FR2810625A1 - CONTAINER SHIP WITH A HULL OF SEVERAL HULL ELEMENTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The container boat has a hull and propulsion system. The hull has three parts (3,4,31,41,32,42). Two hull elements have a hold carrying a container (7) and a mechanism to modify (10) the spacing between the two hull elements. The three hull elements are placed following two groups placed longitudinally along the hull.

Description

The invention relates to a container ship for ensuring the

  container transport via rivers and canals in particular.

  Containers include not only standard containers but also intermodal transport units, including swap bodies and trailers, as well as the possibility of loading bulk goods in holds. More particularly, the invention relates to a range of small and medium-sized vessels making it possible to transport goods from small ports to small

ports by means of containers.

  This range is notably composed of ships allowing to transport a maximum number of containers equal to two, four, ten, twenty, thirty, fifty,

or a hundred.

  A main characteristic of the ship is to offer the possibility of loading or / and unloading containers in a port not equipped with handling means

  and having a shallow water depth, less than 4 meters.

  The transport of goods constitutes one of the major cogs of our

market economy.

  The globalization of international trade, the development of "just in time" policies, the ever-increasing demand for responsiveness, tend to constantly increase land transport, to develop infrastructure

  costly and harmful to the environment.

  The range of ships according to the invention was born from this analysis with the aim of developing a complementarity between road transport and maritime-river transport. It is a question of ensuring, starting from the ports of first or second row, maritime connections to serve the multitude of irrigation ports, little or not

  operated in the transportation of goods.

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  The aim is for road carriers to take charge of containers from these ports for local distribution, in order to optimize land distances

Delivery.

  One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide the road carrier with a mobile infrastructure "maritime-river highway"

  complementary to the one it has on the road network.

  A second objective is to strengthen the responsiveness of maritime transport.

  road transporting small quantities with high frequencies.

  A third objective is to provide a fluvio-maritime service with significant maneuvering autonomy and an optimized quay to quay journey. This objective implies being able to transport a large payload relative to the

displacement of the ship.

  A fourth objective is to ensure transport under service conditions

  and costs per kilometer comparable to those of the road.

  There are many container ships with a large container carrying capacity and with a high draft, such as those described in

  Jane's Intermodal Transportation, pages 315, 338 and 341. Among these carrier ships

  high capacity containers, we can cite the ALIANCA BRASIL, with a capacity of 2200 containers, a speed of 20.4 knots, a length of 200.23 m and a draft of 12 , 02 m. One of the smallest of these container ships is the HERA, with a capacity of 198 containers, a speed of 12.5 knots, a

  length of 88 m and a draft of 4.6 m.

  These container ships generally unload in port terminals equipped with significant handling facilities. The ports that can accommodate existing container ships are few and do not provide

  delivery of goods close to their place of use.

  In addition, they cannot go up most of the estuaries and cannot in any case go on the canals because of their too deep draft and air draft.

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  There are barges suitable for transporting containers on rivers and canals, especially for those whose width is greater than 11.4m. In the presence of a narrow lock, for example 5.7m wide, the existing barges only allow the transport of a single layer of containers due to the constraints of stability, draft and draft. air. The object of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a container ship capable of sailing both on the high seas and on rivers or canals and having all or some of the following possibilities: - it can sail on canals with large gauge and at sea, - it optimizes the critical size of the cargo (economic aspect) and compactness of the vessel in channel (respect of the gauge), - it avoids the transshipment of the containers on a sea vessel at the end of the river part of the journey, - it allows a service as complete as that of a road carrier but

using the river-sea route.

  In addition, when equipped with container handling means, it allows multimodal transport, that is to say at sea and on rivers or canals from river ports, without prior investment in port cranes or very long quay, A container ship according to the invention is of the type comprising a hull and propulsion means and is characterized in that the hull comprises at least two hull elements comprising at least one hold capable of receiving a container and in that it comprises means capable of modifying the spacing between

  at least two of said shell elements.

  According to a particular characteristic, the container ship comprises n hull elements, n being an integer greater than or equal to two and is characterized in that 2i hull elements, i being an integer between 1 and n / 2, comprise at least one wedge capable of receiving a container and in that it comprises means capable of modifying the spacing between at least two of said 2i

hull elements.

  According to an additional characteristic, the container ship comprises n hull elements, n being an integer greater than or equal to two and is

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  characterized in that 2i shell elements, i being an integer between 1 and n / 2, comprise at least one wedge capable of receiving a container and in that said 2i shell elements are arranged along a longitudinal axis, I ' axis of said shell elements being parallel to said longitudinal axis and said shell elements being arranged in groups of two shells, group in which one of the shell elements is positioned on one side of said longitudinal axis and the other on the other side, and in that it comprises for all or part of said groups, suitable means

  to modify the spacing between said 2 shell elements of the same group.

  According to another characteristic making it possible to minimize the width of the boat, each of the hull elements has a U-shaped cross section. According to another characteristic, means capable of modifying the spacing between at least two of said hull elements comprises a jack , this jack can for example be associated with a slide, and / or be fixed to one and the other of said two shell elements of the same group, and / or be arranged along an axis not parallel to said longitudinal axis and, preferably, arranged

perpendicular to this axis.

  According to another characteristic, the means capable of modifying the spacing between

  at least two of said shell elements are also able to adjust this spacing.

  According to another additional characteristic, the ship comprises means capable of automating the modification of the spacing between said at least two

said shell elements.

  According to an additional characteristic, said means capable of automating the modification of the spacing between at least two of said hull elements comprise means capable of determining the value of the width between two obstacles located downstream and in the direction of movement of the ship, such as the banks of a lock, or the piers of a bridge, and between which the ship must pass, as well as either means of displaying information relating to this value, or means of alarm in the event of 'incompatibility between this value and that of the minimum width of the vessel, i.e. the means of controlling the modification of

  the spacing between said at least two of said shell elements.

  According to another characteristic, said at least two of said shell elements include protective means or guide means on the

  minus one of their external surfaces.

  According to an additional characteristic, said at least two of said comprise guide means constituted by rollers or discs intended to cooperate with the wall of a quay or those of a lock so as to

  prevent any sliding of the shell itself against these walls.

  According to an additional characteristic, the ship has a double hull and the ballasting means consist of boxes arranged between

  said hulls and supplied or de-supplied with water by pumps.

  Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent

  in the description of several embodiments of the invention, with regard to

  attached figures among which: - Figure 1 shows a section of a ship according to the invention inside

a small lock.

  - Figure 2 shows a section of the ship previously described in a canal or on a river, - Figures 3, 4 and 5 show three successive diagrams of a ship such

  as previously described, crossing a narrow lock.

  Figure 1 shows a section of a ship according to the invention inside a

small lock.

  This lock has two side walls 1 and 2.

  The ship comprises a hull composed of hull elements, in this case a first hull element 3 and a second hull element 4, each of them having a double wall, in this case 31, 32 and 41, 42 Each of these shell elements 3 and 4 comprises a shim, respectively 5 and 6 in which containers are positioned 7. The shell elements 3 and 4 are in the joined position, that is to say one against the 'other. On each of their external lateral surfaces, respectively 33, 43, these shell elements comprise means for

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  guiding and protection of the latter which are constituted by rollers 8 arranged vertically and able to rotate about an axis 9 secured to the corresponding shell. These guiding and protective means are positioned beyond the lateral surfaces of the hull and are capable of cooperating with a surface external to the ship, such as a shore, a quay or the locks of a lock in order to increase its stability in gîte. Figure 2 shows a section of the ship previously described in a canal or on a river. It includes the elements described above as well as means capable of modifying the spacing between the two shell elements 3 and 4 which mainly comprises a jack 10 and a slide 11 as well as means of

actuator 10.

  The head of the jack 10 is fixed inside the shell element 3 while the

  rod is fixed inside the shell element 4.

  Figures 3, 4 and 5 show three successive diagrams of a ship such as

  previously described, crossing a narrow lock.

  The ship has six hull elements 3, 31, 32, 4, 41, 42 arranged in groups G1, G2, G3, of two along a longitudinal axis XX '. In each group, one of the shell elements is disposed on one side of the axis XX 'while the other is disposed on the other side of the axis XX'. Thus the groups G1, G2, G3 are

  respectively composed of the shell elements 3 and 4, 31 and 41 and 32 and 42.

  In FIG. 3, the hull elements 3 and 4 of the first group G1 are arranged one against the other in order to minimize the width of the ship and thus allow the

  passage of the front part of the boat between the locks 1 and 2 of the lock.

  In FIG. 4, the hull elements 3 and 4 of the first group G1 as well as those, 31 and 41 of the group G2 are arranged one against the other in order to minimize the width of the ship and thus allow the passage of the elements of shell

  corresponding between the locks 1 and 2 of the lock.

  In FIG. 5, the hull elements 31 and 41 of group G2 as well as those, 32 and 42 of group G3 are arranged one against the other in order to minimize the width 7t 2810625 of the ship and thus allow the passage of the elements corresponding hull between the locks 1 and 2 of the lock. On the other hand, the hull elements 3 and 4 of group G1 are separated in order to ensure the maximum stability of the ship, these elements being

  out of the passage and therefore no longer between the locks of the locks.

  Furthermore, as shown in these figures, two cylinders 10, as well as two

  slides not shown in this figure, are associated with each of the groups.

  In addition, obstacle distance measurement means 13 are arranged at the front of each group and on the sides and are connected to a control logic for the jacks 10. Limit switches are positioned on the lateral surfaces shell elements in order to stop any deployment of

  cylinders, controlled or accidental, when these surfaces reach an obstacle.

  This vessel also comprises and in a known manner ballasting means. They consist of boxes located in the double bottom (between the two walls of each of the shell elements). These boxes are formed by the structure of the

  ship. There are enough of them to split the setting.

  The liquid used for ballasting is the surrounding water (sea water or canal water). The water movements are carried out by means of high flow pumps and

pipes fitted with valves.

  The cases are all equipped with water level sensors.

  A system of real-time measurement of the fore, aft, middle drafts, equips the ship. This system, consisting of 6 water level sensors, a housing

concentration and repeaters.

  The operation of a ship according to the embodiment presented is the

next.

  At sea, the hull elements each constituting groups G1, G2 and

  G3 are in the spread position to ensure maximum stability of the vessel.

  In the channel, the spacing between the hull elements of the same group can be adjusted to the maximum width of the channel so as to ensure the maximum available stability of the vessel, either automatically with the measuring means of

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  obstacle distance 13 and the actuator control logic 10 associated, either in

  imposing a set value for this spacing.

  When a lock or, more generally, a passage narrower than the width of the ship, is detected by the obstacle distance measurement means 13, the control logic controls the retraction of the jacks 10 associated with the group of elements shell placed closest to said detected passage, so that when this group begins to enter this passage, the elements of this group

  are already grouped together.

  When the hull elements of the first group are one against the other, the obstacle distance measurement means 13 of the second group located on the front of this group are then activated and detect said passage. They then control the retraction of the jacks 10 associated with this group, so that when this group begins to enter this passage, the elements which compose it are already

  grouped together. This is the case for each of the following groups.

  When, for the same group, the obstacle distance measuring means 13 located on the front of this group and those located on the lateral surfaces of the hull elements no longer detect an obstacle, or an obstacle located at a distance lateral compatible with an increase in the width of the group, the control unit then controls the deployment of the jacks of this group up to a value compatible with the width available between the two banks of the channel. If this available width is greater than that of the vessel, the

  cylinders are fully deployed to provide maximum stability to the vessel.

  It should be noted that when the hull elements of each of the groups are all grouped together, the stability of this vessel is ensured mainly by the cooperation between the vertical rollers of the vessel and the side walls of the lock or passage, the rollers allowing a contact movement without sliding

  which prevents damage to the hull.

  Of course, many modifications can be made to

  the embodiment previously described without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Thus the ship can consist of a barge and only be intended to sail on the

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  rivers and canals, or consist of a river-maritime vessel with or without

its own handling equipment.

  Furthermore, the groups of hull elements could be constituted by hull elements located one behind the other and not side by side. Groups could also have different constitutions. In addition, other systems could be used in place of the cylinders. As

  example we can cite the use of articulated arms.

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Claims (11)

  1 A container ship comprising a hull and propulsion means, characterized in that the hull comprises at least two hull elements (3,4,31,41,32; 42) comprising at least one wedge (6) capable to receive a container (7) and in that it comprises means (10, 11) capable of modifying   the spacing between at least two of said shell elements (3,4,31,41,32; 42).   2 container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises n hull elements (3,4,31,41,32; 42), n being an integer greater than or equal to two and in that 2i shell elements (3,4,31, 41,32; 42), i being an integer between 1 and n / 2, comprise at least one wedge (6) capable of receiving a container (7) and in that '' it comprises means (10, 11) capable of modifying the spacing between at least two of said 2i hull elements (3,4,31,41,32; 42).   3 Vessel according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that   that it comprises n shell elements (3,4,31,41,32; 42), n being an integer greater than or equal to two and is characterized in that 2i shell elements (3,4,31,41 , 32; 42), i being an integer between 1 and n / 2, comprise at least one shim (6) capable of receiving a container (7) and in that said 2i hull elements (3,4,31 , 41,32; 42) are arranged along a longitudinal axis XX ', the axis of said shell elements (3,4,31,41, 32; 42) being parallel to said longitudinal axis XX' and said shell elements (3 , 4,31,41,32; 42) being arranged in groups (G1, G2, G3) of two shells, group in which one of the shell elements (3,31,32) is positioned on one side of said longitudinal axis XX ′ and the other on the other (4, 41; 42) side, and in that it comprises, for all or part of said groups, means (10, 11) capable of modifying the spacing between said 2 shell elements ((3,4); (31.41); (32; 42) from the same group.   4 Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   that each of the shell elements has a cross section in the form of an II there 2810625   Ship according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   that the means (10, 11) capable of modifying the spacing between at least two of said at least two hull elements (3,4,31,41,32; 42) comprise a jack (10) 6 Vessel according to claim 5 , characterized in that the jack (10) is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis XX '.   7 Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that   that the means (10, 11) capable of modifying the spacing between at least two of said   shell elements are also able to adjust the value of this spacing.   8 Ship according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that   that it comprises means (13) capable of automating the modification of the spacing   between said at least two of said shell elements.   9 Ship according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that   that said means capable of automating the modification of the spacing between said at least two of said hull elements comprise means (13) capable of determining the value of the width between two obstacles situated downstream and in the direction of movement of the ship, such as the banks of a lock, or the piers of a bridge, and between which the ship must pass, as well as either means of displaying information relating to this value, or means of alarm in the event of incompatibility between this value and that of the minimum width of the ship, that is to say means for controlling the modification of the spacing between said at least   two of said at least two shell elements.   Ship according to any one of Claims I to 9, characterized in that   that said at least two of said at least two shell elements include protection means or guide means (8, 9) on at least one of their external surfaces (33,43).   11 Ship according to claim 10, characterized in that said guide means (8, 9) are capable of cooperating with a surface external to the ship, such   a bank, a quay or the bajoyers of a lock in order to increase its stability in heel.   12 Ship according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in   that said at least two of said at least two shell elements comprise guide means constituted by rollers (8) or discs intended to 12 2810625   cooperate with the wall of a quay or those of a lock so as to prevent any   sliding of the shell itself against these walls.   13 Ship according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that   that it includes ballasting means.