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 on ships. Typical loading arm devices have a base element that is anchored to the seabed. A main arm or inner arm is usually rotatably connected to the base element. An outer arm, preferably pivotally connected, is then connected to the main arm, and the outer arm may be multi-sectioned. The individual sections of the outer arm are preferably articulated to one another. A pipe or conveying hose is supported by both the main arm and the outer arm. Fluids can be transported to or pumped from the transport tank on the ship through this conveying hose. Such loading arm devices are described, for example, in EP2757067.

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

[0004] A conveying arm device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is described in US2020 / 0071155.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a loading arm device that has a lower dead weight and / or is subject to fewer moments due to wind loads.

[0006] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a loading arm device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The loading arm device comprises a base element that is anchored to the ground. A main arm is rotatably and / or pivotably connected to the base element. The base element may be connected to a foundation, in which case it is preferred that the base element is rotatable relative to the foundation and the main arm is pivotable relative to the base element. An outer arm is connected to the main arm. The connection is preferably such that the outer arm is pivotably connected to the main arm. Typically, a counterweight is connected to a free end of the outer arm. A conveying hose is supported by the main arm and the outer arm. This conveying hose can be used to transport / convey fluids, for example, ammonia or the like.

[0008] 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. The truss structure has rigid support elements, wherein the support elements are at least partially braced by cable elements. Due to the provision of cable elements for bracing the support elements according to the invention, 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 has the advantage that they have significantly smaller external dimensions, so that the wind resistance area can be reduced.The supporting elements can also be braced using cable elements and additional tension elements.

[0009] The invention is described below using the example of the use of rope elements, which can always be completely or partially replaced by tension elements such as pull rods.

[0010] Preferably, individual load-bearing elements of the truss structure are rigidly connected to one another. Since, in a preferred embodiment, the load-bearing elements are made of metal, particularly steel, it is further preferred that the individual load-bearing elements are connected to one another by welding. Load-bearing elements rigidly connected in this way form a basic structure of the truss structure. This basic structure does not yet meet the necessary requirements, particularly for absorbing the forces and moments that occur. Only by providing additional cable elements that tension the load-bearing elements is the truss structure according to the invention formed, which is capable of absorbing and transmitting the required forces and moments.

[0011] The cable elements are preferably designed as metal cables, in particular as steel cables. It is especially preferred that each cable element has a tensioning element in order to introduce the corresponding tension forces, i.e., tensile stresses, into the cable element. Preferably, the tensioning elements are designed as tensioning screws.

[0012] The support elements, which are particularly rigidly connected to one another, form connection points where the individual support elements are joined together, in particular welded together. Preferably, the cable elements are arranged such that they are at least partially connected to the connection points. This results in advantageous force introduction and transmission.

[0013] The outer arm can have several arm elements, each preferably pivotably connected to one another. Optionally, a rotatable connection between the individual arm parts is also possible. However, it is particularly preferred that the individual arm parts of the outer arm are exclusively pivotally connected to one another. The individual arm parts can be designed, at least partially, as a truss structure according to the invention.

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and 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.

[0015] A loading arm device, such as in Figure 1The figure shows a base element 10, which is anchored in the ground. A main arm 12 is connected to the base element 10. In the illustrated embodiment, this main arm is designed as a vertical main arm. The main arm is rotatably connected to the base element 10, with rotation occurring about a vertical axis 19 extending longitudinally along the main arm. An outer arm 14, 16 is connected to the main arm 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer arm 14, 16 has two arm sections 14 and 16. The arm section 14 of the outer arm is pivotally connected to the main arm 12 via a joint 18. The pivot axis runs horizontally or perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Figure 1 .

[0016] The arm section 16 of the outer arm is pivotally connected to the arm section 14 via a further joint 20, the pivot axis again running horizontally or perpendicular to the drawing plane. A counterweight 22 is arranged at the free end of the arm section 14 of the outer arm.

[0017] A conveying hose 24 is supported by the main arm 12 and by the outer arms 14, 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveying hose 24 has several flexible hose elements 26. Furthermore, the conveying hose 24 has several rigid hose elements 28 designed as tubes. The individual hose elements 26, 28 are connected to each other via flanges 30.

[0018] With such a loading arm device, it is possible to load liquids or gases, such as ammonia, via the conveying hose, i.e., to remove or fill a transport tank provided on a ship.

[0019] 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 can rotate about the vertical axis 34 and thus enables the main arm 12 to rotate.

[0020] Figure 2 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a truss structure. This can, for example, be 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.

[0021] The truss structure comprises solid load-bearing elements 36, 38, 40, primarily made of steel. In the illustrated embodiment, four load-bearing elements 36 are provided, running parallel to one another and extending, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the main arm 12. The longitudinally extending load-bearing elements 36 are connected to load-bearing elements 38 running transversely or perpendicularly to them. The load-bearing elements 40 then run obliquely or at an angle to the load-bearing elements 38, 40.

[0022] To create a truss structure capable of absorbing and transmitting the forces and moments occurring during a loading arm operation, 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, which is designed in particular as a tensioning screw.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the cable elements 42 each connect connection points 50 to one another. The connection points 50 are points where individual support elements 36, 38, 40 are connected to one another, in particular welded together. Of course, the arrangement of the individual cable elements 42 is also possible in other positions. Furthermore, for example, individual support elements, such as the inclined support elements 40, can be at least partially replaced by additional cable elements.

Claims

1. A 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), and a conveying hose (24) supported by the main arm (12) and the outer arm (14, 16), wherein the main arm (12) und / or the outer arm (14, 16) has a framework structure with rigidi supporting elements (36, 38, 40), characterized in that the supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are braced using cable elements (42).

2. The loading arm device according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are braced using cable elements (42) and tension elements.

3. The loading arm device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that individual supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are rigidly connected to each other.

4. The loading arm device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are at least partially made of metal, in particular steel.

5. The loading arm device according to claim 4, characterized in that the individual supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are welded together.

6. The loading arm device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cable elements (42) and / or tension elements have clamping elements (44) for bracing.

7. The loading arm device according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping elements (44) are formed as clamping screws.

8. The loading arm device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the supporting elements (36, 38, 40) are connected to each other at junctures (50), in particular welded together, and that cable elements (42) and / or tension elements are connected to at least some of the junctures.

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