A sliding padeye controllable independently of the drive element on ships

Abstract

The invention relates to a sliding padeye (1) for use in a ship-to-ship rope replenishment operation, comprising at least one body (10), at least one chain housing (11 ) on said body (10), at least one chain (30) located in said chain housing (11 ) and having at least one trolley (20) thereon, and at least one drive element (40) to which said chain (30) is connected for at least partial movement. The novelty of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one disengagement lever (44) for disengaging the connection between the drive element (40) and the motor shaft (46) to allow manual movement of the chain (30), and at least one rotation lever (45) to which the motor shaft (46) is connected to allow rotation thereof about itself by external equipment.

Description

[0001] A SLIDING PADEYE CONTROLLABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE DRIVE ELEMENT ON SHIPS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a sliding padeye for use in a ship-to-ship rope replenishment operation, comprising at least one body, at least one chain housing on said body, at least one chain located in said chain housing and having at least one trolley thereon, and at least one drive element to which said chain is connected for at least partial movement.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] Systems used for rope replenishment on ships are often referred to as ship approach systems. These systems allow the ship to be connected to a shore facility in the harbor or to another ship for replenishment. Ship-to-Ship Transfer allows large ships to be connected via ropes to transfer materials to small ships or tankers. This system is widely used, especially in situations where replenishment at sea is required. Rope mooring system, on the other hand, uses ropes to dock the ship at the port or to connect it to another ship. These ropes are usually secured with special hardware and tie the ship securely. These systems are used to ensure that ships safely dock and replenish at ports. A secure mooring process ensures that the ship is resistant to wind, currents, and other environmental factors.

[0006] Application No. GB1 143102A, known in the literature, is related to a method and apparatus for replenishment at sea between ships or between the ship and the marine structure. The object of the invention is to provide a control system for the transfer of articles between ships at sea, which eliminates the danger of loss of men and materials during transfer, and which is capable of operation under rough sea conditions so that complete replenishment of ships at sea is achieved. In the article transfer system of the invention, in order to transfer a material from a supply ship to a receiver ship, the article to be transferred is attached to a transfer cable which extends from an inhaul winch on the supply ship to and around a pulley on the receiver ship. It returns to an outhaul winch on the receiver ship and on the supply ship, and the speed and direction of operation of the winches are controlled to maintain the preset tension in the cable by means which detect the relative movement of the two ships by sensing the tension in the cable. With the transfer cable, any time lag which the winch drive system requires to react to a change in tension in the cable is absorbed by an energy storage means arranged to act on the cable.

[0007] Application No. US3828683A, known in the literature, is related to a marine load transfer system. The system consists of a three-drum winch controlling the line, a set of pulleys mounted on a kingpost or mast on the supply ship, a block to mount a padeye on the receiver ship, and trolley structures that travel on the ropes between the ships and hoist, lower, and carry the load. The lines are kept under relatively constant tension, sensitive to the movement of ships.

[0008] Although Ship-to-Ship Transfer Systems (STS Transfer) offer many advantages, they also have some disadvantages. Here are some disadvantages of such systems:

[0009] - Security Risks: STS Transfer operations may carry safety risks due to sea conditions, weather changes, and other factors. It can be difficult to deal with factors such as waves, currents, and wind in transfers carried at sea.

[0010] Environmental Risks: Possible leaks or wastes during liquid load transfer may cause environmental pollution. This can cause damage to the marine ecosystem and coastal areas.

[0011] - Operational Challenges: STS Transfer operations can present operational challenges for ship crews and crews managing transfer operations. This highlights the importance of a trained and experienced team.

[0012] - Technological Failures: There is a risk that technical failures may occur in the equipment or systems used. These failures can prevent material transfer or compromise safety.

[0013] Human Factors: STS Transfer operations may be at risk due to human errors. Improper movements, lack of communication, or untrained crews can compromise safety. Regulatory and Legal Challenges: STS Transfer is subject to national and international regulations. Complying with these regulations and obtaining the necessary permits can complicate the conduct of operations.

[0014] Equipment Costs: Special equipment used for STS Transfer is costly. This can be an economic challenge for ship operators and companies.

[0015] - Ship Security: Conflicts or collisions between ships may occur during STS Transfer operations. This may compromise the safety of the ship.

[0016] As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it imperative to make an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0017] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention relates to a sliding padeye for eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages and bringing new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0019] An object of the invention is to introduce a sliding padeye with increased safety and reduced maintenance problems for use in replenishment operations on ships.

[0020] In order to achieve all the purposes mentioned above and that will emerge from the detailed description below, the present invention is a sliding padeye for use in a ship-to- ship rope replenishment operation, comprising at least one body, at least one chain housing on said body, at least one chain located in said chain housing and having at least one trolley thereon, and at least one drive element to which said chain is connected for at least partial movement. Accordingly, its novelty is that it comprises at least one disengagement lever for disengaging the connection between the drive element and the motor shaft to allow manual movement of the chain, and at least one rotation lever to which the motor shaft is connected to allow rotation thereof about itself by external equipment. Thus, in cases such as power outages, it is possible to move the chain manually with the force of the operator.

[0021] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the drive element comprises at least one coupling, at least one gearbox, and at least one motor, and the disengagement lever is located on the motor. Thus, in the event of energy supply problems, it is possible to manually move the drive element by releasing the motor shaft of the disengagement lever. This makes it possible to change the height of the trolley with manpower and to maintain the function in case of possible technical failures.

[0022] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the rotation lever is located on the motor. Thus, it is possible to rotate the motor shaft by means of external equipment. In this case, the operation of manually moving the drive element by releasing the motor shaft of the disengagement lever can be easily carried out. This feature offers the flexibility to manually adjust the trolley height in case of possible technical failures.

[0023] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one driven gear to rotate the chain on the motor shaft. Thus, the driven gear rotated by the motor moves the chain, and thus achieving material transfer. The ability of the driven gear to move the chain supports the invention's ability to perform automatic material transfer and enables energy conversion in the system.

[0024] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one reversing barrier to prevent the motor shaft from moving backwards when being manually turned. Thus, chain movement can be performed ergonomically by the user.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a representative perspective view of the sliding padeye of the invention.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a representative exploded view of the sliding padeye of the invention.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a representative perspective view of the chain lock in the sliding padeye of the invention.

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is explained by way of example only for a better understanding of the subject, which shall not create any limiting effect. Fig. 1 shows a representative perspective view of the sliding padeye (1 ) of the invention. Accordingly, the sliding padeye (1 ) of the invention is used for replenishment purposes in ship-to-ship transfer systems. Ship-to-ship transfer system is a system that allows the transfer of materials from one ship to another. This system is generally used at sea, especially for liquid load transfers. This transfer between two ships is usually carried out without a specific facility. T ransfer operations include special equipment, fender systems, transfer hoses, and other technical elements to safely exchange materials between ships. The sliding padeye (1 ) comprises at least one body (10), at least one trolley (10) for attaching the rope on said body (20), at least one chain (30) for the displacement of said trolley (20) on the body (10), and at least one drive element (40) for the displacement of said chain (30).

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a representative exploded view of the sliding padeye (1 ) of the invention. Accordingly, the body (10) is fixed in a predetermined place of the ship and allows the elements thereon to be transported. For this, the body (10) is essentially positioned in the vertical direction. There is at least one chain housing (1 1 ) on the body (10). Said chain (30) is positioned in said chain housing (1 1 ). To allow the movement of the chain (30) within the chain housing (1 1 ), at least one driven gear (31 ) is located on one side of the chain housing (1 1 ), and at least one idler gear (32) is located on the other side. The driven gear (31 ) is rotated around itself by the drive element (40) and the chain (30) is rotated by moving freely around the idler gear (32). Said trolley (20) is positioned on the chain (30). The trolley (20) allows the height of the rope to be changed during transport. The trolley (20) is sized to fit into the chain housing (1 1 ) and to be at least partially displaced along the chain housing (1 1 ). There may be at least one rope housing (21 ) on the trolley (20) to be connected with the rope.

[0032] The drive element (40) can comprise at least one coupling (41 ), at least one gearbox (42), and at least one motor (43) to rotate the driven gear (31 ). Said motor (43) can essentially have an electric drive system. The gearbox (42) is capable of making the desired speed conversion to move the chain (30). In addition, said coupling (41 ) also allows the connection required by the system to be made. The drive element (40) is configured to be disengaged and moved manually if the energy required to move the chain (30) cannot be provided. For this purpose, the drive element (40) comprises at least one disengagement lever (44) and at least one rotation lever (45). Said disengagement lever (44) allows the motor shaft (46) to which the motor (43) is connected to be rotated freely. The motor shaft (46) is also connected to the rotation lever (45). Said rotation lever (45) allows the motor shaft (46) released by means of the disengagement lever (44) to be rotated by means of external equipment. In this way, in case of a possible technical failure, the height of the trolley (20) is changed by manpower and the function is maintained. In addition, there is at least one reversing barrier (47) connected with the motor shaft (46). Said reversing barrier (47) is configured to prevent the motor shaft (46) from moving backwards under load when being rotated manually. In this way, it is ensured that the chain (30) is moved more ergonomically by the user.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a representative perspective view of the chain lock (50) in the sliding padeye (1 ) of the invention. Accordingly, there is at least one chain lock (50) to allow easy connection between the chain (30) and the trolley (20) and to speed up maintenance operations as needed. Said chain lock (50) is connected with the chain (30) on one side and the trolley (20) on the other side. The chain lock (50) is preferably located on both sides of the trolley (20) opposite each other. This makes it easy to separate the chain (30) or trolley (20) in case of a failure on either one. To allow this, the chain lock (50) comprises at least one first part (51 ) and a second part (52). By closing these two parts on top of each other, the chain (30) and the trolley (20) are connected to each other. The first part (51 ) and the second part (52) essentially have corresponding forms. The first part (51 ) and the second part (52) have at least one shaft hole (53) each on opposite sides to allow connection. The chain (30) or the connecting shaft of the trolley (20) is passed through said shaft hole (53) to ensure that they are held together. The chain lock (50) has at least one mounting hole (54) between the first part (51 ) and the second part (52) to allow connection therebetween, and at least one fastener (55) for passing through said mounting holes (54). In this way, the disassembly and assembly of the first part (51 ) and the second part (52) can be done easily.

[0034] The body (10) is shaped in a unique way to facilitate the maintenance of the trolley (20) on the sliding padeye (1 ). For this purpose, there is at least one maintenance part (12) on the body (10). Said maintenance part (12) is a portion of the body (10), and its dismantling allows access to the chain housing (11 ). The maintenance part (12) is essentially sized larger than the trolley (20). The maintenance part (12) is positioned on the lateral surface of the chain housing (11 ). Thus, by displacing the maintenance part (12) and removing the chain lock (50), it is possible to disassemble / assemble the trolley (20) from the portion where the maintenance part (12) is mounted. The benefits of the sliding padeye (1 ) defined with all this configuration are as follows;

[0035] - Safe Connection with Chain Lock (50): The chain lock (50) provides a safe connection between the chain (30) and the trolley (20). This speeds up maintenance processes and the ability to be easily separated according to needs facilitates interference in the event of possible failures.

[0036] - Automatic Movement with Drive Element (40): The drive element (40) can have an electric drive system and provides the necessary energy to move the chain (30). This enables an automated and efficient material transfer.

[0037] - Manual Control Possibility: The drive element (40) can be moved manually in disengagement in case of power supply problems. In this case, the height of the trolley (20) can be changed by manpower, thus ensuring that the function is maintained in case of possible technical failures.

[0038] - Ease of Maintenance: The maintenance part (12) on the body (10) simplifies system maintenance. The maintenance part (12) can be displaced to provide access to the chain housing (1 1 ) and speed up the maintenance of the chain lock (50). In addition, the assembly of the maintenance part (12) of the trolley (20) can be easily carried out.

[0039] - Possibility of Flexible Assembly and Disassembly: The mounting holes (54) and fasteners (55) between the first part (51 ) and the second part (52) of the chain lock (50) allow for easy assembly and disassembly. This feature allows parts in the system to be easily replaced. The combination of these benefits allows ship- to-ship material transfers to be carried out in a safer, more flexible, efficient, and easier to maintain operation.

[0040] The scope of protection of the invention is specified in the appended claims and cannot be limited to what is described for illustrative purposes in this detailed description. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can produce similar embodiments in the light of what is explained above, without deviating from the main theme of the invention. REFERENCE NUMERALS GIVEN IN DRAWING

[0041] I Sliding Padeye

[0042] 10 Body

[0043] I I Chain Housing

[0044] 12 Maintenance Part

[0045] 20 Trolley

[0046] 21 Rope Housing

[0047] 30 Chain

[0048] 31 Driven Gear

[0049] 32 Idler Gear

[0050] 40 Drive Element

[0051] 41 Coupling

[0052] 42 Gearbox

[0053] 43 Motor

[0054] 44 Disengagement Lever

[0055] 45 Rotation Lever

[0056] 46 Motor Shaft

[0057] 47 Reversing Barrier

[0058] 50 Chain Lock

[0059] 51 First Part

[0060] 52 Second Part

[0061] 53 Shaft Hole

[0062] 54 Mounting Hole

[0063] 55 Fastener

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sliding padeye (1 ) for use in a ship-to-ship rope replenishment operation, comprising at least one body (10), at least one chain housing (11 ) on said body (10), at least one chain (30) located in said chain housing (1 1 ) and having at least one trolley (20) thereon, and at least one drive element (40) to which said chain (30) is connected for at least partial movement, characterized in that it comprises at least one disengagement lever (44) for disengaging the connection between the drive element (40) and the motor shaft (46) to allow manual movement of the chain (30), and at least one rotation lever (45) to which the motor shaft (46) is connected to allow rotation thereof about itself by external equipment.

2. A sliding padeye (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in thatthe drive element (40) comprises at least one coupling (41 ), at least one gearbox (42), and at least one motor (43), and the disengagement lever (44) is located on the motor (43).

3. A sliding padeye (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in thatthe rotation lever (45) is located on the motor (43).

4. A sliding padeye (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one driven gear (31 ) for rotating the chain (30) on the motor shaft (46).

5. A sliding padeye (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one reversing barrier (47) to prevent the motor shaft (46) from moving backwards when being manually rotated.

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