EP2024266B1

EP2024266B1 - Auto-controlled winch for handling loads on ships, crafts, boats, pontoons, platforms and similar in particular for lifeboats or other loads

Info

Publication number: EP2024266B1
Application number: EP06766284A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianfranco Lucignani; Roberto Scolaro; Fabio Raffo
Original assignee: Navalimpianti SpA
Current assignee: Navalimpianti SpA
Priority date: 2006-05-09
Filing date: 2006-05-09
Publication date: 2011-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-09
Also published as: ATE495134T1; EP2024266A1; WO2007129335A1; DE602006019645D1; NO20084741L

Abstract

Winch for handling loads on boats, ships, pontoons, platforms and similar in particular though not exclusively for lifeboats, where the winch includes a fluid dynamic operating system associated with a container (S) and respective operative piping circuit (C) to command and control by means of a pump (3) a winch drum (TV), to which cable in winding/unwinding a load is suspended (P) preferably a lifeboat or other appropriate load of variable value, characterised in that: - it includes a gradual intervention device for the control of the braking speed of the load in descent (1 5) which includes a descending speed control lever (1) involving a leverage (7) operating axially on a slider (4) of the main speed regulation valve (VRV) with fluid entry (11) from the drawing pump (3) in said container (S) and exit (12) towards said container (S), said pump being connected to said winch drum (TV). - said main speed regulation valve (VRV) including furthermore two additional holes (13, 14) substantially placed to the side of said entry and exit holes (11, 12), substantially at the same level, so that, when said slider (4) is in the position of maximum opening, this puts also said additional holes (13, 14) in communication, connected to respective additional channels which supply an automatic compensation valve of the descending speed on varying the load (15), involving a piston (154) associated with normally open elastic means (157) so that in the reducing of the pressure in the circuit, it provides to choke it, re-balancing the pressure and therefore normalizing the speed in said pump (2) and consequently in said speed of said winch drum (TV) and consequently normalizing the descending speed of the load (P) also when it is greater than a previous setting value in said system and vice-versa.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention is related to an auto-controlled winch for handling loads on ships, crafts, boats, pontoons, platforms and similar, in particular for lifeboats or other loads, the characteristics of which conform to the pre-characterizing part of main claim.
The ship, pontoon, boat, craft or platform equipped with at least one said winch also forms part of this invention.

Domain

The domain is substantially directed to winches and cranes and in particular to the operative control systems for winches of lifeboats and similar on ships, boats, crafts, pontoons, platforms and similar, therewith meaning on any suitable support in the sea.

Background art and respective problems to be solved

It is known that in the current state of the art, winches for lifting and lowering of loads, in particular of lifeboats and similar loads in which the speed must be controlled, are complex, expensive and not always reliable. Moreover, it is known that particularly in lifeboats the load can vary, therefore it is well known that generally with greater loads the speed in descent increases and vice-versa. This fact obviously compromises the efficiency and functionality of the system and in particular can endanger the safety of users because, for example in case of an emergency with an excessive load, the lifeboat could descend at a speed higher than that allowed with all the consequences that could derive from this.
In particular EP 0748760A (HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD) discloses a winch including a leverage for the main speed regulation valve with fluid entry from a pump in a container and exit towards said container, said pump being connected to said winch drum.

Scope of the invention

The scope of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages and furthermore, without more burdens and without reducing reliability:

improving the functionality and performance;
increasing safety, reliability and manoeuvrability, in particular to allow an automatic control of the descending speed on varying the load.

Solution of the problem and identification of inventive characteristics

The problem is solved with the characteristics of the main claim.
The sub-claims represent advantageous preferred solutions which supply the best performance.

Advantages

In this way with the automatic control of the descending speed by means of an automatic compensation device of the descending speed on varying the load, there is the advantage of having:

better functionality and efficiency;
better performance;
better safety, reliability and manoeuvrability.

Description of the preferred solution

For a better understanding the invention is described in a preferred solution with the help of the attached figures, wherein:

Fig.1.- represents the schematic side view in elevation of the winch for lifeboats according to this invention.
Fig.2.- represents the perspective schematic view of the structure of the control valve of the main speed and of the admittance valve to the automatic respectively from left to right in its external view, in the view of its internal slider partially split of its internal chamber with a plurality of holes of different diameter and in its external view.
Fig.3.- represents a scheme of the automatic speed control valve according to this invention.
Fig.4.- represents a perspective schematic view of the dual-effect fluid dynamic cylinder that represents the core of the automatic speed control valve of Fig.3, according to this invention.

Description in relation to the figures

Preamble

To understand the regulation system of the descending speed better, on the basis of the load, the integrated working system of static and dynamic braking system is explained briefly and preliminarily, in particular with reference to Fig.1.
Therefore, it is observed that the braking system substantially includes a winch device which includes a winch drum (TV) with cable which is wound and unwound to raise the load (P) like, for example, a lifeboat. The system includes a hydraulic oil container (S) in which substantially three ducts draw:

forward and back oil circuit duct (C) with a positive displacement pump (3) driven by the descending load (P), controlled through a speed regulation valve (VRV) by means of two ducts (11,12,13,14), connected:
on one side to a regulation valve control rod (5) by means of a first speed control leverage (7) hinged near the hinging of the speed and braking control lever (1) which therefore realizes a second kind of lever, which, on lowering, lowers said leverage (7) with a spring delay device (6) which returns the motion to the control rod (5) of the speed regulation valve (VRV) by means of a slider (4) which is extended to control also a damper device (DA), which, by means of a dynamic braking time control device (SGTFD) transmits the hydraulic oil to a time regulation device with discharge to the said container (S) by means of throttle (10) and
on the other side by means of a second modulation leverage of brake pressure (LFS) which operates a respective static brake device (2) connected in its turn to the axis of the winch drum (TV).

Still in Fig.1, it is observed that the weight force of the load (P) puts the winch drum (TV) in rotation which pulls the positive displacement pump (3).
Through the speed regulation valve (VRV) the passage gap of the fluid is varied, obtaining a fluid dynamic braking, the system being assisted however by the operated static brake (2).
In Fig.2 the speed regulation valve (VRV) is described with the respective two braking regulation ducts (11,12) by means of movement of the slider (4) connected in an adjustable way to the valve control rod (5).
On varying the position of the slider (4) by means of the lever (1), delaying device (6) and valve control rod (5), the coincidences of holes of different diameter vary (FPL) in the hollow central part of the slider(4) which put the entry and exit channels (11,12) in communication, therefore varying the rate of flow of the fluid.
The progressive lifting of the speed and braking control lever (1) glides the slider (4) of the speed regulation valve (VRV) moving on the passage of the fluid (FPL) of greater diameter, therefore for greater speed, vice-versa on the contrary.
The speed and braking control lever (1) simultaneously manages, as mentioned, also the static brake (2) by means of the static brake leverage (LFS), progressively releasing it.
By adjusting the reciprocal position of the slider (4) of the speed and braking regulation valve (VRV) and the respective leverage (LVR) of the static brake (2) the intervention combination of the two events can be varied.
In case of sudden release of the speed and braking control lever (1) there is the stopping of the load (P) on the basis of the intervention of the two brakes: static (2) and fluid dynamic (VRV); this stopping occurring with the latter by reducing the passage gap of the fluid and subsequently (in the final part of the braking before stopping) the damper device (DA) intervenes and by the outflow channel and throttling regulation valve for damping (10) by means of extension of the slider (4) which provides the choke rod to conclude the manoeuvre in a progressive way.
The main objective of the system in question is avoiding that the abovementioned restriction of the passage gap (until complete closure) occurs in too short a time, giving rise to the too hard braking of the load (P) and the consequent generation of force peaks (on cables, leverages etc... of the lifeboat or suspended load) and excessive pressure inside the hydraulic devices.
Moreover in the case of inefficiency of the static braking device (2), the fluid-mechanical device (VRV) alone is able to carry out the progressive stopping of the load safely.
To obtain this result it is necessary that, independently from the speed with which the operator lowers the lever (1), the fluid flow control slider (4) has a progressive control system of the closure:

The slider (4) of the speed regulation valve (VRV) and its seat have a shape such as to form a chamber full of fluid, which, during the first part of the stroke of the slider (4),
the fluid of this chamber is free to flow down into the container through said outflow channel.

The slider (4) then, during its movement intercepts said outflow channel and the fluid in the chamber can no longer flow down freely but only through an appropriately throttled channel by the throttling regulation valve (10).
In this way, pressure is created in the chamber able to dampen the movement of the slider (4), thanks to the spring delaying device (6) fitted upstream and which releases the control lever (1) by forcing even if completely lowered.
By varying the degree of opening of the damping regulation valve (10 Fig.3) more or less brusque dynamic braking can therefore be obtained.
Also by lowering the speed and braking control lever (1) completely, the slider (4) is free to accomplish the last part of the stroke pushed by the spring of the delaying element (6) and in the time imposed regulating the damping regulation valve (15 Fig.1 -see scheme Fig.3), held compressed by the weight force of the lever; the damper and progressive effect is therefore guaranteed.
In this way, the braking of the load occurs by combining fluid-dynamic braking and static braking, but in such a way that the load is stopped with static braking prior to completely closing the passage gap of the fluid.
If the static braking loses effectiveness, the control of the braking of the load is entirely supported by the fluid dynamic device alone, which always operates in a progressive way.
Substantially, at lever (1) completely lifted (maximum speed), imagining lowering it, there is the first part of the free stroke, in fact the fluid can flow down through said outflow channel, in the second part of the stroke with damping, with outflow through said throttled channel.
By suddenly lowering the lever (1) the damper element (6) allows to lower it completely with the compression of the spring.
At lever completely lowered, there is the static brake (2) inserted and the slider (4) not yet at the end of the stroke and the spring of the damper element (6) compressed by the weight force of the lever itself (1).
Having explained the braking system, it will now be easier and more simple to understand the compensation system of the descending speed on varying the load (P).

Automatic compensation system of the descending speed on varying the load

To avoid speed variations on varying the load in the lifeboat, on the aforementioned speed regulation valve (VRV), two additional holes (13,14) are provided, substantially placed to the side of said braking control entry and exit holes (11,12), therefore on the same level, so that, when said slider (4) is in the position of maximum opening, and only in this condition, this puts also said additional holes (13,14) in communication, connected to respective additional channels which supply the automatic compensation valve of the descending speed on varying the load (15). Through the admittance valve (16) to said automatic compensation valve (15) said main speed regulation valve (VRV) is opened.
Said automatic compensation valve of the speed on varying the load (15) involves an open-close fluid dynamic cylinder with a positioning spring normally open (150), therefore only with an increase in pressure above the threshold limit of normally open, intervenes, reducing the passage gap of the fluid until being closed, this involving minor fluid flow and therefore the slowing down of the speed.

Functioning principle

The automatic compensation valve of the speed (15) has a cylinder (150) which keeps the auxiliary line normally open only if the valve 4 is completely open and that on increasing the pressure induced by the load (P) above the desired value, proportionally closes it. On the basis of the desired compensation effect, it is possible to vary the ratio between the areas of the cylinder on one side and the other, defined by the piston (154) with the contrast spring (157), instead of the spring it is possible to use pressure gas, differential pressure (152-153) or a servo-mechanism.
When the stem (156) of said piston (154) exits, the passage gap in the circuit between the two chambers (A,B) is opened until maximum, when it re-enters, it is closed.
In the channel between the pump (3) and speed regulator valves (VRV-15) there is a variable pressure depending on the speed with which the load (P) is descending: if said load (P) descends at maximum speed, the passage gap of the oil will be maximum in the main damper (VRV) and therefore-low pressure making the piston intervene (154), which by moving, moves the piston stem (156) that will choke the duct (14) reducing, as a result, the speed reactively on the positive displacement pump (3).

Claims

Winch for handling loads on boats, ships, pontoons, platforms and similar in particular though not exclusively for lifeboats, where the winch includes a fluid dynamic operating system associated with a container (S) and respective operative piping circuit (C) to command and control by means of a pump (3) a winch drum (TV), to which cable, in winding/unwinding, a load is suspended (P), preferably a lifeboat or other appropriate load of variable value, and wherein said winch including a leverage for the main speed regulation valve with fluid entry from a pump in said container and exit towards said container, said pump being connected to a winch drum, characterised in that:
- it includes a gradual intervention device for the control of the braking speed of the load in descent (15) which includes a descending speed control lever (1) involving a leverage (7) operating axially on a slider (4) of the main speed regulation valve (VRV) with fluid entry (11) from said pump (3) in said container (S) and exit (12) towards said container (S), said pump being connected to said winch drum (TV).

- staid main speed regulation valve (VRV) including furthermore, two additional holes (13,14) substantially placed to the side of said entry and exit holes (11,12), substantially at the same level, so that, when said slider (4) is in the position of maximum opening, this puts also said additional holes (13,14) in communication, connected to respective additional channels which supply an automatic compensation valve of the descending speed on varying the load (15), involving a piston (154) associated with normally open elastic means (157) so that in reducing the pressure in the circuit, it provides to choke it, re-balancing the pressure and therefore formalizing the speed in said pump (2) and consequently in said speed of said winch drum (TV) and consequently normalizing the descending speed of the load (P) also when it is greater than a previous setting value in said system and vice-versa.
Winch according to the previous claim, characterised in that it includes a gradual intervention device for the control of the descending braking speed of the load which includes:
a) a speed and braking control lever (1) involving:
- at least one first leverage (7) operating axially on a spring delaying device (6), operating by means of a transmission rod (5) on the respective slider (4) of said speed regulation valve (VRV) with fluid entry (11) from said pump (3) in said container (S) and exit (12) towards said container (S), said pump being connected to said winch drum (TV), and

- at least one second leverage (LFS) connected to a static brake device (2), in its turn connected to the rotation control of said winch drum (TV),

b) said speed and braking control lever (1) being able to be moved in order to interactively operate with fluid dynamic braking with said first leverage (7) and said speed regulation valve (VRV), and with static braking with said static brake device (2), so that one and the other can work simultaneously and one can be the safety means of the other.
Winch for handling loads according to claim 2, characterised in that said speed regulation valve (VRV) includes in the respective hollow slider (4) a plurality of fluid passage holes with various diameters of fluid passage (FPL) which are progressively brought into communication between said entry and exit (11,12) of the same valve (VRV) by the axial movement of said slider (4) varying therewith the respective rate of fluid between said entry and exit (11,12).
Winch for handling loads according to claim 3, characterised in that said slider (4) has a hollow chamber in said fluid passage holes (FPL) which, with the variation of the axial position of movement of said slider (4), allow the coincidence of a couple of said holes of different diameter (FPL) with the holes of said entry and exit (11,12), varying therewith the rate of the fluid for the respective section variation.
Winch for handling loads according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that it further comprises a damper device (DA) associated to a time control system (SGTFD) and dynamic braking time regulation system by means of an outflow channel (8) and throttling channel (9) with respective throttling valve (10).
Winch for handling loads according to claim 5, characterised in that said damper device (DA) is axially associated to said speed regulation valve (VRV), operating with the rod in extension of said slider (4) with diameter reduction in the fluid chamber with said outflow channel and throttling channel with respective throttling valve, to vary the fluid volume to be evacuated, since on complete lowering of said speed and braking control lever (1) said slider (4) progressively operates delayed, pushed independently by the spring device of said delaying device (6).
Ship involving at least one winch for handling loads having the characteristics according to any of the previous claims.
Boat involving at least one winch for handling loads having the characteristics according to any of the previous claims.
Craft involving at least one winch for handling loads having the characteristics according to any of the previous claims.
Pontoon involving at least one winch for handling loads having the characteristics according to any of the previous claims.
Platform involving at least one winch for handling loads having the characteristics according to any of the previous claims.