EP3299273B1 - Device and method for arrival and departure of vessels - Google Patents

Description

The inventive device and the method for loading and unloading of vessels is located in a body of water and suitable for the creation of ferries, smaller ships or boats, for example, for public transport in cities along rivers, bays or lakes. It is also suitable for coastal excursions.

In many waters a natural and nature-friendly tourist use is desirable. In particular, in nature reserves, it is often not allowed to navigate the waters with fuel-powered vessels. A use of electric vehicles would be conceivable, but usually fails because of the elaborate jetties, which in turn intervene in nature.

In the German patent DE 102008058533 B4 discloses an investor for watercraft, which is arranged in a body of water and has two in a matched to the width of the vessels to be applied distance from each other, arranged side guides opposite each other, which have a bottom connecting the water surface of the water body. The bottom has a Auffahrabschnitt with a rotatably mounted roller body, with a rotation axis transverse to the side guides. The watercraft drives with sufficient momentum between the side guides and thereby on the Auffahrabschnitt the soil. The entire vessel is lifted slightly out of the water and can not easily slide backwards into the water. To deposit the watercraft must be powered by an onboard engine are driven rearward direction to get away from the Auffahrabschnitt.

In EP 1304414 B1 discloses a system for stopping ships, which contains a flexible holding cable, which is arranged transversely to the entrance. The ship moves into the flexible holding cable and is stopped by an anchoring means connected to the holding cable. The retaining cable is biased by at least one elastic traction unit. A similar solution will be in DE 2416968 A1 described.

There are also known various solutions, for example US 3084517 A . US 5112702 A . US 5429063 A and US 5911189 A where a boat enters between two side walls where it is held by side bumpers. DE 102008061707 B4 discloses with its application device a bugseitiges damping element with lateral tail boom. Also in US 5911189 A the boat is held on the bow side. In US 9028174 B1 shock absorbers are described for a retractable boat.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for loading and unloading of vessels, which can be used variably as standard investors in various sizes, and includes means to enable environmentally friendly shipping.

The object is solved by the features in the claims. For this purpose, the inventive device for loading and unloading of vessels includes a seaward investor, which is floating on a pontoon, with a land-side connection and a gangway consisting of two gangway arms, and means for holding the watercraft. The feeder is rotatably mounted in the horizontal direction at its landside connection. The means for holding the vessel consist of the gangway arms and a landing and release system. The launch and release system has means for storing and releasing kinetic energy of the entering vessel.

A preferred means for storing and releasing the kinetic energy according to the invention consists of a rail arrangement, which are arranged on or in the insides of the gangway arms, and a horizontally movable transverse construction connected to the rail arrangement. The cross-construction is connected to ropes, which are wound on both sides in the gangway arms via pulleys on an electric winch in opposite directions.

As an embodiment, these means for storing and releasing the kinetic energy are prestressed pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic devices, spring / weight loaded devices or electric winch systems.

Another embodiment has on land side a connecting piece of the investor, which is firmly connected to the gangway. The connector is centrally provided with a round receptacle through which a holding pylon is guided, so that the investor can be moved vertically on the holding pylon and rotated horizontally.

In a further embodiment, the storage of the investor takes place on the pontoon via a pivot bearing. The shore-side connection consists of

In a further embodiment, to protect against loss of the investor in case of flooding, the web is provided on the sea side with removable rails, which are in operative connection with the pontoon.

In a further embodiment, solar panels or other energy-generating devices as well as energy stores are arranged on or on the device and connected to it for a largely self-sufficient energy supply or as support for the energy supply.

The watercraft may advantageously have a mirror image structure according to a double end concept. Nonetheless, other watercraft which do not have a mirror-image construction can also be used to implement the invention.

1. a) Drehen eines Anlegers in Ankunftsrichtung des Wasserfahrzeugs,
2. b) antriebsloses Einfahren des Wasserfahrzeugs in die Vorrichtung zwischen zwei Gangway-Armen, wobei ein Anlege- und Freigabe-System aktiviert wird und das Wasserfahrzeug abbremst, indem Mittel zur Speicherung und Freigabe von kinetischer Energie des einfahrenden Wasserfahrzeugs und Arretierungsmittel zum Halten des Wasserfahrzeugs in horizontaler Richtung aktiviert werden,
3. c) Übertragen der kinetischen Energie des einfahrenden Wasserfahrzeugs auf das Anlege- und Freigabe-System,
4. d) Verbinden des Wasserfahrzeugs mit einer Ladestation zum Aufladen mit elektrischer Energie,
5. e) Optional Drehen des Anlegers in eine mittlere Position,
6. f) Be- und Entladen des Wasserfahrzeugs,
7. g) Optional Drehen des Anlegers in eine Abfahrtsrichtung,
8. h) Lösen der Vorspannung des Anlege- und Freigabe-Systems und Freigeben der gespeicherten kinetischen Energie, so dass das Wasserfahrzeug aus dem Anleger geschoben wird,
9. i) Beschleunigtes Ausfahren am Anlegerausgang durch Zuschaltung von Eigenantrieben des Wasserfahrzeugs.

The method according to the invention for attaching and removing watercraft preferably uses a device according to the features described above. The following steps are essential to the invention:

1. a) turning an investor in the direction of arrival of the vessel,
2. b) drive-less retraction of the vessel into the device between two gangway arms, wherein an apply and release system is activated and the watercraft decelerates by means of storage and release of kinetic energy of the entering vessel and locking means for holding the vessel in horizontal Direction to be activated
3. c) transmitting the kinetic energy of the entering vessel to the apply and release system,
4. d) connecting the watercraft to a charging station for charging with electrical energy,
5. e) optionally turning the feeder into a middle position,
6. f) loading and unloading of the vessel,
7. g) optionally turning the investor in a downhill direction,
8. h) releasing the bias of the apply and release system and releasing the stored kinetic energy so that the vessel is pushed out of the dock,
9. i) Accelerated extension at the feeder exit by connection of self-drives of the vessel.

The activation of the application and release system is carried out by a horizontally movable cross-construction, which is set in motion by the incoming watercraft, so that excited by ropes, which are guided on both sides in the gangway arms and pulleys, an electric winch for turning and a generator connected to the winch generates electrical energy, which is fed into a battery system of the investor.

The device according to the invention is preferably fixed only at the harbor edge. Elaborate ramming of additional investor support posts for at least one embodiment is thereby avoided. With multiple investors, variable routes can be driven, which can be integrated into a local transport concept.

The size (for example S / M / L) is variably adjustable and can be based on the imputed passenger contingent of the respective locality.

The arrangement according to the invention increases the energy efficiency of the overall system. The invention contributes to environmental protection and the use of renewable energies.

Embodiment of the invention

• Figur 1a und 1b - eine erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit Wasserfahrzeug,
• Figur 2 - die erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Draufsicht ohne Wasserfahrzeug,
• Figur 3a und 3b - eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit Wasserfahrzeug,
• Figur 4 - die zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Draufsicht mit Wasserfahrzeug,
• Figur 5a bis 5d - die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit Anlege- und Freigabe-System, Arretierungsmittel und Ladestation,
• Figur 6a bis 6g - ein schematischer Ablauf eines Anlande- und Ablandemanövers eines Wasserfahrzeugs.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. Show this

• FIGS. 1a and 1b a first embodiment of the device according to the invention with a vessel,
• FIG. 2 the first embodiment of the device according to the invention in a plan view without a vessel,
• Figure 3a and 3b a second embodiment of the device according to the invention with a vessel,
• FIG. 4 the second embodiment of the device according to the invention in a plan view with a vessel,
• FIGS. 5a to 5d the device according to the invention with application and release system, locking means and charging station,
• FIGS. 6a to 6g - A schematic sequence of a landing and Ablandemanövers a watercraft.

The in the FIGS. 1a and 1b shown inventive device for docking of watercraft 8 consists of a land-side connection and a seaward investor 3. The figures differ only in that the waterline 5 in FIG. 1a lower than in FIG. 1b , This makes it possible to clarify how the influence of the water level is compensated by the device. The used water craft 8 have an innovative ship design (lightweight) with a mirror image structure (double end concept).

The shore-side connection consists, as is usually known, of a web 1, which is flexibly connected to the bank edge 2. The bank edge 2 is preferably a quay edge but can also be a fortified shore strip. The web 1 is movably connected via a hinge 7 with the bank edge 2 and a Rollenauflager 6 with the seaward feeder 3 or vice versa. As a result, the feeder 3 is movable relative to the bank edge 2 and water level changes can be compensated. The feeder 3 is also rotatably mounted. In a first embodiment, the storage via a rotary bearing 401. The Pivot bearing 401 is part of a floating pontoons 4 arranged in the water with, for example, arranged on its upper side sprocket drive 402. Inside the pontoon 4 is a, not shown here, electric motor with gear, which is connected to the sprocket drive 402 and this drives. The feeder 3 is connected to a, the bank edge 2 facing connector 301 in turn with the pivot bearing 401, for example, a slewing ring bearings, and with the sprocket drive 402 of the pontoon 4. The connecting piece 301 is semi-circular (convex) on the land side.

The feeder 3 consists of the connection piece 301 and a gangway 302 fixedly connected to the connection piece 301 (see FIG FIG. 2 ). The gangway 302 consists of two gangway arms 302a and 302b, which are connected to each other via a connection 302c, which is adapted in its width to the fitting 301. The connector 301, the gangway 302 with the gangway arms 302a and 302b, and the link 302c may also be made in one piece or partially in one piece, but will be referred to individually for description. The gangway arms 302a and 302b are arranged opposite each other in a distance adapted to the width of the craft 8 to be applied. Between the gangway arms 302a and 302b, the watercraft 8 engages. The vessels 8 have a low draft and an electric drive, powered by batteries and solar panels. At the outer ends of the gangway arms 302a and 302b are incorporated inwardly directed roller-shaped fenders 303 which serve to cushion and guide an entering craft 8. On both sides of the vessel 8, locking means 306 are provided in the gangway arms 302a and 302b in the form of, for example, automatic locking bolts, automatic handling lines or automatic pressure devices which push the vessel 8 horizontally toward link 302c and centrally between the gangway arms 302a and 302b hold tight (see FIG. 4 ). On a gangway arm 302a or 302b or on both gangway arms 302a and 302b, a charging station 307 is arranged at the outer end, which can be connected to the vessel 8 via a charging plug (eg a pantograph plug). Thus, the battery system of the fixed vessel 8 can be charged during the passenger change.

FIG. 5a shows the application and release system with retracting craft 8 and FIG. 5b shows the watercraft connected to the locking means 306 and the charging station 307.

In the connector 301 is located between the gangway arms 302a and 302b, a docking and release system 9. If the vessel 8 enters the feeder 3, the application and release system 9 is activated. For this purpose there is a rail arrangement 901 (FIG. FIG. 5d ) or concealed in the insides of the gangway arms 302a and 302b on which a horizontal traversing cross structure 902 is installed. This transverse construction 902 is designed to guide the incoming craft 8 centrally between the gangway arms 302a and 302b. For this purpose, the transverse construction 902 has a contour adapted or partially adapted to the vessel 8.

To decelerate the vessel 8, this transverse construction 902 is connected to ropes 903, which are wound on both sides in the gangway arms 302a and 302b via deflecting rollers 904 on an electric winch 905 in opposite directions. ( FIG. 5c The winch 905 is geared with a motor / generator and equipped with a brake. There is a storage of the kinetic energy of the incoming watercraft 8, which should be explained in more detail in connection with the method according to the invention. In addition to the winch system, other constructions with pneumatic cylinders or hydraulic, spring / weight loaded devices can be used. When you drop the watercraft 8, the bias is released and the stored kinetic energy released again, so that the Watercraft 8 is pushed out of the feeder 3. As a result, no separate propulsion is required for depositing and no energy is consumed on the ship. Pushing is uncritical for the passengers and the load, ie a damped, uniform feed is made possible.

In the top view of FIG. 2 a possible guidance of floating in the water pontoon 4 is shown. The bank edge 2 is designed U-shaped in this embodiment. The pontoon 4 is designed accordingly so that it fits into the neckline with a game. At several points along the U-shape of the bank edge 2 pairs of guide rails 11 are arranged. Corresponding baffles 12 on the pontoon 4 correspond to these guide rails 11. The pontoon 4 is held securely without jamming and the forces acting at this point can be absorbed. At the same time, the pontoon 4 can move vertically along the guide rails 11.

The guide rails 11 are removable for mounting purposes of the pontoon 4. This can be done for example by means of a dovetail construction between guide plate 12 and guide rail 11. The guide rails 11 and the baffles 12 may be provided for less friction with a coating, such as Teflon.

For flood protection 4 removable, not shown here rails are provided on the bridge 1 in the direction of pontoon, in which the baffles 12 of the pontoon 4 can be continued. This flood protection can be mounted if necessary, so that at a high water level, the pontoon 4 does not tilt on the bank edge 2.

The FIGS. 3a and 3b and FIG. 4 show a second embodiment of the device according to the invention with a watercraft. The feeder 3 likewise consists of a connection piece 301 and a gangway 302 firmly connected to the connection piece 301 (see FIG FIG. 4 ). The gangway 302 consists of two gangway arms 302a and 302b, which are connected to each other via a connection 302c, which is adapted in its width to the fitting 301. The design corresponds to that in the FIGS. 1 and 2 , The bearing of the feeder 3 also takes place via a pivot bearing 401 of a pontoon 4 floating in the water, which is provided on the land side with, for example, pressure springs 310 for moment support during rotation. Inside the pontoon 4 there is a drive for this purpose, for example an electric motor with a gearbox. The connecting piece 301 is semi-circular on the shore (convex) executed and provided centrally with a round receptacle 308. A holding pylon 10 passes through the receptacle 308 so that the feeder 3 can be vertically displaced and horizontally rotated on the holding pylon 10. By the drive, the connector 301 is moved horizontally about the holding pylon 10. When changing the water level, especially at high water, is ensured by the holding pylon 10 that the feeder 3 can move vertically and also is not lost.

FIGS. 6a to 6g schematically show the flow of a landing and Ablandemanövers a watercraft 8. For the landing maneuver of the feeder 3 is rotated in advance in the direction of arrival of the watercraft 8. The watercraft 8 drives without drive into the feeder 3 (FIG. FIGS. 5a to 5d ). When stopping the watercraft 8 no energy is consumed thereby. The kinetic energy is transferred to the landing and release system 9 during the landing maneuver. When the vessel 8 enters, the transverse construction 902 is set in motion in the direction of the connection piece 301, the cables 903 being pulled over the deflection rollers 904 and the winches 905 being stimulated to rotate. The generator connected to the winch 905 generates electrical energy, which is fed into the battery system of the feeder 3. The battery system is additionally charged by solar panels on the feeder and / or by a shore power connection. In conjunction with the generator function, a built-in When the vessel 8 is fully retracted into the feeder 3, the locking means 306 installed laterally in the gangway arms 302a and 302b are unfolded and stably maintain the vessel 8 in central position with the vessel 8 retains the vertical degree of freedom when getting in and out. After locking the watercraft 8, the charging station 307 is connected via the charging plug for charging the batteries and the passenger change is initiated.

In FIG. 6d the investor 3 has meanwhile turned into a middle position. The change of passengers can now take place unhindered, although this can also be done in the landing position. For example, if landing and Ablandemanöver provided in the same direction, it is not necessary to turn the feeder 3. But if the watercraft 8 drive after dropping in another direction, the feeder 3 is rotated in the same direction. Before initiating the deposition, the connector is opened, the locking means 306 are released and the winch function started. The stored energy is released upon actuation of a release device (not shown). The release is remotely controlled by the skipper, only after the charging station 307 was released from the vessel 8. It is also useful to display a driving operating position of the watercraft 8 connected to a safety device and a corresponding display in the control station of the watercraft 8 and on the feeder 3. It is also conceivable that an immobilizer on the locking means 306 is turned on, as long as the loading and unloading of the watercraft 8 is not yet finished.

The watercraft 8 is released again by it is shuddered from the feeder 3 shallow. This is done by a controlled winding of the ropes 903 by means of the frequency-controlled motor of the winch 905. About the ropes 903, the cross-construction 902 is warped and thus the watercraft 8 controlled pushed out of the feeder and put into initial movement, without having to use their own propulsion systems. As a result, no on-board energy is consumed on the vessel 8 in order to get started.

The rotation concept is applicable in narrow flow areas and minimizes the blocking depth of the feeder into the river.

The entire apparatus for docking watercraft 8 may be provided with a roof. Solar panels or other energy-generating devices as well as energy storage units can be mounted on the roof, so that the required electrical energy for the investor technology, as well as for lighting, monitoring, data transmission, screens can be produced partially autonomously. The same applies to the landside investor area. The aim is to achieve the greatest possible self-sufficiency of the energy requirement. The energy storage of the vessel 8, for example batteries, are recharged at the feeder 3 during the change of passengers. A main charge takes place at night. Nevertheless, an emergency generator is provided on board the watercraft 8. By the electrically operated vessels 8 a slow and environmentally friendly ride is ensured, so that in rivers and drinking water protection areas a necessary shore protection can be done.

reference numeral

1

web

2

shore edge

3

investor

301

connector

302

gangway

302a, 302b

Gangway Arms

302c

connection

303

fender

306

locking

307

charging station

308

round recording

310

pressure spring

4

pontoon

401

pivot bearing

402

Sprocket drive

5

waterline

6

roller mounts

7

joint

8th

water craft

9

Apply and Release System

901

rail arrangement

902

transverse structure

903

ropes

904

guide rollers

905

winch

10

Holding pylon

11

rails

12

baffles

Claims (13)

1. Device for docking and undocking watercraft (8), comprising a water-side landing stage (3) which is mounted in a floating manner on a pontoon (4), with a land-side connection and with a gangway (302), consisting of two gangway arms (302a, 302b), and means for holding the watercraft (8), wherein the landing stage (3) is rotatably mounted in the horizontal direction at its land-side connection and that the means for holding the watercraft (8) consist of the gangway arms (302a, 302b) and a docking and release system (9) which has impact-damping means for an incoming watercraft (8), characterized in that the impact-damping means allow the storage and release of kinetic energy and consist of a rail arrangement (901), which is arranged on or in the inner sides of the gangway arms (302a, 302b), and a horizontally movable transverse construction (902) which is connected to the rail arrangement (901), wherein the transverse construction (902) is connected to cables (903) which are guided on both sides in the gangway arms (302a, 302b) via deflection rollers (904) and spooled oppositely on an electric winch (905).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for storing and releasing the kinetic energy are pretensioned pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic devices, spring/weight-loaded devices or electric winch systems.
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the landing stage (3) comprises, on the land side, a connecting piece (301) which is fixedly connected to the gangway (302).
4. Deviceaccording to Claim 3, characterized in that the connecting piece (301) is provided centrally with a round receptacle (308) through which a holding pylon (10) is guided, with the result that the landing stage (3) can be vertically displaced and horizontally rotated on the holding pylon (10) .
5. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the landing stage (3) is mounted on the pontoon (4) via a rotary bearing (401).
6. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the land-side connection consists of a jetty (1) which is flexibly connected both to the riverside/shore (2) and to the pontoon (4).
7. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the gangway arms (302a, 302b) are arranged opposite one another at a distance from one another that is tailored to the width of the watercraft (8) to be docked, and arresting means (306) are provided whichsecure the watercraft (8) in the horizontal direction after docking.
8. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one charging station (307) is arranged on or on top of the gangway (302) and, for charging the watercraft (8), is connected thereto.
9. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that for protection against a loss of the landing stage (3) in the event of high water, the jetty (1) is provided on the water sidewith removable rails which are in operative connection with the pontoon (4) .
10. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the watercraft (8) has a mirror-image structure corresponding to a double-end design.
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
    for an energy supply which is autonomous to the greatest possible extent, or as an assistance to the energy supply, solar panels or other energy-generating means and energy accumulators are arranged on or on top of the device and connected thereto.
12. Method for docking and undocking watercraft (8) using a device in accordance with Claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps:

    a. rotating a landing stage (3) in the direction of arrival of the watercraft (8),

    b. drivelessly moving the watercraft (8) into the device between two gangway arms (302a, 302b), wherein a docking and release system (9) is activated and the watercraft (8) is braked in that means for storing and releasing kinetic energy of the incoming watercraft (8) and arresting means (306) for holding the watercraft (8) in the horizontal direction are activated,

    c. transmitting the kinetic energy of the incoming watercraft (8) to the docking and release system (9),

    d. connecting the watercraft (8) to a charging station (307) to charge it with electrical energy,

    e. optionally rotating the landing stage (3) into a central position,

    f. loading and unloading the watercraft (8),

    g. optionally rotating the landing stage (3) into a departure direction,

    h. releasing the pretensioning of the docking and release system (9) and releasing the stored kinetic energy, with the result that the watercraft (8) is pushed out of the landing stage (3),

    i. accelerated moving-out at the landing stage exit by switching on independent drives of the watercraft (8).
13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in
    that
    the docking and release system (9) is activated in that a horizontally movable transverse construction (902) is set in motion by the incoming watercraft (8), with the result that an electric winch (905) is induced to rotate via cables (903) which are guided on both sides in the gangway arms (302a, 302b) and via deflection rollers (904), and a generator connected to the winch (905) generates electrical energy which is fed into a battery system of the landing stage (3) .

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