EP4168303A1 - A release system for a supply boat or tugboat - Google Patents

A release system for a supply boat or tugboat

Info

Publication number
EP4168303A1
EP4168303A1 EP21808597.5A EP21808597A EP4168303A1 EP 4168303 A1 EP4168303 A1 EP 4168303A1 EP 21808597 A EP21808597 A EP 21808597A EP 4168303 A1 EP4168303 A1 EP 4168303A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
towing
hook
wire
release system
towing hook
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21808597.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bjarne Engen
Steinar Andersen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bifrost Tug As
Original Assignee
Bifrost Tug As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bifrost Tug As filed Critical Bifrost Tug As
Publication of EP4168303A1 publication Critical patent/EP4168303A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/56—Towing or pushing equipment
    • B63B21/58—Adaptations of hooks for towing; Towing-hook mountings
    • B63B21/60—Quick releases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/56—Towing or pushing equipment
    • B63B21/58—Adaptations of hooks for towing; Towing-hook mountings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/66—Tugs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a release system for a supply boat or tugboat having a towing hook rotatably mounted and which is fitted with a fastening hook for receiving a towing rope, where the fastening hook is equipped with an open, through-running groove for receiving a towing wire which runs to a winch.
  • a tugboat with a towing rope attached to the tow can be about to turn to get the stern in the direction of travel, and suddenly an acceleration is generated in the tow.
  • Many tugboats do not have stability reserves to withstand the force generated in the tow rope as it tightens across the transverse side. Lack of stability reserves can be due to the towing arrangement which has an effective attachment point of the towing connection approximately amidships and in the centre of the vessel. This makes the tugboat vulnerable to large tilting and capsizing. In such cases, it can be fatal if the emergency release for the towing hook is too far from the maneuvering position.
  • the towing connection can be triggered from the current steering position for the boat, this will not remove all hazards.
  • US 2005284355 A1 shows a rotatable arm equipped with a hook for receiving a mooring line.
  • a second "heaving line” is used to pull the mooring line through a guide collar and through a groove in the hook and over the hook so that the mooring line is hooked securely onto the hook.
  • EP 0176189 A1 shows a tug with a towing hook mounted at the outer end of a towing arm, the inner end of which is mounted on the main deck of the tug in a manner such that the arm can swivel above the main deck from one side to the other side of the tug about an upright axis under the control of a power-operated driving mechanism.
  • the tow line passes through a fairlead and then to the drum of a self tensioning winch.
  • the drive to the arm augments the steering capability and the characteristics of the winch keep the power required for the drive within controlled limits.
  • the arm is also pivoted about a horizontal axis so that it can swing upwards and downwards and is mounted on a platform, mounted on a carriage which is movable fore and aft on rails on the main deck. These movements of the arm are also controlled by power mechanisms and they adjust the position of the point of action of the tow line in such a way that in whatever direction the tow line extends, even exactly athwartships from the tug, the line of action of the pull in the tow line produces only a small capsizing moment upon the tug.
  • the trigger system according to the invention shall, in principle, not be affected by rolling and stamping due to waves. This is achieved by the release system only reacting to the angle between the towing rope/hook and the towboat’s longitudinal and transverse vertical axis.
  • the angle between the towing line and the towboats vertical axis for release can be adjusted and can be different for the angles in the horizontal plane so that there can be one angle for trimming, and another for tilting, with a stepless continuous transition.
  • release system releases a towing wire that runs through the towing hook.
  • the towing hook is designed to be used both with an ordinary tow rope and with wire from a winch and can also be used with a release system described in WO2019/098845 A1 (corresponding to N0343539 B1) in both configurations. At least some of the sensors can, in this case, be designed as described in said WO2019/098845 A1.
  • the release system When used with a towing rope, the release system, according to the invention, automatically releases the towing hook's attachment hook and releases the towing rope at a pre-set danger angle, but when using a towing wire, the release system releases a drum on a winch at a pre-set danger angle.
  • the towing hook It is the vertical angle of the towing hook in relation to the vertical axis of the boat that leads to a release when the pre-set danger angle is exceeded.
  • the towing rope loop is attached to the attachment hook when the towing rope is used, so the towing hook will always be in the direction of the towing rope, both horizontally and vertically.
  • the towing hook is made so that the towing wire can run through a groove in the middle of the fastening hook.
  • a release system is provided on a supply boat or tugboat, where the release system comprises a towing hook rotatably mounted and equipped with a fastening hook for receiving a towing rope, in that the fastening hook is equipped to receive an open, through-running groove for receiving a towing wire that runs to a winch.
  • the towing hook comprises one or more sensors which register the vertical and/or horizontal angular direction, and hence the direction, of the towing hook relative to the boat, where said sensors are connected to a control unit which, based on the registered angular directions of the towing hook, is arranged to activate a release mechanism on the towing hook to release the towing wire from the fastening hook or to activate a release mechanism on the winch that lets out the towing wire.
  • the fastening hook of the towing hook comprises two upwardly projecting hook parts for forming the open, through-running groove lying between two said hook parts, where a bolt runs between the two upwardly connecting hook parts of the fastening hook, as the bolt is removable to permit insertion or removal of the towing wire in the through-running track.
  • the fastening hook of the towing hook is preferably rotatably mounted on a support shaft, where the rotational movement of the support hook is locked or released by the release mechanism.
  • the fastening hook of the towing hook is preferably rotatably mounted on a support shaft, and the fastening hook comprises a first wire disc in the through- running groove, where the first wire disc is mounted on said support shaft.
  • the support shaft can be located on the towing hook in an area below the towing rope placement on the towing hook, whereby a lower part of the fastening hook and the first wire disc lies in an opening or recess in the towing hook.
  • a second wire disc can be mounted on the detachable bolt that runs between the two upwardly extending hook parts of the fastening hook.
  • a head and a fastening nut of the bolt can, when in use, be detachable recessed in a respective recess on an outside of the two hook parts.
  • the towing hook comprises an articulated rotatably turning arm which is mounted on a support shaft equipped with the sensor for registration of the horizontal position of the towing hook and which, in an articulated connection, comprises a rotatable shaft equipped with the sensor for registration of the vertical position of the towing hook.
  • the towing hook can comprise a first block disc for guiding the towing wire on to the winch, where the block disc, in one embodiment, is mounted on the same support shaft as the towing hook.
  • the towing hook can comprise a first block disc for leading the towing wire on to the winch, where the block disc is mounted such that it can flip on a horizontal shaft on the towing hook and follows the movement of the towing hook in the horizontal plane.
  • the release system can also comprise a second block disc to guide the towing wire to the winch.
  • the release mechanism on the winch can comprise a locking bolt or ratchet mechanism which can be activated by the control unit based on registered angular directions of the towing hook.
  • the release mechanism on the towing hook can comprise a ratchet mechanism which can be activated by the steering unit based on registered angular directions of the towing hook.
  • the steering unit can be connected to one or more sensors for registration of the tilting angle and trim angle of the boat and where the steering unit releases the winch automatically at dangerous tilting and trimming.
  • Figure 1 shows a towing hook that is included in the system according to the invention, seen from the side.
  • Figure 2 shows a plane view of the towing hook which is part of the invention.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show an end outline of the towing hook.
  • Figure 5 shows a partial section of the towing hook fitted with a towing rope.
  • Figure 6 shows the system according to the invention seen from the side, where the towing hook is fitted with a towing wire.
  • FIG. 7 shows the corresponding system according to the invention, seen from above.
  • Releasers for towing hooks come in many variants, both pneumatic, hydraulic and purely mechanical, such as cord pulls. Common to all is that some form of device is used to release the fastening hook, wheel or fastener itself, which holds the towing rope so that it is released. The releaser can be operated or activated from the wheelhouse or other suitable places on the boat. The releaser is therefore not further explained in the present application, as a releaser for a towing hook is considered known to a person skilled in the art.
  • towing hook the entire pivotable unit
  • hook itself to which the loop of the towing rope is attached
  • attachment/fastening hook A release system according to the invention will comprise a towing hook, discs, winch and releasers, etc.
  • towing wire is meant a load-bearing wire, cables or the like.
  • the towing hook 10 comprises a swinging arm or a turning arm 30 which is mounted on the supply boat or towing boat (not shown) in a support shaft 22 which allows rotatable movement of the towing hook in a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the towing hook 10 is moved up and down in a vertical plane in that the turning arm 30 comprises an articulated connection with a rotatable shaft 24. Alternatively, the support shaft 22 can be arranged for said vertical movement.
  • the support shaft 22 and possibly the rotatable shaft 24 are equipped with sensors 60,62 for registering angular directions, and hence the direction of the towing hook 10, that is the position of the towing hook 10 in relation to the boat.
  • the sensors can be, for example, magnetometers or corresponding sensors for the registration of angular directions.
  • the loop of the towing rope 34 is attached to the fastening hook 12 when the towing rope is used, as shown in figure 5, so that the towing hook 10 will always be in the direction of the towing rope both horizontally and vertically.
  • the corresponding towing hook 10 will stand in the direction of the towing wire 36 both horizontally and vertically when a towing wire 36 from a winch 40 is used, as shown in figures 6 and 7.
  • a first block disc 32 is also arranged, where the block disc lies on the turning arm 30 of the towing hook 10.
  • the first block disc 32 guides the towing wire 36 on to a second block disc 42 located at a distance from the towing hook 10, whereupon the towing wire 36, possibly via other block discs or similar, is guided to the winch 40.
  • the first block disc 32 on the towing hook 10 can be mounted to follow the towing hook in the horizontal plane but can flip, i.e. be tiltable, about a horizontal shaft such that the towing wire 36 can be guided straight into the winch 40, which can then stand some distance vertically over the towing hook 10.
  • the sensors 60,62 are connected to a control unit 50 which, based on registered angular directions of the towing hook 10, can trigger a release mechanism 28 on the towing hook 10.
  • the connection to the control unit can be a wired connection with wires 52,54 or be wireless.
  • the control unit 50 can also be any logic circuit or programmable unit suitable for the purpose.
  • the release mechanism 28 is, in this case, shown as a ratchet mechanism with a lever which can be activated but can, as mentioned, be any known type of release mechanism.
  • control unit 50 can also be connected to sensors 64 which are independent of the vertical angle of the towing hook 10, for registration of the tilt angle and the trim angle when the boat is working on tasks such as, for example, anchor handling, where the towing wire 36 points downwards into the sea and does not affect the vertical angle of the towing hook 10.
  • sensors 64 which are independent of the vertical angle of the towing hook 10, for registration of the tilt angle and the trim angle when the boat is working on tasks such as, for example, anchor handling, where the towing wire 36 points downwards into the sea and does not affect the vertical angle of the towing hook 10.
  • the fastening hook 12 of the towing hook 10 acts as a normal hook to receive the loop of the towing rope 34.
  • the fastening hook is equipped with a double hook in the sense that the fastening hook 12 comprises upwardly projecting/outwardly projecting hook parts 12a, 12b so that an open groove 14 or slot between the hook parts is formed, as shown in figures 3 and 4.
  • a first wire disc 16 is inserted into the groove 14 of the fastening hook 12, on the same rotatable bolt 18 for the fastening hook 12, but so that the wire disc is hidden in the groove 14 and does not come into contact with the towing rope 34 when this is used.
  • the rotatable bolt 18 is placed so that the lower part of the fastening hook 12 and the wire disc 16 lie in an opening or recess 26 in the outer end of the turning arm 30.
  • the wire disc 16 is inserted so that the towing wire 36 will slide easily through the fastening hook groove 14 without wear on the fastening hook anywhere.
  • a detachable barrier in the form of a bolt 20 or the like can be mounted, possibly also with a corresponding second wire disc 21.
  • Figure 3 shows the fastening hook 12 with the second wire disc 21 fitted on the bolt 20, while figure 4 shows the fastening hook 12 without the second wire disc 21.
  • the bolt 20, or the bolt 20 together with the second wire disc 21 thus make up the detachable barrier.
  • the detachable bolt 20 is there to be able to be removed and make it possible to remove the towing wire 36 when the towing rope 34 shall be used and so that the towing hook 10 shall follow with the towing wire 36 vertically to the direction of the towing wire when used.
  • the bolt 20 ends in the form of a head and nuts are preferably mounted countersunk on a respective outside of the fastening bolt 12 so that it will not be able to cause wear on a towing rope 34 when used.
  • the winch drum 44 comprises a locking bolt or release mechanism corresponding to that of the towing hook, which holds the winch 40 until it is released by the automatic release system, or when the winch 40 is to be driven manually. This allows the winch 40 to hold all the towing forces it can be exposed to without the brake being applied.
  • the winch may be equipped with a water brake to control and regulate the speed when released.
  • the release mechanism on the winch 40 is connected to the control unit 50 in a wired connection with a wire 56 or is wirelessly connected.
  • the winch 40 only needs to have a small, limited traction force and can be used for in and out winding of the towing wire 36 when connecting and disconnecting the towing object and can have an automatic brake that works when it shall be driven and the towing safety is automatically disengaged.
  • the winch 40 can therefore be small and simple but should have a spooling device and should have its own separate empty zone at the end of the drum where the last 3-4 turns are laid before locking the winch drum 44, so that the towing wire is not damaged by large loads.
  • the towing wire end can be secured to the winch drum only for the permitted towing force so that it is released if the towing wire runs out to the end with too much force during automatic release.
  • the block discs 32,42 shown are preferably positioned so that the direction of the towing wire 36 in relation to the direction of the block disc is always the same regardless of the direction of the towing hook 10 and towards the winch drum 44 so that the towing wire, block discs, towing hook or winch are not exposed to undesired wear or influencing on the movement of the towing hook.
  • Control of the release system is executed with the help of the sensor 62 for horizontal movement of the hook and the sensor 60 for vertical movement of the towing hook, relative to the boat, located in the shafts 22,24 for the horizontal and vertical rotation of the towing hook 10.
  • the signals go to the control unit 50, which controls and regulates the release of the towing hook 10 and the winch 40.
  • the advantage with this is that the vertical exit angle of the towing unit depending on the length of the towing unit and the height of the attachment point on the towing unit can be easily reset by pressing registration with a button when the towing unit is tightened so that the danger angles are adjusted automatically in relation to this.
  • manual mechanical release is arranged in the usual way for both the towing hook and winch with automatic selection of what is triggered based on what is used, towing hook or winch.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Fats And Perfumes (AREA)

Abstract

Release system on a supply boat or tugboat comprising a towing hook (10) rotatably mounted and which is provided with a fastening hook (12) for receiving a towing rope (34), the fastening hook (12) is equipped with an open, through-running groove (14) for receiving a towing wire (36) which runs to a winch (40). The towing hook (10) comprises one or more sensors which register the vertical and/or horizontal angular direction of the towing hook relative to the boat, said sensors are connected to a control unit (50) which, based on registered angular directions to the towing hook (10), is arranged to activate a release mechanism (28) on the towing hook (10) for releasing the towing rope (34) from the fastening hook (12) or to activate a release mechanism on the winch (40) which releases the towing wire (36).

Description

A release system for a supply boat or tugboat Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a release system for a supply boat or tugboat having a towing hook rotatably mounted and which is fitted with a fastening hook for receiving a towing rope, where the fastening hook is equipped with an open, through-running groove for receiving a towing wire which runs to a winch.
Background to the invention
It is a requirement that supply boats or tugboats shall be equipped with an emergency release for releasing the towing hook. If the load on the towing rope becomes too large or the angle between the tugboat and the towing rope becomes incorrect, the tugboat can tilt and be pulled around as it capsizes, with tragic consequences.
For example, a tugboat with a towing rope attached to the tow can be about to turn to get the stern in the direction of travel, and suddenly an acceleration is generated in the tow. Many tugboats do not have stability reserves to withstand the force generated in the tow rope as it tightens across the transverse side. Lack of stability reserves can be due to the towing arrangement which has an effective attachment point of the towing connection approximately amidships and in the centre of the vessel. This makes the tugboat vulnerable to large tilting and capsizing. In such cases, it can be fatal if the emergency release for the towing hook is too far from the maneuvering position. Although the towing connection can be triggered from the current steering position for the boat, this will not remove all hazards.
New Norwegian Regulations require that tugboats and similar vessels shall withstand being pulled transversely through the water at a speed of five knots. The requirement focuses on the attachment point of the towing connection for both longships and transverse ships. The location of the attachment point can thus largely be determined based on the vessel's basic stability.
Discussion of prior art
US 2005284355 A1 shows a rotatable arm equipped with a hook for receiving a mooring line. A second "heaving line" is used to pull the mooring line through a guide collar and through a groove in the hook and over the hook so that the mooring line is hooked securely onto the hook. EP 0176189 A1 shows a tug with a towing hook mounted at the outer end of a towing arm, the inner end of which is mounted on the main deck of the tug in a manner such that the arm can swivel above the main deck from one side to the other side of the tug about an upright axis under the control of a power-operated driving mechanism. The tow line passes through a fairlead and then to the drum of a self tensioning winch. The drive to the arm augments the steering capability and the characteristics of the winch keep the power required for the drive within controlled limits. The arm is also pivoted about a horizontal axis so that it can swing upwards and downwards and is mounted on a platform, mounted on a carriage which is movable fore and aft on rails on the main deck. These movements of the arm are also controlled by power mechanisms and they adjust the position of the point of action of the tow line in such a way that in whatever direction the tow line extends, even exactly athwartships from the tug, the line of action of the pull in the tow line produces only a small capsizing moment upon the tug.
Object of the present invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a release system which is to release the towing hook in case of danger of the tugboat capsizing due to excessive tilting and/or trim angle in towing caused by the towing.
The trigger system according to the invention shall, in principle, not be affected by rolling and stamping due to waves. This is achieved by the release system only reacting to the angle between the towing rope/hook and the towboat’s longitudinal and transverse vertical axis. The angle between the towing line and the towboats vertical axis for release can be adjusted and can be different for the angles in the horizontal plane so that there can be one angle for trimming, and another for tilting, with a stepless continuous transition.
It is further an object that the release system, on the same basis as mentioned above, releases a towing wire that runs through the towing hook.
In combination, it is thus an object to provide a towing hook that can lock the towing wire to the hook, so it behaves similar regardless if the towing rope is in the hook or the towing wire runs through the hook, such that registration of the hook movements is the same to provide the automatic release. Summary of the invention
The towing hook, according to the invention, is designed to be used both with an ordinary tow rope and with wire from a winch and can also be used with a release system described in WO2019/098845 A1 (corresponding to N0343539 B1) in both configurations. At least some of the sensors can, in this case, be designed as described in said WO2019/098845 A1.
When used with a towing rope, the release system, according to the invention, automatically releases the towing hook's attachment hook and releases the towing rope at a pre-set danger angle, but when using a towing wire, the release system releases a drum on a winch at a pre-set danger angle.
It is the vertical angle of the towing hook in relation to the vertical axis of the boat that leads to a release when the pre-set danger angle is exceeded. The towing rope loop is attached to the attachment hook when the towing rope is used, so the towing hook will always be in the direction of the towing rope, both horizontally and vertically. For the same to happen when a towing wire from a winch is used, the towing hook, according to the invention, is made so that the towing wire can run through a groove in the middle of the fastening hook.
According to the invention, a release system is provided on a supply boat or tugboat, where the release system comprises a towing hook rotatably mounted and equipped with a fastening hook for receiving a towing rope, in that the fastening hook is equipped to receive an open, through-running groove for receiving a towing wire that runs to a winch. The towing hook comprises one or more sensors which register the vertical and/or horizontal angular direction, and hence the direction, of the towing hook relative to the boat, where said sensors are connected to a control unit which, based on the registered angular directions of the towing hook, is arranged to activate a release mechanism on the towing hook to release the towing wire from the fastening hook or to activate a release mechanism on the winch that lets out the towing wire. The fastening hook of the towing hook comprises two upwardly projecting hook parts for forming the open, through-running groove lying between two said hook parts, where a bolt runs between the two upwardly connecting hook parts of the fastening hook, as the bolt is removable to permit insertion or removal of the towing wire in the through-running track. The fastening hook of the towing hook is preferably rotatably mounted on a support shaft, where the rotational movement of the support hook is locked or released by the release mechanism.
Furthermore, the fastening hook of the towing hook is preferably rotatably mounted on a support shaft, and the fastening hook comprises a first wire disc in the through- running groove, where the first wire disc is mounted on said support shaft.
The support shaft can be located on the towing hook in an area below the towing rope placement on the towing hook, whereby a lower part of the fastening hook and the first wire disc lies in an opening or recess in the towing hook.
Furthermore, a second wire disc can be mounted on the detachable bolt that runs between the two upwardly extending hook parts of the fastening hook.
A head and a fastening nut of the bolt can, when in use, be detachable recessed in a respective recess on an outside of the two hook parts.
In one embodiment, the towing hook comprises an articulated rotatably turning arm which is mounted on a support shaft equipped with the sensor for registration of the horizontal position of the towing hook and which, in an articulated connection, comprises a rotatable shaft equipped with the sensor for registration of the vertical position of the towing hook.
The towing hook can comprise a first block disc for guiding the towing wire on to the winch, where the block disc, in one embodiment, is mounted on the same support shaft as the towing hook.
In another embodiment, the towing hook can comprise a first block disc for leading the towing wire on to the winch, where the block disc is mounted such that it can flip on a horizontal shaft on the towing hook and follows the movement of the towing hook in the horizontal plane.
The release system can also comprise a second block disc to guide the towing wire to the winch. The release mechanism on the winch can comprise a locking bolt or ratchet mechanism which can be activated by the control unit based on registered angular directions of the towing hook.
Correspondingly, the release mechanism on the towing hook can comprise a ratchet mechanism which can be activated by the steering unit based on registered angular directions of the towing hook.
Furthermore, the steering unit can be connected to one or more sensors for registration of the tilting angle and trim angle of the boat and where the steering unit releases the winch automatically at dangerous tilting and trimming.
Description of figures
Preferred embodiments of the invention shall, in the following, be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 shows a towing hook that is included in the system according to the invention, seen from the side.
Figure 2 shows a plane view of the towing hook which is part of the invention. Figures 3 and 4 show an end outline of the towing hook.
Figure 5 shows a partial section of the towing hook fitted with a towing rope. Figure 6 shows the system according to the invention seen from the side, where the towing hook is fitted with a towing wire.
Figure 7 shows the corresponding system according to the invention, seen from above.
Description of preferred embodiments of the invention
Releasers for towing hooks come in many variants, both pneumatic, hydraulic and purely mechanical, such as cord pulls. Common to all is that some form of device is used to release the fastening hook, wheel or fastener itself, which holds the towing rope so that it is released. The releaser can be operated or activated from the wheelhouse or other suitable places on the boat. The releaser is therefore not further explained in the present application, as a releaser for a towing hook is considered known to a person skilled in the art.
In the present description and claims, the entire pivotable unit is called a towing hook, while the hook itself, to which the loop of the towing rope is attached, is called an attachment/fastening hook. A release system according to the invention will comprise a towing hook, discs, winch and releasers, etc. By towing wire is meant a load-bearing wire, cables or the like.
The towing hook 10 comprises a swinging arm or a turning arm 30 which is mounted on the supply boat or towing boat (not shown) in a support shaft 22 which allows rotatable movement of the towing hook in a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the towing hook 10 is moved up and down in a vertical plane in that the turning arm 30 comprises an articulated connection with a rotatable shaft 24. Alternatively, the support shaft 22 can be arranged for said vertical movement. The support shaft 22 and possibly the rotatable shaft 24 are equipped with sensors 60,62 for registering angular directions, and hence the direction of the towing hook 10, that is the position of the towing hook 10 in relation to the boat. The sensors can be, for example, magnetometers or corresponding sensors for the registration of angular directions. The loop of the towing rope 34 is attached to the fastening hook 12 when the towing rope is used, as shown in figure 5, so that the towing hook 10 will always be in the direction of the towing rope both horizontally and vertically. With the invention the corresponding towing hook 10 will stand in the direction of the towing wire 36 both horizontally and vertically when a towing wire 36 from a winch 40 is used, as shown in figures 6 and 7.
On said support shaft 22, a first block disc 32 is also arranged, where the block disc lies on the turning arm 30 of the towing hook 10. The first block disc 32 guides the towing wire 36 on to a second block disc 42 located at a distance from the towing hook 10, whereupon the towing wire 36, possibly via other block discs or similar, is guided to the winch 40.
The first block disc 32 on the towing hook 10 can be mounted to follow the towing hook in the horizontal plane but can flip, i.e. be tiltable, about a horizontal shaft such that the towing wire 36 can be guided straight into the winch 40, which can then stand some distance vertically over the towing hook 10.
The sensors 60,62 are connected to a control unit 50 which, based on registered angular directions of the towing hook 10, can trigger a release mechanism 28 on the towing hook 10. The connection to the control unit can be a wired connection with wires 52,54 or be wireless. The control unit 50 can also be any logic circuit or programmable unit suitable for the purpose. The release mechanism 28 is, in this case, shown as a ratchet mechanism with a lever which can be activated but can, as mentioned, be any known type of release mechanism.
However, the control unit 50 can also be connected to sensors 64 which are independent of the vertical angle of the towing hook 10, for registration of the tilt angle and the trim angle when the boat is working on tasks such as, for example, anchor handling, where the towing wire 36 points downwards into the sea and does not affect the vertical angle of the towing hook 10. By coupling in these sensors 64 during such work, the control unit 50 of the release system will then be able to ensure that the winch 40 is triggered automatically in the event of dangerous tilting and trimming during these operations.
The fastening hook 12 of the towing hook 10 acts as a normal hook to receive the loop of the towing rope 34. To be able to receive a towing wire 36 that runs to the winch 40 the fastening hook is equipped with a double hook in the sense that the fastening hook 12 comprises upwardly projecting/outwardly projecting hook parts 12a, 12b so that an open groove 14 or slot between the hook parts is formed, as shown in figures 3 and 4.
In the lower part of the fastening hook 12 between the two hook parts 12a, 12b, a first wire disc 16 is inserted into the groove 14 of the fastening hook 12, on the same rotatable bolt 18 for the fastening hook 12, but so that the wire disc is hidden in the groove 14 and does not come into contact with the towing rope 34 when this is used. The rotatable bolt 18 is placed so that the lower part of the fastening hook 12 and the wire disc 16 lie in an opening or recess 26 in the outer end of the turning arm 30.
The wire disc 16 is inserted so that the towing wire 36 will slide easily through the fastening hook groove 14 without wear on the fastening hook anywhere.
Between the two hook parts 12a, 12b, in an area above where the towing wire 36 will lie in the groove 14, a detachable barrier in the form of a bolt 20 or the like can be mounted, possibly also with a corresponding second wire disc 21. Figure 3 shows the fastening hook 12 with the second wire disc 21 fitted on the bolt 20, while figure 4 shows the fastening hook 12 without the second wire disc 21. The bolt 20, or the bolt 20 together with the second wire disc 21 , thus make up the detachable barrier. The detachable bolt 20 is there to be able to be removed and make it possible to remove the towing wire 36 when the towing rope 34 shall be used and so that the towing hook 10 shall follow with the towing wire 36 vertically to the direction of the towing wire when used. The bolt 20 ends in the form of a head and nuts are preferably mounted countersunk on a respective outside of the fastening bolt 12 so that it will not be able to cause wear on a towing rope 34 when used.
When towing with towing rope 34, the towing force goes directly to the towing hook 10, while with towing wire 36 the towing forces go directly via the block discs 32,42 to the winch drum 44 of the winch 40. The winch drum 44 comprises a locking bolt or release mechanism corresponding to that of the towing hook, which holds the winch 40 until it is released by the automatic release system, or when the winch 40 is to be driven manually. This allows the winch 40 to hold all the towing forces it can be exposed to without the brake being applied. The winch may be equipped with a water brake to control and regulate the speed when released. The release mechanism on the winch 40 is connected to the control unit 50 in a wired connection with a wire 56 or is wirelessly connected.
The winch 40 only needs to have a small, limited traction force and can be used for in and out winding of the towing wire 36 when connecting and disconnecting the towing object and can have an automatic brake that works when it shall be driven and the towing safety is automatically disengaged. The winch 40 can therefore be small and simple but should have a spooling device and should have its own separate empty zone at the end of the drum where the last 3-4 turns are laid before locking the winch drum 44, so that the towing wire is not damaged by large loads. The towing wire end can be secured to the winch drum only for the permitted towing force so that it is released if the towing wire runs out to the end with too much force during automatic release.
The block discs 32,42 shown, are preferably positioned so that the direction of the towing wire 36 in relation to the direction of the block disc is always the same regardless of the direction of the towing hook 10 and towards the winch drum 44 so that the towing wire, block discs, towing hook or winch are not exposed to undesired wear or influencing on the movement of the towing hook.
Control of the release system is executed with the help of the sensor 62 for horizontal movement of the hook and the sensor 60 for vertical movement of the towing hook, relative to the boat, located in the shafts 22,24 for the horizontal and vertical rotation of the towing hook 10. The signals go to the control unit 50, which controls and regulates the release of the towing hook 10 and the winch 40. The advantage with this is that the vertical exit angle of the towing unit depending on the length of the towing unit and the height of the attachment point on the towing unit can be easily reset by pressing registration with a button when the towing unit is tightened so that the danger angles are adjusted automatically in relation to this. In addition, manual mechanical release is arranged in the usual way for both the towing hook and winch with automatic selection of what is triggered based on what is used, towing hook or winch.

Claims

Claims
1. A release system on a supply boat or tugboat, wherein the release system comprises a towing hook (10) rotatably mounted and provided with a fastening hook (12) for receiving a towing rope (34), where the fastening hook (12) is equipped with an open, through-running groove (14) for receiving a towing wire (36) that runs to a winch (40), characterised in that the towing hook (10) comprises one or more sensors (60,62) which register a vertical and/or horizontal angular direction of the towing hook (10) relative to the boat, wherein said sensor(s) (60,62) is/are connected to a control unit (50) which, based on registered angular direction of the towing hook (10), is arranged to activate a release mechanism (28) on the towing hook (10) for release of the towing rope (34) from the fastening hook (12) or to activate a release mechanism on the winch (40) which releases the towing wire (36), and the fastening hook (12) of the towing hook (10) comprises two upwardly projecting hook parts (12a, 12b) for forming the open, through-running grove (14) lying between said hook parts (12a, 12b), where a bolt (20) runs between the two upwardly projecting hook parts (12a, 12b) of the fastening hook (12), said bolt (20) is removable to allow insertion or removal of the towing wire (36) in the through-running groove (14).
2. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the fastening hook (12) of the towing hook (10) is rotatably mounted on a support shaft (18), and the rotational movement of the fastening hook (12) is locked or released by the release mechanism (28).
3. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the fastening hook (12) of the towing hook (10) is rotatably mounted on a support shaft (18), and that the fastening hook (12) comprises a first wire disc (16) in the through-running groove (14), where the first wire disc (16) is mounted on said support shaft (18).
4. The release system according to claim 3, characterised in that the support shaft (18) is located on the towing hook (10) in an area below the position of the towing rope (34) on the towing hook (10), whereby a lower part of the fastening hook (12) and the first wire disc (16 ) is located in an opening or recess (26) in the towing hook (10).
5. The release system according to claim 1, characterised in that a second wire disc (21) is mounted on the bolt (20) which runs between the two hook parts
(12a, 12b).
6. The release system according to claim 1, characterised in that a head and a fastening nut of the bolt (20), when in use, are detachable recessed in a respective recess on an outside of the two hook parts (12a, 12b).
7. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the towing hook (10) comprises an articulated turning arm (30) which is mounted on a support shaft (22) equipped with the sensor (62) for registration of the horizontal position of the towing hook (10) and which, in an articulated connection, comprises a rotatable shaft (24) provided with the sensor (60) for registration of the vertical position of the towing hook (10).
8. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the towing hook (10) comprises a first block disc (32) for guiding the towing wire (36) further to the winch (40), where the block disc (32) is mounted on the same support shaft (22) as the towing hook (10).
9. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the towing hook (10) comprises a first block disc (32) for guiding the towing wire (36) further to the winch (40), where the block disc (32) is mounted tiltable about a horizontal shaft on the towing hook and follows the movement of the towing hook (10) in the horizontal plane.
10. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a second block disc (42) for guiding the towing wire (36) to the winch (40).
11. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the release mechanism on the winch (40) comprises a locking bolt or ratchet mechanism which can be activated by the control unit (50) based on registered angular directions of the towing hook (10).
12. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the release mechanism (28) on the towing hook (10) comprises a latch mechanism which can be activated by the control unit (50) based on registered angular directions of the towing hook (10).
13. The release system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the control unit (50) is connected to one or more sensors (64) for detecting the tilt angle and trim angle of the boat, and wherein the control unit (50) releases the winch (40) automatically in the event of dangerous tilting and trimming.
EP21808597.5A 2020-05-20 2021-05-20 A release system for a supply boat or tugboat Pending EP4168303A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20200598A NO346340B1 (en) 2020-05-20 2020-05-20 Release system for a supply or tug boat.
PCT/NO2021/050125 WO2021235943A1 (en) 2020-05-20 2021-05-20 A release system for a supply boat or tugboat

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4168303A1 true EP4168303A1 (en) 2023-04-26

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ID=78707478

Family Applications (1)

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EP21808597.5A Pending EP4168303A1 (en) 2020-05-20 2021-05-20 A release system for a supply boat or tugboat

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP4168303A1 (en)
NO (1) NO346340B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2021235943A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114421235B (en) * 2022-03-28 2022-07-05 武汉中科海讯电子科技有限公司 Automatic butt joint and release device for towing cables
CN114802600B (en) * 2022-05-12 2023-06-23 中船黄埔文冲船舶有限公司 Supporting component of spring towing hook and ship

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1597156A (en) * 1971-07-14 1981-09-03 Brown Lenox & Co Ltd Hook assembly
JPS6023279Y2 (en) * 1980-05-09 1985-07-10 日立造船株式会社 tag line locking device
SU1257013A2 (en) * 1984-01-09 1986-09-15 Предприятие П/Я В-8745 Follow-up system for automatic casting of ship towing hook
EP0174067A1 (en) * 1984-08-17 1986-03-12 Faredoon Rustom Mistry Tug for rendering assistance to a larger vessel
JPS62240292A (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-10-21 カヤバ工業株式会社 Connector for tag rope
AUPS221402A0 (en) * 2002-05-09 2002-06-06 Harbour & Marine Engineering Pty Ltd Mooring line feeder guide box

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2021235943A1 (en) 2021-11-25
NO346340B1 (en) 2022-06-13
NO20200598A1 (en) 2021-11-22

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