-
The invention relates to a ship adapted for the
transport of containers and the like, in particular an inland
ship.
-
For the transport of containers and the like on
inland waterways inland vessels are used on which a number of
containers are placed beside, behind and/or above each other
in a cargo space. The containers are moved into and out of
the cargo space over a side of the ship by means of a crane
mounted in the loading and unloading place. Such a ship and
the method used therewith have the drawback that loading and
unloading of the containers is only possible in a loading and
unloading place equipped with a crane as mentioned. This
adversely affects the flexibility of transport, while,
moreover, it is necessary to always man at least the crane,
which is cost-increasing. A further drawback is that for
loading and unloading the ship must be maneuvered with the
long side near a quay, which is difficult and, moreover,
requires relatively much quay space. Moreover, especially
when containers are placed transversely, a crane with a
relatively long arm will have to be used, which is relatively
expensive and leads to undesirably great resulting forces.
Moreover, maneuvering with the containers is thereby made
considerably more difficult.
-
The invention relates to a ship of the type described
in the opening paragraph, in which the above drawbacks are
avoided while retaining the advantages thereof. To this end,
a ship according to the invention is characterized by the
features of claim 1.
-
By providing the ship according to the invention with
its own lifting device for lifting the containers on and off
board, the ship is prevented from being useful only between
loading and unloading places provided with a crane adapted
for loading and unloading containers. Furthermore, a lifting
device adapted for loading and unloading containers over the
bow and/or the stern of the ship has the advantage that the
ship only needs to be moored with the bow or the stern
directed to a quay, so that only relatively little quay space
is required. Moreover, the effect thus obtained is that a
number of ships can be moored side by side to the same quay
without the ships directly depending on each other when
mooring and sailing away. Furthermore, a ship with a lifting
device according to the invention offers the advantage that
maneuvering with the containers is relatively easy, both
during loading and unloading and on board of the ship itself,
for instance when displacing the cargo.
-
As referred to in this specification, a ship is at
least a vessel, in particular used for inland navigation,
whether or not provided with their own driving means.
-
In an advantageous embodiment a ship according to the
invention is further is characterized by the features of
claim 2.
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Such a ship offers the advantage that the lifting
device can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the ship
between a container positioning place and the end of the ship
along which the containers are to be brought on and off
board. This readily prevents the necessity of providing the
ship with arrangements for displacing the containers in the
cargo space with respect to the ship and/or with respect to
each other.
-
In a very advantageous further elaboration a ship
according to the invention is further characterized by the
features of claim 3.
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The use of wheel sets for supporting and displacing
the lifting device with respect to the ship offers the
advantage that the displacements require relatively little
force, while displacements can be carried out in a relatively
simple and accurate manner. When displacing containers, in
particular on and off board, the load on in particular the or
each wheel set located near the quay will become relatively
high as a result of the moments arising from the load and the
relatively large arm of the force. In particular when the
lifting device with the cargo hanging over the quay is
completely swung out, it is possible that the load on the
wheel sets directed to the quay will become unacceptably
high. In order to take up this load in a simple manner,
without requiring the use of very heavy constructions for the
relevant wheel sets, supporting means are provided which,
when the lifting device is swung out and the load is
relatively high, transmit at least part of the resulting
forces to the ship and thus relieve the wheels of the
relevant wheel sets at least partly. Moreover, the supporting
means can provide, at least contribute to, a stable
positioning of the lifting device with respect to the ship,
since the supporting means can at least partly prevent
displacements of the lifting device in the longitudinal
direction of the ship.
-
Prior to displacement of the lifting device in the
longitudinal direction of the ship, in particular when the
ship carries a container, the position of the lifting device
will be adjusted, preferably such that the container, seen in
top view, is substantially carried between the wheel sets of
the lifting device, such that the supporting means are put
out of use. It is thus readily possible again to move the
lifting device in the longitudinal direction of the ship by
means of the wheel sets.
-
In a further advantageous embodiment a ship according
to the invention is further characterized by the features of
claim 6.
-
The use of supporting arms positioned on both sides
of the cargo space and carrying a supporting frame arranged
between them offers the advantage that containers or such
packings can be taken up between the supporting arms by means
of the supporting frame and be displaced, whereby resulting
forces and moments can be kept relatively small and,
moreover, can be readily absorbed by the construction.
Furthermore, this has the advantage that maneuvering with the
containers can be carried out more easily, since rotations
and swings of the containers can be prevented in a relatively
simple manner. Because of the fact that by means of the
supporting arms the supporting frame can be brought to
outside the contours of the ship, above, for instance, a quay
or such positioning place, the containers can, moreover, be
readily moved between this positioning place and a cargo
space of the ship.
-
In a very advantageous embodiment a ship according to
the invention is further characterized by the features of
claim 7.
-
A lifting device as used with a ship according to the
invention will, during use, have a relatively great height
above the deck of the ship in order to create sufficient
maneuvering space for the containers. This means that the
overall height of the ship will become such that the ship
could not pass, for instance, bridges with a relatively small
headroom. By folding the lifting device to a position of rest
relatively flat against the ship, the advantage is obtained
that the headroom of the ship is substantially reduced
without requiring disassembly of the lifting device after
use. This makes the lifting device suitable for use at all
times. In folded position the height of the lifting device
above the deck is preferably approximately equal to or lower
than the height of a possible deck superstructure.
-
In a further elaboration a ship according to the
invention is further characterized by the features of
claim 8.
-
In such an embodiment the at least one lifting arm,
when folding the lifting device, is positioned close to the
deck, and the main lifting means are also moved to near the
deck, such that the line of action of the main lifting means
will extend approximately parallel to the main lifting arm.
This means that, if the main lifting arm should be moved by
means of the main lifting means from the folded position to
an unfolded position, in particular as regards the first part
of this movement, the force to be produced by the main
lifting means should be very great. This means that very
heavy main lifting means should be used therefor, for
instance a heavy cylinder with hydraulic means adapted
thereto. Such a construction is relatively heavy, takes up
much space and is, moreover, relatively expensive as regards
purchase, use and maintenance.
-
In a lifting device of the present preferred
embodiment an auxiliary lifting frame is provided with
auxiliary lifting means, the lifting device in the folded
position having a line of action which makes an angle with
the line of action of the main lifting means. The start of
the movement of the lifting device from the folded position
can be supported or effected with these auxiliary lifting
means in a relatively simple manner, and the auxiliary
lifting means can be of relatively light construction. In
fact, as a result of the favorable line of action of the
auxiliary lifting means the at least one lifting arm can be
relatively easily lifted somewhat from the folded position so
far that the main lifting means can effect the further
folding movement of the lifting device without requiring the
main lifting means to be of very heavy construction.
-
In a further advantageous embodiment a ship according
to the invention is further characterized by the features of
claim 11.
-
By providing the ship near the end along which the
containers are loaded and unloaded with a positioning place
for a vehicle on which a container has to be placed or from
which the container has to be taken up, the advantage
obtained is that a ship according to the invention can be
moored to quays of different types and other banks for
loading and unloading containers. In fact, the relevant
vehicles can be brought from the quay or bank onto the
positioning place and be removed therefrom for loading and
unloading the containers, which positioning place can bridge
a space, if any, between the relevant end of the ship and an
adjacent bank part to be traversed by the vehicle. By
designing this positioning place as part of a lift, the
further advantage obtained is that differences in height can
also be bridged in a simple manner.
-
The present invention further relates to a method for
the transport of containers, characterized by the measures of
claim 12.
-
The invention further relates to a lifting device
suitable and intended for use with a ship or a method
according to the invention.
-
Further advantageous embodiments of a ship according
to the invention are given in the subclaims. In explanation,
practical examples of a ship and a method according to the
invention will be further illustrated in the drawing in
which:
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a vessel
according to the invention with a lifting device placed
thereon in three different positions, namely a movable
position, a lowered position, and a loading/unloading
position;
- Fig. 2 is an enlargement of the lifting device in the
lowered position;
- Fig. 3 is an enlargement of the lifting device in the
movable position;
- Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of the lifting device
in the loading/unloading position, with a trailer;
- Fig. 5 is a front view of a lifting device with a
container taken up;
- Fig. 6 shows a part of a lifting device in an
alternative embodiment, in the loading/unloading position
with a container suspended therefrom;
- Fig. 7 shows the lifting device of Fig. 6, in the
lowered position;
- Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of a wheel set for
use with a lifting device according to the present invention;
and
- Fig. 9 shows a front end of a vessel according to the
invention, in an alternative embodiment.
-
-
In this specification similar or corresponding parts
have similar or corresponding reference numerals.
-
A vessel according to present invention is
particularly suitable for use as an inland ship but can, for
instance, also be used for coastwise navigation.
-
In the practical examples shown, a vessel is adapted
for the transport of containers. It is, however, also
possible to transport packings of another type or even bulk
goods, provided the lifting device comprises suitable grabs
or pick-up means.
-
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a vessel 1,
comprising a hull 2 which defines a cargo space 4, visible in
the drawing through a partly removed ship's side. On both
sides of the cargo space 4, a rail 8 extends on the deck 6 of
the vessel 1. The rails 8 extend in the longitudinal
direction of the vessel to near the bow 10. Placed on the
rails 8 is a movable lifting device 12, which will be further
described below. The cargo space 4 of the vessel 1 has such
dimensions that, for instance, a standard container can be
placed in the width between the walls of the hold 4, while
two superposed rows of containers can be stored.
-
The lifting device 12 can be moved, in a manner to be
further described below, between a movable condition, as
shown in Fig. 1 on the left-hand side under A, a lowered
position as shown in Fig. 1 in the middle under B and a
loading/unloading position, shown in Fig. 1 on the right-hand
side under C. The lifting device is supported on the rails 8
by means of a pair of front wheel sets 14 and a pair of rear
wheel sets 16 and is drivable, preferably on the rear wheel
sets, with known per se means not shown.
-
A lifting device 12, as shown in more detail in
Figs. 2-5, comprises two base frame girders 18 extending
parallel to each other and to the rails 8, which connect the
front wheel sets 14 and the rear wheel sets 16 together.
Provided near the front end 20, facing the bow, of each base
frame girder 18 is a first pivoting point 21 with which a
first lifting arm 22 of a main lifting frame 24 with a lower
end 26 is attached. Provided at some distance behind the
first pivoting point 21 is a second pivoting point 28 with
which the lower end 30 of a supporting arm 32 is pivotally
connected. The upper ends 34, 36 of respectively the first
lifting arm 22 and the supporting arm 32 are connected to the
side of a supporting frame 42 in respectively a third
pivoting point 38 and a fourth pivoting point 40. The length
of and the mutual distance between the first lifting arm 22
and the supporting arm 32 are selected such that the first
lifting arm 22, the supporting arm 32, the base frame girder
18 and the supporting frame 42 form a parallelogram
construction with the lifting arm and the supporting arm as
well as the base frame girder 18 and the supporting frame 42
extending parallel to each other. The movement of the first
lifting arm 22 and the supporting arm 32 will therefore move
the supporting frame 42 with respect to the base frame girder
18, and the supporting frame 42 will maintain a position
parallel to the deck 6.
-
Provided near the rear end 44 of the base frame
girder 18 is a fifth pivoting point 46 with which the lower
end of the operating arm 48 of the main lifting means 50 is
pivotally attached. The upper end 52 of the operating arm 48
is pivotally attached in a sixth pivoting point 54 which is
arranged at some distance below the upper end 34 of the first
lifting arm 22. The operating arm 48 comprises a main
operating cylinder 56 with which the distance between the
fifth pivoting point 46 and the sixth pivoting point 54 is
adjustable. A change of the length of the main operating
cylinder 56 provides movement of the supporting frame 42
between the lowered position B, as shown in more detail in
Fig. 2, the movable position A, as shown in more detail in
Fig. 3 and the loading/unloading position, as shown in more
detail in Fig. 4. It will be clear that on both sides of the
vessel 1 are provided a main lifting frame 24, main lifting
means 50 and a base frame girder 18 with front and rear wheel
sets 14, 16, connected together through a substantially
rectangular supporting frame 42.
-
Arranged near each of the corners of the supporting
frame 42 is one of the four main hoisting winches 56, each
provided with a hoisting cable 58 which is connected with a
free end 60 to a so-called spreader 62, with which a
container 64 can be gripped at the upper end. Such a spreader
62 is known to those skilled in the art. On the other hand,
other gripping means may of course be used too. By means of
the hoisting winches 56 the container 64 can be taken up and
moved in the vertical direction. By means of independent
control of the four hoisting winches with respect to each
other the position of the container 64 can always be
adjusted, for instance depending on the vessel 1 rolling or
canting to one side. As appears from particularly Fig. 6, the
hoisting winches 56 are suspended from the supporting frame
42 by means of sleeves 68, such that the hoisting winches 56
can be moved along the supporting frame 42 in a direction
normal to the longitudinal direction of the vessel 1.
Arranged at the upper side of the supporting frame 42 are a
number of hydraulic cylinders 70 which, on the one hand, are
connected to the supporting frame 42 near the middle 72, seen
in the transverse direction, of the supporting frame 42,
while the opposite ends 74 are connected to the respective
sleeves 68 to obtain the desired lateral movement of the
hoisting winches 56. Thus a container 64 can always in a very
accurate manner, in cooperation with the independent control
of the hoisting winches, be placed in the cargo space 4 of
the vessel or taken up therefrom and placed on a vehicle like
a trailer 76 removed therefrom, as will be further explained
below.
-
A vessel according to the invention can be used as
follows.
-
The lifting device 12 is moved to a position B, at a
distance from the bow 10, and is lowered there by means of
the main lifting means 50. To this end, the main operating
cylinder 56 is maximally extended, such that the supporting
frame 42 is moved to near the deck, with the hoisting winches
56 being positioned at least partly between the rails 8. The
main operating cylinder 56 then extends approximately
horizontally, parallel to the rails 8, while the first
lifting arm 22 and the supporting arm 32 also lie
substantially flat. This lowered position is shown in Fig. 2.
In this position the overall height H1 of the lifting device
above the deck 6 is minimal and at least smaller than, for
instance, the height of the deck superstructure 80, such as a
pilothouse or the like. This ensures that the vessel can
cover its usual itinerary and suitably pass bridges and the
like.
-
As shown in Fig. 1, the vessel 1 can be navigated
with the bow 10 to near or against a quay 82 to enable the
loading and unloading of containers 64. The lifting device 12
is brought there to the movable position by means of the main
operating cylinder 56, as shown in position A and in more
detail in Fig. 3. In this position the supporting frame 42
extends, seen in top view, between the front wheel sets 14
and the rear wheel sets 16, whereby a favorable distribution
of the forces acting on the rails 8 is obtained. By means of
the hoisting winches 56, the hoisting cables 58 and the
spreader 62 a container 64 can be gripped in the hold and
hoisted therefrom, the position of the container 64, as
described, being adjustable to the position of the lifting
device, at least of the vessel 1. On each side of the lifting
device 12 are arranged on the base frame girder 18 two
clamping devices 84 which can engage below a flange 86 of the
rail 8, which is suitably placed on, for instance, a C- or
I-shaped section 88. During the vertical movement of the
container and during the loading and unloading of the
containers to be explained below, the clamping devices 84 can
be tensioned, such that they firmly engage against the flange
86. Thus the lifting device is fixed on the rails 8, such
that it cannot be moved or cannot tilt. Thus the safety and
the ease with which the lifting device 12 can be used is
considerably increased.
-
After a container 64 has been hoisted to above the
deck 6 by means of the lifting device, the clamping devices
84 are released and the lifting device 12, together with the
container 64, is moved along the rails 8 to the bow 10. Near
the bow 10 a trailer 76 is positioned on the quay 82 to take
over the container 64. The lifting device is fixed again near
the bow in position C by means of the clamping devices 84,
after which the supporting frame 42, together with the
container 64, is maneuvered to beyond the bow 10, that is to
say to above the relevant trailer 76. To this end, the main
operating cylinder 56 is operated, such that it is extended.
The parallelogram construction of the main lifting frame 24
ensures that the supporting frame 42 maintains its
substantially horizontal position. Again, by means of the
independently controllable hoisting winches 56 and/or the
cylinders 70 and/or the main lifting means 50 the container
64 can be accurately positioned, so that placement on the
trailer 76 is readily possible.
-
In the loading/unloading position C shown in more
detail in Fig. 4, in which the container 64 is positioned
above the trailer 76 by means of the lifting device 12,
relatively great forces and moments will occur. In particular
the load on the front wheel sets 14 will be very high. In a
very advantageous embodiment, as particularly shown in
Figs. 6-8, the front wheel sets 14 are therefore designed
such that when exceeding a limit load a frame part can
receive support from the rails 8, thus at least partially
relieving the wheels 90 of the front wheel sets 14. A very
advantageous embodiment of such a wheel set 14 is shown in
more detail in Figs. 6-8. In this embodiment each front wheel
set 14 comprises a frame plate 92, firmly connected to a base
frame girder 18 in which a front pivot 94 and a rear pivot 96
are provided. Attached to each pivot 94, 96 is a pivoting
wheel frame part 98 having a substantially triangular form.
Positioned at the front wheel frame part 98a is the pivot 94
in the, during use, lowest point thereof, while a wheel axle
100a of the wheel 90 is arranged near the end 102a thereof
directed forwards. Attached at the rear wheel frame part 98b
is the wheel axle 100b near the end 102b thereof directed
backwards. The parts 104a, 104b directed to each other,
located above the pivots 94, 96 during use, are connected
together by a relatively rigid spring 106. This means that
when a force is exerted on the relevant base frame girder 19
in substantially vertical downward direction the frame plate
92 is pushed away downwards with respect to the wheels 90.
The wheel frame parts 98a, 98b will then pivot about the
pivots 94 and 96, respectively, such that the spring 106 is
compressed. When the vertical force F is sufficiently great,
the bottom 108 of the relevant frame plate 92 will begin to
receive support from the top of the rails 8, such that a
part, preferably the greater part of the relevant force F, is
directly transmitted to the rails 8 by the frame plate 92,
thereby relieving the wheels 90 at least for the greater
part. The spring 106 will then have to be selected such that
during normal load on the lifting device 12, at least in the
movable position as shown in Fig. 3b, the bottom 108 of the
frame plate 92 is clear of the rails 8, while in the
loading/unloading position C the relevant force F exceeds a
limit value and the frame plate 92 can receive support from
the rails. Optionally, in addition to or instead of the
spring, other force-absorbing means, for instance hydraulic
means, may be used so that limit values are adjustable. An
important advantage of such a wheel set 14 is that the wheels
90 and the bearings thereof can be of relatively small and
light construction without causing risk of damage.
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During unloading of the containers the lifting device
12 will always be brought from the loading/unloading position
C to the movable position, be moved to above a container to
be displaced and be fixed there with the clamping means 84,
after which the relevant container 84 can be taken up and
moved to a trailer in the manner described before. During
loading of containers these operations are of course carried
out in reverse order. With the lifting device 12 a container
can also be displaced or replaced within the vessel. After
use, the lifting device can be readily brought to the lowered
position B. An important advantage of a vessel 1 according to
the invention is that it needs to be moored to a quay or the
like only with the bow, whereby only a small length of a quay
is necessary. Moreover, containers and such packings can also
be loaded and unloaded in places where no suitable harbor
infrastructure is present, in particular where no quay crane
is available. It will be clear that in a comparable manner a
vessel can be designed in which loading and unloading over
the stern of the vessel is possible, optionally both over the
bow and over the stern.
-
Figs. 6 and 7 show a part of a lifting device 12
according to the invention, in an alternative embodiment. An
auxiliary lifting frame 110 is then provided. This auxiliary
lifting frame 110 comprises a second lifting arm 112 which is
connected to a first end 114 at a seventh pivoting point 116
arranged at some distance above the first pivoting point 21,
while at the opposite end 118 a supporting foot 120 or roller
is provided by means of a pivot 122. The purpose thereof will
be further described below. Furthermore, the auxiliary
lifting frame 110 comprises a second operating arm 124,
equipped with, at least shaped as an auxiliary operating
cylinder 126. The second operating arm 124 is with an upper
end 128 pivotally connected in an eighth pivoting point 130
to the first lifting arm 22, near the upper end thereof,
approximately opposite the sixth pivoting point 54. The lower
end 132 of the second operating arm 124 is connected in a
ninth pivoting point 134 to the second lifting arm 112, at a
small distance from the supporting foot 120. Such an
auxiliary lifting frame 110 can be used as follows.
-
In the lowered condition shown in Fig. 7 the
auxiliary operating cylinder 126 is drawn in, such that the
foot 120 receives support from the top of the rail 8. The
line of action W1 of the auxiliary operating cylinder 126,
that is to say the line in which it can substantially
transmit forces, then makes an angle α with the line of
action W2 of the main operating cylinder 56. At the start of
the movement of the lifting device 12 from the lowered
position B to the movable position A or the loading/unloading
position C the auxiliary operating cylinder 126 is energized
such that it is extended, whereby in a favorable direction a
force is exerted on the first lifting arm 22 with a vertical
component S1. The effect thus obtained is that relatively
light cylinders 56, 126 are sufficient for moving up the
lifting device 12 from the lowered position. When the
auxiliary operating cylinder 126 has reached its maximum
length, the first lifting arm 22 makes an angle β with the
horizontal, such that the force to be applied by the main
operating cylinder 56 for further raising the lifting device
12 is relatively small. When moving the lifting device 12
further to the movable position A, the supporting feet 120
are released from the rails 8 and may optionally be drawn in
to a position substantially against the first lifting arm 22.
When lowering the lifting device 12, the supporting feet are
returned to the position as shown in Fig. 6, such that the
last part of the movement of the lifting device to the
lowered position is controlled at least partially and taken
up by operating the auxiliary operating cylinder 126. A
lifting device 12 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may thus be of
relatively simple and light construction without adversely
affecting the lifting power of the lifting device 12.
-
Fig. 9 shows the front end of a vessel 101 according
to the invention, with a lifting device 130 being provided
near the bow 10. This lifting device 130 comprises a platform
132 on which a trailer 76 can be placed. By means of the
lifting device 12 a container 64 can be placed on the trailer
or removed therefrom in the manner as described before. With
such a lifting device the advantage is obtained that
containers and such packings can also be loaded and unloaded
at quays or the like that are of such construction that the
trailer 76 could otherwise not reach the bow 10 of the vessel
1, 101, for instance because the quay has a plane inclined
towards the water, is too low or too high or, for instance,
unsuitable for taking up the load from a trailer with cargo.
During use, a trailer 76 can be driven onto the platform 132,
a container can be placed on the trailer or removed
therefrom, after which the trailer can drive away from the
platform 132 again. The lifting device 130, at least the
platform 132, can preferably be turned away or removed. Of
course, a fixed platform arranged at a suitable height, at
least a platform 132 without a lifting device, may also be
used.
-
The invention is in no way limited to the practical
examples shown in the specification and the figures. Many
variations thereof are possible within the scope of the
invention as defined in the claims.
-
Thus, a vessel according to the invention may be of
different design, for instance without a deck superstructure
and without a drive of its own, such as, for instance, a tug-pushed
dumb barge. Moreover, the cargo space may be adapted
to take up containers or the like in another way, for
instance in only one or, on the contrary, several layers.
Furthermore, a lifting device according to the present
invention may comprise hoisting means of another type, for
instance hoisting winches coupled together or the like.
Different means for gripping containers or such packings may
be provided in addition to or instead of the spreader.
Moreover, the wheel sets, for instance, may be of different
design and other means may be provided to fix the lifting
device in a selected position, for instance by designing one
of the wheel sets such that wheels run on different sides of
a rail, while confining the relevant rail. A lifting device
according to the present invention may be provided both in a
newly built and in a renovated vessel, which is economically
advantageous. Furthermore, the construction of the lifting
device may of course be adjusted, for instance by means of
another positioning of the main lifting frame and the main
lifting means with respect to each other and with respect to
the supporting frame. These and many comparable variations
are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention defined
by the annexed claims.