CN117043055A - Device and method for limiting the mobility of containers on a ship hatch and ship provided with such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device and the method are used for limiting the mobility of containers on the hatch of a ship. In particular, the fixing of the container is performed. The structure of the device provides not only at least one contact area for the container extending in the transverse direction but also at least one guiding element for the container extending perpendicularly to the transverse direction. The guide element extends over at least a portion of the design height of the device.

Description

Device and method for limiting the mobility of containers on a ship hatch and ship provided with such a device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for restricting the mobility of containers on a ship hatch.

The invention further relates to a method for limiting the mobility of containers on a ship hatch.

Finally, the invention also relates to a vessel having means for restricting the mobility of containers on the hatch of the vessel.

Background

Hereinafter, a "ship" is also preferably always understood as a "container ship".

When transporting containers with a ship, at least a part of the containers is usually arranged on the deck of the ship, where at least a part of the containers is arranged on a hatch, which encloses the cargo hold. By using fixing elements, the container can be prevented from slipping off or even being lost. Special tensioning and connecting elements are usually used, which are connected to the container in the corner fitting region of the container.

It is known from WO96/25325A1 to arrange frame elements between the hatches of the vessel, which hatch covers close off access to the interior of the vessel during transport. The container arranged between every two frame elements is influenced in the vertical direction by the rail-mounted connection elements. The track-type connecting element is spaced from the frame-type element by a distance. In particular, the frame element supports the opening and closing of the hatch by using a positionable securing element.

Other guides for opening and closing hatch covers are also described in EP0182728, DE3735957A1 and DE3011542 A1. Here, the movability of the holding and fixing elements is provided in order to selectively support the opening or closing of the hatch and to fix the hatch in the closed state.

In mild or weak sea conditions, known clamping and securing of containers on large wide cargo ship decks has been successful. However, in strong sea conditions and in the event of irregular sudden movements of the hull considerable forces can occur which act on the container and its fastening elements. Thus, there are more and more cases in which the container is released and thus falls into the sea recently. This loss is particularly problematic, especially when dangerous goods are being transported within the container. From an economic point of view, the loss of the container is disadvantageous in any case. In addition, lost containers floating on the sea surface can also present a significant risk to shipping traffic.

Another problem with known devices is that they tend to interfere with the lifting and positioning of the hatch. Although it is known to secure the hatch cover to the hatch coaming by means of suitable locking or securing means, the lifting and positioning of the hatch cover is at least hindered even after releasing the associated securing means.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned at the outset, which increases the safety of the container when it is arranged on the hatch of a ship.

Another object of the invention is to implement the method mentioned at the beginning, so that the safety is improved when transporting containers arranged on the hatch of a ship.

Another object of the invention is to design a vessel with at least one of the above-mentioned devices so as to increase the safety when the container is arranged on at least one hatch of the vessel.

Drawings

In the figures described below, exemplary embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated. In the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a unit frame on the deck of a container ship, with a detachable hatch arranged between the two unit frames;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a similar arrangement to FIG. 2 with the base height increased;

fig. 4 shows a variant of the structure shown in fig. 3, with the addition of a swingable flap element;

fig. 5 shows a variation of the structure shown in fig. 4, forming a grid structure in the region.

Detailed Description

All of the technical features mentioned below can be implemented individually or in total or in partial combination within the scope of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the unit frames of the present invention can prevent the container from slipping down in pairs. Preferably, the fixing of the container is performed. Beside the hatch cover, two unit frames are usually arranged, one in front of the hatch cover and the other behind the hatch cover in the longitudinal direction of the vessel. The unit frames are typically attached to the deck of the ship by welding.

The unit frame has a guide rail, wherein a lower region of the guide rail is used to guide an upper corner of a lowermost container on the hatch cover. Starting from the second layer of containers on the hatch cover, the containers are usually directed sideways along their entire height.

In other embodiments of the invention, the container is guided by means of the guide rail only starting from the second layer on the hatch cover. It is particularly preferred that the guiding is only started from the upper corner of the second layer on the hatch cover. This is sufficient for most applications because the bottommost container is secured to the hatch cover with conventional fastening elements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the guide rail of the unit frame is aligned with another unit frame arranged inside the cargo compartment.

The base of the unit frame arranged on the deck of the ship forms a recess so that the hatch cover can be allowed to be lifted and moved sideways in a horizontal direction. In particular, the hatch covers can thereby be positioned laterally and placed under the guide rails of adjacent hatch covers.

According to one embodiment, the unit frame has a guide rail on only one side. Such a unit frame is particularly advantageous for arrangements close to the bow or stern.

According to another embodiment, the fastening area of a conventional strap for securing a container may be arranged in the upper area of the unit frame. Thereby, further containers can be arranged in the height region above the upper end of the guide rail.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a deck (1) of a ship (2), wherein a hatch (4) is arranged in the region of the deck (1), which closes a cargo compartment (16) inside the ship (2) as part of a ship hatch (3). The deck-side opening of the ship hatch (3) as a cargo compartment (16) is normally surrounded by an edge (5) on which the hatch cover (4) is supported.

A plurality of containers (6) are stacked on each hatch cover (4). In general, a plurality of containers (6) may be arranged either side by side or overlapping.

In order to limit the movement of the container (6) in the longitudinal direction (7) of the vessel (2), according to one embodiment of the invention wall elements (8) are arranged on the deck (1), which form a unit frame. The wall element (8) has a base (9) in its extension area facing the deck (1). The guide region (10) of the wall element (8) extends in the vertical direction above the base (9). Instead of using wall elements (8), rails, in particular angle profiles, can also be used.

The wall element (8) has a contact region (12) extending in a transverse direction (11). Furthermore, the wall element (8) is provided with at least one guide element (13) extending perpendicularly to the transverse direction (11). The guide element (13) extends over at least a part of the design height (14) of the wall element (8). The at least one guide element (13) limits the movement of adjacent containers (6) in the transverse direction (11).

According to the invention, the guide element (13) has, at least in regions, contours which protrude approximately perpendicularly from the contact region (12) of the wall element (8) and against which contours the container (6) can rest.

In an embodiment of the invention, the guide element (13) is formed as a guide plate, which is formed, for example, as a right-angle profile or a T-profile, wherein in each case one side thereof rests on the contact region (12) of the wall element (8) and a portion of the profile protrudes approximately perpendicularly from the contact region (12).

Preferably, the wall element (8) has at least two vertically extending parallel guide elements (13) which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction (11) such that the container (6) can be positioned between the guide elements (13). The distance between the guide elements (13) is only slightly greater than the width of the container (6).

Particularly preferably, the wall element (8) has a plurality of guide elements (13), wherein between adjacent guide elements (13) one container (6) can be arranged in each case in the transverse direction (11), so that a plurality of rows of adjacent containers (6) can be fastened.

The base (9) is typically welded to the deck (1).

The base (9) and/or the guide region (10) are usually made of steel.

The wall element (8) has a cavity (15) to reduce the weight of the structure. According to the illustrated embodiment, the cavity (15) extends in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the vertical direction.

The guide element (13) may be formed as a projection protruding from the contact region (12). For example, a steel plate design may be considered. However, other suitable profiles may be used.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the wall elements (8) in the guide region (10) are formed from welded steel plates. The horizontal distance between the guide elements (13) generally corresponds to the width of the container (6).

In the vertical direction, the design height of the base (9) corresponds approximately to the height of the edge (5) plus the two heights of the hatch (4) and some additional clearance. Thereby, the hatch (4) can be lifted from the edge (5) and positioned in the transverse direction (11). Thus, the hatch (4) may be placed, for example, on an adjacent hatch (4) in order to open the cargo hold (16).

By "gap" is herein understood the extra height of the base, which provides sufficient extra space for the control accuracy of the means for opening, closing and moving the hatch, so as to avoid collisions as much as possible. Suitable clearances for conventional devices for this purpose are about 5 cm to 100 cm, particularly preferably about 15 cm to 50 cm.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of a vessel (2) with a hatch (4). The container (6) is arranged in a cargo hold (16) of the vessel (2). It can be seen that a wall element (8) is arranged between the two hatch covers (4), respectively. The distance between the wall elements (8) in the longitudinal direction (7) of the vessel (2) corresponds approximately to the length of one or both containers (6).

In order to reduce the weight of the structure, the wall element (8) is provided with a recess (17) in the side region.

The wall element (8) of the invention may also be referred to as a unit frame. The edge (5) surrounding the hatch (3) may also be referred to as a hatch coaming.

According to one embodiment, the wall element (8) extends transversely to the longitudinal direction (7) over the entire ship width. However, according to another embodiment, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of wall elements (8) side by side over the width of the vessel, or that the wall elements (8) consist of a plurality of segments.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the recess (17) may be so large that walking thereon is possible. For example, thereby a proximity possibility to the container may be provided. The corresponding recesses may also be arranged so that walking to several or all container levels is possible.

The recess (17) can also be arranged in the region of the base (9). For example, a recess (17) in the region of the base (9) can be used as a channel. A further embodiment variant of the wall elements (8) is designed in such a way that they can be used as a device carrier. For example, the fire suppression apparatus may be fixed.

Besides the box structure of the wall element (8) shown in fig. 1 and 2, suitable profiles can also be connected to each other.

According to the invention, the dimensions of the components used are such that the container (6) is almost in abutment with the contact area (12) in the longitudinal direction (7). Typically, the distance between the contact area (12) and the end face of the container (6) is in the range of 1 to 4 cm. Preferably, the corresponding distance is not more than 3.8 cm.

The distance between the sides of the guide elements (13) facing each other in the transverse direction (11) is approximately the width of the container (6). Typically, the distance between the guide element (13) and the side of the container (6) is in the range of 1 to 3 cm. Preferably, the distance is not more than 2.5 cm. Particularly preferably, this distance is equal to the corresponding distance in the cargo compartment. The plate thickness of the guide rail is preferably at least 12 mm.

The apparatus of the present invention is preferably used to limit movement of standard containers having an external width of about 2.438 meters or 2.591 meters, such as 20 foot or 40 foot standard containers commonly used for maritime and specially sized containers such as 45 foot, 48 foot or 53 foot containers.

The process of the present invention is generally carried out as follows. All method features can also be implemented individually or in any combination with one another. In particular, individual method features may be omitted or modified depending on the application.

During the manufacture or retrofitting of the vessel (2), the wall elements (8) are usually welded to the deck (1). The wall element (8) and the structure of the vessel (2) thereby form a rigid unit.

When loading the vessel (2) with containers (6), the containers (6) are typically lowered with a crane and positioned between the two unit frames (8) such that the end faces of the containers (6) are at a small distance from the contact area (12). Preferably, the container (6) is lowered between the guide elements (13). The guide elements (13) limit the lateral and/or longitudinal movement of the container (6) or fix the container (6).

During loading, a plurality of containers (6) may be arranged side by side. Likewise, a plurality of containers (6) may also be arranged generally in an overlapping manner. In the embodiment shown, the container (6) is positioned on the hatch (4).

The unloading sequence of the containers (6) is reversed with respect to the above-described method steps.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for restricting the mobility of containers on a ship hatch, at least one device according to the invention for restricting the mobility of containers on a ship hatch is used.

Fig. 3 shows a modification to the structure shown in fig. 1. In particular, it can be seen that the base height (18) of the base (9) increases. In the embodiment shown, the base height (18) is preferably the height of the hatch coaming (5) plus the height of the hatch cover (4) plus the height of the two containers (6) minus the height of the corner fitting. The base height (18) extends between the deck (1) and the lower end of the guide element (13).

In one embodiment of the invention, the base width (19) is about one-fourth the base height (18).

According to the embodiment in fig. 4, a pivotable guide element (20) is arranged on the base (9). The guide element (20) is connected to the base (9) by means of at least one swivel hinge (21).

The pivot axis of the guide element (20) extends in the vertical direction. Preferably, at least two swing hinges (21) are used for each guide element (20).

The guide element (20) can be locked in a position substantially at right angles to the transverse direction (11) by means of suitable locking means.

According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, only the second tier container (6) is secured in its upper corner fitting region by the unit frame of the invention both in the transverse direction and in the longitudinal direction. The vertically lower layer of the container (6) can be fastened to the hatch (4) by means of conventional fastening elements.

A particular advantage of the embodiment shown in fig. 4 is that when the hatch (4) is opened and the container (6) is placed in the hold (16), a deflection of the container (6) relative to the introduction funnel of the guide means of the container (6) below the deck is avoided. Thus, even when the ship (2) moves, the relevant container (6) can accurately touch the corresponding guide funnel.

The same advantages can be achieved in a similar manner also during unloading.

When the hatch (4) is opened, the guiding element (20) establishes a connection between the guiding means of the container (6) on the deck and the guiding means under the deck. The guide elements (20) are positioned in alignment with guides arranged under and on the deck.

Due to the structure and arrangement of the guiding elements (20), the guiding elements (20) may not receive any force themselves, but only serve to guide the container (6) during handling thereof. Typically, the guide element (20) is folded out after opening the hatch (4) and folded in again before closing the hatch (4).

According to the embodiment in fig. 4, it can also be seen that a projection (22) is arranged in the transition region of the lower edge of the guide element (13) to the base (9). A stepped transition from the lower edge of the guide element (13) to the base (9) is thereby achieved.

When the hatch (4) is raised, the projection (22) serves as a collision protection and prevents the hatch (4) from contacting the guide element (13).

According to the embodiment in fig. 5, the guide region (10) of the wall element (8) is realized by a grid structure consisting of vertically arranged columns (23) and horizontal beams (24). In the preferred embodiment shown, the guide elements (13) are each arranged on a post (23). In the embodiment shown, the inner column is at a distance from the guide element (13) in the transverse direction (11) from center to center of the column.

The use of a grid structure allows weight and material savings, which results in economic advantages both in design and in subsequent operation.

The grid structure of the guide area (10) in the figure is divided in vertical direction into two parts by surrounding beams (24) interconnecting the columns (24). However, embodiments without such vertical separation or with more than two separations are also possible and may be of interest depending on the application.

The support region (12) of the wall element (8) in the guide region (10) is realized by the end faces of the beam (24) and the column (23) or by the parts of the guide element (13) arranged on the end faces of the column (23) and/or the beam (24).

In an embodiment of the invention, the grid structure is provided with a base (9) for the wall element (8) only or additionally.

The grid structure may be realized independently of the use of the foldable guiding element (20).

According to a further preferred embodiment, the guide elements (13) are provided with a funnel-shaped curve in the upper end region and/or in the lower end region, in order to simplify the introduction of the container (6) between the two guide elements (13).

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the guide elements (13) are arranged at different heights relative to one another in the region of their upper and/or lower ends. In this way, the crane driver can first move the container (6) towards the end of the guide element (13) that protrudes more upwards in the transverse direction (11) when positioning the container (6), and thus use these extended areas as an indication.

Claims (15)

1. A device for limiting the mobility of containers (6) on a hatch (4) of a ship (2), having a structure which not only has at least one contact area (12) for the containers (6) extending in a transverse direction (11) but also has at least one guide element (13) for the containers (6) extending perpendicularly to the transverse direction (11), wherein the guide element (13) extends over at least a part of the design height (14) of the device.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure has a narrower base (9).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the structure is formed as a wall element (8).

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wall element (8) has at least one cavity (15).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wall element (8) has at least one guide area (10) arranged above the base (9).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guiding area (10) is subdivided by the at least one guiding element (13).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wall element (8) is formed at least in regions from steel.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the height of the base (9) corresponds at least to the height of the edge (5) of the ship's hatch plus the two design heights of the hatch cover (4) and some play.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the structure has at least one receiving area for the fastening element in the upper area.

10. Method for limiting the mobility of a container (6) on a hatch (4) of a vessel (2), wherein the mobility is limited by a structure, wherein by the structure not only a contact area (12) for the container (6) extending in a transverse direction (11) is provided but also at least one guiding element (13) extending perpendicular to the transverse direction (11) is provided, wherein the guiding element (13) is positioned extending along at least a part of the design height (14) of the structure, characterized in that at least one device according to one of claims 1 to 9 is used.

11. Vessel for transporting containers (6), characterized in that at least one device according to one of claims 1 to 9 is arranged on a hatch (4) of the vessel (2).

12. Vessel according to claim 11, wherein the device is arranged between two hatch covers (4) of the vessel (2).

13. Vessel according to claim 12, wherein the device is arranged between two hatch covers (4) in the transverse direction of the vessel.

14. A vessel according to claim 13, wherein the device extends in one piece over the entire vessel width.

15. Vessel according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the device consists of at least two segments arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the vessel (2).