DK178845B1 - Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device - Google Patents

Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device Download PDF

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Publication number
DK178845B1
DK178845B1 DKPA201670156A DKPA201670156A DK178845B1 DK 178845 B1 DK178845 B1 DK 178845B1 DK PA201670156 A DKPA201670156 A DK PA201670156A DK PA201670156 A DKPA201670156 A DK PA201670156A DK 178845 B1 DK178845 B1 DK 178845B1
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DK
Denmark
Prior art keywords
spreading device
point
arrangement according
attachment
actuator
Prior art date
Application number
DKPA201670156A
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Danish (da)
Inventor
Peder Stausholm Andreasen
Pétur Jensen
Original Assignee
Thyborøn Skibssmedie As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Thyborøn Skibssmedie As filed Critical Thyborøn Skibssmedie As
Priority to DKPA201670156A priority Critical patent/DK178845B1/en
Priority to PCT/DK2017/050077 priority patent/WO2017157400A1/en
Priority to MA043820A priority patent/MA43820A/en
Priority to RU2018136574A priority patent/RU2727902C2/en
Priority to EP17765895.2A priority patent/EP3429342B1/en
Priority to US16/085,616 priority patent/US10513315B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of DK201670156A1 publication Critical patent/DK201670156A1/en
Publication of DK178845B1 publication Critical patent/DK178845B1/en
Priority to DKPA201870636A priority patent/DK180432B1/en

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Abstract

An arrangement for remotely controlling the position of a trawl door (1) or deflector for seismic surveys comprises an attachment point provided on a movable part (10). The movable part (10) can be moved in relation to a body of the trawl door (1) by means of a remotely controlled actuator. The movable part (10) with the attachment point (15) for a towing line is provided at the body or at a centre rib of the body of the trawl door (1). The movable part (10) with the attachment point can be moved substantially in vertical direction and approximately at right angles in relation to the direction of movement of the trawl door (1) when operated at sea, thereby resulting in an upwards or downwards movement of the trawl door (1) and thereby providing continuous adjustment of depth at which the trawl door (1) operates in the water.

Description

Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an arrangement for connecting a towing line to a spreading device, such as a trawl door or a paravane or deflector for seismic equipment, to be towed by a vessel at sea for controlling the position of the spreading device. The invention also concerns a method for remotely controlling the position of the spreading device.
Background of the Invention
Various devices and arrangements for remotely controlling the lateral positions of trawl doors or deflectors are known. Examples of the prior art are disclosed in WO 98/24685, WO 2005/055708, WO 2004/086092 and WO 2010/019049. GB 2122562 discloses a spreading device in the form of a paravane or pelagic trawl door with an arrangement for remote control. The angle of attack of the paravane can be changed by moving a bridle head containing the attachment point for the towing line. Three bridle legs connect the bridle head with the body of the paravane. The point where rear bridle leg is connected to the body of the paravane is movable in horizontal direction when operated at sea by a screw spindle of an electric motor. This prior art arrangement is only capable of changing the angular position of the paravane about a vertical axis when used as a spreading device, thereby changing the lateral position of the spreading device relative to the direction of movement in the water. Also, the bridle arrangement is cumbersome and vulnerable when handling on a fishing trawler at sea, where the attachment point is provided close to the body of the spreading device, especially in case of trawl doors used for trawl fishing.
In GB961742 is described a trawl door having a stabilizing fin such that the trawl door in use will have a stabilizing effect keeping the trawl door substantially at a vertical position. In order to further help the stabilizing fin the attachment point of the pulling wire is arranged centrally in such a manner that the attachment point may be adjusted vertically relative to the trawl door in the use position.
The wires pulling the trawl door through the water are guided through eyelets in order to further stabilize the construction and the eyelets are also used in order to ensure that the trawl door's spreading angle is fixed at a set position such that the desired spreading of the trawl is achieved.
Description of the Invention
The invention provides an arrangement for connecting a towing line to a spreading device, such as a trawl door or a deflector for seismic equipment, to be towed by a vessel at sea for controlling the position of the spreading device, the arrangement comprising an attachment point for the towing line and including a movable part comprising the attachment point, wherein the movable part is capable of being moved in relation to a body of the spreading device by means of an actuator.
The arrangement according to the invention is peculiar in that the movable part with the attachment point is provided at the body of the spreading device or at a centre part of the body of the spreading device.
By the invention there are no bridle legs extending from the body of the spreading device to interfere with when handling the spreading device on board a vessel, providing a much more robust construction and operation. If the spreading device is a V-shaped, straight or Y-formed trawl door, the centre part at the front or inner side of the spreading device will be preferred to arranged the movable part on. Otherwise the movable part can be attached to the body of the spreading device at the outer or rear side, for example at the top or bottom of the spreading device.
In an embodiment of the invention, the movable part with the attachment point can be moved substantially in vertical direction and approximately at right angles in relation to the direction of movement of the spreading device when operated at sea. The movement of the attachment point will cause a displacement of the point of attack of the towing force from a vessel, thereby tilting the trawl door. If the spreading device is a V-shaped, straight or Y-formed trawl door, the tilting, meaning an angular displacement of the door, will cause the door to move up or down in the water, depending on the direction of movement of the attachment point. The trawl door can thereby be adjusted during operation at sea.
The advantages of the invention are also achieved by the method according to the invention for remotely controlling the position of a spreading device, such as a trawl door or a deflector for seismic surveys, which is towed by a vessel at sea, the spreading device comprising an arrangement with an attachment point for the towing line, wherein the arrangement includes a movable part comprising the attachment point, the movable part with the attachment point being provided at the body of the spreading device, wherein the movable part is moved in relation to a body of the spreading device by means of a remotely controlled actuator so that the point of attack of a towing force on the spreading device is changed.
The actuator used for moving the movable part can be electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, with piston and cylinders, or with spring actuation, with spindle and screw thread, rack and pinion, or powered by water flowing past the spreading device.
The remote control from a station or handheld device on board the vessel can be provided by wired, i.e. by cable connection, or wirelessly by radio or acoustic signals. Alternatively, control of the actuator can be provided by or combined with autonomous control means such as a control unit comprising a GPS receiver or a pressure-sensitive/depth gauge unit.
Power sources and communication equipment can be located anywhere on at least one spreading device or on a separate communication station. Power sources and communication equipment do not need to be located close to each other and can be located on separated units. The arrangement can be used with all kinds of spreading devices that have at least one attachment point. The arrangement can be applied to one spreading device of a pair of spreading devices, or to one or more of a plurality of spreading devices. In the case of a system with multiple spreading devices, the arrangement on each spreading device can work in parallel or independently. In the case of electric powered equipment system, the electric storage can be rechargeable via cable or any kind of generators. At least one or all charging systems can be used at same time.
Overall in the industry, the method of changing the position of a spreading device, its angle of attack or pitch and roll can be a time-consuming process and dangerous as it is necessary to pull the spreading device up from the water to the vessel or on board the vessel. During this operation, valuable operation time is lost on the vessel. Connecting units, such as a shackles, connectors or hooks need to be disconnected and reconnected at different positions and the spreading devices is/are then set back to the water. With this remotely controlled unit, we can minimise the risk of accident by escaping the above dis- and reconnection of towing lines to the spreading device. Further advantages is that will be possible to control the vertical position of the spreading device simultaneously or independently while the spreading device is in full operation in the water to chase and catch the target with the remotely controllable attachment points. Especially in areas with side current, where a known problem is that the towed spreading device is strongly affected by the water flow and tends to position itself in an unwanted position. The remotely controlled attachment points will maximise the efficiency of the spreading device and catch. Also, the arrangement will minimise repair cost, increase catch, and maximise stability on towed device.
Description of the Drawing
Examples of embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a front view of a spreading device provided with an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows the spreading device of Fig. 1 in a perspective view from above;
Fig. 3 is a detail designated B of the inventive arrangement on Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows a sectional view C-C on Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention;
Fig. 6 shows a detail A of the arrangement on Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the detail on Fig. 6.
Description of Embodiments of the Invention
An embodiment of the invention is provided on a spreading device in the form of a V-shaped, straight or Y-formed trawl door 1 composed of upper and lower body or single body shaped spreading device parts 2 and 3 that are joined by a centre rib 4. The rib 4 extends from the leading edge 5 to the trailing edge 6 of the trawl door 1. The body is composed of a main body 2a, 3a, leading foils 2b, 3b and trailing foil 2c, 3c, a very common design in the industry. By the prior art trawl doors, the centre rib is normally provided with a series of holes in which hooks or shackles can be fastened for connection with a towing line, i.e. chain or wire, for towing by a fishing trawler. I this embodiment, the arrangement according to the invention is provided by a movable part 10 which is arranged slidable on guides 11 between which a screw spindle 12 is provided in engagement with an internal thread in the movable part 10. The guides 11 and the spindle 12 are seated in lower and upper plate pieces 13, 14 welded to the centre rib 4 and to edges of main body 2a and one of the foils 2b, respectively. The movable part 10 is provided with attachment points for a towing line in the form of through-going holes 15. By rotating the spindle 12, the movable part 10 can be moved up and down along the guides 11 approximately in parallel with the upper body part 2 and thereby substantially vertically when the trawl door is in operation and used as spreading device for a trawl net.
The rotation of the spindle 12 can be provided by an actuator in the form of an electric motor (not shown), alternatively by another rotary motor, which could be pneumatic, hydraulic or magnetic. Electric energy for the electric motor could be provided by a cable from the towing vessel, by a rechargeable battery, or by local power generating means on the spreading device, for example a small water turbine, or a combination of any of these.
When the part 10 is moved up as seen on the Figures, the point of attack of the towing force by the not shown towing line is displaced upwards. This action will have an impact on the position of the trawl door, which in operation is kept in balance by the combined forces from the towing line to the vessel, from the line or lines on the other side to the fishing trawl and from the force of the water flowing past the door, thus causing the door to tilt "inwards", meaning towards the viewer on Fig. 1 and towards the right on Fig. 4. Due to the hydrodynamic forces on the trawl door, this angular change of the trawl door 1 will mean a resulting force upward on the trawl door 1, moving the door to a higher level in the water until the forces on the trawl door are in balance again. The opposite movement of the part 10 will mean a corresponding downward change in position and movement of the trawl door 1. When combined with a remote control, a tedious and time-consuming adjustment of the attachment point or the towing line is thereby avoided by the simple and robust arrangement according to the invention.
Other embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention are possible. Instead of a screw spindle, a movable part 20 shown on Figs. 5-7 can provide an up and down displacement by lever 21 actuated by a not shown actuator. The attachment point 22 is here provided at the end of the lever 21, and the not shown actuator, which may be of any known type or as described in the present specification, acts on the other end 23, providing a rotation around a journal or axle 24 fastened to the trawl door.
The arrangement according to the invention can also be designed with the movable part with the attachment point to be moved substantially in horizontal direction when the spreading device is operated at sea. The angle of attack of the trawl door is thereby changed, causing a lateral adjustment of the trawl door in the water.
In the above described embodiments of the invention, the arrangement of the movable part with attachment point is provided at the inner side of the spreading device in the form of a trawl door and close to a horizontal central plane of the device. However, in a further embodiment of the invention, the arrangement can be provided at the outer side of the spreading device, for example at the top and bottom of a trawl door at points where the towing lines to the trawl net are connected. Thereby may be provided a possibility of a similar adjustment of the attachment point, either longitudinally of the trawl door or up and down of the trawl door.
Other kinds of actuators are possible, for example in the form of pneumatic actuators or hydraulic actuators with oil or water as drive medium. In case of pneumatic actuator, the compressed air can be stored in a pressure container located on the spreading device.

Claims (13)

1. Arrangement til at forbinde en trækline med en spredeindretning, såsom en trawlskovl eller en paravane til seismisk udstyr, til at slæbes af et fartøj på havet for at styre spredeindretningens position, hvilket arrangement omfatter et fastgørelsespunkt for træklinen, omfattende en bevægelig del, der indbefatter fastgørelsespunktet, hvori den bevægelige del er i stand til at bevæges i forhold til en krop af spredeindretningen ved hjælp af en aktuator, kendetegnet ved at den bevægelige del med fastgørelsespunktet er tilvejebragt ved spredeindretningens krop eller ved en central del af spredeindretningens krop.An arrangement for connecting a tow line with a spreading device, such as a trawl bucket or a paravane for seismic equipment, to be towed by a vessel at sea to control the position of the spreading device, comprising an attachment point for the tow line, comprising a movable portion comprising: includes the attachment point at which the movable portion is capable of being moved relative to a body of the dispenser by an actuator, characterized in that the movable portion with the attachment point is provided at the body of the dispenser or at a central portion of the dispenser. 2. Arrangement ifølge krav 1, hvori den bevægelige del med fastgørelsespunktet kan bevæges i i det væsentlige lodret retning og omtrent i en et ret vinkel i forhold til spredeindretningens bevægelse under drift i havet.Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the movable part with the point of attachment can be moved in a substantially vertical direction and approximately at a right angle to the movement of the spreading device during operation in the sea. 3. Arrangement ifølge krav 1, hvori den bevægelige del med fastgørelsespunktet kan bevæges i det væsentlige i vandret retning under spredeindretningens drift i havet.Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the movable part with the point of attachment can be moved substantially in the horizontal direction during the operation of the spreading device in the sea. 4. Arrangement ifølge ethvert foregående krav, hvori aktuatoren omfatter en skruespindel, der er i indgreb med et skruegevind på den bevægelige del, og som er drivende forbundet med en motor.An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator comprises a screw spindle which engages a screw thread on the movable part and which is propulsively connected to a motor. 5. Arrangement ifølge krav 4, hvori motoren er en elektrisk motor.An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the motor is an electric motor. 6. Arrangement ifølge ethvert foregående krav, hvori aktuatoren kan forsynes med energi ved genopladelige energilagringsmidler og/eller en generator tilvejebragt på spredeindretningen.An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator can be supplied with energy by rechargeable energy storage means and / or a generator provided on the spreading device. 7. Arrangement ifølge ethvert foregående krav, hvori aktuatoren kan forsynes med energi gennem et kabel forbundet med det slæbende fartøj.An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator can be supplied with energy through a cable connected to the towing vessel. 8. Arrangement ifølge ethvert foregående krav, hvori fjernstyring af aktuatoren tilvejebringes med et signal sendt via et kabel forbundet med det slæbende fartøj.An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein remote control of the actuator is provided with a signal transmitted via a cable connected to the towing vessel. 9. Arrangement ifølge ethvert af krav 1-5, hvori fjernstyring af aktuatoren tilvejebringes med et signal sendt med trådløse midler, f.eks. akustiske eller elektromagnetiske bølger udsendt af en sender ombord på fartøjet.An arrangement according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein remote control of the actuator is provided with a signal transmitted by wireless means, e.g. acoustic or electromagnetic waves emitted by a transmitter on board the vessel. 10. Arrangement ifølge ethvert foregående krav, hvori styring af aktuatoren er tilvejebragt ved eller kombineret med uafhængige styremidler, såsom en styreenhed omfattende en GPS-modtager eller en trykfølsom/dybdemålende enhed.An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein control of the actuator is provided by or combined with independent control means such as a control unit comprising a GPS receiver or a pressure sensitive / depth measuring device. 11. Fremgangsmåde til fjernstyring af positionen af en spredeindretning, såsom en trawlskovl eller en paravane til seismiske undersøgelser, som slæbes af et fartøj på havet, hvilken spredeindretning omfatter et arrangement med et fastgørelsespunkt for træklinen, hvori arrangementet omfatter en bevægelig del, der indbefatter fastgørelsespunktet, idet den bevægelige del er tilvejebragt ved sprede-indretningens krop, hvori den bevægelige del kan bevæges i forhold til spredeind-retningens krop af ved hjælp af en fjernstyret aktuator, sådan at angrebspunktet afen trækkraft på spredeindretningen ændres.A method of remotely controlling the position of a spreader such as a trawl or a paravane for seismic surveys towed by a vessel at sea, said spreader comprising an arrangement having a point of attachment for the tow line, wherein said arrangement comprises a movable portion including said point of attachment wherein the movable portion is provided at the body of the dispenser, wherein the movable portion can be moved relative to the body of the dispenser by a remote controlled actuator such that the point of attack of a traction on the dispenser is changed. 12. Fremgangsmåde ifølge krav 11, hvori den bevægelige del med fastgørelsespunktet under drift på havet bevæges i det væsentlige i lodret retning og omtrent i en ret vinkel i forhold til bevægelsesretningen af spredeindretningen, sådan at spredeindretningens vinkel i forhold til lodret ændres.The method of claim 11, wherein the moving part with the point of attachment during operation at sea is substantially moved vertically and approximately at a right angle to the direction of movement of the spreader, such that the angle of the spreader relative to the vertical is changed. 13. Fremgangsmåde ifølge krav 12, hvori den bevægelige del med fastgørelsespunktet under drift til havs bevæges i det væsentlige i vandret retning, sådan at spredeindretningens angrebsvinkel i forhold til vandet, der flyder forbi spredeindretningen, ændres.The method of claim 12, wherein the moving part with the point of attachment during operation at sea is substantially moved in the horizontal direction such that the angle of attack of the diffuser relative to the water flowing past the diffuser is changed.
DKPA201670156A 2016-03-18 2016-03-18 Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device DK178845B1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201670156A DK178845B1 (en) 2016-03-18 2016-03-18 Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device
PCT/DK2017/050077 WO2017157400A1 (en) 2016-03-18 2017-03-17 Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device
MA043820A MA43820A (en) 2016-03-18 2017-03-17 ARRANGEMENT FOR ATTACHING A TRAILER TO A DEPLOYMENT DEVICE
RU2018136574A RU2727902C2 (en) 2016-03-18 2017-03-17 Device for attachment of towing cable to opening device
EP17765895.2A EP3429342B1 (en) 2016-03-18 2017-03-17 Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device
US16/085,616 US10513315B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2017-03-17 Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device
DKPA201870636A DK180432B1 (en) 2016-03-18 2018-09-28 Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201670156A DK178845B1 (en) 2016-03-18 2016-03-18 Arrangement for attaching a towing line to a spreading device

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DK201670156A1 DK201670156A1 (en) 2017-03-20
DK178845B1 true DK178845B1 (en) 2017-03-20

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO344688B1 (en) * 2017-07-28 2020-03-09 Remoey Sea Group As Device for optimizing the position of a trawl and controlling the trawl

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB961742A (en) *
GB2115661A (en) * 1982-03-02 1983-09-14 John Fenner Hoult Ashworth Improvements relating to trawl doors
US4719987A (en) * 1984-06-19 1988-01-19 Texas Instruments Incorporated Bi-planar pontoon paravane seismic source system
WO2004086092A2 (en) * 2003-03-27 2004-10-07 Westerngeco Seismic Holdings Limited System for depth control of a marine deflector
US20060176774A1 (en) * 2005-02-10 2006-08-10 Rune Toennessen Apparatus and methods for controlling position of marine seismic sources
US20090040873A1 (en) * 2007-08-09 2009-02-12 Jeroen Schreurs Marine Seismic Sources and Methods of Use

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB961742A (en) *
GB2115661A (en) * 1982-03-02 1983-09-14 John Fenner Hoult Ashworth Improvements relating to trawl doors
US4719987A (en) * 1984-06-19 1988-01-19 Texas Instruments Incorporated Bi-planar pontoon paravane seismic source system
WO2004086092A2 (en) * 2003-03-27 2004-10-07 Westerngeco Seismic Holdings Limited System for depth control of a marine deflector
US20060176774A1 (en) * 2005-02-10 2006-08-10 Rune Toennessen Apparatus and methods for controlling position of marine seismic sources
US20090040873A1 (en) * 2007-08-09 2009-02-12 Jeroen Schreurs Marine Seismic Sources and Methods of Use

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