EP0879171B1

EP0879171B1 - Substructure for a crane arranged on a vessel

Info

Publication number: EP0879171B1
Application number: EP97902748A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johannes Hubertus Kieboom
Original assignee: Kieboom Johannes Hubertus
Current assignee: Shipyard K Damen Bv
Priority date: 1996-02-15
Filing date: 1997-02-13
Publication date: 2001-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-13
Also published as: DK0879171T3; CN1211220A; CN1087250C; WO1997029945A1; GR3036342T3; DE69705109T2; AU1676497A; ES2159108T3; ATE201854T1; DE69705109D1; EP0879171A1; NL1002362C2

Abstract

Substructure (21) having a support structure (31) which limits listing for a swivelling crane (33) on a vessel. The swivelling crane (33) is arranged on a platform (22) which is positioned between or on two portals (39, 40) which are displaceable over the deck of the vessel. The platform is arranged hingedly, the hinge axis (59) being essentially parallel to, and in the region of the vertical plane running through, the longitudinal axis of the vessel, while at least one adjustable leg (28) extends from the said platform, which leg, in the deployed position, is supported on the quay to which the vessel is moored. Compensation means are present for the movement of the moored vessel with respect to the quay.

Description

The present invention relates to a substructure for a crane arranged on a vessel and comprising a carriage which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction over the said vessel and comprising sets of wheels, which are arranged on opposite sides of the vessel and are connected by at least two cross-beams, between which an attachment structure for the said crane is arranged. A substructure of this kind is known from British Patent 1,027,343, which describes a portal structure which can be lengthened, in order to provide an extension which is supported on the quay. In this document, in one embodiment the portal is of jointed design, and the jointed part, which in the sailing position extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, can be placed transversely to the quay by hinging. This results in a long rail which lies on the portals and likewise extends as far as over the quay. This structure is particularly suitable for a crane which travels to and fro over the portal, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel. A structure of this kind is relatively complicated.

Particularly in the case of relatively small vessels, such as inland craft, there is the problem that the vessel "moves about" when loading and unloading relatively large loads, such as containers. On the other hand, it is desirable to be able to load/unload vessels of this kind at locations where facilities do not always compare with those of large ports. That is to say that it is sought to provide the vessel with its own crane structure.

The object of the present invention is to provide a loading and unloading device for a vessel, and in particular a substructure for a swivelling crane, which is designed such that the vessel does not list, or scarcely lists, while moving loads and in particular when swivelling relatively heavy loads overboard, which crane is able to move relatively heavy loads and can be expediently installed on a vessel.

This object is achieved, for a substructure for a crane described above, in that the said attachment structure comprises a platform which bears the crane and is connected, in a manner hinging about an axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, to the said cross-beams, at least one leg being provided, which at one end is connected exclusively to the said platform and at the other end is provided with means for support on a quay.

The structure according to the present invention makes it possible to use a swivelling crane which, in contrast to the structure in accordance with British Patent 1,027,343, is hingeable exclusively about an essentially vertical axis. Naturally, it is possible for the length of the jib to be variable. As a result, it is no longer necessary to arrange a complicated and intricate structure for a displaceable crane on the portals.

The invention is based on the idea of transferring some of the forces which occur when swivelling the crane overboard directly onto the quay via the leg in accordance with the present invention, in contrast to the structure in accordance with British Patent 1,027,343, in which, if the swivelling crane is situated above the vessel and its jib is situated outside the region of the vessel, a force is exerted on the vessel via the portal structure. In this case, the portal structure is subject to heavy loads, and special design measures are required.

When the crane is not swivelled overboard the invention makes it possible for the support structure to rest via the supports and the bearings on the cross-girders or cross-beams of the portals while, when the substructure is swivelled overboard, the invention makes it possible for the support structure to rest via the legs on the quay wall or the hard surface behind this quay wall, by extending the leg or legs such that the two supports come clear of the bearings.

The invention provides the considerable advantage that, if the supports do not rest on the bearings on the portal cross-girders, during swivelling practically only vertical forces are transmitted through the extended legs onto the quay wall and through the rocker beam onto the vessel in or in the region of the vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vessel, resulting in no, or scarcely any, listing. There will only be a very limited listing due to the changes in distribution of the total ship's mass as a result of removing or setting down a hoisted load.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hinge axis of the platform lies essentially in the vertical central longitudinal plane of the vessel, that is to say the axis coincides with the "hinge axis" of the vessel during tilting movements.

The above-described at least one leg, which is connected to the platform on which the swivelling crane is arranged, may be connected either rigidly or hingedly to the platform. In the event that the leg is hingedly connected to the platform, it is necessary to arrange position-determining means between the platform and the leg, as a result of which the said leg can be regarded as being fixedly connected to the platform while a load is being carried.

In the storage position, and in certain operating positions in which the above-described leg is inactive, it is necessary to fix the platform with respect to the portals. To this end, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, locking means are present in order to fix the position of the platform with respect to the cross-beams of the portals.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, movements of the moored vessel and thus of the crane with respect to the quay during loading/unloading can be compensated in a simple manner. Such movements result from current and wave movements of the water and displacement of the vessel, and thus of the portals, from and towards the quay, as are observed in practice. In order to be able to accommodate these movements, it is possible to provide the underside of the leg with, for example, wheels or the like, so that the said leg can move over the quay in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, not only can the platform hinge with respect to the cross-beams, but is also displaceable with respect to the cross-beams in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. In this case, compensating means may be provided, in order to afford a stable, hinged mounting of the platform with respect to the cross-beams.

Moreover, it is possible to take measures in order to park the substructure with the crane in a position such that a specific required transportation level is not exceeded. A first measure is to make the cross-beams of the portals vertically adjustable with respect to the sets of wheels. As a result, on the one hand it is possible to move the cross-beams over, for example, containers which are present on the vessel as cargo and, on the other hand it is possible to place these cross-beams, together with the crane, in a lower position in the storage position or parked position. This also means that the crane gantry can remain in position and it is not necessary to interfere with any structural parts of the vessel.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one cross-beam is detachable from the associated set of wheels or other portal part. As a result, at least one cross-beam, together with the platform connected thereto and the swivelling crane arranged thereon, can be stowed in a storage or parking space which is particularly designed therefor, so that the crane does not project above the remaining cargo of the vessel in the sailing position.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the crane according to the invention;

Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a second embodiment of the crane according to the invention during loading/unloading;

Fig. 3 shows the design in accordance with Fig. 2 in the storage position in a vessel; and

Fig. 4 shows the attachment of the platform to the cross-beams.

Fig. 1 shows a vessel provided with a crane structure according to the invention, in which 1 indicates the platform, 2 the swivelling crane base which is attached to the platform, 3 the rocker beam which is integral with the platform, 4 the rotation points of the rocker beam, 5 the supports on the platform, 6 the bearings for the platform supports on the portal girders or cross-beams, 7 the freely retractable and extendable arms, 8 the retractable and extendable legs, 9 the bottom end of the leg, 10 the support rail on the quay wall; this figure also shows those components of the vessel and the quay wall which are significant for the functioning of the invention but do not form part of the invention, including, as 11, the portals which travel in the longitudinal direction of the vessel and are provided with cross-beams 16 and sets of wheels 17, as 12 the portal rails, as 13 the vessel, as 14 the quay wall. 15 denotes the swivelling crane.

The following description of the actions during unloading loads over the side illustrates the invention. If the vessel 13 is moored, all the extendable legs 8 are placed at a short distance above the support rail 10 by means of the freely retractable and extendable arms 7. The hoisting point of the swivelling crane is then placed above the load by means of the travelling portals 11. After hoisting, the portals 11, together with the swivelling crane 15 in the position into which it has hoisted, travel to the point of unloading, where the extendable legs 8 are placed in the correct position on the support rail with the aid of the extendable arms 7 and are then extended such that the platform supports 5 come sufficiently clear of the bearings 6 on the portal girders. The crane is now in a position to rotate its load overboard over the side. In the process. when the load, as it swivels further outwards, through the rotation points 4 along axis A-A of the rocker beam 3, a vertical tensile force can be exerted on the portals 11. In turn, the portals are held in place by means of counter-wheels (not shown) below the rail flanges. In this way, the vessel acts as a counterweight for the crane. Since the point of engagement of the rotation points of the rocker beam is situated in or in the region of the vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vessel, there is no, or scarcely any, listing.

The actions during loading can be explained as follows. When the vessel is moored, the legs 8 are placed in the correct position on the support rail and are extended such that the platform supports come sufficiently clear from the bearings on the portal girders. The swivelling crane moves its hoisting point to above the load and hoists the load on board. The crane now swivels into the position which is required for positioning the load on board. The legs 8 are then retracted and the crane is moved by the portals to the position of unloading, whereupon the load can be set down. Although in this example only one set of retractable/extendable arms with associated components is shown, it will be understood that the portals may be provided with a structure of this kind on both sides, so that loading and unloading is possible on both sides of the vessel.

Figs. 2 - 4 show a further embodiment of the structure according to the invention. In this embodiment, a swivelling crane 35 which is provided with an extendable arm 47 is arranged on a swivelling-crane base 22 which forms part of a platform 21. The extendable arm 47 comprises two part-arms 48, which are each extendable. Between these there is accommodated, in the region of the free end, a spreader beam 49 which is depicted diagrammatically and engages on a container 52.

By using a double arm, torsional loading of each of the arms is avoided as far as possible. Such torsion occurs primarily if the weight is unevenly distributed over the length of a container. Moreover, it is possible to arrange at least part of the lifting device between the double arm, which further reduces the height of the structure. It should be understood that the advantages described are not dependent on the hinged suspension of the platform with respect to the remaining part of the structure, and can be used advantageously for any other design known from the prior art.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the hinging action between platform 21 and

cross-beams

39, 40. The rocker shaft 64 is integral with the platform 21. Each rocker shaft is mounted rotatably on a suspension structure 59. which in turn is hingedly attached in or in the region of the centre 60 on the top of the cross-beams 39 and 40. The locking jack 63 is, on the one hand, hingedly attached to the platform 21 and, on the other hand, connected to the

respective cross-beam

39 or 40.

As illustrated diagrammatically, when the jack 63 is able to move in and out freely, not only is the platform 21 able to execute a precise hinging movement, but also the cross-beams can move back and forwards to some extent with respect to the platform and thus with respect to the crane when the leg 28 is situated on the quay.

When the locking jack 63 is locked, the position of the platform is fixed with respect to the cross-beam.

The cross-beams 39, 40 are arranged on the sets of wheels 46 so as to be vertically adjustable via jacks 45. Moreover, with the aid of a locking structure the cross-beams 39, 40 are fastened to the remaining part of portal 31. This locking structure always comprises a centring pin 53 which is arranged on the

respective cross-beam

39 or 40 and, when it is moved upwards, passes into a corresponding opening 54 in portal 31. Moreover, a transverse locking pin 55 is present in each portal 31, which pin can pass into an opening 56 in

cross-beam

39 or 40.

In the embodiment in accordance with Figs. 2 - 4, the sets of wheels 46 are coupled in the longitudinal direction of the ship. In order to fix the position of the sets of wheels arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle with respect to one another when the cross-beams 39 and 40 are unlocked, a coupling beam 23 is arranged behind the cross-beam 39 at the location of the sets of wheels. In the region of part 22, the platform 21 is provided on both sides of the vessel with two extendable legs 28, one of which is shown in full. This leg is hingedly attached, and the hinges are denoted by 57. In the quayside position, adjustment cylinder 37 and leg 28 may undergo an angular rotation, from their rotation points, with the longitudinal axis of the ship, as a result of which the moored ship may move slightly along the quay. The position of leg 28 can be fixed with respect to the platform 21 by means of adjustment cylinder 37. Moreover, a hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 58 is present in order to determine the length of sliding leg 28. On the underside, sliding leg 28 is provided with a bearing plate 36. It should be understood that all other designs which are known from the prior art may be used instead of a bearing plate. Reference is firstly made to the design in accordance with Fig. 1, and secondly consideration may be given to sets of wheels or the like.

In the position shown in Fig. 2, the two cross-beams are connected to the respective legs 44 and sets of wheels 46. By operating jacks 45, the legs 44 can be placed in the up position, so that as a result portals which are formed can move over the freight 29 in the vessel 33. This also has the advantage that the rail tracks remain intact when the crane is being parked. Moreover, there is the option of positioning the crane in a higher position than normal. If the crane moves into a specific loading/unloading position, extendable leg 28 is placed in the desired position on the quay and the relevant loading/unloading operation onto/from the quay is carried out.

Fig. 3 shows the structure in accordance with Fig. 2 in a parked position. In order to reach this storage or parking position, the following measures have to be taken:

The locking device 63 arranged on

cross-beams

39 and 40 is activated, so that the position of platform 21 is no longer dependent on extendable leg 28. Naturally, safety means are present which prevent the extendable leg 28 from being able to be retracted while these locking jacks 63 are inactive.

Starting from the locked position, extendable leg 28 is withdrawn and moved such that this leg is situated inside the chamber 50 of vessel 33. Portals 31 are moved downwards due to the operation of the jacks 45, the portals 31 adjoining the guides 51. Then the two sliding legs 28 are moved such that bearing plates 36 come to rest on the bottom and/or side wall of the vessel. Then,

cross-beams

39 and 40 are detached from legs 44, By actuating jacks 58 starting from this position, it is possible to allow platform 21 to descend into chamber 50. In this case, the extendable arm 47 of the swivelling crane is, of course, withdrawn. Cross-beams 39 and 40 then move into guides 51. When all the parts have been completely withdrawn, the position as shown in Fig. 3 is reached. In this position, the crane does not project above other cargo of the vessel.

Although the invention is described above with reference to two exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that numerous modifications can be made thereto which are obvious to those skilled in the art after reading the above and which lie within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the crane may be placed in chamber 50 using a different structure.

Claims

Substructure for a crane (15, 35) arranged on a vessel (13, 33) and comprising a carriage (11, 31) which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction over the said vessel and comprising sets of wheels (17. 46), which are arranged on opposite sides of the vessel and are connected by at least two cross-beams, between which an attachment structure for the said crane is arranged, characterized in that the said attachment structure comprises a platform (1, 21) which bears the crane and is connected, in a manner hinging about an axis (A-A; B-B) essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, to the said cross-beams, at least one leg (7, 8, 28) being provided, which at one end is connected exclusively to the said platform and at the other end is provided with means (9, 36) for support on a quay.
Substructure according to Claim 1, wherein the axis (A-A; B-B) is essentially in the vertical central longitudinal plane of the vessel.
Substructure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said leg (7, 8) is rigidly connected to the said platform and being of a variable size.
Substructure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said leg (28) is hingedly connected to the said platform and position-determining means (37) being arranged between the said platform and the said leg.
Substructure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein locking means (63) are present in order to fix the position of the said platform with respect to the said cross-beams.
Substructure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein means (59 - 60) are provided allowing the movement with respect to one another of the said parts essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the said cross-beams between the said platform and the said cross-beams (39. 40).
Substructure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said cross-beams are vertically adjustable with respect to the said sets of wheels (46).
Substructure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cross-beam (39, 40)is detachable from the respective set of wheels.
Swivelling crane comprising a substructure according to one of the preceding claims.
Vessel provided with a swivelling crane according to Claim 8, comprising a storage or parking space (50) for the said crane, which storage or parking space is provided with at least one depth guide (51) for at least one of the said cross-beams designed in accordance with Claim 8.