Towing staples and hulls for vessels for towing

Abstract

A hull for a vessel for towing is disclosed, comprising a deck and a tow staple for guiding a tow line. The tow staple comprises a guide element having a symmetrical extension in a first plane juxtaposed to the deck, the guide element comprising a first attachment section and a second attachment section for attaching the guide element to the vessel hull. The first attachment section and the second attachment section are connected by means of a main section of the guide element. The guide element comprises a tow line guide surface located on a bottom side of the main section facing the deck, the tow line guide surface configured to slidably contact the tow line during a towing procedure such that the tow line is free to move along the periphery of the main section in the first plane while being restricted in movement by the main section in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. The towing staple further includes a support element arranged on an upper side of the main section and extending from an upper side of the guide element to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane at an angle to the first plane and extending through the first attachment section and the second attachment section.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of towing vessels.The present disclosure relates to a towing staple for a hull of a vessel for towing and a hull for a vessel for towing including a towing staple. [Background technology]

[0002] A towing vessel, such as a tugboat or tug, is a secondary boat used to steer other, typically larger, vessels, by pushing or pulling them in, either by direct contact or by means of a tow line. Tugs typically move vessels that are limited in their ability to steer relative to themselves, such as ships in a congested harbor or narrow canal, or vessels that cannot be moved by themselves, such as barges, disabled ships, log rafts, or oil platforms.

[0003] Without assistance from a faster and more maneuverable towing vessel, larger vessels, such as megaships, may not be able to enter the port or may have difficulty entering the port.

[0004] Tugs may use their propulsion system and / or fluid properties of the vessel to generate forces to steer the vessel being towed. Tugs may operate in direct towing mode or indirect towing mode. During direct mode operation, a towing force is generated on the tow line due to the entrainment of the tug's propulsion system. Thus, the tug is forced to follow the vessel's centerline. parallel The towed vessel may be steered either by remaining closed or by remaining open to the corresponding side of the towed vessel to stop or reduce the incipient motion of the towed vessel or to assist the towed vessel during steering.

[0005] During indirect towing, sometimes referred to as dynamic towing, the tugboat typically tracks the towed vessel and exerts forces on the towed vessel to turn and / or slow it down. The tugboat's propulsion system may be used to position and maintain the tugboat's hull in an angled position relative to the towed vessel, thereby creating hydrodynamic forces by the vessel's hull acting against the direction of the towed vessel's movement. By positioning a side, such as the starboard or port side, of the tugboat against the direction of the towed vessel's movement, the tugboat's hull presents a large surface that acts against the direction of the water flow, thereby creating drag forces that can be transmitted to the towed vessel to turn and / or slow it down. The slowing and / or steering is controlled by the tug by maintaining a reference angle corresponding to the direction of the water flow, opposite to the direction taken by the towed vessel. The port side is the side of the vessel to the left of an observer facing the bow, i.e., forward in the direction the vessel is traveling when sailing, and the starboard side is the side to the right of such an observer.

[0006] The towing equipment of a tugboat is a vital link for transmitting the forces generated by the tugboat to the vessel being towed. The towing equipment may include various elements that may vary between different types of tugboats. These elements are just the tow bit and tow line or the tow hook and tow line in the simplest version. However, the towing equipment may also include a tow winch, a rope trawler, a tow line, and / or a tow pin. Each element of the towing equipment needs to be strong enough or designed in such a way that it can handle the high forces generated in the tow line. Due to the high forces, the tow line is typically heavy and strong. The failure of any of the elements in the towing equipment may lead to the tow line suddenly snapping or flowing across the deck of the tugboat, which may cause damage to the crew working on the deck of the tugboat.

[0007] A further important aspect is the location of the tow point, which in this specification will be interpreted as the point on the tug from which the tow line goes directly to the vessel being towed. The tow line may be connected to the tug by a tow hook, a tow winch, and / or fixed to a tow bit, all of which may be referred to as a tow point when it is a point on the tug from which it goes directly to the vessel being towed. The location of the tow point may vary between different types of tugs. A hazard with towing using a tow line is the risk of encircling and capsizing. Encircling may occur, for example, during indirect towing when the hull of the tug is positioned perpendicular to the vessel being towed, when the tow line comes to the tug at a right angle. When the towline is secured around the tug's amidships and at an angle to the right, the towline under tension exerts a heeling moment on the tug. As any vessel heels over one side, such as starboard or port, due to an external force, a righting lever may be formed, countering the heeling moment and pushing the tug back upright again. However, if the force in the towline is strong enough, it may overcome the righting lever of the tug, which may lead to deck-edge flooding, flooding, and capsizing of the tug, sometimes referred to as entrapment, unless the towline is released in good time. Entrapment can happen very quickly, and incidents have occurred if the crew has not been able to escape in time.

[0008] A known solution to the problem of containment is to build a structure around the tugboat accommodation building. arrangementOne solution is to use a carousel type tug with a winch mounted on a ring bearing mounted on a hull. The towing points are located around the ring bearing at a distance from the amidships. The winch, and therefore the towing points, may rotate 360 ​​degrees around the containment building using movable rails. However, this solution has the disadvantage that it requires a drive system to move the winch and many moving parts, making it expensive and prone to failure. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, a need exists for a towing solution that alleviates, mitigates or addresses existing shortcomings and provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for towing that reduces the risk of breakdown and damage among crew members.

[0010] A hull for a vessel for towing is disclosed. The hull includes a deck and a towing staple for guiding a tow line. The towing staple is attached to the deck. parallel The towing staple further comprises a guide element having a symmetrical extension in a first plane. The guide element comprises a first attachment section and a second attachment section for attaching the guide element to the hull in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The first attachment section and the second attachment section are connected by means of a main section of the guide element, the guide element comprising a towline guide surface located on a bottom side of the main section facing the deck. The towline guide surface is configured to slidably contact the towline during the towing procedure such that the towline is free to move along the periphery of the main section in the first plane while being restricted in movement by the main section in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. The towing staple further comprises a support element. The support element is located on an upper side of the main section. arrangement and a second plane perpendicular to the first plane from the upper side of the guide element at an angle to the first plane. extend and through the first attachment section and the second attachment section. extend do.

[0011] Further provided is a tow staple for towing. The tow staple is configured to guide a tow line. The tow staple comprises a guide element having a symmetrical extension in a first plane. The guide element comprises a first attachment section and a second attachment section for attaching the guide element in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the first attachment section and the second attachment section being connected by means of a main section of the guide element. The guide element comprises a tow line guide surface located on a bottom side of the main section. The tow line guide surface is configured to slidably contact the tow line during the towing procedure such that the tow line is free to move along the periphery of the main section in the first plane while being restricted in movement by the main section in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. The tow staple further comprises a support element, the support element being located on an upper side of the main section. arrangement and the second plane is inclined from the upper side of the guide element to the first plane at an angle extend do.

[0012] It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the tow staple acts as a tow point when it contacts the tow line, lowering the position of the tow point in relation to the deck of the tow vessel and moving it closer to the side of the tow vessel's hull. By lowering the tow point, the tilting moment caused by the tow line force acting on the tow vessel's hull is reduced. Furthermore, by moving the tow point closer to the side of the tow vessel, the tilt lever arm can be reduced and the righting lever arm is increased. Thus, the tow staple of the present disclosure improves the stability of the tow vessel, improves the maneuverability of the tow vessel, and the direct and indirect towing performance. By adding a support element to the tow staple, the stiffness of the tow staple is further increased and the risk of the tow staple failing due to the inability to guide the tow line, causing injury to the crew.

[0013] Furthermore, the solution according to the present disclosure does not include any moving parts, which reduces the cost of the solution and improves the reliability of the solution.

[0014] Thus, the towing staple according to the present disclosure improves maneuverability, direct and indirect towing performance, and stability of a vessel for towing, while reducing costs and improving reliability compared to existing towing solutions.

[0015] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

[0017] Various exemplary embodiments and details are described below with reference to the figures where relevant. It should be noted that the drawings may or may not be drawn to scale, and elements of similar structure or function are represented by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. It should also be noted that the drawings are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the disclosure or as a limitation of the scope of the disclosure. In addition, the illustrated embodiment need not have all aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or advantage described in connection with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and may be implemented in any other embodiment, even if not so shown or not so explicitly described.

[0018] The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity and other details are omitted, but merely show details that are helpful in understanding the disclosure. The same reference numbers are used throughout for identical or corresponding parts.

[0019] 1A and 1B illustrate a vessel 1 for towing, such as a tugboat, according to one or more embodiments herein, seen in a side view in FIG. 1A and in a top view of the vessel 1 in FIG. 1B. The vessel 1 includes a deck 13, such as the main deck of a vessel, and a towing staple 14 for guiding a tow line 10. The deck 13 is a hull of the vessel. eat Above the water line arrangement The tow line 10 may be a first deck on the hull 1. arrangement may be a tow line attached to the towed vessel or may be attached to the arrangement The tow line 10 may be attached to the hull 1. arrangement When the tow line is pulled, it may be connected to a winch 12 mounted on the hull 1, and it may be wound on or unwound from the winch 12, thereby allowing the tow line to be pulled. extend The winch 12 is mounted in the center of the hull 1 from bow to stern. extendThe ship is centered on the longitudinal axis of the hull, and is transversely centered in the center of the hull. arrangement The towing staple 14 may be attached to the deck 13. parallel Symmetrical, or at least necessarily symmetrical, in a first plane extend The guide element 20 includes a guide section 21A having a first section 21B. The first plane may be substantially horizontal, such as having a vertical normal. The guide element 20 includes a first attachment section 21A and a second attachment section 21B for attaching the guide element 20 to the hull 1 in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The first attachment section 21A and the second attachment section 21B are connected by means of a main section 22 of the guide element 20.

[0020] The guide element 20 includes a towline guide surface 23 located on a bottom side of the main section 22, the bottom side facing the deck 13. The towline guide surface 23 is configured to slidably contact the towline 10 during the towing procedure such that the towline is free to move along the periphery of the main section 22 in the first plane while being restrained in movement by the main section 22 in a direction perpendicular to the first plane.

[0021] The towing staple further includes a support element 16. The support element 16 is disposed on an upper side of the main section 22, such as on the side of the main section facing away from the guide surface 23. arrangement and the second plane is inclined from the upper side of the guide element 20 at an angle to the first plane. extend The support element 16 is thus able to harness and direct forces from the towline 10 to the towing vessel's hull 1, reducing bending moments in the tow staple. The support element 16 thus adds stiffness to the tow staple 14, allowing the tow staple to harness higher towing forces without deforming and / or breaking.

[0022] The attachment sections 21A, 21B may be removably attached to the hull by fastening means such as nuts and bolts, or may be fixedly attached to the hull 1, for example by being welded to the hull 1. When the towing staple 14 is welded to the hull 1 it can be an integral part of the hull 1, which has the advantage that the stiffness of the towing staple is increased and the risk of failure of the towing staple 14 during towing is reduced. The towing staple 14 comprises one or more vertically extending fastening members for attaching the first attachment section 21A and the second attachment section 21B to the hull 1. arrangement may include a beam or one or more vertically arrangement One or more beams may be attached to the hull 1 in a vertical direction. extend It may be an integral part of the hull 1.

[0023] The hull 1 may include a rope guide 15 for guiding the tow line 10. The rope guide 15 may be arranged at a center of the hull 1, such as a transverse midship along a longitudinal center plane of the hull 1. arrangement The tow line 10 may be fed from a winch through a rope conductor 15 so that the tow line exits the rope conductor 15 in the area of ​​the longitudinal center plane of the hull 1. The longitudinal center plane is defined herein as the plane that runs longitudinally through the center of the hull 1, such as from the rear to the stern. extend The longitudinal center plane is therefore interpreted as the plane of symmetry of the hull 1 in the longitudinal direction. The towing staple 14 is arranged such that the ropeway 15 is aligned along the longitudinal center plane of the towing staple 14. arrangement On the hull 1, arrangement Preferably, the tow staple 14 is centrally mounted on the hull 1 so that the longitudinal center plane of the hull 1 and the longitudinal center plane of the tow staple 14 can correspond, whereby the towing characteristics of the vessel for towing are equal on the port and starboard sides of the hull 1. The tow line 10 is then fed between the tow staple 14 of the hull 1 and the deck 13, and typically at an upward angle relative to the much larger vessel being towed, so that the tow line 10 contacts the tow line guide surface 23.

[0024] The guide element 20 of the towing staple 14 may be shaped such that the distance from the rope conductor 15 to the tow line guide surface 23 of the guide element 20 varies around the circumference of the guide element 20. extend However, the towline 10 in sliding contact with the towline guide surface 23 does not rub against the same area of ​​the towline 10 against the tow staple 14 during the towing procedure. This reduces the risk of towline failure, since friction against the towline does not always act in the same area.

[0025] The guide element 20 of the towing staple 14 may have an arch-shaped profile when viewed in a first plane. The arch shape may be, for example, a U-shape, a semicircle, a semi-ellipse, a parabola, a horseshoe, etc. The exemplary guide element 20 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B has a U-shape when viewed in a first plane, such that the main section 22 is divided into two sections. parallel The two U-shaped guide elements 20 include a section 22A and a curved section 22B. parallel The end sections of section 22A may constitute mounting sections 21A, 21B for mounting the guide element 20 to the hull 1, such as to a vertical wall of the hull 1, to a cross bulwark of the hull 1, etc.

[0026] The towing staple 14 may span a sight angle α of at least 140 degrees as seen from the ropeway 15 in the direction of the longitudinal centerline of the hull 1. In some embodiments, the towing staple 14 may span a sight angle α of at least 170 degrees, preferably at least 180 degrees. Thereby, the hull 1 of the vessel for towing may be positioned at an angle of 70 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the vessel being towed in both the port and starboard directions, thereby increasing the drag generated by the vessel 1 when using the hydrodynamic forces of the vessel as a sea anchor, such as during indirect towing. This improves the maneuverability of the vessel for towing, as well as direct and indirect towing performance.

[0027] The width of the guide element 20, such as the distance between the first attachment section 21A and the second attachment section 21B, may be configured or adapted to move the towing point away from the longitudinal centerline of the hull 1 and toward the outside, such as the port side or starboard side, of the hull 1. The towing staple 14 is positioned within the inner periphery of the hull 1. arrangement The tow line and / or the crew working on the deck 13 may pass unhindered between the tow staple 14 and the side of the towing vessel, such as the handrail. The actual width W of the guide element 20 thus depends on the dimensions of the vessel 1. The width W may be in the range of 20-95% of the width of the vessel 1 at the corresponding longitudinal position. In some embodiments, the width W is at least 2 meters, such as at least 10 meters, preferably 6 meters. Increasing the width of the guide element 20, which corresponds to increasing the distance from the ropeway to the guide element in either the port or starboard direction, increases the lever arm on which the upward force from the tow line 10 connected to the vessel to be towed acts. Thereby, the righting moment acting against the encircling moment acting on the vessel to be towed is increased, thus reducing the risk of vessel capsizing.

[0028] The guide elements 20 of the towing staples 14 are closer to the deck 13 than the ropeway 15. arrangement The guide element 20 may be located closer to the deck 13 than the cableway 15. arrangement By doing so, the towing point is lowered compared to the case where a ropeway constitutes the towing point, which is the case when no towing wing staples are used. The distance h from the towing line contact surface 23 of the guide element 20 of the towing staple 14 to the deck 13, such as in the vertical direction, may be in the range of 10 cm to 200 cm. By reducing the distance h, the towing point is lowered, which reduces the lever arm on which the towing line force acts, causing a heeling moment. Thus, by reducing the distance h, the heeling moment acting on the hull 1 during towing is reduced, which increases the stability of the vessel for towing and reduces the risk of encirclement and capsizing.

[0029] The support element 16 is connected to a connection point 17 located further away from the deck 13 than the ropeway 15 from the upper side of the guide element 20 facing away from the deck 13 in the vertical direction of the hull 1. extend The support element 16 adds stiffness to the towing staple 14 and reduces movement of the guide element in the upward direction due to towing forces that may cause material fatigue and eventual failure of the guide element 20. The support element 16 may be sized to withstand the maximum towing force that may be exerted on the tow line 10 by the towing vessel.

[0030] 2A and 2B illustrate a hull 1 for a vessel for towing according to one or more embodiments herein, seen in a port side view in FIG. 2A and a top view of the hull 1 in FIG. 2B. As can be seen in FIG. 2A and 2B, the exemplary support element 16 is attached to a connection point 17 from an upper side of a guide element 20 on a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. extend The support element 16 may include a sheet material, such as one or more sheet elements, for supporting the vessel, such that the support element 16 creates an enclosure covering the guide element 20. The hull 1 may further include an accommodation building 19 for accommodating personnel on board the vessel, such as the crew. The second plane may be located on the aft or forward exterior wall 19A of the accommodation building 19. The tow line 10 may be routed through the accommodation building 19 and may be positioned within the aft or forward exterior wall 19A. arrangement The support element 16 may be attached to the upper side of the guide element 20 and may exit the accommodation building 19 via a ropeway 15. The support element 16 may be attached to the upper side of the guide element 20 and may extend around the guide element 20. arrangement The support element 16 may be aligned in a second plane, such as in a front or rear exterior wall 19A. are parallel , and may have a second edge 16B attached to the hull 1 in a second plane. The support element 16 thus creates an enclosure, such as a roof, that covers the guide element 20. The enclosure may extend from the guide element 20 into the second plane and / or at an angle towards the second plane. extendThe guide element may have a dome or pyramidal profile that allows the tow staple 14 to have a dome or pyramidal profile. By enclosing the upper side of the guide element, a pyramidal or dome-profile box configuration is created that increases the rigidity of the tow staple 14. The enclosure further ensures that a line, such as a tow line or messenger line, thrown from the vessel to be towed into the vessel for towing enters the tow staple from the top, in which case the tow line does not contact the tow line contact surface 23 and / or reduces the risk of being entangled and caught in a protruding object located on the deck 13 of the vessel for towing. The sheet material, such as one or more sheet elements, provides a flat surface at the top of the tow staple 14. The flat surface allows the line to slide over the tow staple and slide over the deck of the vessel for towing, from where it can be connected to the tow line 10 manually or automatically and can be withdrawn from directly underneath the tow staple into the vessel to be towed. The inclination and flat outer surface of the support element 16 prevents the line thrown from the towed vessel from getting caught in obstacles on the deck of the towing vessel. The enclosure can also act as a cover or shelter for crew working on the deck of the towing vessel, which reduces the risk of crew being struck and injured by the thrown line.

[0031] Figures 3A and 3B show a towing staple 14 for a vessel for towing from a top view in Figure 3A and a side view in Figure 3B. The towing staple is configured to guide a towing line, such as during a towing procedure. The towing staple 14 comprises a guide element 20 and a support element 16. The guide element 20 has a symmetrical extension in a first plane, which is a substantially horizontal plane when the towing staple is attached to the hull of the vessel. The guide element 20 comprises a first attachment section 21A and a second attachment section 21B for attaching the guide element 20 to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The second plane may be, for example, a vertical wall of the hull of the vessel. The first attachment section 21A and the second attachment section 21B are connected by means of a main section 22 of the guide element 20. The guide element 20 includes a towline guide surface 23 located on the bottom side of the main section 22, the towline guide surface 23 configured to slidably contact the towline during a towing procedure. Thus, the towline is free to move along the periphery of the main section 22 in the first plane while being restrained in movement by the main section 22 in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. The towline guide surface 23 allows unobstructed movement along the entire periphery of the guide element. extend can be done without being hindered. extend What is meant here is to move the guide element 20 along the main section 22 from the first attachment section 21A to the second attachment section 21B. extend However, the tow line guide surface 23, which includes openings for the lubrication system, is not to be obstructed. extend This is consistent with the tow line guide surface 23 being configured to provide a friction reducing coating to reduce friction against the tow line.

[0032] The support element 16 is disposed on the upper side of the main section 22 of the guide element 20. arrangement and the second plane is inclined from the upper side of the guide element 20 at an angle to the first plane. extend The support element 16 may have a proximal end 16A and an upper end 16B, where the proximal end 16A is supported on the guide element 20. arrangementand the top end 16B is configured to be attached to a mounting area located in a second plane. The second plane may be perpendicular to the first plane. The second plane may be, for example, through the first mounting section 21A and the second mounting section 21B of the guide element 20. extend The support element 16 is configured to react to a force induced by the tow line 10 on the tow line contact surface 23 of the guide element 20. Thus, the force applied to the guide element 20 may be distributed from the point of contact of the tow line 10 through the support element 16 to a mounting structure, such as the hull of a vessel for towing, to which the tow staple may be attached.

[0033] The guide elements 20 may have an arch-shaped profile when viewed from a first plane. The arch-shaped profiles are defined herein as being spaced apart relative to one another and relative to one another. arranged in parallel The arch-shaped profile is to be interpreted as having a first section and a second section connected by one or more curved sections. The arch-shaped profile provides a symmetrical profile for the towing staple, thereby providing corresponding contact points for the tow line on both sides of the centerline of the arch-shaped profile. Thereby, the hull has the same stability and towing performance during the towing procedure, regardless of which side of the tug the towed vessel is located. Furthermore, wear on the tow line can be reduced by adjusting the characteristics of the arch-shaped profile, such as the dimensions and / or the profile. The arch shape can be, for example, a U-shape, a semicircle, a semi-ellipse, a parabola, a horseshoe, etc. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the guide element 20 has a U-shape when viewed in a first plane, such that the main section 22 is formed by two parallel The two U-shaped guide elements 20 include a section 22A and a curved section 22B. parallelThe end sections of section 22A constitute the attachment sections 21A, 21B. The geometry and dimensions of the guide element 20 may be configured such that the distance from the intersection of the first and second planes (which may be the location of the tow point when the tow staple 14 is attached to the hull 1) to a location on the guide surface 23 varies around the circumference of the guide element 20. By varying the distance from the intersection to the towline guide surface around the circumference of the guide element 20, as the towline moves along the periphery of the guide element 20, for example from port to starboard side of the guide element 20, the contact point of the towline 10 on the guide element 20 does not always rub against the same spot on the towline, thereby reducing the risk of towline failure.

[0034] In the exemplary towing staple 14 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the support element 16 extends from the top side of the guide element 20 to and / or toward the second plane. extend The support element 16 includes a sheet material that extends over the guide element 20, such that the support element 16 creates an enclosure, such as a roof, that covers the guide element 20. The enclosure extends from the guide element 20 in a second plane and / or at an angle towards the guide element 20. extend In other words, the support element may have the shape of a dome or a pyramid, which is inclined towards the first plane and / or the second plane. arrangementBy enclosing the upper side of the guide element 20, a box shape is created that increases the rigidity of the towing staple 14. The enclosure ensures that a line, such as a tow line or messenger line, thrown from the vessel to be towed into the vessel for towing does not enter the towing staple from the top, so that it does not contact the tow line contact surface 23 and / or reduces the risk of being entangled and caught in a protruding object located on the deck of the vessel for towing. The sheet material provides a flat surface at the top of the towing staple 14, which allows the line to slide over the towing staple and slide over the deck of the vessel for towing, from where it can be connected manually or automatically to the towing line 10 and can be drawn out from directly below the towing staple into the vessel to be towed. The towing staple 14 enclosure prevents the line thrown from the towed vessel from getting caught in obstacles on the deck of the towing vessel. The enclosure can also act as a cover or shelter for crew working on the deck of the towing vessel, which reduces the risk of crew being struck and injured by the line thrown from the towed vessel.

[0035] The sheet material of the support element 16 is wound around the guide element 20 along the upper side of the guide element 20. arrangement A first edge 16A follows the periphery, and a second plane parallelThe towing staple 14 may have a second edge 16B. The second edge 16B may serve as an attachment area for attaching the towing staple 14 to the hull of the vessel. The towing staple 14 may for example be welded to the hull along the second edge 16B, resulting in a rigid connection between the hull and the second edge 16B of the support element. By increasing the attachment surface between the hull 1 and the support element 16, the rigidity of the towing staple may be improved. By surrounding the guide element 20, the rigidity of the guide element 20 and the force distribution from the guide element 20 may be further increased, since the support element 16 is adjacent to most of the circumference of the guide element 20 and not adjacent only on one small area of ​​the guide element 20. In some embodiments, the support element 16 may be shaped as a truncated cone, so that the support element 16 is not adjacent to the guide element 20 at a distance from the guide element 20 and in a first plane. arranged in parallel Thus, the inclined section of the support element 16 is inclined from the guide element 20 to the horizontal section 16C of the support element 16. extend The horizontal section 16C may follow the shape of the guide element 20 but may be smaller in size.

[0036] The guide element 20 and the support element 16 may be made of a metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or the like, any material suitable for marine use.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a tow staple viewed from the towline facing surface according to some embodiments herein. To further reduce friction of the towline 10, the guide element 20 may include a lubrication system for lubricating the towline during the towing procedure. The lubrication system may include a number of openings 18 in the towline guide surface 23 of the guide element 20 and a lubricant supply system for supplying lubricant to the towline 10 through the number of openings 18 to reduce friction between the towline and the towline guide surface. The lubricant may be water, for example seawater. The lubricant supply system may further include a pump for supplying lubricant to the towline. The solution with multiple openings has the advantage that the solution is cost-effective and reliable, since it does not include any moving parts.

[0038] In some embodiments, a lubricant including an adhesive having friction reducing properties may be used. The lubricant may be supplied from a tank located on the towing vessel. In some embodiments, the lubrication system may include one or more nozzles (not shown in FIG. 4) for injecting the lubricant, the nozzles being disposed within the towline guide surface 23 of the guide element 20. arrangement A lubricant collection and recirculation system may be provided in the lubrication system, such that a nozzle may be directed to spray lubricant onto the tow line 10. Providing a nozzle in the lubrication system has the advantage that the amount of lubricant supplied to the tow line can be controlled and directed only to the area of ​​the guide element 20 where the tow line is in contact with the guide element, which may reduce lubricant waste. To further reduce lubricant waste and prevent lubricant from ending up at sea, a lubricant collection and recirculation system may be provided in the lubrication system. The lubricant collection and recirculation system may be provided beneath the tow line guide surface 23, such as within the hull 1 of the vessel for towing, to collect excess lubricant. arrangement An additional pump may be connected to the collector and may supply collected lubricant back to the tank.

[0039] It should be noted that the features mentioned in the embodiments described in Figures 1-4 are not limited to those particular embodiments. Any features related to the towing staple 14 and components included in and mentioned in relation to the hull 1 shown in Figures 1A-2B, such as the dimensions of the towing staple 14, are also applicable to the towing staple 14 described with respect to Figures 3-4.

[0040] Furthermore, as referred to herein, a vertical axis refers to an imaginary line running vertically through the vessel and through its centre of gravity, a transverse or horizontal axis is an imaginary line running horizontally across the vessel and through its centre of gravity, and a longitudinal axis refers to an imaginary line running horizontally across the vessel and through its centre of gravity, and a longitudinal axis refers to an imaginary line running horizontally across the vessel and through its centre of gravity. eat On the waterline parallel and Similarly, as referred to herein, a vertical plane relates to an imaginary plane running vertically through the width of the ship, a transverse or transverse plane is an imaginary plane running horizontally across the ship, and a longitudinal plane is an imaginary plane running vertically through the length of the ship.

[0041] Embodiments of the deliverables (vessel hull for towing and towing staple) according to the disclosure are presented in the following sections.

[0042] Item 1: A hull for a vessel for towing (1), - Deck (13) and - a towing staple (14) for guiding the towing line (10), The towing staple (14) is - on said deck (13) parallelA guide element (20) having a symmetrical extension in a first plane, said guide element (20) comprising a first attachment section (21A, 21B) for attaching said guide element (20) to said hull (1), said first attachment section (21A, 21B) and said second attachment section (21A, 21B) being connected by means of a main section (22) of said guide element (20), said guide element (20) being attached to said deck (13). the guide element (20) including a towline guide surface (23) located on a bottom side of the opposing main section (22), the towline guide surface (23) configured to slidably contact the towline (10) during a towing procedure such that the towline is free to move along the periphery of the main section (22) in the first plane while being restricted in movement by the main section (22) in a direction perpendicular to the first plane; a support element (16) on the upper side of the main compartment (22) arrangement and a second plane perpendicular to the first plane from the upper side of the guide element (20) at an angle to the first plane. extend And through the first mounting section and the second mounting section (21A, 21B) extend The support element (16), The hull (1).

[0043] Item 2: The hull (1) according to item 1, wherein the guide element (20) of the towing staple (14) has an arch-shaped profile when viewed from the first plane.

[0044] Item 3: The guide element (20) has two main sections (22). parallel The two U-shaped guide elements (20) have a U-shape when viewed from the first plane, including a section (22A) and a curved section (22B). parallel 3. The hull (1) according to item 1 or 2, wherein the end sections of the compartment (22A) constitute the mounting sections (21A, 21B).

[0045] Item 4: The vessel (1) includes a rope guide (15) for guiding the tow rope (10), the rope guide (15) being arranged in a longitudinal center plane of the tow staple (14). arrangement The hull (1) according to any one of items 1 to 3.

[0046] Item 5: The vessel (1) of item 4, wherein the guide element is shaped such that the distance from the ropeway to the tow line guide surface (23) of the guide element (20) varies over the circumference of the guide element (20).

[0047] Item 6: The hull (1) of items 4 or 5, wherein the towing staple (14) spans a visibility angle (α) of at least 140 degrees as seen from the ropeway (15) in the direction of the longitudinal centerline of the hull (1).

[0048] Item 7: The support element (16) is connected to a connection point (17) located further away from the deck (13) than the ropeway (15) from the upper side of the towing staple (14) facing away from the deck (13) in the vertical direction of the hull (1). extend The hull (1) according to any one of items 4 to 6.

[0049] Item 8: The towing staple (14) is disposed within the inner circumference of the hull (1). arrangement The hull (1) according to any one of items 1 to 7.

[0050] Item 9: The hull (1) according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein a width (W) of the guide element (20) between the first attachment section (21A) and the second attachment section (21B) is adapted to move a towing point away from a longitudinal centerline of the hull (1) and towards the outside of the hull (1).

[0051] Item 10: The hull (1) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the distance from the towing staple (14) to the deck (13) is in the range of 10 centimeters to 200 centimeters.

[0052] Item 11: The support element (16) is supported from the upper side of the guide element (20) to the second plane so that the support element (16) generates an enclosure covering the guide element (20). extend Item 10. The hull (1) of any one of the preceding items, comprising a sheet material for

[0053] Item 12: The support element (16) is disposed along the upper side of the guide element (20) and on the periphery of the guide element (20). arrangement a first edge (16A) following the periphery and a second edge (16B) following the second plane; are parallel 12. The hull (1) according to item 11, having a second edge (16B) attached to the hull in the second plane.

[0054] Item 13: The vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the guide element (20) includes a lubrication system for lubricating the tow line during a towing procedure.

[0055] Item 14: The hull (1) described in Item 13, wherein the lubrication system includes a plurality of openings (18) in the tow line guide surface (23) of the guide element (20) and a lubricant supply system for supplying lubricant to the tow line (10) through the plurality of openings (18).

[0056] Item 15: The hull (1) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the hull (1) further comprises a storage building (19), and the second plane is located on an aft or forward exterior wall (19A) of the storage building (19).

[0057] Item 16: The hull (1) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the towing staple (14) is an integral part of the hull (1).

[0058] Item 17: A towing staple (14) for towing, the towing staple being configured to guide a tow rope, the towing staple (14) comprising: a guide element (20) having a symmetrical extension in a first plane, said guide element (20) comprising a first attachment section (21A, 21B) for attaching said guide element (20) to the hull of a vessel for towing, said first attachment section (21A, 21B) being connected by means of a main section (22) of said guide element (20), said guide element (20) comprising a towline guide surface (23) located on a bottom side of said main section (22), said towline guide surface (23) configured to slidably contact said towline (10) during a towing procedure such that said towline is free to move along the periphery of said main section (22) in said first plane while being restricted in movement by said main section (22) in a direction perpendicular to said first plane; a support element (16) on the upper side of the main compartment (22) arrangement and a second plane perpendicular to the first plane from the upper side of the guide element (20) at an angle to the first plane. extend And through the first mounting section and the second mounting section (21A, 21B) extend The support element (16), The towing staple.

[0059] Item 18: The towing staple according to item 17, wherein the guide element (20) of the towing staple (14) has an arch-shaped profile when viewed from the first plane.

[0060] Item 19: The guide element (20) is such that the main section (22) has two parallel The two U-shaped guide elements (20) have a U-shape when viewed from the first plane, including a section (22A) and a curved section (22B). parallel 19. The towing staple (14) according to item 17 or 18, wherein the end section of section (22A) constitutes the attachment section (21A, 21B).

[0061] Item 20: The support element (16) has a base end (16A) and an upper end (16B), and the base end (16A) is mounted on the guide element (20). arrangement and the upper end (16B) is configured to be attached to an attachment area located in the second plane.

[0062] Item 21: The support element (16) is supported from the upper side of the guide element (20) to the second plane so that the support element (16) generates an enclosure covering the guide element (20). extend 21. The towing staple (14) according to any one of items 17 to 20, comprising a sheet material.

[0063] Item 22: The support element (16) is disposed on the periphery of the guide element (20) along the upper side of the guide element (20). arrangement a first edge (16A) following the periphery and a second edge (16B) following the second plane; parallel Item 22. The towing staple (14) according to item 21, having a second edge (16B).

[0064] Item 23: A towing staple (14) according to any one of items 17 to 22, wherein the guide element (20) includes a lubrication system for lubricating the tow line during the towing procedure.

[0065] Item 24: The towing staple (14) described in Item 23, wherein the lubrication system includes a plurality of openings (18) in the tow line guide surface (23) of the guide element (20) and a lubricant supply system for supplying lubricant to the tow line (10) through the plurality of openings (18).

[0066] The use of the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., does not imply a particular order, but is included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., does not convey an order or importance, but rather, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., are used to distinguish one element from another. The words "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., are used here and elsewhere for labeling purposes only, and are not intended to denote any particular spatial or temporal order. Moreover, the labeling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element, and vice versa.

[0067] It will be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0068] It will be noted that the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0069] While features have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed disclosure, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The claimed disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A hull (1) for a vessel for towing, comprising: - Deck (13), - a towing staple (14) for guiding the towing line (10), The towing staple (14) is a guide element (20) having a symmetrical extension in a first plane parallel to the deck (13), said guide element (20) comprising a first attachment section and a second attachment section (21A, 21B) for attaching said guide element (20) to the hull (1), said first attachment section and said second attachment section (21A, 21B) being connected by means of a main section (22) of said guide element (20), said guide element (20) being connected to said deck (13), the guide element (20) including a tow line guide surface (23) located on a bottom side of the main section (22) facing the first section (13), the tow line guide surface (23) configured to slidably contact the tow line (10) during a towing procedure such that the tow line is restricted from upward movement by the main section (22) in a direction perpendicular to the first plane, while being free to move along the periphery of the main section (22) in the first plane; a support element (16) arranged above the main section (22) and obliquely arranged with respect to the first plane from the upper side of the guide element (20) to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane and extending adjacent the ends of the first and second mounting sections (21A, 21B); The hull (1).

2. 2. The hull (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide element (20) of the towing staple (14) has an arch-shaped profile when viewed from the first plane.

3. 3. The hull (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide element (20) has a U-shape when viewed from the first plane such that the main section (22) comprises two parallel sections (22A) and a curved section (22B), and end sections of the two parallel sections (22A) of the U-shaped guide element (20) constitute the mounting sections (21A, 21B).

4. The hull (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hull (1) comprises a rope guide (15) for guiding the tow line (10), the rope guide (15) being arranged in a longitudinal central plane of the towing staple (14).

5. 5. The vessel (1) according to claim 4, wherein the guide element (20) is shaped such that the distance from the ropeway to the tow line guide surface (23) of the guide element (20) varies over the circumference of the guide element (20).

6. 6. The hull (1) of claim 4 or 5, wherein the towing staples (14) span a visibility angle (α) of at least 140 degrees as seen from the ropeway (15) in the direction of the longitudinal centerline of the hull (1).

7. The hull (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the support element (16) extends, in the vertical direction of the hull (1), from an upper side of the towing staple (14) facing away from the deck (13) to a connection point (17) located further away from the deck than the ropeway (15).

8. The hull (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the towing staples (14) are arranged within an inner circumference of the hull (1).

9. The hull (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a width (W) of the guide element (20) between the first attachment section (21A) and the second attachment section (21B) is adapted to move a towing point away from a longitudinal centreline of the hull (1) towards the outside of the hull (1).

10. The hull (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance from the towing staple (14) to the deck (13) is in the range of 10 cm to 200 cm.

11. The hull (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support element (16) comprises a sheet material extending from an upper side of the guide element (20) to the second plane such that the support element (16) creates an enclosure over the guide element (20).

12. 12. The hull (1) according to claim 11, wherein the support element (16) is arranged on a periphery of the guide element (20) along an upper side of the guide element (20) and has a first edge (16A) arranged along the periphery and a second edge (16B) parallel to the second plane and attached to the hull in the second plane.

13. The hull (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (20) comprises a lubrication system for lubricating the tow line during the towing procedure.

14. 14. The hull (1) according to claim 13, wherein the lubrication system comprises a plurality of openings (18) in the towline guide surface (23) of the guide element (20) and a lubricant supply system for supplying lubricant to the towline (10) through the plurality of openings (18).

15. The hull (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a containment building (19), and the second plane is located on an aft or forward exterior wall (19A) of the containment building (19).

16. The hull (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the towing staple (14) is an integral part of the hull (1).

17. A towing staple (14) for towing, said towing staple being configured to guide a tow rope, said towing staple (14) comprising: a guide element (20) having a symmetrical extension in a first plane, said guide element (20) comprising a first attachment section (21A, 21B) for attaching said guide element (20) to a hull of a vessel for towing, said first attachment section (21A, 21B) being connected by means of a main section (22) of said guide element (20), said guide element (20) comprising a tow line guide surface (23) located on a bottom side of said main section (22), said tow line guide surface (23) configured to slidably contact said tow line (10) during a towing procedure such that said tow line is restricted in its upward movement by said main section (22) in a direction perpendicular to said first plane, while being free to move along the periphery of said main section (22) in said first plane; a support element (16) arranged above the main section (22) and arranged obliquely with respect to an angle to the first plane from the upper side of the guide element (20) to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane and extending adjacent the ends of the first and second mounting sections (21A, 21B); The towing staple.

18. 18. The towing staple of claim 17, wherein the guide element (20) of the towing staple (14) has an arch-shaped profile when viewed from the first plane.

19. The towing staple (14) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the guide element (20) has a U-shape when viewed from the first plane such that the main section (22) comprises two parallel sections (22A) and a curved section (22B), and end sections of the two parallel sections (22A) of the U-shaped guide element (20) constitute the attachment sections (21A, 21B).

20. The towing staple (14) of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the support element (16) has a base end (16A) and an upper end (16B), the base end (16A) being positioned on the guide element (20) and the upper end (16B) being configured to be attached to an attachment area located in the second plane.

21. The towing staple (14) of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the support element (16) comprises a sheet material extending from an upper side of the guide element (20) to the second plane such that the support element (16) creates an enclosure over the guide element (20).

22. 22. The towing staple (14) of claim 21, wherein the support element (16) is disposed on a periphery of the guide element (20) along an upper side of the guide element (20) and has a first edge (16A) disposed along the periphery and a second edge (16B) parallel to the second plane.

23. Towing staple according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the guide element (20) comprises a lubrication system for lubricating the tow line during the towing procedure.

24. 24. The towing staple (14) of claim 23, wherein the lubrication system includes a plurality of openings (18) in the towline guide surface (23) of the guide element (20) and a lubrication supply system for supplying lubricant to the towline (10) through the plurality of openings (18).

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