Loading arm device

Abstract

A loading arm device for loading fluids comprises a base element (10). A main arm (12) is rotatably connected to the base element (10). The main arm is pivotally connected to an outer arm (14, 16). The main arm (12) and the outer arm (14, 16) carry a conveying hose (24). The main arm (12) and / or the outer arm (14, 16) are designed as a lattice structure. This structure comprises, in particular, rigid support elements (36, 38, 40) that are braced together via cable elements (42).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a loading arm device for transporting / conveying fluids.

[0002] Loading arm devices are used for filling transport tanks provided on ships. Typical loading arm devices have a base element anchored to the ground. A main arm or inner arm is usually rotatably connected to the base element. An outer arm, in particular pivotably connected, is then connected to the main arm, whereby the outer arm can be constructed from multiple parts. The individual elements of the outer arm are in turn preferably connected to one another in an articulated manner. A line or a delivery hose is carried by the main arm and the outer arm. Fluids can be transported to the transport tank provided on the ship or pumped out of the transport tank through this delivery hose. Such loading arm devices are described, for example, in EP2757067.

[0003] Conventional loading arm devices are constructed as massive steel structures and are therefore heavy. Therefore, it is necessary to provide appropriate foundations capable of supporting such a high weight. This is complex and costly. Furthermore, conventional loading arm devices have the disadvantage that relatively large moments from wind loads are introduced into the base element or foundation.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a loading arm device which has a lower dead weight and / or is subject to fewer moments due to wind load.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a loading arm device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The loading arm device has a base element anchored to the ground. A main arm is rotatably and / or pivotably connected to the base element. The base element can be connected to a foundation, wherein it is then preferred that the base element be rotatable relative to the foundation and the main arm be pivotable relative to the base element. An outer arm is connected to the main arm. The connection is preferably made such that the outer arm is pivotably connected to the main arm. Typically, a counterweight is connected in particular to a free end of the outer arm. A conveyor hose is carried by the main arm and the outer arm. This conveyor hose can be used to transport / convey fluids, for example ammonia or the like.

[0007] According to the invention, the main arm and / or the outer arm is designed as a truss structure or at least has a truss structure. According to the invention, the truss structure has rigid support elements, wherein the support elements are at least partially braced via cable elements and / or tension elements, such as tie rods. Due to the inventive provision of cable elements and / or tension elements for bracing the support elements, the number of support elements of the truss structure can be significantly reduced. This has the significant advantage that the weight of the truss structure and thus of the conveyor arm device can be significantly reduced. Due to the low weight, it is possible to install the loading arm device according to the invention on a more cost-effective foundation.Furthermore, the use of cable elements and / or tension elements has the advantage of significantly smaller external dimensions, thus reducing the surface area exposed to wind. The invention is described below using the example of cable elements, although these can always be fully or partially replaced by tension elements such as tie rods.

[0008] Preferably, individual support elements of the truss structure are rigidly connected to one another. Since the support elements in a preferred embodiment are made of metal, in particular steel, it is further preferred that the individual support elements are connected to one another by welding. Support elements rigidly connected in this way form a basic structure of the truss structure. This basic structure does not yet meet the necessary requirements, in particular for absorbing the forces and moments that occur. Only by providing additional cable elements that brace the support elements is the truss structure according to the invention formed, which can absorb and transmit the necessary forces and moments.

[0009] The cable elements are preferably designed as metal cables, in particular as steel cables. It is particularly preferred that each cable element has a tensioning element in order to be able to introduce the corresponding tensioning forces, i.e., tensile stresses, into each cable element. It is preferred that the tensioning elements are designed as tensioning screws.

[0010] The support elements, which are particularly rigidly connected to one another, form connection points at which the individual support elements are connected to one another, in particular welded together. It is preferred that the cable elements are arranged such that they are at least partially connected to the connection points. This achieves advantageous force introduction and transmission.

[0011] The outer arm can have several arm elements, each of which is preferably pivotably connected to one another. A rotatable connection of the individual arm parts is also possible if necessary. However, it is particularly preferred that the individual arm parts of the outer arm are connected to one another exclusively pivotably. The individual arm parts can be designed at least partially as a truss structure, which is designed according to the invention.

[0012] The invention is explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a loading arm device and Figure 2 shows a simplified representation of a truss structure of a loading arm device designed according to the invention.

[0013] A loading arm device, such as in Figure 1shown, has a base element 10. This is anchored in the ground. A main arm 12 is connected to the base element 10. In the illustrated embodiment, this is designed as a vertical main arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the main arm is rotatably connected to the base element 10, wherein the rotation takes place about a vertical axis 19 running in the longitudinal direction of the main arm. An outer arm 14, 16 is connected to the main arm 12. The outer arm 14, 16 has two arm parts 14 and 16 in the illustrated embodiment. The arm part 14 of the outer arm is pivotally connected to the main arm 12 via a joint 18. The pivot axis runs horizontally or perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. Figure 1 .

[0014] The arm portion 16 of the outer arm is pivotally connected to the arm portion 14 via a further joint 20, with the pivot axis again running horizontally or perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. A counterweight 22 is arranged at the free end of the arm portion 14 of the outer arm.

[0015] A conveying hose 24 is carried by the main arm 12 and the outer arm 14, 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveying hose 24 has a plurality of flexible hose elements 26. Furthermore, the conveying hose 24 has a plurality of rigid hose elements 28 configured as tubes. The individual hose elements 26, 28 are connected to one another via flanges 30.

[0016] With such a loading arm device it is possible to load liquids or gases, such as ammonia, via the conveyor hose, i.e. to remove or fill a transport tank provided on a ship.

[0017] For example, a pivot joint 32 is arranged between the base element 10 and the main arm 12. The pivot joint is designed such that it is rotatable about the vertical axis 34, thus enabling rotation of the main arm 12.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a truss structure. This can, for example, be a part of the main arm 12 or the outer arm 14. Preferably, the entire main arm 12 and also the entire outer arm 14 are designed as such a truss structure.

[0019] The truss structure comprises solid support elements 36, 38, 40, made in particular of steel. In the illustrated embodiment, four mutually parallel support elements 36 are provided, which extend, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the main arm 12. The longitudinal support elements 36 are connected to support elements 38 running transversely or perpendicularly thereto. The support elements 40 then run obliquely or at an angle to the support elements 38, 40.

[0020] In order to design a truss structure capable of absorbing and transmitting the corresponding forces and moments that occur in a loading arm device, additional cable elements 42 are provided, with four such cable elements 42 being shown as an example in the illustrated embodiment. Each of the cable elements 42 has a tensioning element 44, designed in particular as a tensioning screw.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the cable elements 42 each connect to one another via connection points 50. The connection points 50 are points at which individual support elements 36, 38, 40 are connected to one another, in particular welded to one another. Of course, the arrangement of the individual cable elements 42 in other positions is also possible. For example, individual support elements, such as in particular the inclined support elements 40, can also be at least partially replaced by additional cable elements.

Claims

1. Loading arm device for transporting / conveying fluids, comprising a base element (10), a main arm (12) rotatably and / or pivotably connected to the base element (10), an outer arm (14, 16) pivotably connected to the main arm (12), a conveying hose (24) carried by the main arm (12) and the outer arm (14, 16) and characterized in that the main arm (12) and / or the outer arm (14, 16) has a truss structure with rigid support elements (36, 38, 40), wherein the support elements (36, 38, 40) are tensioned via cable elements (42) and / or tension elements.

2. Loading arm device according to claim 1, characterized in that individual supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are rigidly connected to one another.

3. Loading arm device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are at least partially made of metal, in particular steel.

4. Loading arm device according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe individual supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are welded together.

5. Loading arm device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rope elements (42) and / or tension elements have tensioning elements (44) for tensioning.

6. Loading arm device according to claim 5, characterized in that the clamping elements (44) are designed as clamping screws.

7. Loading arm device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are connected to one another at connection points (50), in particular welded to one another, and cable elements (42) and / or tension elements are connected to at least some of the connection points.

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