ES2642518T3 - T.D.D. (Tubular docking device) - Google Patents

Description

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

60

65

DESCRIPTION

T.D.D. (Tubular docking device)

This invention relates to a device that will stabilize the object, usually a ship, bridge or portico in which it is installed, to a receiving object, normally a petrolfphere / gas platform at sea, wind turbine at sea, another vessel, quay or ponton wall, provided that the receiving object is provided with a vertically aligned fixed cylindrical tube or parallel cylindrical tubes, of which the invention / inventions can make use, in an attempt to provide a stable and secure platform between both objects to / from which personnel and equipment can be safely transhipped at sea, normally:

From boat to boat: Current methods rely heavily on the use of fixed rubber fenders, belts and / or inflatable fenders both to protect superstructures and for grip while transferring personnel or equipment from one boat to another, often in a raging sea where boats are adversely affected by wind, tide, wave height and uneven buoyances, and as a result strive to provide a stable and reliable platform between objects for transhipment of personnel and equipment.

From ship to a large ship, to transfer personnel to / from very large ships, the ship is governed along the side of the ship on its leeward side, which will be less affected by the elements and depends on the belts of the vessels both In order to protect the hulls of the vessels as to create grip, there is usually no area specifically designated for this operation, the vessel does not “dock” in any way, which means that a separation may appear at the time of transhipment and / or You can change the bow / stern position to / from which the crew is trying to climb in an instant. This invention will allow the smaller vessel to occupy a safe and stable landing position, provided that the vessel is equipped with cylinders, as mentioned, attached to its stern mirror or a cylinder in any of its baths thus offering a position of proper landing.

When a vessel such as a barge depends on other forms of propulsion such as a tugboat, this invention will be useful both during its crossing and when maneuvering in restricted port areas, provided that both vessels are adequately equipped as is mentioned, because the propeller vessel will have a support on the barge providing improved directional control, the ability to maintain the position and take the stern of the vessel on which it depends if it is chosen to do so, without the use of cables or tow ties which require areas free of considerable obstacles to allow relevant tow turning circles.

From boat to object: As from a ship to a oil / gas platform, construction or offshore wind turbine. Current methods are based largely on pads, shoes or bow rubber belts, coupled to the bow of the vessel that is being pushed into a designated landing zone, grip is provided using the forward thrust of the vessel. However, in a turbulent sea, the grip created between the two objects becomes pivotal and inconsistent, reducing the grip made, making it increasingly difficult to create a stable transfer platform.

This invention will be much less affected by the vertical or horizontal movement of the transshipment platform, and will create greater stability when the boat faces an increased wave height, strong wind or the influence of the tides in its baths.

From bridge or portico to object: such as from a portico or the bridge of a ship or ship to a construction or twin ship.

The current methods are based largely on a platform to launch bridge boats or sophisticated portico to compensate for the movement of the waves, the portico docks at a receiving device that is equipped that keeps it in its position without mechanical union.

However, this invention will allow the bridge or portico to dock directly in "any" part of the construction safely without mechanical union, provided that the receiving object incorporates cylindrical tubes in its construction or the desired docking area has cylindrical tubes such As mentioned.

On a dock or pontoon wall, the methods are based largely on the fact that the boat is placed alongside or on the bow with fenders on a dock or ponton wall, often under the influence of the tide and / or wind to transfer personnel and equipment on the shore, this invention will allow vessels to dock at a point temporarily arranged in a firm and safe manner for the purpose of transhipment, or permanently with respect to the mooring since it would save a large amount of space in the areas of mooring and pontoons.

WO02 / 20343 A1 and US4,459,930 disclose berthing devices with claw elements.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

60

65

The content of claim 1 discloses the invention.

This invention, together with the arrangement of a tube or tubes, has been devised because it can take advantage of a large face area of cylindrical tubes with the use of pivoting sling retaining T bars or ergonomic rubber shoes fixed within the arc of two claws The tube is suitable because it is less dangerous in the case of accidental collision and will allow effective deployment from any angle, while the claws of the device remain open with a width greater than that of the cylindrical tube ready for deployment

thus providing a reasonable margin of error as the device is automatically deployed in

central alignment, although the alignment of the device and the tube are not central when the device is initially hooked.

Do not continuously move the tube face up and down in an attempt to make the grip because the clamping area is substantial, which makes the pressure and the contact clamp constant, stable,

because the clamping of the device is pivotal and is allowed by a mechanical device whose function depends

Only from the forward propulsion of the object to which it is attached, this propulsion energy is transferred to the sling retaining claws through mechanical movement, the greater the propulsion the firmer the grip, if the forward pressure is reduced Then the sling will slide allowing the instantaneous and constant ability to adjust the berthing height, which may be necessary, through varying heights of waves, without complete disengagement. However, if the pressure is significantly reduced, the device will automatically disengage, in the case that the object itself is a ship, when the device (s) are attached to its bow or in some cases it may be its stern, the boat itself will be fixed and then pivot in the tube or tubes which leads to the release of energy from the waves in its stern or bow, the boat will also be much less affected by strong cross wind, the tide or other influences multidirectional since the device adopts a shape around the tube while practically eliminating the risk of involuntary entanglement. However, the device can also incorporate a locking and / or hydraulic displacement mechanism, which will allow the operational deployment of locking and / or hydraulic or other means if desired.

The invention will now be described only by reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1: shows the main characteristics and functions of the tubular docking device attached to an optional base plate to allow the capacity of retraction and / or hydraulic deployment and provided with "sling" deployment in a vertically mounted cylindrical tube.

Figure 2: shows all the components of a tubular berthing device that will be deployed with the use of a planned sling.

Figure 3: shows the tubular docking device that shows its complete deployment on a cylindrical tube. Figure 4: shows the tubular docking device with alternative ergonomic tubular shoes.

Figure 1

The tubular docking device is provided with "sling" deployment in a vertically mounted cylindrical tube in which a unit 1 of tubular docking device includes means 15 for joining directly to a ship, bridge, gangway, a desired object or a bed 21 of assembly, which will allow capacity of retraction, operation / hydraulic deployment of the device and the placement of boats in tow through the use of hydraulic rams 22, a pivoting sling 8 (in combination with rubber pads) that when deployed by the device they will hold the free face of a cylindrical tube C that is fixed to a receiving object, the forward thrust of the sling 8 and the claws 4 against the cylinder force the floating shaft 2 backwards through the hollow body 1, the initial energy is absorbed by two pneumatic ram 16, the propulsion energy is then transferred to energy levers 11, then to the claws 4 that deployed Eling the sling around the face C of the tube and finally compress the rubber ends 7 against the tube as this pressure increases.

Figure 2

The berthing device consists of the hollow housing 1 through which the floating shaft 2 passes at whose front end the claw retaining element 3 is attached in which two claws 4 are located and held in position by a pin 5 steel; passing through the ends of both claws there is a sling retention bar 6 in T that will allow the pivoting capacity, attached to both ends of the T bars there is a rubber termination 7; the sling 8 is fixed between the T-bars that are held in position with self-centering coil springs and locking nuts 9, there are female receiving energy lever 10 joints to which the male energy levers 11 are attached and held in position by a steel pin 12; the other end of the energy levers is attached to a female joint in the main housing 13 and is held in position by a steel pin 14; there are four brackets 15 for fixing / unfolding position; two pneumatic struts 16 are connected to floating shaft pins 17 that pass directly to

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

60

65

through grooves sufficiently elongated on the sides of the hollow housing 1 of the main body to allow the full stroke of the pneumatic ram 16, the other end of the pneumatic ram 16 is attached directly to the hollow housing 1 and is fixed by means of a bolt 18, there is a deployment restriction pin 19 with multiple positions to limit the deployment if required, fixed in a separate position just at the rear of the device there is a floating shaft anchoring bracket 20 that will allow the device to lock in the deployed position if "desired" by inserting the deployment restriction pin 19 through the anchor bracket 20 and the floating shaft 2.

In figure 3

Through the continuous pressure of the sling 8 against the cylindrical tube C, the sling retaining claws 4 are closed inwards, then transfer this pressure back to the floating axis 2 that descends through the hollow and protruding housing 1 now outside the rear of the hollow housing 1; in situ with the axle anchoring support 20 with the withdrawal of the deployment restriction pin 19, the initial energy has been absorbed by the pneumatic ram 16 and the piston stroke has been closed which is indicated by the compressed position of the floating shaft pins 17; as a result of this descent of the floating shaft 2 through the hollow housing 1, the energy transfer levers 11 have transferred this energy back to the claws 4; by compressing the rubber ends 7 on the cylindrical tube C as the claws continue to attempt to close inwards, if it is now desired to block the device and / or hydraulically operate the device without the use of forward propulsion, this can be achieved by the insertion of the restriction pin 19 through the floating shaft anchor 20 and the floating shaft 2 then activates / deactivates the hydraulic ram 22 while deactivating the pneumatic ram 16.

Figure 4

It shows alternative means for fastening / maintaining a cylindrical tube by means of which the shoes 23 have replaced the T-bars of sling retention (figure 1, element 6) whose deployment can be aided by the union of a sling 8B, this will still allow the Pivoting capacity of the device when fully deployed. However, if the pivoting capacity is unnecessary, the shoes could be fixed inside the retaining claws (figure 1, item 4) with or without the addition of a bumper pad 24 and the deployment similar to the sling deployment.

To improve the problem of providing a stable platform for the transhipment of personnel at sea, this invention replaces the grip and friction between two objects by "clamping", depends on the arrangement of a cylindrical tube or parallel cylindrical tubes (depending on the desired application) of suitable dimensions, fixed vertically to the receiving object to allow its deployment, thus creating a stable platform between the objects to / from which the transhipment of personnel and equipment at sea can be made.

Current methods in boats rely heavily on rubber belts or pads to grip the receiving object, decreasing the grip in a raging sea because the contact area becomes pivotal, further reducing the grip between objects. This invention can take advantage of a large proportion of a tube face to provide support and stability with respect to both horizontal and vertical movement, greatly exceeding the multidirectional influences that affect the stability between the two objects.

This invention can be "held" in a cylindrical tube arranged without the danger of involuntary mechanical entanglement in the object, since maintenance is achieved only through the propulsion forward of the object to which it is attached, whose descent will automatically release the device.

However, it can be “attached” to a tube by anchoring a part of the mechanism if it is required for certain applications such as: a tugboat or other vessel that needs to take the stern of a barge while maneuvering in a restricted port area, or when it is necessary to place a boat in tow what is allowed as a result of the perfect central alignment of the devices of a boat or other object arranged when fully deployed.

The device can be used individually or in a "couple" depending on the application and arrangement of cylindrical tubes mounted on the receiving object.

The device uses a "sling" mechanism to deploy in a cylindrical tube.

The device can be adjusted with or without the use of a mounting plate with sliding groove or the like which could allow it to be retractable, allow lateral displacement capability and provide hydraulic deployment and trailer-type anchoring.

The device can incorporate various auxiliary equipment to:

1) Arm / rearm / reopen and automatically reabsorb the initial deployment energy of the device during / after its deployment, preferably through the use of pneumatic rams, but alternatively it could use helical springs, shock absorbers or hydraulic or gas ramps.

5 2) Maintain a correct seat during / ready for deployment such as self-centering spring devices

helical or gas, hydraulic or pneumatic.

4) Allow the capacity of retraction and / or the capacity of lateral displacement through the use of a high mounting bed in the preparation for its deployment together with auxiliary elements such as hydraulic rams,

10 tires or gas, or endless position screws.

5) Visually indicate the “device status” to the operator during deployment, such as position lights, pressure meters or LED gauges.

Claims (5)

10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 2. 40 3. Four. Five Four. fifty 5. 55 6. 60 7. Tubular berthing device for berthing a water displacement vessel to a structure that carries at least one fixed vertical post, the device comprising: - joining means for attaching the device to a ship, bridge, portico or other object; - an elongated housing (1) having a fixed proximal end and an opposite distal end; - a pair of claw elements (4); Y - a claw drive mechanism coupled in communication to said claws and configured to cause said claws, in use, to be closed in a grip configuration around a pole; characterized in that the device comprises: - a floating shaft (2) mounted within said housing for longitudinal movement therein between an extended position, in which it extends partially beyond the distal end of the housing, and a retracted position; Y - a flexible sling element (8), coupled to and extending between said claw elements (4) and / or rubber shoes or pads (7) provided on the inner surface of said claw elements (4); and because: - the claw elements (4) are mounted at the end of said floating axis and configured to be in an open configuration when said floating axis is in said extended position; Y - the claw drive mechanism engages in communication between said claws and said housing (1), and configured to make said claws, in use, close in a grip configuration when said floating shaft (2) moves from said position extended to said position retracted with the propulsion thereof on said post, so that said flexible sling (8) and / or said rubber shoes or pads (7) are closed around said post and held there by the elements ( 4) claw. Tubular docking device according to claim 1, wherein said claw drive mechanism includes energy absorption means for absorbing the compression energy created when said floating axis moves from said extended position to said retracted position. Tubular docking device according to claim 2, wherein said claw drive mechanism further comprises a pair of levers (11) coupled to said respective claws, wherein said energy absorbing means transfers the absorbed energy to said levers ( 11) which can function accordingly to cause said claws, in use, to close in said grip configuration when said floating shaft (2) moves from said extended position to said retracted position with its propulsion on a pole. Tubular docking device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a bumper pad (24) between said claw arrangement and said distal end of said floating shaft (2). Tubular docking device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a pair of rubber ends or shoes (7) at or adjacent to the respective ends of said claw elements (4), for gripping said post when said elements (4) claw are in said grip configuration. Tubular docking device according to any preceding claim, wherein said claw elements (4) are coupled to said distal end of said floating axis (2) by means configured to allow rotation of said claw elements (4) in relation to said floating axis. Tubular docking device according to claim 2, wherein said energy absorbing means comprise pneumatic ram (16), springs, shock absorbers, hydraulic or gas ram. Tubular docking device according to claim 7, wherein the mechanism can be locked and / or activated by the use of hydraulic rams, pneumatic rams (16) or endless screws thus providing hydraulic or other independent means to allow its operational deployment.