Rescue Device Locking Mechanism for Damaged Ship Container Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for rescuing standard containers from damaged ships are costly and inefficient, as they often require large floating cranes with limited capacity, which may not be able to handle fully laden containers and can risk further damage to the ship during recovery.
Innovation Solution
A rescue device with a crane on a support structure that uses locking mechanisms to temporarily fasten to container corners, allowing for the construction of crane rails over multiple containers, and employs strand jacks and adjustable connections to compensate for ship heel and trim, enabling the lifting of heavy loads without the need for large floating cranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If floating cranes are used to rescue containers from damaged ships, then container rescue capability is provided, but the costs are considerable and the capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rescue system is divided into multiple independent crane units (first crane, second crane, third crane) distributed across different locations on the ship. Each crane can independently rescue containers, eliminating the need for a single large floating crane and reducing overall costs while maintaining sufficient capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from using a single large floating crane operating from the water to multiple cranes positioned on the ship's deck structure. This spatial redistribution allows cranes to access containers more effectively and distributes the load capacity requirement across multiple smaller units rather than one large unit.
2Productivity
If floating cranes with limited capacity are used, then some container rescue is possible, but fully laden containers cannot be unloaded
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple crane units are combined to handle the total load requirement. The first crane, second crane, and third crane work together to rescue containers, with each crane contributing its capacity. This collective capacity exceeds the load capacity of any single crane, enabling the unloading of fully laden containers.
3Productivity
If conventional quayside cranes or crane ships are used, then container lifting is possible, but the ship cannot be pulled free and may sink or break up
Solution Approach 1:
The crane system is extracted from the traditional quayside or floating crane configuration and integrated directly onto the damaged ship's deck structure. The cranes utilize the ship's existing structural elements (deck, bulkheads) for support, eliminating the need for external floating cranes that could cause further damage during the pulling-free operation.
4Strength
If a single large crane is used for container rescue, then lifting capability is sufficient, but the device is complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The single large crane system is segmented into multiple smaller crane units (first crane, second crane, third crane) that can be independently deployed and operated. Each crane has a simpler structure and can be positioned at different locations, reducing the complexity of any individual unit while maintaining sufficient collective lifting capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for the efficient and safe rescue of standard containers by distributing the weight across multiple containers, enabling the lifting of up to 40-tonne loads without the need for large floating cranes, reducing costs and minimizing further damage to the ship.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier has at least one, preferably two, three, four or any higher number, of locking mechanisms which are opposite the crane and by which the support is temporarily fastened, preferably temporarily releasably, to container corners
Implementation Method 2
employs strand jacks and adjustable connections to compensate for ship heel and trim
Implementation Method 3
Each of the cranes advantageously has a front support arm and advantageously a rear load. On the support arm and optionally on the load arm a load cable is provided
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rescue device for a container (7) having container corners (9) loaded onto a damaged ship (110), comprising a crane (50) arranged on a carrier (20, 21, 22), wherein the crane (50) has a front support arm (51), over which a load cable is guided, whose section leading away from the support arm (51) is connected to a container (7) to be unloaded, and the length of which can be changed. The invention is characterized in that the carrier (20, 21, 22) has at least one locking mechanism (204, 205) located opposite the crane (50), by means of which the carrier (20, 21, 22) is temporarily fastened in a releasable manner at the container corners (9) of at least one of the containers (7) fastened on the deck (1) of the damaged ship (110).