Method and device for removing material bearing against or adhering to a hull

Abstract

In a method and a device for removing material bearing against or adhering to a hull (3) such as, for example, sand, silt, mussels or the like, in particular in order to release a ship which has run aground, a substantially U-shaped frame (7) is provided, the dimensions of which exceed the dimensions of the hull (3) in a cross section of the latter transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction, wherein the frame (7) can be positioned below and to the side of the hull (3) in a position in which it reaches around the hull (3) in the longitudinal direction of the latter, is provided with a plurality of nozzles (15) provided on the frame (7) for discharging a fluid mixture (9) under pressure in the direction of the hull (3) in order to loosen and / or remove the material bearing against or adhering to the hull (3) and is movable relative to the hull (3) in the longitudinal direction of the latter.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for removing material lying adjacent to or adhering to a ship's hull, such as sand, silt, mussels, or the like, in particular for freeing a stuck ship, as well as to the use of such a method and such a device.

[0002] When ships run aground on sand or against embankments, for example, or when ships get stuck, for example at low tide, especially if they are sucked in by silt and stuck, freeing such stuck or stranded ships is usually very difficult, as was the case not so long ago with a tanker in the Suez Canal, where this busy

[0003] The shipping route was blocked for a longer period of time or was only passable with difficulty.

[0004] In particular, an attempt was made to

[0005] To expose parts of the ship by removing material, such as sand, from land. In particular in the case of large ships, it is immediately obvious that even with very large tools or equipment, such removal of material involves an extremely large amount of time and effort.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to provide both a method and a device for removing material adhering to or adhering to a ship's hull, wherein the method and device according to the invention are intended, in particular, to enable faster freeing of stuck ships. Furthermore, the aim is to provide, for example, a cleaning of a ship's hull, and in particular the areas below the waterline, with reduced time and effort, and thus at reduced costs.

[0007] To solve these tasks, a procedure of the type mentioned above is essentially characterized by the following steps:

[0008] - providing a substantially U-shaped frame, the dimensions of which exceed the dimensions of the ship's hull in a cross-section thereof transverse to the longitudinal direction,

[0009] - positioning the frame in a position enclosing the hull in the longitudinal direction of the same, below and to the side of the hull,

[0010] - Dispensing a fluid mixture under pressure from a

[0011] A plurality of nozzles provided on the frame in the direction of the ship's hull for loosening and / or removing the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull, and - moving the frame relative to the ship's hull in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0012] By means of the inventively provided, essentially U-shaped frame with dimensions exceeding the dimensions of the ship's hull and positioning the frame in a position encompassing the ship's hull in the longitudinal direction thereof at a location which, in the case of a stuck ship, is not stuck in the surrounding ground, it is possible, by applying a fluid mixture under

[0013] Printing from a plurality of the frame provided

[0014] Nozzles directed towards the ship's hull loosen and subsequently remove any material that is clinging to or adhering to the ship's hull. Furthermore, by moving the frame longitudinally relative to the hull, the ship's hull can be completely exposed in a stuck area as the material clinging to or adhering to the hull is progressively loosened and removed. In contrast to known methods, there is no need to attempt to free stuck parts of a ship using appropriate equipment, for example, from a bank embankment. This allows the exposure of a ship stuck in a section of the hull with reduced time and effort.Additionally or alternatively, the ship's hull can be cleaned by moving the essentially U-shaped frame relative to the ship's hull in the longitudinal direction of the hull while simultaneously discharging a fluid mixture under pressure from the nozzles provided on the frame. Such cleaning is not only possible in connection with exposing a stuck ship's hull, but also, for example, in connection with the usually regularly performed underbody cleaning of large ocean-going vessels in particular. The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to save, in particular, long layover times and docking costs.

[0015] For reliable loosening and / or removal of the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull, a preferred embodiment provides for the application direction and / or the application of at least some nozzles to be selectable and / or adjustable. Such selectability and / or adjustability of the application direction and / or the application of at least some nozzles allows for the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull to be loosened and / or removed in a targeted manner at the appropriate locations according to the requirements and circumstances.

[0016] For further adaptation to the material to be loosened and / or removed, which is adjacent to or adhering to the ship's hull, a further preferred embodiment proposes that the pressure and / or composition of the fluid mixture to be dispensed be selectable and / or adjustable. In this way, a correspondingly reliable and rapid loosening and removal of the material adjacent to or adhering to the ship's hull can be achieved, particularly in accordance with the properties of the material.

[0017] Since, for example, large quantities of material must be loosened and removed from a stuck ship, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that the fluid mixture consists of a mixture of

[0018] Water, sand or similar lumpy material and air, which enables reliable loosening and removal of material.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the frame be driven to move back and forth along the ship's hull. Such a reciprocating or pilgrim-step movement enables easier and more reliable removal and loosening of the material to be removed through repeated exposure to the fluid mixture, for example, in the event that resistance in one direction of movement of the U-shaped frame becomes too great during removal of the material.

[0020] For reliable and coordinated movement of the U-shaped frame relative to the ship's hull, according to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is proposed that the frame be mounted and driven for movement along the ship's hull by articulation and drive devices arranged on the ship's hull. Such articulation and drive devices arranged on the ship's hull can, for example, be formed by corresponding superstructures in a crane-like shape and drive devices, particularly in the bow and stern areas on both sides of the ship's hull. For example, the U-shaped frame can be moved relative to the ship's hull via corresponding cable pulls, and by dispensing the fluid mixture under pressure from the nozzles provided on the frame, loosening and / or removal of the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull is possible.

[0021] As an alternative to controlling the movement of the U-shaped frame relative to the ship's hull, according to a modified embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is proposed that the frame be enabled to move along the ship's hull by external linkage and drive devices, in particular by means of

[0022] The U-shaped frame according to the invention can thus be brought into the exposed area of ​​the ship's hull by appropriate external linkage and drive devices, in particular tugs, and a movement of the U-shaped frame relative to the ship's hull can be achieved by moving these external linkage and drive devices.

[0023] In order to achieve the objects mentioned at the outset, a device according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is essentially characterized by a substantially U-shaped frame, the dimensions of which

[0024] dimensions of the ship’s hull in a cross-section thereof transverse to the longitudinal direction, whereby the

[0025] Frame can be positioned below and to the side of the ship's hull in a position encompassing the ship's hull in the longitudinal direction thereof, is provided with a plurality of nozzles provided on the frame for dispensing a fluid mixture under pressure in the direction of the ship's hull for loosening and / or removing the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull and is movable relative to the ship's hull in the longitudinal direction thereof.As already explained above, the device according to the invention makes it possible to loosen and / or remove the material adhering to the ship's hull by providing a substantially U-shaped frame which surrounds the ship's hull in the longitudinal direction and can be positioned laterally and underneath the same, and by applying a fluid mixture under pressure through nozzles provided on the frame, wherein the frame is additionally movable in the longitudinal direction of the ship's hull in order to enable a progressive loosening and removal of material adhering to or lying against the ship's hull. In addition to freeing a ship which has run aground or is stuck, the device according to the invention can also be used advantageously for cleaning the ship's hull in areas below the waterline. For reliable and proper loosening and.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, for removing the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull, it is proposed that the application direction and / or the application of at least some nozzles is (are) selectable and / or adjustable.

[0027] Further support or improvement in the loosening and removal of the material can be achieved, for example, by the pressure and / or the composition of the fluid mixture to be applied being selectable and / or adjustable, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0028] To accommodate different ship hull dimensions, a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that individual elements of the U-shaped frame are adjustable, in particular telescopic. In this way, a U-shaped frame can be adapted to different ship hull dimensions, so that the device according to the invention can be used on different ship hulls.

[0029] To assist in particular in the removal of large quantities of material from stuck ships, it is furthermore preferably provided that the frame can be driven to perform a reciprocating movement along the ship's hull. Such a reciprocating movement or pilgrim's step movement can, for example, be used to counteract the resistance in one direction of movement of the U-shaped frame during removal of the material.

[0030] Movement of the frame relative to the ship's hull enables easier and reliable removal and loosening of the material to be removed by repeated exposure to the fluid mixture.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, a movement of the frame relative to the ship's hull required for loosening and removing material lying or adhering to the ship's hull can be carried out in that the frame is mounted and driven for movement along the ship's hull by means of linkage and drive devices arranged on the ship's hull.

[0032] Alternatively, in this context, according to a modified embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the frame is mounted and driven for movement along the ship's hull by external linkage and drive devices, in particular by tugs movable on both sides of the ship's hull.

[0033] As already stated several times above, the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention of the type mentioned above or according to a preferred embodiment thereof is particularly suitable for flushing or

[0034] Can be used to clear stranded and stuck ships and / or to clean the hull of the same.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic partial side view of a ship with an inventive device for carrying out the inventive method;

[0036] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view according to arrow II of Fig. 1;

[0037] Fig. 3 is a schematic view in the direction of the

[0038] Arrow III of Fig. 1 to a modified embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the U-shaped frame is moved relative to the ship's hull by external linkage and drive devices in the form of tugs;

[0039] Fig. 4 is a schematic detailed view of a portion of the U-shaped frame, particularly indicating adjustable nozzles; and Fig. 5 is further schematic detailed views of the U-shaped frame, with Figs. 5a and 5b showing different designs of adjustable or telescopic elements of the U-shaped frame.

[0040] In Fig. 1, 1 schematically denotes a ship which, as is also schematically indicated, in its front or bow area 2 of the ship's hull 3 is recessed into a bottom 4, which, for example, is in particular made of

[0041] Sand, silt or similar is formed, has been driven onto and is stuck in it. A water surface is indicated by 5.

[0042] As can be seen from the following description of further

[0043] Figures will be discussed in detail, an essentially U-shaped frame 7 is indicated on the exposed stern region 6 of the ship's hull 3, which frame is movable relative to the ship's hull 3 in accordance with the double arrow 8. From the essentially U-shaped frame 7, the dimensions of which exceed the dimensions of the ship's hull 3 in a cross-section thereof, as will be particularly clear from Fig. 3, a fluid mixture, which is schematically indicated by 9, is discharged in the direction of the ship's hull 3 via nozzles 15, which are also shown in detail below. When the U-shaped frame 7 moves in the direction of the bow area 2 of the ship's hull 3, the bottom 4 is loosened and subsequently removed by the fluid mixture 9 discharged via the nozzles 15, so that the bow area 2 of the ship 1 can subsequently be exposed and the ship 1 can either automatically release the stuck orcan leave the accumulated position or can be removed or pulled from this area by tugs not shown in detail.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the U-shaped frame 7 is moved via schematically indicated cable pulleys 10 between articulation devices 11 along the ship's hull 3 in the direction of the double arrow 8. The deflection devices 11 can be formed, for example, by cranes or the like, whereby additional drives for moving the U-shaped frame 7 via the cable pulleys 10 or the like are not shown in detail.

[0045] This schematic mobility of the U-shaped frame 7 relative to the ship's hull 3 along its longitudinal extent is indicated again in the plan view according to Fig. 2, together with the articulation devices 11 and the cable pulls 10. In the schematic view according to Fig. 3, the essentially U-shaped frame, again designated 7, is clearly visible, which is designed with dimensions that exceed the dimensions of the ship's hull, again schematically indicated 3.

[0046] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2, in which the U-shaped frame 7 is moved along the ship's hull 3 by means of linkage and drive devices 11 provided on the ship's hull 3, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the U-shaped frame 7 is moved along the ship's hull 3 by schematically indicated tugs 12, with additional crane devices for securing and moving the frame 7 being indicated by 13. Furthermore, in Fig. 3, schematic spacers 14 are indicated on the areas of the U-shaped frame 7 facing the ship's hull 3.

[0047] On each individual, for example essentially tubular, element of the U-shaped frame 7, a plurality of openings or nozzles 15 are indicated, from which a fluid mixture, which for example consists of a mixture of water, sand or a similar lumpy material and

[0048] Air is formed, is applied in the direction of the ship's hull 3 for loosening and / or removing material lying or adhering to the ship's hull 3, as is again indicated schematically by the jets 9.

[0049] By moving the U-shaped frame 7 in the direction of the area of ​​the ship 1 which is fixed to the bottom 4, as indicated in Fig. 1, the material below the bottom line indicated by the line 4 is removed by discharging the fluid mixture 9, so that the bow area 2 of the ship 1, designated 2 in Fig. 1, is also exposed.

[0050] In the enlarged schematic representation according to Fig. 4 of a partial area of ​​a tubular element of the U-shaped frame 7, it can be seen that a plurality of openings with nozzles 15 arranged therein are provided distributed over the circumference of the frame 7. By an adjustability of the nozzles 15, as shown schematically by the

[0051] Double arrows 16 and 17 indicate a

[0052] Application of the fluid mixture 9 in different and adjustable directions in order to enable targeted loosening and removal of the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull 3. In addition to the adjustability of the nozzles 15, a corresponding control (not shown in detail) of the supply of the fluid mixture to be applied from the individual nozzles 15 also enables targeted application of the fluid to individual nozzles 15 or partial areas of the nozzles 15.

[0053] In Fig. 5, the possibility of extending frame elements 18 and 19 of the U-shaped frame 7 is also schematically indicated. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5a, individual frame elements 18a and 18b are arranged telescopically according to the double arrow 20, so that the overall dimensions of the element 18 of the U-shaped frame 7 formed by individual elements 18a and 18b can be adapted to the dimensions of the ship's hull 3. In the modified embodiment according to Fig. 5b, the overall dimensions of the element of the U-shaped frame 7 schematically designated 19 are adjusted by securing the individual sub-elements 19a and 19b to one another using corresponding securing devices 21, such as clamps, bands or the like.

[0054] Instead of the exposure of a ship 1 shown in the figures by exposing a stuck or grounded part 2 of the ship's hull 3, such a U-shaped frame 7, from which a fluid mixture 9 can be discharged under pressure via a plurality of nozzles 15, can also be used for cleaning the ship's hull

[0055] 3, in particular for underbody cleaning. In this case, the frame 7 is advantageously moved along the ship's hull via linkage and drive devices 11 provided on the ship's hull 3 for cleaning the same, as is schematically illustrated, for example, in Figs. 1 and 2.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A method for removing material adhering to or adhering to a ship's hull, such as sand, silt, mussels, or the like, in particular for freeing a stuck ship, characterized by the following steps: - providing a substantially U-shaped frame (7) whose dimensions exceed the dimensions of the ship's hull (3) in a cross-section thereof transverse to the longitudinal direction, - Positioning the frame (7) in a position that (3) in the longitudinal direction of the same, encompassing position below and to the side of the ship's hull (3), - discharging a fluid mixture (9) under pressure from a plurality of nozzles (15) provided on the frame (7) in the direction of the ship's hull (3) to loosen and / or remove the material lying or adhering to the ship's hull (3), and Moving the frame (7) relative to the ship's hull (3) in the longitudinal direction thereof.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge direction and / or the application of at least some nozzles (15) is (are) selectable and / or adjustable.

3. Method according to claim 11 or 2, characterized in that the pressure and / or the composition of the fluid mixture ((99)) to be dispensed is (are) selectable and / or adjustable.

4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the fluid mixture (9) consists of a mixture of water, sand or similar lumpy material and air.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frame (7) is driven to a reciprocating movement (8) along the ship's hull (3).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame (7) is mounted and driven for movement along the ship's hull (3) by articulation and drive devices (11) arranged on the ship's hull.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame (7) is mounted and driven for movement along the ship's hull (3) by external linkage and drive devices, in particular by tugs (12) movable on both sides of the ship's hull.

8. Device for removing material adhering to or adhering to a ship’s hull, such as sand, silt, mussels or the like, in particular for Freeing a stuck ship, characterized by a substantially U-shaped frame (7), the dimensions of which exceed the dimensions of the ship's hull (3) in a cross-section thereof transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the frame (7) can be positioned below and to the side of the ship's hull (3) in a position encompassing the ship's hull (3) in the longitudinal direction thereof, with a plurality of nozzles (15) provided on the frame (7) for dispensing a fluid mixture (9) under pressure in Direction towards the hull (3) to loosen and / or Removal of the material lying or adhering to the hull (3) and relative to the Ship's hull (3) is movable in the longitudinal direction thereof.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the discharge direction and / or the application of at least some nozzles (15) is (are) selectable and / or adjustable.

10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the pressure and / or the composition of the fluid mixture ((99)) to be dispensed is (are) selectable and / or adjustable.

11. Device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that individual elements (18, 19) of the U-shaped Frame (7) are adjustable, in particular telescopic.

12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the frame (7) can be driven to a reciprocating movement (8) along the ship's hull (3).

13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the frame (7) is mounted and drivable for movement along the ship's hull (3) by means of articulation and drive devices (11) arranged on the ship's hull.

14. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the frame (7) is adapted to move along the ship’s hull by external linkage and Drive devices, in particular by tugs (12) movable on both sides of the ship's hull (3), are mounted and driven.

15. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or a device according to one of claims 8 to 14 for freeing grounded and stuck ships (1) and / or for cleaning the ship's hull (3) thereof.

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