FR2543101A2 - Floating harbour pontoon for loading and unloading a vessel, in particular carrying vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, one end 4 of said pontoon 1, connected to a quay 5, is in unilateral connection with the latter, simply by leaning thereon, and the ballasting system 3 of said pontoon 1 designed in such a manner that said end 4 always exerts a descending pressure force thereon, independently of the relative position of the overloads or rolling loads R on the pontoon 1 and it comprises a system for suspension 100 of the end 4 of the pontoon 1, on the quay 5 side, intended to take up the oscillation movements due to the swell and/or to the rolling loads. The invention applies in particular to port equipment.

Description

 The present addition relates to an improvement for a floating port pontoon for loading and unloading of a ship, in particular ro-ro, described in the main patent.

We have described in detail, in the main patent, a floating pontoon ~ loading and unloading of a ship, comprising a ballasting system, one end of the pontoon being linked to a quay and another end being adjacent to the ship, so as to create a link-between the quay and the ship
The end of the pontoon, quay side, has a unilateral main connection with it, and the ballasting system is designed so that the end of the pontoon, caté quai, always exerts a downward pressure force on it, independently the relative position of overloads or rolling loads on the pontoon, within B limit of the maximum allowable overloads or rolling loads corresponding to said ballasting system.

 In the main patent, the end, quay side, of the ship rests on the quay via one or two bearing members in the form of ball joints. This device has a certain number of drawbacks, relating in particular to the oscillating movements of the pontoon dbs to swell and / or to rolling loads.

 The present addition therefore aims to avoid this drawback by proposing a floating port pontoon for loading and unloading of a ship, in particular ro-ro, of the type described above, and characterized by a system for suspending the end of the pontoon, quay side, intended to resume the oscillating movements of swells and / or rolling loads.

 According to a first embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned suspension system comprises a means forming a loop cable passing through a system of pulleys fixed to the lower and upper ends, respectively, of two means forming brackets provided, on the quay, on either side of the aforementioned end of the pontoon; and passing below said end; the ends of said cable being connected to the ends of the transverse edge beam of said end of the pontoon, said beam playing the role of a lifter.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the ends of the aforementioned target are connected to the ends of the aforementioned edge beam by means forming a shackle; each of said ends being connected to the collar of each shackle; while a pivoting connecting member connects, on the one hand, the axis of said shackle, and, on the other hand, an axis substantially horizontal and parallel to the aforementioned edge beam passing through a yoke means provided at each end of said edge beam. Turnbuckles are possibly provided to wrinkle the cables.

 According to a second embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned suspension system consists of a deformable polygon, consisting of a number of bars, in particular of metal, connected together and / or at the aforementioned end of the pontoon.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned polygon comprises two suspension bars or hangers connected, on the one hand, to the ends of the aforementioned transverse edge beam of the aforementioned end of the pontoon and, on the other hand, to a exdMiiW of the first means forming lifting beams fixed to the top of means forming brackets placed, on the quay, on either side of said end of the pontoon, and which can oscillate around an axis substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pontoon; two suspension bars connected, on the one hand, to the other end of said lifter means and, on the other hand, to an end of the second lifter means provided at the lower end of said brackets, and which can oscillate about an axis substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pontoon; and a balancing crosspiece passing under said end of the pontoon and the. two ends are articulated at the other end of said second means forming spreaders.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the upper ends of the aforementioned lines, produced in particular in the form of a ball joint9 are placed freely mobile. on the ends of the aforementioned spreaders, produced in particular in the form of a fork.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the upper ends of the aforementioned lines are articulated to the first aforementioned spreaders, in particular by a universal joint, the spider of which is rotatably mounted in flange forks provided at the end of said spreaders and said lines, respectively.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the lower ends of the above-mentioned lines are articulated at the above-mentioned ends of the above-mentioned edge beam, in particular by a joint. gimbal, the crosspiece of which is rotatably mounted in flange forks provided at the lower ends of said lines and at the ends of said edge beam 5 respectively.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned second spreaders are produced in the form of substantially triangular plates at the tops of which the aforementioned axis of rotation are provided, as well as the articulation axes of the aforementioned bars.
According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the articulation of the aforementioned bars to the first and second aforementioned lifting beams is effected by means of flange forks provided at the ends of said bars and in which the aforementioned articulation axes can pivot.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned end of the pontoon is equipped with a certain number of defenses, while a secondary connection is provided between the quay and the aforementioned end of the pontoon by means of cabals, tie rods, and possibly shock absorbers.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the road connection between the aforementioned end of the pontoon and the quay is provided by a number of flaps articulated at said end and coming to rest on the quay.

The invention will be better understood, and other details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the explanatory description which will follow of currently preferred embodiments of the invention, made with reference to the schematic drawings. annexed in which:
- Figure 1 is a top view of the floating port pontoon, according to the invention, connected, on the one hand to a quay, and, on the other hand, to a ro-ro ship;
- Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 3;
- Figure 3 is a top view along arrow III of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line
IV-IV of Figure 5;
- Figure 5 is a top view along arrow V of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is an enlarged view of zone VI de'la Figure 2;
- Figure 7 is a front view along the arrow
VII of FIG. 8, of a first embodiment of the connection between lines and lifting beams,
- Figure 8 is a top view along arrow VIII of Figure 7 ;;
- Figure 9 is a front view, along arrow IX of Figure 10, of a second embodiment of the connection between lines and spreaders;
- Figure 10 is a top view along the arrow X in Figure 9;
- Figure it is an enlarged view of zone XI of Figure 4;
- Figure 12 is a view along arrow XII of Figure 11;
- Figure 13 is a view along arrow XIII of Figure II; and
- Figure 14 is a view of a shock absorber tensioner.

 The essential elements of the floating port pontoon described in the main patent will be recalled below with reference to FIG. 1.

 The floating port pontoon 1 for loading and unloading a ship 2, in particular a ro-ro ship, comprises in particular a ballasting system 3. One end 4 of the pontoon 1 is linked to a quay 5 and another end 6, notably opposite at the first end 4, is adjacent to the ship 2, so as to create a connecting track between the ship 2 and the quay 5.

 The end 4 of the pontoon 1, side quay 5, has a unilateral main connection with the latter. The ballasting system 3 is designed so that the end 4 of the pontoon, side quay 5, always exerts a downward pressure force on it, regardless of the relative position of the overloads or rolling loads on the pontoon 1, in the maximum allowable overload or rolling load limit corresponding to the ballasting system 3.

 The pontoon 1 comprises a ramp 7 whose free end 4 rests on the quay 5, and a floating platform 8, in particular of generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, integral with the ramp 7, adjacent to the ship 2 and provided with the ballasting system 3.

In particular, the side 9 of the platform 8 is integral with the ramp. 7 and opposite side 10 adjacent to the ship.

 Reference will be made to the main patent where the ballasting system 3 has been described in detail.

 the pontoon 1 according to the invention is also equipped with a bumper system 27 distributed along its side walls, in particular on the sides of the platform 8. It is also equipped with a mooring system 28 comprising in particular a certain number of chains 29 or hawsers 30 fixed on the one hand to the quay 5 and, on the other hand, to the pontoon, in particular to the ramp 7 and to the platform 8, by mooring bits 31.

 In addition, the water level in each ballast compartment is controlled by two pairs of pumps, arranged in housings 32 provided on each side of the platform 8. The electrical control system of the pontoon can be provided in particular in cabin 33.

 The connection between the platform 8 and the ship 2 is ensured by the ship's own ramp 36 which comes to rest simply on the platform 8. The connection track 34 defined by the platform and the ramp is limited by slides safety wheel guide 35, an access passage 37 for pedestrians being provided on the ramp.

 According to the invention, the pontoon 1 is provided with a suspension system 100 of the end 4 thereof, on the quay side, intended to resume the oscillating movements dQs in swell and / or rolling loads.

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, the suspension system 100 comprises means forming
loop cable 101 passing through a system of pulleys 102,103, fixed in a swinging manner at the lower and upper ends
respectively, of two means forming brackets 104, 105
provided, on platform 5, on either side of end 4
from pontoon 1; the cable 101 passing below the end 4. The ends 106, 107 of the cable 101 are connected to the ends - 108, 109 of the transverse edge beam
110 from the end 4 of the pontoon, which beam 110
play the r81e of a lifting beam,
This system amounts to creating a fictitious support
central to the lifting beam, including the possible swing movement, of the order of a few degrees in particular
between 5 and 100, with respect to the horizontal S is taken up by the suspension system; the tilting moment due to overloads being balanced by the shape stability of the float. The suspension system also allows horizontal longitudinal displacement while retaining the ability to withstand the vertical forces in support reactions of the ramp and overloads.

This system is particularly suitable for walkways
light.

With particular reference to Figure 6, which
is an enlarged view of zone VI of FIG. 2, and
which is identical to the corresponding zone to the other
end of the edge beam 110, the ends 106,
107 of the cable 101 are connected to the ends 108, 109
of the edge beam 110 by means 111 forming.

Manila. Each of said ends 106, 107 is connected,
for example by being wound in a loop, with the collar 112
of each shackle 111, while a connecting member
113 pivoting connects, on the one hand, the axis 114 of the shackle
111 and, on the other hand, a substantially horizontal axis 115
and parallel to the edge beam 110 and crossing a
clevis means 116 provided at each end of the edge beam 110. The axis 114, passing through the flanges 114c of the shackle -111 is provided with locking members 114a, 114b; similarly the axis 115 crossing the two branches of the yoke 116 is provided with locking members, in position, 115a and 115b.

 If necessary, the target 101 can be fitted, in particular the portions of it comprised between the upper pulleys 102 and shackles iii with turnbuckles 147.

 Referring to Figures 4, 5, and 7 to 10, there will be described below a second embodiment of the suspension system 1-00 consisting of a deformable polygon 117, consisting of a number of bars, in particular metal liques, connected together and / or at the end 4 of pontoon 1.

 Referring in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5, the polygon 117 comprises two suspension bars or hangers 118, 119, which may in particular constitute rods, connected, on the one hand to the ends 108, 109 of the transverse edge beam 110 from the end 4 of the pontoon 1 and, on the other hand, at one end 120a, 121a, facing the pontoon, first means forming pedals 120, 121 fixed to the top of means forming gallows 122, 123 placed on the quay 5, on either side of the end 4 of the pontoon 1, and being able to oscillate about an axis 124, 125 substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis XX 'of the pontoon 1. The polygon 117 also comprises two bars -suspension 126, 127, forming, linked, in particular articulated, on the one hand, at the other end 120b, 121b (that is to say the end turned towards the outside of the pontoon) of the first means forming spreaders 120 , 121 and, on the other hand, at one end 128a, 129a of second lifting means 128 , 129 provided at the lower end of the brackets 122, 123, and being able to oscillate around an axis 130, 131 substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis XX 'of the pontoon 1. The polygon 117 further comprises a cross member of balancing 132, forming a link passing under the end 4 of the pontoon 1, and the two ends 132a, 132b of which are connected, in particular articulated, at the other end 128b, 129b of the second means forming spreaders 128, 129.

 This second embodiment of the suspension system allows greater movements, in particular oscillating movements of the end 4 symbolized in phantom in Figure 4, of the order of a few degrees. This second embodiment also allows the recovery of greater forces in the bars, and the system as a whole has a longer lifespan than that of the first embodiment comprising in particular a target subjected to rapid wear.

 This second embodiment is particularly well suited for gangways intended for heavy convoys.

 Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there will be described below a first embodiment of the connection between the upper ends of the lines 118, 119 and the ends 120a, 121a of the first spreader means 120, 121. According to this first mode embodiment, the upper ends of the lines 118, 119, produced in particular in the form of a ball joint 133, are placed freely movable on the ends 120a, 121a of the lifting beams 120, 121, produced in particular in the form of a fork 134, the upper edges of the branches are provided with facing recesses 134a, 134b facilitating the rotation of the ball joint 133. It should be noted that FIGS. 7 and 8 show in detail the mode of connection between the lifter 120 and the hanger 118; however, it is obvious that the connection mode, illustrated by these figures, is identical to the connection mode provided between the lifter 121 and the line 119.

 Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a second mode of connection will be described below between the upper ends of the lines 118, 119 and the spreaders 120, 121. In this case, the upper ends of the lines 118, 119 are articulated to the lifting beams 120, 121, in particular by a universal joint 135, the crosspiece 136, formed in particular of two perpendicular axes 136a, 136b, is rotatably mounted in flange forks 137, 138 provided at the end of the lifting beams and lines, respectively. It should be noted that FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the connection mode for the hanger 118 and the lifter 120; but it is quite obvious that this connection mode is identical for the line 119 and the corresponding pallet rack 121.

 Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, the articulation between the lower ends of the lines 118, 119 and the ends 108, 109 of the edge beam 110 will be described below.

 In Figures 11, 12 and 13, there is shown the connection mode between the lower end of the hanger 118 and the end 108 of the edge beam 110; but it is obvious that the connection method is identical for the line 119 and the end 109 of the edge beam 110. The lower ends of the lines 118, 119 are articulated at the ends 108, 109 of the edge beam 110, in particular by a Cardan joint 139 whose cross member 140, formed in particular of two perpendicular axes 140a, 140b, is rotatably mounted in flange forks 141, 142 provided at the lower ends of the lines 118, 119 and at the ends 108, 109 of the edge beam 110, respectively.

This articulation system allows the lines to be rotated by an angle of between approximately 10 and 150, as shown in phantom in Figures 11 and 12.

 With particular reference to FIG. 4, the second spreader bars 1-28, 129 are produced in the form of substantially triangular plates at the vertices of which are provided the axis of rotation 130, 131, as well as the axes of articulation 128a, 128b; 129a, 129b of bars 126, 127; 132. The articulation of the bars 12-6, 127, 132 to the first and second spreaders 120, 121; 128, 129 is made in particular by means of flange forks provided at the ends of said bars and in which the pivot pins 130, 131 can pivot.

 With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the end 4 of the pontoon 1 is equipped with a certain number of defenses 143, the shape and number of which vary according to the practical requirements for setting up the pontoon.

 In addition, a secondary connection is provided between the quay 5 and the end 4 of the pontoon 1 by means of cables, chains or tie rods 144, tie rods which can in particular be articulated at 148 to the casing 149 of the quay 5. This secondary link can also comprise damping tensioners 145 comprising in particular an elastomer body 145a, and which is connected, on the one hand, to the tie rods 144 connected to the quay 5 and, on the other hand, to the cables 150 or the like connected to the pontoon 1.

 The road connection between the end 4 of the pontoon 1 and the quay 5 is ensured by a number of flaps 146 articulated at the end 4 and coming to rest on the quay 5.

 It should be noted that the brackets 122, 123p104S105 can be arranged on a step 151 provided in the platform 5 below the level of the platform itself.

Claims (14)

 1.- floating port pontoon for loading and unloading of a ship, in particular ro-ro, according to at least claim 1 of the main patent, characterized by a suspension system (100) of the end (4) of the pontoon (1), side platform (5), intended to resume the oscillating movements of As in swell and / or rolling loads.  2. Pontoon according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned suspension system (100) comprises a loop forming cable means (101) passing through a system of pulleys (102, 103) fixed to the lower and upper ends, respectively , two means forming brackets (104, 105) provided on the platform (5), on either side of the end (4) above of the pontoon (1); and passing below said end (4); the ends (106, 107) of said cable (101) being connected to the ends (108, 109) of the transverse edge beam (110) of said end (4) of the pontoon (i), said beam (110) playing the role a lifting beam.  3.- pontoon according to claim 2, characterized in that the ends (106, 107) of the cable (101) above are connected to the ends (108, 109) of the edge beam (110) above parade means (111) forming Manila; each of said ends (106, 107) being connected to the collar (112) of each shackle (111), while a pivoting connecting member (113) connects, on the one hand, the axis (114) of said shackle ( 111) and, on the other hand, a substantially horizontal axis (115) parallel to the abovementioned edge beam (110) passing through a screed means (i 16) provided at each end of said edge beam (110).  4. Pontoon according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that turnbuckles (147) are provided for wrinkling the cable (101) above.  5. Pontoon according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned suspension system (i00) consists of a deformable polygon (117) consisting of a number of bars, in particular metallic, connected together and / or to the aforementioned end (4) of the pontoon (1).  6.- pontoon according to claim 5, characterized in that the aforementioned polygon (117) comprises two suspension bars or hangers (118, 119) connected, on the one hand, to the ends (108, 109) of the edge beam transverse (110) above said end (4) above of the pontoon (1) and, on the other hand, at one end (120a, 121a) of first means forming spreaders (120, 121) fixed to the top of means forming brackets (122, 123) placed on the quay (5), on either side of said end (4) of the pontoon (1) and able to oscillate about an axis (124, 125) substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis (X-X ') of the pontoon (1); two suspension bars (126, 127) connected, on the one hand, to the other end (120b, 121b) of said first spreader means (120, 121) and, on the other hand, to one end (128a, 129a ) second means forming spreaders (128,129) provided at the lower end of said brackets (122,123) and able to oscillate about an axis (130, 131) substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis (X-x ') of the pontoon (1); and a balancing crosspiece (132) passing under said end (4) of the pontoon (1) and the two ends of which (132a, 132b) are connected, in particular articulated, to the other end (128b, 129b) of said second means forming spreaders (128, 129).  7.- pontoon according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper ends of the lines (118, 119) mentioned above, produced in particular in the form of a ball joint (133), are placed freely movable on the ends (120a, 121a) of aforementioned spreaders (120, 121), produced in particular in the form of a fork (134).  8.- pontoon according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper ends of the lines (118, 119) mentioned above are articulated to the lifting beams (120, 121) mentioned above, in particular by a universal joint (135) including the spider (136) is rotatably mounted in flanged forks (137, 138) provided at the end of said spreaders and said lines, respectively.  9. Pontoon according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the lower ends of the aforementioned lines (118, 119) are articulated at the aforementioned ends (108, 109) of the above-mentioned edge beam (110), in particular by a universal joint (139), the crosspiece (140) of which is rotatably mounted in the flange forks (141, 142) provided at the lower ends of said hangers (118, 119) and at the ends (108, 109) of said beam edge (110), respectively.  10.- Pontoon according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the second lifting beams (128, 129) mentioned above are produced in the form of substantially triangular plates at the vertices of which are provided the axis of rotation (130, 131) mentioned above. that the axes of articulation (128a, 128b; 129a, 129b) of the bars (126, 127; 132) mentioned above.  11. Pontoon according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the articulation of the aforementioned bars (126, 127; 132) to the first and second lifting beams (120, 121; 128, 129) is done thanks to flange forks provided at the ends of said bars and in isquellAs can pivot the aforementioned articulation axes.  12.- pontoon according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the aforementioned end (4) of the pontoon (1) is equipped with a number of defenses (143).  13.- Pontoon according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a secondary connection is provided between the platform (5) and the above-mentioned end (4) of the pontoon (1) by means of cables, chains or tie rods ( i44) and possibly shock absorbers (145).  14.- pontoon according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the road connection between the aforementioned end (4) of the pontoon (1) and the quay (5) is provided by a number of flaps (146 ) articulated at said end (4) and coming to rest on the quay.