IL104578A - Transcontinental transport system - Google Patents

Description

j, ) n » i ' · 1 3 y n !> a i n n n a τ i» « TRANSCONTINENTAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM TRANSCONTINENTAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM Inventor: Solomon W. ZELMANOV 10, Caspi St., 35015 Haifa, Israel Assignee: MIND - E.M.S.G. LTD, Israel Int. Cl.S: B60P 1/00; B63B 1/00; B63B 25/00; B66C 17/20 B66C 23/005B61C 13/00; B61D 3/00.

References cited PATENTS U.S.A. 4,519,741 5/1985 Testore B66C 1/00 U.S.A. 4,522,546 6/1985 Ringer B66G 67/00 U.S.A. 4,524,874 6/1985 Broeke et al. B66C 23/72 U.S.A. 4,524,875 6/1985 Jamieson B66C 23/16 U.S.A. 4,556,341 12/1985 Ayers E02D 21/00 U.S.A. 4,569,453 2/1986 Oust d B66C 23/52 U.S.A. 4,580,502 4/1986 Ritzl et al. B61D 7/04 U.S.A. 4,606,469 8/1986 Van Deijk B66C 23/10 U.S.A 4,624,188 11/1986 aleta B61D 3/20 U.S.A. 4,627,359 12/1986 Buchler E01B 29/02 U.S.A. 4,665,834 5/1987 Van Iperen B61D 3/12 U.S.A. 4,667,603 5/1987 Van Iperen B61G 5/02 U.S.A. 4,703,699 11/1987 Hill B61D 3/20 U.S.A, 4,738,203 4/1988 Gielow et al. B61D 17/02 U.S.A. 4,754,710 7/1988 Kieres B61D 3/00 U.S.A. 4,766,829 8/1988 Schiichthorst B63B 1/00 U.S.A. 4,794,866 1/1989 Brandis B60L 13/02 U.S.A. 4,884,521 12/1989 Belinsky B63B 3/48 U.S.A. 4,889,055 12/1989 Jamrozy et al. B61D 3/20 U.S.A. 4,944,232 7/1990 Schlaeger B61F 1/00 U.S.A. 4,947,760 8/1990 Dawson et al. B61D 17/00 U.S.A. 4,949,646 8/1990 Jamrozy et al. B61D 3/20 OTHER PUBLICATIONS USSR standard # 21390-83 (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance standard - SEV # 2472-80) 'Container transport system. Terms and definitions*.

ABSTRACT The invention relates to transport and particularly to water and railroad transport applied for mass carriage of freight such as containers.

The present transport system includes high speed vessels ( 2, 3), adapted for sailing in certain basins, ports ( 4, S) with hydraulic cranes (9,10) for rapid mass loading/unloading of block containers ( 8) comprising a set of conventional FEU or TEU type containers secured or not secured to one another.

In ports (4,5) of one basin the block containers (8) are transferred onto block flatcars (7) moving on conventional railroad bogies at least over two tracks (12) simultaneously. Block flatcar trains deliver the block containers (8) over a special closed main railroad line (6) to another port (4) or (5) where said containers are loaded by cranes (9,10) onto vessels (2) or (3) sailing in the second basin. The application of hydraulic cranes (9, 10) having high hoisting capacity and simple in design, and block flatcars (7) increases by the freight turnover of ports (4,5) and the capacity of the main railroad line ( 6), which makes the described transport system competitive in comparison with some shipping lines such as Mediterranian-Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. 44 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures. 1 - TRANSCONTINENTAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM The present invention relates to transport and particularly to railroad and water transport applied for mass carriage of freights such as containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For mass carriage of freights such as containers various kinds of transport are applied, including water (sea, river and lake) transport, railroad, automobile and air transport. The transportation speed and tariffs of the latter exceed those of the other kinds of transport competing with one another and transporting the most part of mass frei hts.

The water, including the sea, and railroad transports are the cheapest ones for mass freight carriage, including freights in unified packings - containers according to FEU or TEU international standard.

The increased capacity and effectiveness of water and railroad transports make them most suitable for mass freight carriage in containers. Indeed a water or railroad transport unit ( vessel or a train) with a minimal crew carries dozens and hundreds of containers replacing dozens and hundreds of container trucks with a respective number of drivers. - 2 - Recently there have been developed water and railroad transport means for mass freight transportation including the most effective -intermodal ( ater-railroad) transportation.

There are described a container-carrying catamaran, see 'Catamaran-type marine craft* by Norbert Schlichthorst, assignor to Blohm+Voss AG, Hamburg, Germany, U.S. Pat. # 4,766,829, U.S. Cl.114-61, 8/1988 and a container ship, see 'Fast loading articulated platforms system · FLAPS* by Sidney I. Belinsky, U.S. Pat.# 4,884,521, U.S. Cl. 114-72, 12/1989. These vessels are equipped with devices facilitating the containers loading, mass transportation and unloading. Each of said vessels has its own features. So, the catamaran, because of its nautical properties, particularly the metacenter high location in loaded state is hardly suitable for transportation in the open ocean.

The FLAPS-type vessel has a deep draft when loaded and is ^inapplicable in fully loaded state for sailing in low depth basins and passing shipping canals like the Suez canal.

There are also known lifting facilities for container loading and unloading, see 'Loading and unloading crane and method of operation therefore* by Maynard A.Oustad, assignor to AMCA International, U.S. Pat.# 4,569,453, U.S. C1.212 -191, 2/1986; *Derric crane* by John R. Jandeson, assignor to VIckers p.l.c, England, U.S. Pat.# 4,524,875 U.S. Cl. 212-239, 6/1985; 'Double link level lifting crane* by Jan D.A.Van Dejk, assignor to Frans Swarttour B.V. Netherlands, U.S.Pat. # 4,606,469, U.S. Cl. 212-256, 8/1986 and 'Work platform* - 3 - by Ray R.Ayers, assignor to Shell Oil Company, U.S. Pat.# 4,556,341, U.S. CI. 405 -195, 12/1985. There are also known load grasping, balancing and other devices for similar cranes, see "Mobile yard crane for handling containers" by Guido Testore, assignor to ORIHG S.p.A., Italy, U.S. Pat.# 4,519,741, U.S. CI. 414 -738, 5/1985 ; "Attachment jib for cranes" by Russel S.Sterner, assignor to Kidde, Inc., U.S. Pat. # 4,569,454, 2/1986 ; "Tower crane with overbooming protection" by uss E.ten Broeke et al., assignors to American Pecco Corporation, U.S. Pat. # 4,524,874, U.S. CI. 212 -197, 6/1985 and "Device for unloading a container for bulk materials by Antal Ritzl et al., assignor to Swiss Aluminium Ltd., Switzerland, U.S. Pat. # 4,580,502, U.S. CI. 105 -240, 4/1986.

All mentioned designs of cranes and auxiliary devices are intended for loading one container at a time. Besides some of said cranes are mounted on a ponton and are movable along piers or over the port water area.

There are known container transfer and collecting devices applied in port container terminals, see "Container -handling system with rail/rail and road/rail transfer" by Karl Ringer, Germany, U.S. Pat. # 4,522,546, U.S. Cl. 414-343, 6/1985. These devices comprise section for containers and means for their transfer to a railroad car, truck or opposite collecting device. - 4 - There are also known numerous designs of railroad cars for container transportation and attachments to said cars, see 'Railroad car for container transport by Richard E.Jamrozy et al., assignors to Thrall Car Manufacturing Co., U.S. Pat.# 4,889,055, U.S. Cl. 105-355, 12/1989 "Container carrying railroad car with improved support system' by Richard E.Jamrozy et al., U.S. Pat.# 4,949,646, U.S. Cl. 105-406.1, 8/1990; 'Lightweight container car* by Charles C.Hill, assignor to Gunderson Inc., U.S. Pat.# 4,703,699, U.S. Cl. 105-355, 11/1987; 'Railway car for carrying freight such as coal or the like' by Keith C.Kieres, U.S.Pat.# 4,754,710, U.S.C1.105 -355, 5/1988 ; 'Apparatus for intermodal transport of highway containers' by Willem H.P.van Iperen, assignor to Sea-Land Service Inc., U.S.Pat.# 4,665,834, U.S.C1.10S -4.1, 5/1987; "Articulated car for intermodal containers' by Willem H.P.van Iperen, U.S. Pat.# 4,667,603, U.S. C1.10S- 4.1, 5/1987. All these cars are designed for carrying one or two containers according to international standard FEU or TEU.

Attempts have been made to improve such cars by increasing the container carrying capacity, arranging the containers in two tiers or increasing the running speed, see 'Stack supporting container car' by Gary S. Kaleta, assignor to Gunderson, Inc., U.S. Pat.# 4,624,188, U.S. Cl.105-355, 11/1986 or "Aerodynantically structured railway car with corner, air flow guides" by Robert L.Gielow et al., assignors to Pullman Standard, Inc., U.SJ»at.# 4,738,203, U.S. C1.105 -1.1, 4/1988. - 5 - Besides there are railroad vehicles movable simultaneously over more than one track, see "Method for the renewal of a railroad switch or crossing and train for carrying out the method" by Fritz Buhler, assignor to Les Fils d'Avguste Scheuchzer, S.A., Switzerland, U.S. Pat. # 4,627,359, U.S. CI. 104-3, 12/1986.

There are also known the results of experimental works on designing articulated railroad cars, magnetically suspended cars or cars which can carry not only containers but also tanks and small vessels, see "Articulated flat car" by Richard W.Dawson et al.,assignors to Trailer Train Co., U.S. Pat. # 4,947,760, U.S. CI. 105-03, 8/1990; "Linear motor driven railway car* by Curt Brandis et al., U.S. Pat.# 4,794,866, U.S. Cl. 104-292, 1/1989 and "Dual purpose depressed center railway flat car" by Gary D. Schlaeger, assignor to Burlington Northern Railroad, U.S. Pat.# 4,944,232, U.S. Cl.105-355, 7/1990.

This is today's world engineering level of mass container transportation. On the basis of it in several countries and regions transport system are created which include several kinds of transport and secure a mass long distance transpotation of freights such as containers. Thus distant basins are connected, securing transcontinental transport. - 6 - The prior art Most similar to the present invention is the transcontinental Transsiberian container line extending over the former USSR territory and connecting the Far East ( Nakhodka) and Baltic (Klaipeda, Saint Fetersberg etc.) ports. This line secured mass freight transport in containers from Japan and other Far East countries to Europe and back. During 18 years of continuous operation the line proved its competivenessin comparison with container sea transport without transshipment around Asia and Africa or by the Polar Sea Way. The engineering means securing the line operation, including vessels, port cranes, container terminals and railroad rolling stock don't differ from those described above.

A drawback of said transport system, in the inventor's opinion, is the limited railroad capacity. It is caused by the rigidly restricted overall road outside dimensions, including tunnels, heavy traffic of the national railroad network, which does not allow to keep to the schedule and optimize transport. Under these conditions no rolling stock radical changes are possible while the conventional rolling stock application makes port, cranes radical changes and the fleet capacity increase inexpedient. During 18 years of intensive operation the capacity of said container line has not practically changed. Its drawback permissible for a 10 thousant km line, are excluded in short lines. - 7 - At the same time short lines can be built anew, outside of other function railroad tracks, closed like underground lines, free of outside dimensional restrictions and therefore applicable for a quite different rolling stocks which might increase the line capacity by an order. Besides port cranes should be developed having a capacity by an order higher than that of conventional cranes and an increased capacity fleet ordered.

The competitiveness of such a transcontinental system in comparison with one of the near water lines for freight transport without transshipment such as the Panama or Suez canal would be a self-evident proof of said system effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is a transcontinental transport sustem for high-speed mass transportation of cargoes, particularly containers between two basins separated by dry land. The system comprises high-speed vessels, ports, a special railroad main line and a special rolling stock for this line.

The high-speed vessels, each of which is intended for application in one of said basins, are provided with engineering means for disposing and securing blook-containers (LUF-system), each of the latter comprising up to several dozens of standard containers disposed parallel to one another at least in two tiers and adapted to be grasped (lifted) by a block-spreader of a special port crane. - 8 - The ports have rapid freight transfer facilities including stationary andor movable hydraulic cranes with block-spreaders for block container loading/unloading multiple-track railroad lines with appropriate equipment including switches for simultaneous movement of railroad block flatcars with block containers and or with said hydraulic cranes at least along two parallel tracks and also block container stationary or moving collecting platforms.

The special railroad main lineis defined by terminal ports and suitable both for block flatcar trains and conventional rolling stock passage.

The special rolling stock for mass carriage of block containers and other cargoes is designed as block flatcar trains on conventional railroad bogies running at least over two tracks by means of conventional or special locomotives with synchronized control, the block containers being disposed on block latcars with longitudinal or lateral orientation relative to the railroad tracks.

Said standard containers forming a block container may be attached to each other.

The high-speed vessels with limited sailing range entering into the described transport system may be designed as catamarans, air-cushion vessels or wingshops.

Besides the vessels employed in said transport system may be provided with engineering means for positioning, attachment andor individual loading/unloading of block containers and other cargoes, for example lifting separating platforms, deck freight lifting devices, and also antiheeling means both entering into the vessel equipment set and not entering into it.

The hydraulic cranes for block container mass loading/unloading are fixed on a pier vessel or on a vehicle movable along the pier, such as said railroad block flatcar moving simultaneously at least over two railroad tracks, or on a ponton movable on water surface along the pier. These cranes are designed at least as one supporting tower-hydraulic cylinder filled with water, and within said tower-hydraulic cylinder there is a piston movable substantially in vertical plane and connected with a jib provided with a block spreader for block container loading/unloading.

Said piston is pivotally conected through a slider with two degrees of freedom and a ball joint with the jib rotatable in the vertical plane around a certain horizontal pivot. Said pivot and said tower-hydraulic cylinder are secured to a common supporting base. Besides the jib is rotatable around a certain vertical pin and the latter may be secured to said supporting base. The jib may as well be rotatable around said vertical pivot together with the tower-hydraulic cylinder, the latter and the vertical pivot being secured to a common supporting base. In its turn the supporting base may be secured to the pier or said vehicle, particularly on a block flatcar or a ponton. The piston side surface may be shaped as a rotation evolventoid. - 10 - The jib is provided with a means for balancing the lifted cargo weight and said means is connected with the towe -hydraulic cylinder or the supporting base. The hydraulic cranes block spreader are provided with means for simultaneously grasping several standard containers forming a block container (LUF-system) and each of said means may be designed as a small spreader mounted on the main block spreader. Besides the block spreader may be rotatable in the horizontal plane relative to said jib and connected with the latter by a hydraulic suspension.

Each of said hydraulic cranes is provided with pumps for water feeding/draining in the tower-hydraulic cylinder and with drives for turning the jib and actuating the block spreader.

Said mobile block container collecting platforms are movable over the same railroad tracks as said block flatcars.

Said main railroad line is at least a double-track line defined by terminal ports and provided with passing and dead-end sidings,switches and other engineering means for block flatcar trains running simultaneously over two tracks or conventional rolling stock running over one track. This main railroad line may be provided with protective fencing on both sides and engineering means such as switches and a crossover track for periodical coincidence with the conventional railroad network to use, if necessary, for a short time, as a regular railroad. The railroad main line may as well have means, such as passing slidings continuous conflicting movement of block flatcar trains. - 11 - The line may also have conductor rails for current supply to electric locomotives. On said line the tracks lines of centers are spaced at a precisely defined distance, said tracks being provided with engineering means such as a common piled base for securing said distance constant value.

Instead of the railroad mine line alternative high capacity transport means such as air cushion or magnetically suspended trains, freight ducts or conveyors adapted for conventional containers transportation may be used.

The mine line rolling stock comprises trains of block flatcars mounted on conventional bogies provided with means for block flatcars connection with said bogies and movement synchronization of bogies, rolling over parallel tracks at all movement stages including the speeding-up, regular and emergency braking, running up and down a slope and running over a curve.

The block flatcars may be additionally provided with engineering means for small ships and other heavy cargoes transportation, as well as for construction and repair of railroad tracks, embankments and building and erections located along the railroad.

For the increase of the locomotives haulage on the rise, near the main railroad line steep rises, parallel to the mains tracks additional tracks are laid and on the latter reserve locomotives are located, said locomotives being provided with devices for coupling block flatcars trains running over the main tracks. - 12- Other advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Below the preffered embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG.1 - illustrates the diagrammatic general view of the transport system; FIG.2 -illustrates the general view of a container catamaran with block containers; FIG.3 -illustrates railroad block flatcars with block containers', FIG. 4 -illustrates a railway bed on a piled base; FIG. S -illustrates the front view of a port hydraulic crane mounted on a block flatcar at unloading a catamaran vessel (the latter is shown in cross section); FIG. 6 -illustrates the same as in FIG. 5, top view; FIG.7 -illustrates the front view of a stationary hydraulic crane mounted on a pier, at unloading a vessel provided with a lifting separating platform ( the vessel is shown in cross section); FIG.8 -illustrates the same as in FIG. 7, top view. - 13 - SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The transport system, according to the present invention, comprises (FIG.1) high-speed vessels (2,3) designed for sailing in sertain basins and carrying freights, mainly in containers, ports (4, 5) with high-speed freights transfer equipment, and a special railroad main line (6) with a rolling stock including block flatcars (7) for transport of containers, the latter forming a block container (8) ( FIG.3).

The vessels (2,3) are provided with engineering means (not shown in the drawings) for disposing and securing the block containers (8).

Each block container (8) ( LUF-system) can include up to several dozens of standard FEU or TEU-type containers disposed in parallel at least in two tiers and adapted for grasping by a special port crane block spreader.

Ports (4,5) are provided with stationary (9) andor movable (10) cranes with block spreader (11) for block containers (8) loading/ unloading (FIG.5, 7), multi-track railroad lines (12) with appropriate equipment including switches for simultaneous movement with block containers ( 8) and/or said hydraulic cranes ( 10), at least over two parallel tracks and stationary or mobile block container collecting platforms ( not shown in the drawings). The special main railroad line defined by terminal ports ( 4, 5) is designed both for block flatcars (7) trains and conventional rolling stocks running. 14 - The special rolling stock for block containers ( 8) and other freight mass transport includes trains ( 13) of block fla cars ( 7) on conventional railroad bogies ( not shown in the drawings) running at least over two tracks ( 12). Said trains are hauled by conventional or special synchronised control locomotives ( 11) ( FIG. 1). Block containers ( 8) are located on block flatcars ( 7) longitudinally or laterally relative to the railroad tracks ( 12).

Said standard FEU and/or TEU containers forming block container ( 8) may be secured to one another.

The high-speed vessels ( 2) with a limited sailing area may be designed as catamarans ( FIG. 1, 2), air cushion ships or wings hips ( not shown in the drawings). Besides the vessels ( 2, 3) may be provided with engineering means for positioning, attachment and/or individual loading/ unloading of block containers ( 8) and other freights. Said means may be designed as lifting separating platforms ( 15) ( FIG. 7), deck hydraulic cranes similar to port cranes ( 9, 10) in their freight lifting part, as well as antiheeling and other means both entering into the vessel equipment set ( not shown in the drawings) and not. The hydraulic cranes ( 9, 10) for block containers ( 8) mass loading unloading are disposed stationary on a pier ( 16) ( FIG. 7), on a vessel ( 2 or 3), or on a vehicle movable along the pier ( 6), such as said railroad block flatcar ( 7) running simultaneously at least over two tracks ( 12), or on a ponton ( not shown in the drawings), movable over water along the pier ( 16). - 15 Said cranes (9,10) are designed at least as one supporting tower-hydraulic cylinder (17) filled with water, and within said tower-hydraulic cylinder there is a piston ( 18) movable substantially in the vertical plane and connected with a jib ( 19), provided with a block spreader ( 11), by a slider ( 20) with two degrees of freedom and a ball joint (21).

The jib (19) is rotatable in the vertical plane around a horizontal pivot (22) secured to the supporting base (24) by means of a girder (23). The supporting tower-hydraulic cylinder (17) is also secured to this base (24). The supporting base (24) is rotatable around a vertical pivot (25) together with the tower (17), girder (23) and the jib ( 19), and is pivotally mounted on the pier ( 16), block flatcar ( 7) on a vessel or ponton ( not shown in the drawings).

The piston (18) side surface can be shaped as a rotation evolventoid.

The girder (23) securing the jib (19) to the tower-hydraulic cylinder (17) and/or the base (24) also served as a means for balancing the lifted cargo weight.

The block spreader ( 11) is provided with means for simultaneous grasping of several standard containers forming a block container (8) (LUF-system). Said means may comprise several small spreaders (26) mounted on the main block spreader. Besides the block spreader is rotatable in the horizontal plane relation to the jib (19) and connected with the latter by a hydraulic suspensions (27). - 16 - All hydraulic cranes ( 9, 10) are provided with pumps ( not shown in the drawings) for water feeding/draining in the tower -hydraulic cylinder ( 17) and with drives for turning the jib ( 19) together with the base ( 24) and actuating the block spreader ( 11).

Said block container collecting platforms ( ) are movable over the same railroad tracks ( 12) as the block flatcars ( 7). It is also possible to apply the block flatcars ( 7) as mobile collecting platforms The main railroad line ( 6) ( FIG. 1) is at least a double-track railroad defined by terminal ports ( 4, 5) and provided with passing sidings ( 28), dead-end sidings ( 29), switches ( not shown in the drawings) and other engineering means for block flatcar ( 7) trains running simultaneously over two tracks ( 12) or conventional rolling stock over one track ( 12).

This line may be provided with engineering means, such as protective fencing ( 30) on both sides as well as switches ( not shown in the drawings) and a crossover track ( 31) for periodical coincidence with a conventional railroad network.

The line ( 6) can also have additional tracks ( not shown in the drawings). To supply current to electric locomotives ( 14) conductor rails ( 32) may be laid ( FIG. 3, 4). The lines of centers of tracks ( 12) are spaced at a precisely defined distance and said tracks are provided with engineering means for securing this distance constant value such as a common piled base ( 33), which also makes the rails 17 - attachment to the line ( 6) embankment more reliable.

The main line ( 6) may be replaced by alternative transport means of higher capacity such, as air cushion or magnetically suspended trains, freight ducts or conveyors adapted for conventional containers mass transportanion.

The block flatcars (7) have conventional railroad bogies and means for attaching the flatcars (7) to the bogies, for synchronizing the movement of the latter over parallel tracks The block flatcars (7) can be also provided with engineering means such as supports for small vessels and other heavy cargoes transport, for construction and repair of railroad tracks (12), embankment as well as buildings and erection (not shown in the drawings) located along the railroad. At mainline (6) steep risers, beside its tracks (12), additional tracks (12) may be located for reverse and boosting locomotives (14) provided with attachments for coupling with trains of block flatcars (7) running over the main tracks (12).

The described transport system operates as follows.

High-speed vessels (2 or 3) with block containers (8) formed by conventional FEU or TEU container sets arrive at ports ( , 5) where they moor at piers ( 16). Hydraulic cranes (9,10) lift ( alternately or simulaneously) the block containers (8) and place them onto block flatcars ( ) coupled as trains or onto collecting platforms. - 18 - Conventional containers which form block containers < 8) may be connected with one another by flexible or rigid joints.

The mobile collecting platforms loaded with block containers are transferred to relief tracks, and trains are made up of loaded block flatcars ( 7). Locomotives ( 14) located on parallel tracks and integrated by movement synchronization means guide the trains of block flatcars ( 7) along the main line ( 6) to the opposite port ( 4 or 5) where the block containers ( 8) are transferred by hydraulic cranes ( 9, 10) to a vessel ( 2, 3) sailing to another port of destination in the same basin. Likewise small vessels and other heavy freights are transported on block flatcars < 7).

This was, in short the freight carriage procedure by the described transcontinental transport system.

To increase transportation efficiency in said system there are employed vessels most adapted for sailing in a definite basin.

So container catamarans ( 2) ( FIG.2) are chiefly adapted for sailing in a limited water area, outside the ocean lines, with comparatively small storms as in the Mditerranean or Black sea.

This allows to dispose most of block containers ( 8) on the open upper deck which in its turn speeds up the vessel loading/unloading, but it is hardly applicable and even dangerous for open ocean cruises or which conventional single hull container ships ( 3) are more suitable. The equipment of these ships with individual means for block containers ( 8) and other freights loading/ unloading such as li ting - 19 - separating platforms (15) and hydraulic cranes (9, 10) allows to reduce the ship's freight handling time and thus increase the ship's efficiency. Every vessel ( 2, 3) is provided with engineering means for freight desposition and securing which are conventional and therefore not included in the description.

A hydraulic cranes (9, 10) are a hydraulic cylinder ( 17) comprising a piston ( 18) and located vertically on a base ( 24). As a working medium in the hydraulic cylinder (17) may be employed sea of fresh water supplied to the cylinder by conventional pump ( not shown in the drawings) and generating, due to the large surface of piston (18), the required lifting force at relatively low working pressure and allowable slight water drain through the piston collars. The hydraulic cylinder piston generates the lifting force transmitted through a ball joint (21) and slider (20) to the jib (19) turning around the pivot (22) to which it is attached by one end. On the opposite end of jib ( 19), by means of a hydraulic suspension ( 27), a block spreader ( 11) is attached. Said spreder has an individual drive and device for turning at an angle of 90o relatic to the jib (19). On the block spreader ( 11) there are mounted spreaders ( 26) for container grasping.

At the beginning of its operation the cranes (9,10) turns on the supporting base (24) aroud the vertical pivot (25) until the block spreader (11) is fixed over a block container (8) on the ship (2,3) is grasped by the block spreader (11). After that water is pumped into the cylinder (17) and the jib ( 19) rises,turning around the pivot (22). - 20 - The girder ( 23) supported by the other surface of the cylinder ( 17) and or supporting base ( 24) served as a counterweight. The slider ( 20), ball joint ( 21) and the evolvent old side surface of piston ( 18) serve as compensators of jib ( 19) angular movements preventing the jamming of piston ( 18) in cylinder ( 17). The water leakage from the cylinder ( 17) is compensated by a water pump. The hydraulic suspension ( 27) compensates the inertia loads on the jib ( 19) from the lifted cargo. Every spreader ( 26) of the block spreader ( 11) grips a definite container. The cranes ( 9, 10) supporting base ( 24) turns at an angle of 90o or 18 Oo around the vertical pin ( 25) secured to the pier ( 16) or the block flatcar ( 7) and the block container ( 8) comes over the freight block flatcar ( 7) or the collecting platform. By actuating the appropriate drive the block spreader ( 11) can be turned in such a way that the containers become oriented along or across the track ( 12) according to the overall dimensions of block flatcars ( 7) or collecting platforms.

Then water is drained out of the hydraulic cylinder 17, and the jib ( 19) together with the block spreader ( 11) and block container ( 8) is lowered until the freight is put in place - on the block flatcar ( 7) or collecting platform.

Other freights are transferred likewise.

When the crane ( 10) is removed to another position on the block flatcar or other vehicle, water is drained out the cylinder ( 17) and the crane weight is considerably reduced. - 21 - Such a design of cranes ( 9, 10) allows to reduce their overall dimensions and weight in comparison with conventional cranes of equal hoisting capacity eliminate the application of conventional wire ropes, pulleys, polyspasts and other similar devices which become more and more complicated as the crane capacityis increased. Cranes similar to cranes ( 9, 10) can be mounted on container ships or block flatcars of construction and repair trains.

The railroad main line ( 6) is closed between ports ( 4, 5) like underground lines and comprises at least two tracks. It is laid again, as straight as possible, to avoid additional loads on the rolling stock. Protective fencing serves to eliminate accidents and collisions with conventional transport.

The overall dimensions of railroad transport for application on line ( 6) should not be limited, as on conventional lines.

That will permit to carry block containers disposed on block flatcars ( 7) both along and across the direction of their movement.

When the line is laid, a definite distance between the tracks ( 12) is selected which is kept as rigidly as the standard track gage. Thus the line can be employed both for block flatcars ( 7) and conventional rolling stock running. The latter may run over the main line ( 6) chiefly in emergency situations such as repair works or long breaks in running of block flatcar ( 7) trains. For these cases a track ( 31) is provided which connects the main line ( 6) with the conventional railroad network. 22 - The piled bases (33) serve for strengthening the main line bed, securing the distance between its tracks lines of centers and mainly for preventing the rails displacement along the bed of line ( 6) at the moment of emergency braking of a heavy-weight train made up of loaded block latcars ( 7).

When electric locomotives are employed, the current is supplied to the latter through conductor rails (32). To secure uninterrupted traffic over the main line (6) the latter is provided with passing sidings ( 28), dead-end sidings ( 29), switches and other means similar to those applied in railroad transport.

All said main line improvements are aimed at increasing its carrying capacity. Near the main line steep rises on additional tracks there may be located reverse locomotives and other means which make it easier for trains of block flatcars (7) to get over said rises.

The block flatcars (7) are mounted on conventional railroad bogies and provided with means for attachment to said bogies, synchronization of the bogies movement over parallel tracks at all stages of block flatcars movement, including speeding up, regular or emergency braking, running up and down a slope and over a curve. Said means are well known in engineering and applied for instance on special railroad transports, in special vehicles for removing multi -storeyed buildings and histiric monuments. Therefore said means are not mentioned in the sent description. - 23 - The author belives that the application of the described transport system which comprises known engineering solutions and new improvements will be on the whole, highly efficient as it allows to speed up by an order the mass cargo handling and the main railroad line carrying capacity by an order as well. These advantages in combination with high-speed vessels most adapted for sailing in definite basins make the transport system completitive in comparison with sea shipping lines such as the line connecting the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean ports via Suez canal or the Atlantic-Pacific line via Panama canal. The main time and money saving is abtained due to the reduction of vessels demurrage while making up convoys for sea canals passage,elimination of vessels underloading and fees for canal passage.

Besides the vessel yearly turnover increases approximately by 10¾, which brings additional profit to the shipowners.

So the yearly common laden container delivery by one large-capacity container ship using the Transisraeli Mediterranean - Indian Ocean transport line and operated in the Mediterranean is twice that of a similar ship sailing to the Indian Ocean via Suez canal.

The described system has been designed chiefly for freights delivery from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean or back via Israel or Egypt. At the same time it may be applied in other parts of the world as well for similar transport systems both short, such as through Isthmus of Panama or long ones such as the Transamerican line via USA, Transrussian etc. - 24 - Above I gave a description of the preffered transport system embodiment. However it should be clear that many improvements, changes and additions of equivalent members may be introduced without depriving the present invention of its advantages cited in the claims. 25 -

Claims (44)

1. A transcontinental transport system for high-speed, mass transportation of cargoes, particularly containers between two basins separated by dry land, comprising: ( ) high-speed vessels, each of said vessels being intended for application in one of said basins and having engineering means for disposing and securing block containers (LUF-system), each of the latter comprising up to several dozens of standard containers disposed parallel to one another at least in two tiers and adapted to be grasped by a block spreader of a special port crane) < b) ports with rapid freight transfer facilities including stationary and/or movable hydraulic cranes with block spreader for block container loading/unloading, multiple-track railroad lines with appropriate equipment including switches for simultaneous movement of railroad block flatcars with block containers andor with said hydraulic cranes at least along two parallel tracks and also block container stationary or moving collecting platforms) (c)a special railroad main line defined by terminal ports and suitable both for block flatcar trains and conventional train passage) 26 - ( d) special rolling stock for mass carriage of block containers and other cargoes, said rolling stock being designed as block flatcar trains on conventional railroad bogies for running at least along two parallel tracks by means of conventional or special locomotives with synchronized control, the block containers being disposed on block flatcars with longitudinal or lateral orientation relative to the railroad tracks.

2. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein the standard containers forming said block container may be attached to each other.

3. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein the high-speed vessels with limited sailing range are designed as catamarans.

4. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein said vessels are designed as air-cushion vessels.

5. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein said vessels are designed as wingships.

6. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein said vessels are provided with engineering means for positioning, attachment and/or individual loading/unloading of block containers and other cargoes, such as deck hydraulic cranes with block spreaders. - 27 -

7. A transport system according to claim 6, wherein said vessels are provided with lifting separating platforms.

8. A transport system according to claim 6, wherein said vessels are provided with antiheeling means both entering into the vessel equipment set and not entering into it.

9. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cranes for block container mass loading/unloading are fixed on a pier, each of said cranes being designed at least as one supporting tower-hydraulic cylinder filled with water, and within said tower-hydraulic cylinder there is a piston movable substantially in vertical plane and connected with a jib provided with a block spreader for block container loading/unloading.

10. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said piston is pivotally connected with said jib.

11. A transport system according to claim 10, wherein said piston is connected with said jib through a slider with two degrees of freedom and a ball joint.

12. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said piston can have a side surface shaped as a rotation evolventoid. 28 -

13. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said jib is rotatable in the vertical plane.

14. A transport system according to claim 13, wherein said jib is rotatable in the vertical plane around a certain horizontal pivot.

15. A transport system according to claim 14, wherein said horizontal pivot and said tower-hydraulic cylinder are secured to a common supporting base.

16. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said jib is also rotatable around a certain vertical pivot.

17. A transport system according to claim 16, wherein said jib is rotatable around a certain vertical pin secured to said supporting base.

18. A transport system according to claim 17, wherein said jib is rotatable together with said tower-hydraulic cylinder around said vertical pivot secured to the supporting base.

19. A transport system according to claim 15, wherein said supporting base together with the jib and tower-hydraulic cylinder is secured to said pier. - 29 -

20. A transport system according to claim 15, wherein said supporting base together with the jib and tower-hydraulic cylinder is secured onto saod vehicle.

21. A transport system according to claim 20, wherein said vehicle is movable along said pier over said railroad tracks.

22. A transport system according to claim 20, wherein said vehicle is designed as a ponton for moving on water surface along said pier.

23. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said jib is provided with a means for balancing the lifted cargo weight.

24. A transport system according to claim 23, wherein said balancing means is connected with said tower-hydraulic cylinder.

25. A transport system according to claim 23, wherein said balancing means is connected with said supporting base.

26. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said hydraulic crane block spreader is provided with means for simultaneous grasping of several standard containers forming a block spreader ( LUF-system). - 30 -

27. A transport system according to claim 26, wherein said means for simultaneous grasping of several standard containers may comprise several small spreaders mounted on the main block spreader.

28. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said block spreader is rotatable in the horizontal plane relative to said jib.

29. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein said block spreader is connected with the jib by a hydraulic syspension.

30. A transport system according to claim 9, wherein each of said hydraulic cranes is provided with pumps for water feeding/draining in the tower-hydraulic cylinder and with drives for turning the jib and actuating the block spreader.

31. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein said block container collecting platforms are movable over the same railroad tracks as said block flatcars.

32. A transport system acording to claim 1, wherein the main railroad line is at least a double-track railroad line defined by terminal ports and provided with passing and dead-end sidings, switches and other engineering means for block flatcar trains running simultaneously over two tracks or conventional rolling stock running over the track. - 31 -

33. A transport system according to claim 32, wherein the main railroad line may be provided with protective fencing on both sides.

34. A transport system according to claim 32, wherein the main railroad line is provided with engineering means, such as switches and a crossover track for periodical coincidence with the conventional railroad network to use, if necessary, for a short time, as a regular railroad.

35. A transport system according to claim 32, wherein the railroad main line is provided with means such as passing sidings or additional tracks for securing uninterrupted conflicting movement of block flatcar trains.

36. A transport system according to claim 32, wherein the railroad main line is provided with conductor rails for current supply to electric locomotives.

37.A transport system according to claim 1, wherein the railroad tracks lines of centers are spaced at a precisely defined distance, the tracks being provided with means for securing said distance constant value. - 32 -

38. A transport system according to claim 37, wherein said railroad tracks are integratedby a common piled base.

39. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein said main railroad line may be replaced by alternative transport means of higher capacity such as air cushion or magnetically suspended trains, freight ducts or conveyors adapted for conventional container mass transportation.

40. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein the special rolling stocks comprises trains of block flatcars mounted on conventional railroad bogies provided with means for attaching of said flatcars to said bogiesand synchronizing the movement of said bogies, running over parallel tracks at all movement stages including the speeding up, regular and emergency braking, running up and down a slope, and running over a curve.

41. A transport system according to claim 40, wherein said block flatcars are provided with engineering means for small ships and other heavy cargoes transportation.

42. A transport system according to claim 40, wherein said block flatcars are provided with engineering means for construction and repair of railroad tracks, and embankments, as well as buildings and erections located along the railroad. 33 -

43. A transport system according to claim 1, wherein, near the main railroad line steep rises, parallel to the main tracks, there are located stationary or movable reserve haulage means provided with devices for coupling with block flatcars trains running over the main tracks for haulage increase on the rise.

44. A transport system according to claim 43, wherein said reserve haulage means are designed as locomotives located on additional tracks extending parallel to said main railroad line main tracks. Inventor Solomon W. ZELMANOV