EP4588773A1

EP4588773A1 - Translation system for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a ship's garage

Info

Publication number: EP4588773A1
Application number: EP25153204.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio Seminatore
Original assignee: Setec SpA
Current assignee: Setec SpA
Priority date: 2024-01-22
Filing date: 2025-01-21
Publication date: 2025-07-23
Also published as: IT202400001125A1

Abstract

Translation system (10) for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a garage of a ship, wherein the garage comprises a floor, a ceiling and a door, provided for the passage of said tender, wherein said system (10) comprises:
first stationary support and guide means (11), comprising fixed support means (11.1), fixed with respect to said ceiling, and first guide means (11.2), wherein:
said fixed support means (11.1) comprise at least two support plates (11.10), fixed and opposite each other, arranged in respective planes parallel to the vertical median plane of said door and configured to support, respectively, said first guide means (11.2) in a substantially symmetrical arrangement with respect to the vertical median plane of said door;
at least one first slide (12), configured to slide with respect to said first guide means (11.2) of said first support and guide means (11), wherein:
said at least one first slide (12) comprises at least two side members (12.1) guided in a sliding manner with respect to said first guide means (11.2) in a direction substantially parallel to said vertical median plane of said door, parallel to said floor;
first translation control means (13) of said at least one first slide (12) with respect to said first guide means (11.2), between a rest position, wherein said at least one first slide (12) is contained at the area of said floor, and a working position, wherein said at least one first slide (12) is partially extended beyond said door;
at least one second slide (14), configured to slide along said at least two side members (12.1) of said at least one first slide (12), between a rest position, wherein said at least one second slide (14) is arranged at the area of said floor, and a working position, wherein said at least one second slide (14) is arranged at least in part beyond said door, wherein:
said at least one second slide (14) supports lifting and lowering means (15) of a tender with respect to said floor, configured as electric hoist;
second translation control means (16) of said at least one second slide (14) along said at least two side members (12.1), between said rest position and said working position, characterized in that said first guide means (11.2) comprise:
a plurality of rollers (17) which are mounted idle on respective axes orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door and which are supported by respective roller carrier means (17.1), connected to a respective of said at least two support plates (11.10), wherein said roller carrier means (17.1) are connected to the respective support plate (11.10) in a manner oscillating around a respective axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door.

Description

The present invention relates to a translation system for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a ship's garage.
The following documents provide technical teachings related to a system of the type specified above:

EP 3 636 537 A1 ;
Autor Des Seiteninhaites: 'Recirculating Ball Bearing Guide MK Technology Group', 4 February 2023 (2023-02-04), XP0931 93890. Retrieved from the internet:
URL:https://web.archive.org/web/20230204032048/https://www.mkgroup.com/en/prod ucts/conveyor-technology/linear-technology/recirculating-ball-bearing.html.

An object of the present invention is to provide a translation system for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a ship's garage, which always ensures safe and correct operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system as specified, which always allows for the possibility of manual intervention by an operator in case of system failure. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system as specified, which is protected against wear and corrosion due to marine salt.
In view of these objects, the present invention provides a translation system for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a ship's garage, whose essential feature is the subject of claim 1.
Other advantageous features are the subject of dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective overall view of the translation system for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a ship's garage, in a version where guide means of a first slide include rollers, said overall view being detailed in the following figures:
- Fig. 2 side elevation view of the system in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 plan view of the system in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4 longitudinal section view of the system in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 5 first transverse section view of the system in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 6 second transverse section view of the system in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 7 third transverse section view of the system in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 8 longitudinal section view of the system in Fig. 1 with omitted parts;
- Fig. 9 detailed perspective view at a larger scale of roller guide means of the system in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 10 detailed view at a larger scale of a structural element of the system in Fig. 1;
Fig. 11 is a perspective overall view of the translation system for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a ship's garage, in a variant where the guide means of a first slide include runner blocks, said overall view being detailed in the following figures:
- Fig. 12 side elevation view of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 13 plan view of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 14 longitudinal plan section view of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 15 longitudinal section view of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 16 first transverse section view of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 17 detailed perspective view at a larger scale of runner block guide means of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 18 second transverse section view of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 19 longitudinal section view of the system in Fig. 11 with omitted parts;
- Fig. 20 detailed view at a larger scale of a structural element of the system in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 21 schematic section view of connection means of structural elements of the system according to the invention;
- Fig. 22 perspective view of a component of the means in Fig. 21.

Referring to the drawings, 10 denotes the translation system for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a ship's garage according to the invention, wherein the garage comprises a floor, a ceiling, and a door, provided for the passage of said tender. Said tender at rest is, for example, placed on said floor.
The system 10 comprises:

first stationary support and guide means 11, comprising fixed support means 11.1, fixed with respect to said ceiling, and first guide means 11.2, wherein:
said fixed support means 11.1 comprise at least two support plates 11.10, fixed and opposite each other, arranged in respective planes parallel to the vertical median plane of said door and configured to support each the respective first guide means 11.2 in a substantially symmetrical arrangement with respect to the vertical median plane of said door. Said plates are rigidly connected by means of a plurality of cross members;
at least one first slide 12, configured to slide with respect to said first guide means 11.2 of said first support and guide means 11, wherein:
said at least one first slide 12 comprises at least two side members 12.1 guided in a sliding manner with respect to said first guide means 11.2 in a direction substantially parallel to said vertical median plane of said door, parallel to said floor. Said at least two side members 12.1 comprise a respective extruded aluminum profile with hard anodizing treatment and are rigidly connected by means of a plurality of cross members and respective front and rear end plates, so that said at least one first slide 12 is configured as a frame and said rear plate is distal with respect to said door;
first translation control means 13 of said at least one first slide 12 with respect to said first guide means 11.2, between a rest position, wherein said at least one first slide 12 is contained at the area of said floor, and a working position, wherein said at least one first slide 12 extends partially beyond said door;
at least one second slide 14, configured to slide along said at least two side members 12.1 of said at least one first slide 12, between a rest position, wherein said at least one second slide 14 is arranged at the area of said floor, and a working position, wherein said at least one second slide 14 is arranged at least in part beyond said door, wherein:
said at least one second slide 14 supports lifting and lowering means 15 of a tender with respect to said floor, configured as an electric hoist;
second translation control means 16 of said at least one second slide 14 along said at least two side members 12.1, between said rest position and said working position.

According to the invention, said first guide means 11.2 comprise:
a plurality of rollers 17, which are mounted idle on respective axes orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door and which are supported by means of respective roller carrier means 17.1, connected to a respective of said at least two support plates 11.10, wherein said roller carrier means 17.1, for example, plate-shaped, are connected to the respective support plate 11.10 in a manner oscillating around a respective axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door.
According to a variant not falling within the invention, said first guide means 11.2 comprise a plurality of runner blocks 18, with recirculating balls or rollers, supported by respective runner block carrier means 18.1, connected to a respective of said at least two support plates 11.10.
Said at least two side members 12.1 comprise, on a respective first face opposite to said respective first guide means 11.2:

at least one respective rectilinear longitudinal guide 12.2, extending substantially for the whole of the length and on which at least two of said rollers 17 can slide,
on opposite sides: in particular, each of said roller carrier means 17.1 supports two pairs of rollers 17, wherein one pair of rollers 17 can slidably engage an upper part of said at least one respective rectilinear guide 12.2 and the other pair of rollers 17 can slidably engage a lower part of said at least one respective rectilinear guide 12.2, respectively
at least one rectilinear longitudinal groove 12.3, extending substantially for the whole of the length and in which at least two rollers 17 can slide; in particular,
each of the roller carrier means 17.1 supports two pairs of rollers 17, arranged on opposite sides with respect to said respective axis of oscillation, wherein one pair of rollers 17 can slidably engage an upper part of said at least one guide groove 12.3 and the other pair of rollers 17 can slidably engage a lower part of said at least one guide groove 12.3, wherein:
- said upper part and said lower part of said at least one guide groove 12.3 are each coated by means of a respective wear-resistant reinforcing foil, for example in steel;
- alternatively, at least one respective prismatic rectilinear guide 12.4, configured for slidable coupling with at least one corresponding recirculating ball or roller runner block 18.

Said first translation control means 13 of said at least one first slide 12 comprise:

first electric motor means 13.1, which are provided with flywheel means for manual operation;
first reduction gear means 13.2 mechanically and kinematically connected with respect to said first motor means 13.1, wherein said first reduction gear means 13.2 are connected with respect to said back plate of said at least one first slide 12 by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door;
first trapezoidal worm screw means 13.3, selectively controlled in rotation in one or in the other direction by means of said first motor means 13.1 and said first reduction gear means 13.2, wherein the trapezoidal screw of said first trapezoidal worm screw means 13.3 extends for at least part of the length of said at least two side members 12.1 in a direction parallel to these side members;
first lead screw means 13.4 complementary to said first trapezoidal screw means 13.3, wherein said first lead screw means 13.4 are kinematically coupled with respect to said first trapezoidal screw means 13.3 and are connected with respect to said fixed support means 11.1 (at one of said support plates 11.10) by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door. Said first trapezoidal screw means 13.3 comprise a trapezoidal screw made of aluminum with thick anodizing treatment. The same treatment is applied to said first lead screw means 13.4. Said first reduction gear means 13.2 and said first lead screw means 13.4, mounted oscillating on respective pivots with axes orthogonal to said vertical median plane of the door, ensure correct mutual alignment, in order to avoid flexing of said first worm screw means 13.3 when said at least one first slide 12 and/or said at least one second slide 14 is subjected to load.

It should be noted that the kinematic transmission by means of trapezoidal worm screw means 13.3 is mechanically irreversible. Therefore, in the absence of power supply to said first motor means 13.1, the kinematic system remains stationary. Under these conditions, by manually operating the flywheel of said first electric motor means 13.1, it is possible to obtain the desired movement of said at least one first slide 12. Furthermore, said at least two side members 12.1 comprise, on a respective second face, at least one rectilinear longitudinal groove 12.5, wherein said respective second face is opposite said first face of said at least two side members 12.1 having said at least one rectilinear longitudinal guide 12.2, or at least one rectilinear longitudinal groove 12.3, or at least one prismatic rectilinear guide 12.4.
In particular, said rectilinear longitudinal groove 12.5 has, in cross-section, a lower part with a "V" section and an upper part with an inverted "V" section.
Said at least one second slide 14 is structured as a carriage 14.1, comprising a frame made of aluminum profiles, which supports four wheels 14.2 coated in plastic or rubber material, each having, in diametric section, a profile complementary to that of the section of said rectilinear longitudinal groove 12.5 of said at least two side members 12.1.
Said second translation control means 16 of said at least one second slide 14 comprise: second electric motor means 16.1, which are provided with flywheel means for manual operation;

second reduction gear means 16.2 mechanically and kinematically connected with respect to said second motor means 16.1, wherein said second reduction gear means 16.2 are connected with respect to said rear plate of said at least one first slide 12 by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door;
second trapezoidal worm screw means 16.3, selectively controlled in rotation in one or in the other direction by means of said second motor means 16.1 and said second reduction gear means 16.2, wherein the trapezoidal screw of said second trapezoidal screw means 16.3 extends for at least part of the length of said at least two side members 12.1 in a direction parallel to these side members;
second lead screw means 16.4 complementary to said second trapezoidal screw means 16.3, wherein said second lead screw means 16.4 are kinematically coupled with respect to said second trapezoidal screw means 16.3 and are connected with respect to said at least one second slide 14 by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door.

Said second trapezoidal screw means 16.3 comprise a trapezoidal screw made of aluminum with thick anodizing treatment. The same treatment is applied to said second lead screw means. Said second reduction gear means 16.2 and said second lead screw means 16.4, mounted oscillating on respective pivots with axes orthogonal to said vertical median plane of the door, ensure correct mutual alignment, in order to avoid flexing of the worm screw means 16.3 when said at least one first slide 12 and/or said at least one second slide 14 is subjected to load.
It should be noted that the kinematic transmission by means of trapezoidal worm screw means 16.3 is mechanically irreversible. Therefore, in the absence of power supply to said second motor means 16.1, the kinematic system remains stationary. Under these conditions, by manually operating the flywheel of said second electric motor means 16.1, it is possible to obtain the desired movement of said at least one second slide 14.
Said at least one second slide 14 supports said lifting and lowering means 15 of a tender with respect to said floor, configured as an electric hoist.
It should be noted that both the gear motor assembly for the movement of said at least one first slide 12 and the gear motor assembly for the movement of said at least one second slide 14, which are supported by said rear plate of said at least one first slide 12, remain always inside the structure of the garage during the movement and are therefore always accessible to an operator.
It should also be noted that many of the structural parts described above are made of aluminum, in particular anodized aluminum.
When two aluminum elements are fastened by means of a stainless steel screw in contact with a thread in aluminum, galvanic currents are triggered, which corrode the thread made in the aluminum element.
The invention also intends to remedy the inconvenience that, when one of two aluminum elements, in particular anodized aluminum, has threaded holes for screwing in corresponding screws, the threads made are not protected by anodizing, since it is difficult to obtain correct anodization in the holes.
To this end, the invention is characterized in that it comprises:

a first structural element S1 made of aluminum, preferably anodized aluminum, provided with a first through hole F1, with a diameter corresponding to at least a stem of a stainless-steel screw V;
a second structural element S2 made of aluminum, preferably anodized aluminum, arranged in contact and to be fixed with respect to said first structural element S1 by means of said screw V, and which is provided with a second hole F2, with a diameter corresponding to at least the stem of said screw, axially aligned with the axis of said first hole F1 in said first element, and with a third hole F3, the axis of which is orthogonal to the axes of said first and second holes and which intersects and exceeds said second hole in said second element;
a cylindrical dowel T, configured for insertion into said third hole F3 and having a fourth hole F4, provided in diametric direction, for example a through hole, having a female thread corresponding to the male thread of said screw V,
wherein said dowel T is arranged in said third hole F3 of said second element S2 and the axis of said fourth hole F4 is aligned axially with the axes of said first hole and of said second hole, and said screw V is at least partially inserted in said first hole F1 of said first element S1 and in said second hole F2 of said second element S2, while the threaded stem V1 of said screw V is at least partially engaged by screwing in said fourth threaded hole F4 of said dowel T.

As can be seen from the above, the present invention achieves in a simple and effective manner the objectives set out in the introductory part.

Claims

Translation system (10) for an outboard and inboard tender with respect to a garage of a ship, wherein the garage comprises a floor, a ceiling and a door, provided for the passage of said tender, wherein the system (10) comprises:
- first stationary support and guide means (11), comprising fixed support means (11.1), fixed with respect to said ceiling and first guide means (11.2), wherein:
- said fixed support means (11.1) comprise at least two support plates (11.10), fixed and opposite each other, arranged in respective planes parallel to the vertical median plane of said door and configured to support, respectively, said first guide means (11.2) in an arrangement substantially symmetrical with respect to the vertical median plane of said door;

- at least one first slide (12), configured to slide with respect to said first guide means (11.2) of said first support and guide means (11), wherein:
- said at least one first slide (12) comprises at least two side members (12.1) guided in a manner sliding with respect to said first guide means (11.2) in a direction substantially parallel to said vertical median plane of said door, parallel to said floor;

- first translation control means (13) of said at least one first slide (12) with respect to said first guide means (11.2), between a rest position, wherein said at least one first slide (12) is contained at the area of said floor, and a working position, wherein said at least one first slide (12) extends partially beyond said door;

- at least one second slide (14), configured to slide along said at least two side members (12.1) of said at least one first slide (12), between a rest position, wherein said at least one second slide (14) is arranged at the area of said floor, and a working position, wherein said at least one second slide (14) is arranged at least in part beyond said door, wherein:
- said at least one second slide (14) supports lifting and lowering means (15) of a tender with respect to said floor, configured as electric hoist;

- second translation control means (16) of said at least one second slide (14) along said at least two side members (12.1), between said rest position and said working position, characterized in that said first guide means (11.2) comprise:
- a plurality of rollers (17) which are mounted idle on respective axes orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door and which are supported by means of respective roller carrier means (17.1), connected to a respective of said at least two support plates (11.10), wherein said roller carrier means (17.1) are connected to the respective support plate (11.10) in a manner oscillating around a respective axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door.
System (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two side members (12.1) comprise, on a respective first face opposite said respective first guide means (11.2):
- at least one respective rectilinear longitudinal guide (12.2), extending substantially for the whole of the length and on which at least two of said rollers (17) can slide, on opposite sides, wherein each of said roller carrier means (17.1) supports two pairs of rollers (17), wherein one pair of rollers (17) can slidably engage an upper part of said at least one respective rectilinear guide (12.2) and the other pair of rollers (17) can slidably engage a lower part of said at least one respective rectilinear guide (12.2), or

- at least one rectilinear longitudinal groove (12.3), extending substantially for the whole of the length and in which at least two rollers (17) can slide, wherein each of the roller carrier means (17.1) supports two pairs of rollers (17), arranged on opposite sides with respect to said respective axis of oscillation, wherein one pair of rollers (17) can slidably engage an upper part di said at least one guide groove (12.3) and the other pair of rollers (17) can slidably engage a lower part of said at least one guide groove (12.3), wherein:
- said upper part and said lower part of said at least one guide groove (12.3) are each coated by means of a respective wear-resistant reinforcing foil.
System (10) according to claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that said at least two side members (12.1) comprise a respective extruded aluminium profile with hard anodizing treatment and are rigidly connected to each other by means of a plurality of cross members and respective front and back end plates, so that said at least one first slide (12) is configured as a frame and said back plate is distal with respect to said door.
System (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first translation control means (13) of said at least one first slide (12) comprise:
- first electric motor means (13.1), which are provided with flywheel means for manual operation;

- first reduction gear means (13.2) mechanically and kinematically connected with respect to said first motor means (13.1), wherein said first reduction gear means (13.2) are connected with respect to said back plate of said at least one first slide (12) by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door;

- first trapezoidal worm screw means (13.3), selectively controlled in rotation in one or in the other direction by means of said first motor means (13.1) and said first reduction gear means (13.2), wherein the trapezoidal screw of said first trapezoidal worm screw means (13.3) extends for at least part of the length of said at least two side members (12.1) in a direction parallel to these side members;

- first lead screw means (13.4) complementary to said first trapezoidal screw means (13.3), wherein said first lead screw means (13.4) are kinematically coupled with respect to said first trapezoidal screw means (13.3) and are connected with respect to said fixed support means (11.1), at one of said support plates (11.10), by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door.
System (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first trapezoidal screw means (13.3) and said first lead screw means (13.4) are made of aluminium with thick anodizing treatment.
System (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least two side members (12.1) comprise, on a respective second face, at least one rectilinear longitudinal groove (12.5), wherein said respective second face is opposite said first face of said at least two side members (12.1) having said at least one rectilinear longitudinal guide (12.2), or at least one rectilinear longitudinal groove (12.3), or at least one prismatic rectilinear guide (12.4), wherein:
- said rectilinear longitudinal groove (12.5) has, in cross section, a lower part with "V" section and an upper part with inverted "V" section, and

- said at least one second slide (14) is structured as a carriage (14.1), comprising a frame made of aluminium profiles, which supports four wheels (14.2) coated in plastic or rubber material, each having, in diametrical section, a profile complementary to that of the section of said rectilinear longitudinal groove (12.5) of said at least two side members (12.1).
System (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said second translation control means (16) of said at least one second slide (14) comprise:
- second electric motor means (16.1), which are provided with flywheel means for manual operation;

- second reduction gear means (16.2) mechanically and kinematically connected with respect to said second motor means (16.1), wherein said second reduction gear means (16.2) are connected with respect to said rear plate of said at least one first slide (12) by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door;

- second trapezoidal worm screw means (16.3), selectively controlled in rotation in one or in the other direction by means of said second motor means (16.1) and said second reduction gear means (16.2), wherein the trapezoidal screw of said second trapezoidal screw means (16.3) extends for at least part of the length of said at least two side members (12.1) in a direction parallel to these side members;

- second lead screw means (16.4) complementary to said second trapezoidal screw means (16.3), wherein said second lead screw means (16.4) are kinematically coupled with respect to said second trapezoidal screw means (16.3) and are connected with respect to said at least one second slide (14) by means of a pivot joint in a manner oscillating with respect to an axis orthogonal to said vertical median plane of said door.
System (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the trapezoidal screw of said second trapezoidal screw means (16.3) and said second lead screw means (16.4) are made of aluminium with thick anodizing treatment.
System (10) according to claim 4 and claim 7, characterized in that said back plate of said at least one first slide (12) supports both the gear motor assembly for movement of said at least one first slide (12) and the gear motor assembly for movement of said at least one second slide (14), so that said two gear motor assemblies are arranged inside the structure of the garage during movement and are accessible to an operator at all times.
System (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:
- a first structural element (S1) made of aluminium, preferably anodized aluminium, provided with a first through hole (F1), with a diameter corresponding to at least a stem of a stainless steel screw (V),

- a second structural element (S2) made of aluminium, preferably anodized aluminium, arranged in contact and to be fixed with respect to said first structural element (S1) by means of said screw (V) and which is provided with a second hole (F2), with a diameter corresponding to at least the stem of said screw, axially aligned with the axis of said first hole (F1) in said first element, and with a third hole (F3), the axis of which is orthogonal to the axes of said first and second holes and which intersects and exceeds said second hole in said second element, and

- a cylindrical dowel (T), configured for insertion into said third hole (F3) and having a fourth hole (F4), provided in diametrical direction, for example a through hole, having a female thread corresponding to the male thread of said screw (V),

- wherein said dowel (T) is arranged in said third hole (F3) of said second element (S2) and the axis of said fourth hole (F4) is aligned axially with the axes of said first hole and of said second hole, and said screw (V) is at least partially inserted in said first hole (F1) of said first element (S1) and in said second hole (F2) of said second element (S2), while the threaded stem (V1) of said screw (V) is at least partially engaged by screwing in said fourth threaded hole (F4) of said dowel (T).