidably disposed inside the inner boom and is used to adjust the overall length of the refueling crane to adapt to the relative movement of the ship under the action of waves and to reserve collision avoidance space. The sliding of the outer arm relative to the inner arm can be achieved by direct drive of a hydraulic cylinder or by a motor and gear set structure.

[0021] The front-end connection component 200 is disposed on the telescopic arm structure 100 and is used to connect the telescopic arm structure 100 and the filling hose 500; The hose descent device 300 is located at the front-end connection assembly 200 and is used to limit the falling speed of the refueling hose 500 during emergency detachment or large hull heaves to prevent it from falling freely and impacting the receiving hull. The multi-winch linkage control system 400 includes at least three independently controlled winches. The winches are used to control the rotation and luffing of the telescopic boom structure 100 and the attitude adjustment of the refueling hose 500. They can also operate synchronously to compensate for the three-dimensional motion of the receiving vessel under the action of waves in real time and maintain a stable connection between the refueling hose 500 and the interface of the receiving vessel.

[0022] In this design, the telescopic boom structure 100 can dynamically adjust the extension length of the refueling crane, effectively absorbing relative displacements such as ship heave and longitudinal movement, and avoiding mechanical interference or stress concentration caused by insufficient travel. The front-end connecting component 200 ensures a reliable and sealed connection between the refueling hose 500 and the telescopic boom structure 100, guaranteeing the safety of the LNG delivery process. The hose descent device 300 applies controllable resistance to the refueling hose 500 under emergency conditions, significantly reducing its descent kinetic energy and preventing collision damage. The multi-winch linkage control system 400 achieves real-time tracking and attitude compensation of ship motion through coordinated control of various degrees of freedom, greatly improving the stability of the refueling process. This design fundamentally solves the technical problems of the refueling hose 500 being prone to swaying, detachment, or even falling off in the presence of rough seas and large ship undulations, significantly improving the safety, adaptability, and reliability of LNG marine refueling operations.

[0023] More specifically, the hose descent device 300 includes a buffer nylon rope or a hydraulic damper for absorbing the instantaneous impact energy generated when the filling hose suddenly detaches or swings sharply.

[0024] The hose descent control device 300 employs either a cushioning nylon rope or a hydraulic damper to absorb instantaneous impact energy when the refueling hose suddenly detaches or swings significantly. The cushioning nylon rope utilizes the material's own elastic deformation to dissipate energy, offering advantages such as simple structure and low cost. The hydraulic damper, on the other hand, provides a more stable deceleration effect by offering controllable damping force, featuring fast response and good reusability. This design further enhances the cushioning capacity of the hose descent control device 300, effectively reducing the risk of the refueling hose colliding with the hull or other equipment, and improving the system's passive safety protection level.

[0025] The front-end connection assembly 200 includes a plurality of boom head pulley frames 210 movably mounted on the telescopic boom structure 100. Each boom head pulley frame 210 is connected to the telescopic boom structure 100 via pulleys. The plurality of boom head pulley frames 210 are distributed along the filling hose 500 to reduce its sway amplitude.

[0026] By installing multiple movable boom head pulley brackets 210 on the telescopic boom structure 100 and distributing them along the refueling hose, a multi-point support structure is formed, which effectively constrains the spatial posture of the refueling hose and reduces its lateral sway during wind, waves, or operation. The pulley connection reduces the frictional resistance between the hose and the support, preventing scratches on the hose's outer wall, while allowing the hose to slide slightly axially to release stress. This structure improves the stability of the refueling hose in dynamic environments, helps maintain docking accuracy, and reduces the risk of hose detachment.

[0027] The telescopic boom structure 100 is provided with multiple connectors 110, which are used to adapt to refueling hoses 500 of different diameters to match the interface specifications of the receiving vessel.

[0028] Multiple connectors 110 are installed on the telescopic boom structure 100, supporting the adaptation of refueling hoses 500 with different diameters. This allows the refueling crane to flexibly replace connection modules according to the specific interface specifications of the receiving vessel. This design significantly enhances the versatility and compatibility of the refueling system, avoiding operational interruptions or additional modification requirements due to interface incompatibility, and improving the efficiency and applicability of refueling operations. It is particularly suitable for refueling vessels or refueling stations serving various types of vessels.

[0029] Preferably, the multi-winch linkage control system 400 includes a first winch 410, a second winch 420, and a third winch 430 arranged in a triangular pattern.

[0030] This solution also includes a control system. The front end 510 of the filling hose is connected to the main body 520 through a power-driven emergency disconnection device 600. The emergency disconnection device 600 is electrically connected to the control system and is used to automatically trigger a disconnection action when an external force exceeds a set threshold, thereby achieving safe separation of the filling passage.

[0031] The power-driven emergency disconnect device 600 is a power-operated disconnect mechanism integrated into the fluid connection interface. It can be automatically or remotely triggered in emergency situations (such as sudden vessel deviation, cable breakage, or operational abnormalities) to quickly sever the physical connection between the refueling arm and the receiving vessel. Unlike passive pull-out structures, this device achieves active disconnection through power drive. It is equipped with a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or electric actuator, which can actively unlock the locking mechanism upon receiving a control signal and smoothly separate the joint, ensuring a controllable and reliable disconnection process.

[0032] By installing a power-driven emergency disengagement device 600 between the front end 510 of the refueling hose and the main body, and electrically connecting it to the control system, the system can monitor key parameters such as tension, torque, or displacement in real time. When any parameter exceeds a preset safety threshold, the control system immediately issues a command to trigger the emergency disengagement action. This mechanism effectively prevents the escalation of equipment damage, interface tearing, or LNG leakage accidents caused by violent ship movements.

[0033] Meanwhile, the control system has event recording and alarm functions, which can store information such as the time, location, and force data of the detachment event, and issue audible and visual alarms to facilitate timely response by operators and subsequent accident analysis, thereby improving operation and maintenance management efficiency.

[0034] This solution discloses a refueling crane structure for LNG carriers, aiming to address the safety hazards of existing refueling hoses 500, which are prone to swaying, stress concentration, and even detachment under conditions of rough seas and significant ship undulation. By integrating a telescopic boom structure 100, a front-end connection component 200, a hose descent device 300, and a multi-winch linkage control system 400, this solution achieves dynamic compensation for the ship's three-dimensional motion and full-cycle safety control of the refueling process.

[0035] Specifically, the telescopic boom structure 100 adjusts the length of the refueling crane by sliding the inner and outer booms relative to each other, absorbing relative displacement of the hull; the front-end connection assembly 200 is equipped with quick-connect couplings and replaceable adapters to ensure flexible and reliable docking; the hose descent device 300 effectively suppresses the descent speed of the refueling hose during emergency detachment or severe undulations, preventing collisions; the multi-winch linkage control system 400 regulates the attitude, sag, and amplitude of the refueling hose 500 in real time through the independent or coordinated actions of the three winches, maintaining a stable connection. Furthermore, the system can also integrate a power-driven emergency detachment device 600 and an intelligent control system, automatically disconnecting the connection in the event of abnormal external forces, improving the intrinsic safety level.

[0036] In summary, this solution not only significantly improves the stability, adaptability, and safety of LNG marine bunkering operations, but also enhances the equipment's versatility and ease of operation through modular design, making it suitable for various ship types and complex sea conditions.

[0037] It should be noted that in this utility model, the use of terms such as "first," "second," and "a" is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly defined. The terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two elements or the interaction between two elements, unless otherwise explicitly defined. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0039] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples illustrating the spirit of this utility model. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of this utility model or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refueling crane structure for LNG carriers, characterized in that, The refueling crane includes: The telescopic boom structure includes an inner boom and an outer boom that can slide relative to each other. The outer boom is slidably disposed inside the inner boom and is used to adjust the overall length of the refueling crane. A front-end connection component is disposed on the telescopic arm structure and is used to connect the telescopic arm structure and the filling hose; A hose descent device is provided at the front-end connection assembly to limit the descent speed of the refueling hose in case of emergency evacuation or significant hull movement. The multi-winch linkage control system includes at least three independently controlled winches. The at least three winches are used to control the rotation, luffing, and attitude adjustment of the telescopic boom structure and the refueling hose, and can operate synchronously to compensate for the three-dimensional motion of the receiving vessel under wave action in real time and maintain a stable connection between the refueling hose and the interface of the receiving vessel.

2. The refueling crane structure for LNG carriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hose descent device includes a buffer nylon rope or a hydraulic damper to absorb the instantaneous impact force of the filling hose.

3. The refueling crane structure for LNG carriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The front-end connection assembly includes multiple boom head pulley frames movably mounted on the telescopic boom structure. Each boom head pulley frame is connected to the telescopic boom structure via pulleys. The multiple boom head pulley frames are distributed along the filling hose to reduce its sway amplitude.

4. The refueling crane structure for LNG carriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The telescopic boom structure is equipped with multiple connectors, which are used to adapt to refueling hoses of different diameters to match the interface specifications of the receiving vessel.

5. The refueling crane structure for LNG carriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-winch linkage control system includes a first winch, a second winch, and a third winch arranged in a triangular pattern.

6. The refueling crane structure for an LNG carrier as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a control system, wherein the front end of the filling hose is connected to the main body via a power-driven emergency disconnect device, which is electrically connected to the control system and is used to automatically disconnect when an external force exceeding a set threshold is detected.

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