Mooring rope

Abstract

To provide a mooring rope having high durability.SOLUTION: A mooring rope 1 has a rope body 2, a resin covering layer 3, and an external cylinder 4. The rope body 2 is formed by twisting or combining a plurality of strands 21. The covering layer 3 covers the rope body 2. The covering layer 3 is closely attached to the strands 21. The external cylinder 4 covers the covering layer 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a mooring rope used in the ocean or the like, and relates to a mooring rope used when mooring a ship to a quay or mooring an offshore structure to the seabed.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, fiber mooring ropes have been used (see Patent Document 1). Many of the fiber mooring ropes are simply combinations of fibers such as polyester and polypropylene. When such a rope is used underwater, in the process of use, sand, pebbles, mud, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "sand, etc.") floating in the water invade into the rope or into the strands constituting the rope. When a tensile load is repeatedly applied to the rope in a state where sand, etc. has invaded, due to the internal friction of the rope caused by the rubbing of the fibers constituting the rope and sand, etc., the fibers are severely worn and the strength is reduced, so that the rope may be cut by a not-so-large load.

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, Patent Document 2 proposes a structure in which a filter material made of a tubular fabric formed by weaving warp yarns and weft yarns is coated on a fiber rope.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide a highly durable mooring rope. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The mooring rope disclosed herein comprises a rope body formed by twisting or combining a plurality of strands, a resin coating layer covering the rope body and closely adhering to the strands, and an outer cylinder covering the coating layer, wherein the rope body has irregularities formed by twisting or combining the plurality of strands, the coating layer has an irregular shape that conforms to the irregularities of the rope body, and the outer cylinder fits into the recesses of the irregularities of the coating layer. Therefore, the rope body, the coating layer, and the outer cylinder are not bonded to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above configuration, a highly durable mooring rope can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a mooring rope according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the mooring rope according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3]This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mooring rope along the radial direction according to the first embodiment (a schematic cross-sectional view along the line III-III in Figure 1). [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mooring rope along the radial direction according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows a mooring rope 1 according to the first embodiment. The mooring rope 1 is used in the ocean, for example, to moor a ship to a quay or to moor a marine structure to the seabed.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the mooring rope 1 comprises a rope body 2, a covering layer 3, and an outer cylinder 4. To illustrate the configuration of the mooring rope 1, Figure 1 shows a portion where the covering layer 3 and / or outer cylinder 4 are not present on the outside of the rope body 2. However, the mooring rope 1 has the covering layer 3 and outer cylinder 4 on the outside of the rope body 2 along its entire length (see Figure 2).

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rope body 2 is made by twisting or combining multiple strands 21. Combining multiple strands 21 means combining multiple strands 21 diagonally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rope body 2. The term "combination" described later has the same meaning. The twisting or combining of multiple strands 21 creates irregularities on the rope body 2. The rope body 2 shown in Figure 1 is an 8-strand rope made by twisting together four sets of two strands. However, the configuration of the rope body 2 is not limited to this. For example, a 3-strand rope made by twisting together three strands may be used as the rope body 2, a 4-strand rope made by twisting together four strands may be used, or a combination of 12 or 16 strands may be used.

[0013] The strand 21 includes multiple yarns 121 (see Figure 1). The multiple yarns 121 may, for example, be twisted together or simply bundled together. The yarn 121 includes multiple filaments. The multiple filaments may, for example, be twisted together or simply bundled together.

[0014] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section of the mooring rope 1. In Figure 3, one strand 21 is schematically enclosed by a dashed line. The rope body 2 of the mooring rope 1 shown in Figure 3 contains eight strands 21. In a partially enlarged view of Figure 3, one yarn 121 is schematically enclosed by a dashed line. Here, as an example, it is shown that one yarn 121 contains seven filaments (filament 121a, filament 121b, filament 121c, etc.). The material of the filaments is not particularly limited. The filaments may be synthetic fibers such as polyamide, aramid, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyurethane. Note that Figure 3 schematically shows the mooring rope 1, and therefore gaps and spaces exist between the yarns 121 and between the filaments. However, in reality, there are almost no gaps and spaces between the yarns 121 and between the filaments. The strands 21 are in close contact with each other, the yarns 121 are in close contact with each other, and the filaments are in close contact with each other. Also, in the schematic diagram shown in Figure 3, the cross-sections of the yarns 121 and the filaments are circular, but in reality, they may have shapes other than circular, such as elliptical or flattened shapes.

[0015] The composition of the raw yarn, yarn 121, strand 21, and rope body 2 is not particularly limited. For example, PET fiber (PET: polyethylene terephthalate) with a fineness of 1670 dT may be used as the raw yarn. As yarn 121, three strands of four raw yarns that have been under-twisted together may be used. As strand 21, eighteen strands of yarn twisted together may be used. As rope body 2, an 8-strand rope formed using eight strands may be used, as shown in Figure 1. The thickness of rope body 2 is not particularly limited. For example, a rope body 2 with a thickness of 32 mm may be used.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the rope body 2 is covered with a covering layer 3. The covering layer 3 is made of resin. The covering layer 3 can be made of any elastic material, such as rubber, not just resin.

[0017] The resin of the coating layer 3 is not particularly limited. The resin may be, for example, an elastomer or a thermoplastic resin. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyamide, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyurethane resins. Among these, polyurethane resins are preferred because they are flexible and stretchable. The thickness of the coating layer 3 is not particularly limited, but 0.5 mm to 10 mm is preferred. Furthermore, the tensile strength of the coating material 3 is preferably 3.0 MPa or higher, and the elongation is preferably 80% or higher. By setting the thickness and tensile strength of the coating layer 3 within this range, the rope body 2 can be easily stretched and contracted.

[0018] The covering layer 3 penetrates into the recesses of the unevenness of the rope body 2 (the recesses of the unevenness formed by the strands 21) (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In the present embodiment, the covering layer 3 penetrates into all the recesses of the rope body 2. The covering layer 3 has an uneven shape along the unevenness of the rope body 2 (the unevenness formed by the strands 21). The covering layer 3 is in close contact with the strands 21 of the rope body 2. Here, "in close contact" means that the covering layer 3 and the strands 21 are in contact with each other and there is almost no gap between the covering layer 3 and the strands 21 such that fine particles, sand, pebbles, etc. cannot penetrate therebetween. However, the covering layer 3 is not adhered to each strand 21. Here, "adhered" means being joined chemically or physically.

[0019] As shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 3, the covering layer 3 penetrates into the recesses of the unevenness of the strand 21. The "recesses of the unevenness of the strand 21" are the recesses of the unevenness formed by the yarns 121. For example, in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 3, the recesses are formed by the recesses between adjacent yarns 121. Also, the "recesses of the unevenness of the strand 21" are also the recesses between the yarns 121 existing on the outermost side of the rope body 2. The covering layer 3 is in close contact with the strand 21 and the yarn 121. Specifically, the covering layer 3 is in close contact with the yarn 121 existing on the outermost side of the rope body 2. With such a configuration, when the covering layer 3 is separated from the rope body 2, a mold in which each yarn 121 was fitted is formed on the surface of the covering layer 3 that was in close contact with the rope body 2. Note that the covering layer 3 is not adhered to the strand 21 and the yarn 121. The definitions of close contact and adhesion are the same as above.

[0020] The covering layer 3 is covered with an outer cylinder 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer cylinder 4 penetrates into the recesses of the unevenness of the covering layer 3. The outer cylinder 4 has an uneven shape along the unevenness of the covering layer 3. The outer cylinder 4 is substantially in close contact with the covering layer 3. Note that the outer cylinder 4 is not adhered to the covering layer 3. The definitions of close contact and adhesion are the same as above.

[0021] The structure of the outer cylinder 4 is not particularly limited. Examples of the outer cylinder 4 include those formed by twisting fibers, those formed by combining fibers or strip-shaped members into a tubular shape such as a woven or knitted fabric, and those formed by spirally winding a plate-shaped or cloth-shaped member on the coating layer. The outer cylinder 4 shown in FIG. 1 is formed by combining a plurality of fibers in a blade shape. The material of the outer cylinder 4 is not particularly limited. For example, synthetic fibers such as polyamide-based, polyester-based, polyacrylonitrile-based, polyvinyl alcohol-based, polypropylene-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyethylene-based, polyvinylidene chloride-based, and polyurethane-based may be used, metal fibers may be used, or those containing both of these may be used. As an example, an outer cylinder 4 of 48 counts or 64 counts produced using strands formed by twisting 4 or 5 yarns formed by twisting 4 PET fibers with a fineness of 1670 dT as the raw yarn may be used.

[0022] Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the mooring rope 1 will be described.

[0023] The rope body 2 is produced by twisting or combining a plurality of strands 21. A resin coating layer 3 is formed on the outside of the rope body 2. The coating layer 3 can be formed, for example, by a known extrusion molding method.

[0024] After forming the coating layer 3, an outer cylinder 4 is formed on the outside of the coating layer 3 (see FIG. 1). For example, the outer cylinder 4 can be formed by the following method. The outer cylinder 4 is formed by incorporating strands that will form the outer cylinder 4 into the coating layer 3. At this time, by incorporating the strands along the irregularities of the coating layer 3, the outer cylinder 4 enters the recesses of the irregularities of the coating layer 3.

[0025] The methods for forming the coating layer 3 and the outer cylinder 4 are not limited to the above methods. The coating layer 3 and the outer cylinder 4 may be formed by methods other than the above.

[0026] According to the mooring rope 1 described above (see FIG. 1), the following effects can be obtained.

[0027] If the covering layer 3 that covers the rope body 2 is a woven fabric, when the weave of the fabric slips, fine particles from the seabed, fine particles floating in the sea, sand, etc. may enter the inside of the covering layer 3 through the slipped areas, potentially causing wear on the rope body 2. With the above configuration, since the covering layer 3 that covers the rope body 2 is made of resin, mesh slippage does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the entry of fine particles and sand from the covering layer 3 into the rope body 2. In addition, because the covering layer 3 is in close contact with the strands 21 of the rope body 2, it is difficult for fine particles and sand to enter the rope body 2 from between the rope body 2 and the covering layer 3. Furthermore, if waste liquid is present in the water, it is difficult for the waste liquid to enter the rope body 2 from between the rope body 2 and the covering layer 3.

[0028] Furthermore, if the coating layer 3 is the outermost layer, the resin coating layer 3 is susceptible to damage from fine particles and sand. If the coating layer 3 is damaged, fine particles and sand may enter through that area. With the above configuration, since the coating layer 3 is covered by the outer cylinder 4, damage to the resin coating layer 3 from fine particles and sand can be suppressed.

[0029] As described above, wear and deterioration of the rope body 2 can be suppressed. This makes it possible to provide a highly durable mooring rope 1.

[0030] While it is conceivable to form a thicker coating layer 3 instead of an outer cylinder 4 on the outside of the coating layer 3, in this case, the coating layer 3 would not be able to easily follow the expansion and contraction of the rope body 2, thus hindering the rope body 2's ability to expand and contract. By forming a resin coating layer 3 and an outer cylinder 4 on its outside, it is possible to provide a highly durable mooring rope 1 that allows the rope body 2 to fully exhibit its ability to expand and contract.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the coating layer 3 fits into the recesses of the uneven surface of the rope body 2 (the recesses formed by twisting or combining the strands 21), and has an uneven shape that follows the uneven surface of the rope body 2. Therefore, the rope body 2 is easily stretched and contracted. In addition, the coating layer 3 has an uneven shape that follows the uneven surface of the rope body 2, and the outer cylinder 4 fits into the recesses of the uneven surface of the coating layer 3. Therefore, the outer cylinder 4 is less likely to slip away from the coating layer 3. As a result, fine particles and sand are less likely to get between the outer cylinder 4 and the coating layer 3, thus reliably preventing damage to the resin coating layer 3.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the strand 21 contains multiple yarns 121. As shown in the partially enlarged view of Figure 3, the coating layer 3 fits into the recesses of the uneven surface of the strand 21 (the recesses of the uneven surface formed by the yarns 121). The coating layer 3 is in close contact with the strand 21 and yarns 121 of the rope body 2. This makes it difficult for the coating layer 3 to shift from the rope body 2, and prevents wear between the rope body 2 and the coating layer 3. In addition, even if a small hole is made in the resin coating layer 3 by a sharp protrusion, there is no gap for aquatic organisms or sand to enter the inside along the strand 21 because the coating layer 3 and the strand 21 are in close contact. Furthermore, because the yarns 121 contained in the strand 21 are in close contact with the coating layer 3, it is possible to reliably prevent aquatic organisms or sand from entering the inside of the strand 21. As a result, deterioration of the rope body 2 is reliably suppressed, and the durability of the mooring rope 1 is further increased. Furthermore, since the coating layer 3 is not bonded to the strands 21 and yarn 121, it does not hinder the elongation of the fibers constituting the yarn, and the strength utilization rate of the fibers constituting the rope body 2 does not decrease. Therefore, the reduction in the strength of the mooring rope 1 due to the formation of the coating layer 3 can be suppressed.

[0033] The resin of the coating layer 3 is not particularly limited, but polyurethane resin is preferred among resins. Because polyurethane resin is flexible and highly elastic, when the coating layer 3 is made of polyurethane resin, the coating layer 3 easily expands and contracts in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the rope body 2. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly durable mooring rope 1 while maintaining the elasticity of the rope body 2.

[0034] The material and structure of the outer tube 4 are not particularly limited, but those made of fibers combined in a braided shape are flexible and highly elastic, making the rope body 2 easier to stretch and contract. Therefore, when the outer tube 4 is made of fibers combined in a braided shape, it is possible to provide a mooring rope 1 that is highly durable while maintaining the elasticity of the rope body. In addition, if the outer tube 4 includes metal (e.g., metal wire, metal fiber), the strength of the outer tube 4 is high.

[0035] [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the coating layer 203 is embedded in the recesses of the uneven surface of the yarn 121. The same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the covering layer 203 fits into the depressions of the unevenness of the yarn 121. The "depressions of the unevenness of the yarn 121" refer to the depressions of the unevenness formed by the raw fibers, for example, in the partially enlarged view of Figure 4, these are the depressions formed by raw fibers 121a and 121b, and the depressions formed by raw fibers 121b and 121c. Furthermore, the "depressions of the unevenness of the yarn 121" also refer to the depressions between adjacent raw fibers that are on the outermost surface of the rope body 2 (for example, the depressions between raw fibers 121a and 121b, and the depressions between raw fibers 121b and 121c). The covering layer 203 is in close contact with the yarn 121 and the raw fibers. Specifically, the covering layer 203 is in close contact with the raw fibers that are on the outermost surface of the rope body 2 (for example, raw fibers 121a, 121b, and 121c in the partially enlarged view of Figure 4). With this configuration, when the covering layer 203 is separated from the rope body 2, the surface of the covering layer 203 that was in close contact with the rope body 2 has a mold formed in which each individual filament was fitted. Note that the covering layer 203 is not adhered to the yarn 121 and the filaments. The definitions of close contact and adhesion are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0037] According to the above configuration, similar to the first embodiment, wear and deterioration of the rope body 2 can be suppressed, thereby providing a highly durable mooring rope 201.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in the enlarged view of Figure 4, the coating layer 203 fits into the depressions of the uneven surface of the yarn 121 (depressions of the uneven surface formed by the raw fibers). The coating layer 203 adheres tightly to the yarn 121 and raw fibers (for example, raw fibers 121a, 121b, and 121c) of the rope body 2. This makes the coating layer 203 less likely to shift from the rope body 2, and prevents wear between the rope body 2 and the coating layer 203. In addition, even if a small hole is made in the resin coating layer 203 by a sharp protrusion, the coating layer 203 and the yarn 121 are in close contact, so there is no gap for aquatic organisms or sand to enter the interior along the yarn 121. Moreover, the adherence of the raw fibers contained in the yarn 121 (for example, raw fibers 121a, 121b, and 121c) to the coating layer 203 reliably prevents aquatic organisms or sand from entering the interior of the yarn 121. These measures more effectively suppress the deterioration of the rope body 2, thereby further increasing the durability of the mooring rope 1. In addition, since the coating layer 203 is not bonded to the raw yarn, it does not hinder the elongation of the fibers that make up the raw yarn, and the strength utilization rate of the fibers that make up the rope body 2 does not decrease. Therefore, the reduction in strength of the mooring rope 201 due to the formation of the coating layer 203 can be suppressed.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above based on examples, it should be understood that the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0040] For example, in the mooring rope 1 of the first embodiment described above, as shown in the partially enlarged view of Figure 3, the covering layer 3 fits into the recesses of the unevenness of the strand 21, and in the mooring rope 201 of the second embodiment described above, as shown in the partially enlarged view of Figure 4, the covering layer 203 fits into the recesses of the unevenness of the strand 21, and further fits into the recesses of the unevenness of the yarn 121. In the mooring rope of the present invention, a portion of the covering layer may be embedded in the recesses of the unevenness of the strand, another portion of the covering layer may be embedded in the recesses of the unevenness of the strand, and further, it may be embedded in the recesses of the unevenness of the yarn 121. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1,201 Mooring rope 2. Rope body 3, 203 coating layer 4. Outer cylinder 21 Strands 121 Yarn 121a, 121b, 121c yarn

Claims

1. A rope body made by twisting or combining multiple strands, A resin coating layer covers the rope body and is in close contact with the strand, The system comprises an outer cylinder covered with the aforementioned coating layer, The rope body is formed by twisting or combining multiple strands, and the covering layer has an uneven shape that conforms to the unevenness of the rope body. The outer cylinder is fitted into the recesses of the unevenness of the coating layer, A mooring rope characterized in that the rope body, the coating layer, and the outer cylinder are not bonded to each other.

2. The aforementioned strand includes multiple yarns, The coating layer is embedded in the depressions of the irregularities of the strand formed by the yarn. The mooring rope according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned strand includes multiple yarns, The yarn includes multiple filaments, Multiple of the aforementioned filaments create irregularities in the yarn. The coating layer is embedded in the depressions of the unevenness of the yarn. A mooring rope according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The coating layer is made of a polyurethane resin. A mooring rope according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The outer cylinder is made of fibers interwoven in a blade-like manner. A mooring rope according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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