KR20120024946A - Device and method for powering a traveling object from the ground, in particular a ship - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for supplying power to an anchored vessel. This power supply comprises a ship side connector, a reciprocator 40 and a traction means 41 for the reciprocator, which mate with the land side connector 30 mating with the ship side connector. Means; and the towing means is configured to tow the reciprocator and the land side connector when the reciprocator and the land side connector are engaged so that the land side connector is electrically connected with the ship side connector. The device can be used to power a ship without the operation of a ship-side generator. Particularly for methane transporters, the device can be used to supply electricity to the grid by combusting gaseous gases. The device can be operated automatically, thereby avoiding the risk of labor fatigue and electrical hazards.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR POWERING A TRAVELING OBJECT FROM THE GROUND, IN PARTICULAR A SHIP}

The present invention relates to the field of high power electricity supply. More specifically, the invention relates to a device and a method for supplying power, in particular when a moving body such as a ship is stationary after docking.

For example, vessels such as container ships or cruise ships require significant amounts of electrical power when anchored. Such power is typically several megawatts, typically on the order of 8 to 12 megawatts for a three phase voltage of 6,500V or 11,000V. This power is generally provided by ship side diesel engine type power generation units. These ship-side generators have a low power generation rate, use very expensive energy and become very dirty. In addition, methane carriers using gas evaporated from a tank of such a generator as fuel can often generate more energy than they consume. Thus, it is possible to send current to the land-side network in a competitive way.

Therefore, it is considered important to design a device that enables the exchange of electrical power in both directions between the ship and the dockside. Since these systems must be used in most ports where ships can dock, these exchange systems must have universal characteristics and must be very simple to use.

The most successful configuration as the first system of this kind is based on the application of the prior art to a passive contactor with a powered reel system installed on the vessel. The reel is easy to store and to handle electrical cables mounted on the vessel. When the ship is moored, the reel is released and the cable extends to land through a roller guide carrying the cable above the dock. At the dock, a worker pulls the cable and pulls the cable towards the connection box to connect the end connector of the cable to the port side power network. Mr. Ottonel Popesco spoke of "Cavotec Alternative Maritime Power Supply" at the "Clean Ship Conference" from 7 to 9 September 2007. This description is given in the title description.

This technique has many problems when the corresponding power is high—generally the power exceeds hundreds of kilowatts. E.g,

The weight that one operator can handle is generally limited to about 25 kg, whereas the weight of the cables and connectors requires a lot of labor to safely handle the cables and connectors.

High electrical voltages requiring large sizes in conductor insulation not only increase the weight of the cable but also increase the strength of the cable, making the cable more difficult and dangerous to handle.

In general, for high powers above 4 MW, several systems of this kind need to be used in parallel, but this is expensive and risky and increases the complexity of operating them.

-The price of the cables and reels is very high and requires mounting space on the ship side, which makes these ships difficult to trade, although these equipment take up only a small part of the ship itself.

The space occupied by the cables and reels may limit the space allocated to the payload of the vessel.

Because operators must handle high voltage cables and connectors directly, certain processes and qualifications are required to create high costs and operational constraints to avoid risk of human life.

In the event of an emergency, when the power supply system is under energy supply, if the ship has to leave the anchored state quickly, it may occur in the case of a "burst" such as when the cable is torn, or A great risk can be caused by the formation of electric arcs falling over the public.

It is an object of the present invention to propose an apparatus and method for solving the above-mentioned problems, which aims to ensure a very safe and quick set-up of the power supply, which is especially applied to the power required for ships with high payloads. It is also another object of the present invention to limit the number, size, complexity, and more generally its volume, of the components of a device on board a vessel.

According to the invention, in a device for providing land-side power supply to a moving object, in particular a ship, the device comprises a ship side connector, a reciprocator and means for pulling the reciprocator, the reciprocator being on the ship side Means for engaging a land side connector mating with a connector, such that the tow means is electrically connected with the ship side connector so that the tow means engages with the reciprocator and when the land side connector is engaged with the land side connector; It is characterized in that it is provided to pull the land-side coupler. The towing means may comprise a chain and a winch, the first end of the chain being at least partially connected to the reciprocator and the second end of the chain being a free end.

Preferably the apparatus comprises means for securing the vessel side connector substantially rigidly to the hull of the vessel.

The ship side coupler may be carried by a jib, the jib moving between a received state in which the ship side coupler is received inside the ship's hull and a deployment state in which the ship side coupler is spaced out of the hull. It is composed. The jib may comprise a gondola (nacelle), the ship side coupler and a winch received inside the gondola, the chain is arranged to be wound in the compartment of the gondola.

The jib may comprise a substantially horizontal beam disposed below the deck of the ship, and a hook means for moving the beam substantially horizontally.

Advantageously, the distal end of the jib includes a panel that fits into the opening in the hull such that the panel moves in the stowed state to close the opening, thereby ensuring a continuous state of the hull.

The jib may be deployed in a substantially horizontal direction on the vessel. In addition, the jib may be configured to be preferably provided at the stern of the vessel such that the jib is substantially deployed in the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

The apparatus may further comprise one or more cables and a box extending through the deck under the jib for electrically connecting the ship side connector with the land side electrical equipment, the box preferably comprising a lower end. Through the engine compartment, the cable and the cable box being arranged such that the cable extends beyond the lower end to form a loop, preferably a hook ring.

The connectors comprise the same number of connecting elements distributed around an individual axis; And individual orientation means configured to act in conjunction with the shuttle so that each land-side coupler element is aligned with a corresponding element of the vessel-side coupler at the time a connection is made.

In one embodiment, the connector is engaged with three connecting elements, a reciprocator having a triangular cross section, and a triangular cross section of the reciprocator, such that the connector and the reciprocator are oriented with respect to each other at 120 degrees relative to the respective axis. One or more alignment means, each of which comprises a set of three rollers configured. Each of the three connection elements may be provided in each phase of a three-phase power supply. Each connector may also include three other connecting elements, which are distributed around separate axes and enable neutral three-phase supply. Nevertheless, the three connecting elements may be capable of both individual phase and neutrality.

One end of the reciprocator may comprise a hook that engages with the engaging means of the land-side coupler.

The apparatus may comprise a container and a chimney carried by the container, wherein the land side connector is housed in the chimney, the container serves as a reservoir of cable electrically connected to the land side connector, and the land The moment each side connector is pulled towards the ship side connector, each cable runs straight through the chimney. The chimney is advantageously arranged to translate relative to the container. The container may be arranged at the dockside, or the apparatus may further comprise a floating pontoon in which the container is installed, each cable connected as a flexible cable to the land side electrical network. The floating pontoons are preferably powered.

In another embodiment, the device may comprise floating means for the land-side coupler, and preferably propulsion means. When the land side coupler is not connected to the ship side coupler, the land side coupler may further comprise ballast means for lowering the land side coupler. The invention may also comprise means for sliding the floating means axially relative to the connecting means such that the floating means do not mechanically interfere with the vessel side portion of the apparatus when the couplers are connected to each other.

According to the invention, in a method of providing land-side power supply to a moving body, in particular a ship, the ship side connector remains substantially fixed relative to the hull of the ship, and the reciprocator engages with the land side connector, and then The reciprocator and the land side connector are provided in such a way that they are pulled until the land side connector is electrically connected to the ship side connector. Preferably, the reciprocator is automatically oriented with respect to the land side connector, and then the reciprocator is automatically oriented with respect to the ship side connector before the land side connector is electrically connected with the ship side connector.

As used herein, the term "ship side" means any part of the vessel that is part of the vessel and that moves with the vessel. In contrast, the rest of the apparatus and components of the apparatus generally connected to the port installation are named "land side". In general, the land side portion of the apparatus is considered to be above the vessel side portion of the apparatus.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in a non-limiting manner.
1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an elevation of the device according to the invention, applied to the power supply of the ship, in which a partial cross-sectional view of the ship is shown.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus in a state similar to that in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a top perspective view of the land-side portion of the present apparatus of FIG. 1, configured to be placed at the dockside;
4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the land-side connector for the device in FIG. 1.
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connecting element for the land side connector in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vessel side connector for the device in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the connecting element for the land side connector in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 8 shows that the land side connector of FIG. 4 and the ship side connector of FIG. 6 are connected together.
9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a land-side coupler configured to float above the water surface, shown as hanging on a tow chain.
10 is a cross-sectional view when the land side connector shown in FIG. 9 is placed on the surface of the water.
FIG. 11 is a view similar to that in FIG. 10 showing a connector shown suspended in a chain.
12 is a perspective view of a means for storing and launching a floating connector, in a stored state.
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing that the floating connector is launched.

The connecting device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a ship side portion 2 and a land side portion 3. The land side portion 3 is configured such that the buttress is arranged on the 4. The vessel side portion 2 is configured to be mounted to a vessel 6 whose surface facing the dock 4 is represented by a cross section in FIG. 1. The vessel 6 comprises an upper deck 7, an intermediate deck 8 and a lower deck 9. The lower deck 9 forms an engine compartment 9.

First, the ship side part 2 of the apparatus 1 will be described.

Said vessel side part 2 of the device 1 comprises jibs 10 fixed just under the ceiling of the upper deck 7. The jib is provided to extend in the horizontal direction out of the hull 11 of the ship through the opening 12 in the hull 11. Thus, the jib is configured to move between the housed state and the deployed state inside the hull of the vessel as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The jib includes a substantially horizontal beam 14. The distal end of the beam 14 carries a panel 13. The panel 13 is configured to close the opening 12 when the jib enters the hull 11, thereby ensuring the continuous state and sealing of the hull. Immediately behind the panel 13, the beam 14 carries a gondola 15.

Three connecting elements 16 are arranged in the gondola 15 (although only two are shown in FIG. 1). The connecting elements all participate in forming the ship side connector 17 together. Each connecting element 16 is connected to a separate electrical cable 18 extending through the opening 12 towards the interior of the vessel. Beyond the opening 12, the cable enters the upper deck 7. A duct 20 is arranged between the bottom of the upper deck 7 and the bottom of the intermediate deck 8, beyond the upper deck 7, the cable 18 to the engine compartment 9. Pass through the duct. Here, the cable is suspended from the ceiling of the engine compartment and supplies the electrical switchboard (not shown) of the ship. The cable 18 forms a ring 19 in the engine compartment. The upper strand of the hook 19 is suspended from the pulley means 21 on the upper deck 7 and the lower strand of the hook is suspended from the ceiling of the engine compartment 9. The ring 19 is the jib () so that when the jib 10 is in the deployed state the ring is of reduced size 19A and the ring is of a larger size 19B when the jib is reduced. Form a spare cable for 10). Both of these arrangements 19A, 19B of the ring 19 are shown in FIG. 1. The ring is arranged such that the ring is suspended by gravity in the engine compartment with the hull 11 aside.

The beam 14 includes a hook 22 into which an electric motor (not shown in the figure) is engaged, which allows the jib 10 to be deployed and to enter.

The elements of the ship side part 2 of the connecting device 1 occupy a small space in the ship, which means that some effective load reduction or the load reduction does not occur at all. Thus, the beam 14 is fixed to the ceiling of the upper deck and most of the volume occupied by the device is occupied by the gondola 15 and the elements included in the gondola. Thus, the cable extends past the upper and middle decks without occupying any space and the loop is arranged in the engine compartment 9 so that the cable can be found in place while avoiding tangling of the cable. The preparation device for this purpose is designed so that the ring engine does not obstruct or create any dangerous conditions, in particular to ensure a continuous sealing of water, air or fire smoke between the upper deck 7 and the engine compartment 9. It can be made to be isolated to a specific compartment of the room.

The following description is for the land side part 3 of the device 1.

The land side portion of the device comprises a container 25 lying on the side of the dock 4 and a chimney 26 extending vertically upwards of the roof 27 of the container 25. As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the roof 27 of the container 25 has a pair of longitudinal rails 28. The chimney 26 is carried by a trolley 29 which can move in parallel in the horizontal direction along the rail 28. The chimney 26 is configured such that the chimney can accommodate the land-side coupler 30.

1 and 2, the land side coupler 30 is shown to be moved vertically for connection with the ship side coupler 17. The land side connector is pulled upwards in the direction of the arrow V suspended on the reciprocator 40 which is pulled by the tow line 41. In the embodiment shown, the towbar is chain 41. The chain 41 is moved by a winch 42 which is arranged inside the gondola 15 and is fixed. The reciprocator 40, the chain 41 and the winch 42 form part of the vessel side portion 2 of the device 1. The reciprocator 40 has a linear cross section of an isosceles triangle and extends continuously to the chain 41 (see FIG. 6).

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and only visible in FIG. 4, the land-side coupler 30 has three connecting elements 32, each paired with a connecting element 16 of the ship-side coupler 17. It includes. In the container 25 up to the land side terminal, each land side connection element 30 extends upwardly of the land side connector through the chimney and longitudinal opening 34 of the roof 27. Is connected to the cable 33. The land side terminal is fixed to dockside 4. This is not shown in the figure because the container 25 covers it and is hidden. The container serves as an extra reservoir of the land side cable 33 because the land side cable can be deployed when the land side connector 32 is pulled up to where the ship side connector 17 is located. The cable may be wound therein when the land side connector 32 enters the chimney 26 again.

The preparation device may fit several terminals located further along each dockside of the port. Container 25 according to the invention can be brought near the point where the jib 10 will be located, depending on the needs of the vessel to be anchored at the dockside. Thus, the device according to the invention allows the connectors to be positioned precisely along three axes: wherein the three axes are in the longitudinal direction to move the land side connector on the container 25 or to move the container relative to a fixed terminal. A first axis, a second axis in the horizontal direction in which the jib 10 extends larger or smaller, and finally a vertical direction in which the land-side cable 33 extends larger or smaller; 3 axes.

The chimney has an upper opening 37 that opens in a morning glory shape in an upward direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the chimney 26 has a shutter 36 in the form of a camera aperture and disposed above the upper opening 37. The shutter 36 comprises several shutter plates 38. In the embodiment shown, the shutter comprises three shutter plates. The role of the shutter 36 is in particular to protect the land side coupler 30 from bird droppings which can corrode and damage the container. In addition, the shutter serves to center the reciprocator 40 as the reciprocator approaches to engage the land-side coupler 30 disposed in the chimney 26, and the reciprocator disconnects from the ship-side coupler. It also serves to center the land-side coupler when it is returned to the chimney 26 afterwards.

When the reciprocator 40 approaches the chimney to bring in the land side connector, the shutter 36 is opened such that all of the shutter plates 38 form a wide opening as shown in FIG. 2. When the reciprocator 40 is placed between the plates 37, the plates are pulled close around the reciprocator 40 for accurate positioning of the reciprocator in the above-mentioned land side connector 30. Lose.

3 is an enlarged view of the land side portion 3 of the device 1. The land side connector is not visible because it is stored in the chimney. In the closed state, the shutter 36 secures the connector in the chimney. This arrangement is of the land side part waiting for the ship to establish the berth and electrical connections.

The following description is specifically described with reference to FIG. 4 for the land-side coupler 30.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the land-side connector includes a capsule 45. The capsule comprises a cylinder 46 which is in circular motion about an axis X30 arranged substantially vertically, and a disk 47 orthogonal to the axis X30. The disk 47 closes the cylinder 46 at the upper edge of the cylinder. The capsule 45 is opened downward on the lower edge of the cylinder 48 in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 4, the cross section of the cylinder shows the elements of the land side connector 30 disposed in the capsule 45. The land side connector further comprises a structure 49, 49, 49 consisting of three tubes 49 forming the edge of the tetrahedron. Each tube is connected at its lower end with two other tubes near axis X30. The upper end of each tube 49 is secured to the lower edge 48 of the cylinder 46.

When the land side connector 30 enters the chimney 26, the tube 49 first passes between the shutter plates 38 and then through the upper opening 37 of the chimney. Enable progressive centering of 30). In addition, the structures 49, 49, 49 such that each cable 33 extends substantially above the connector 30 along the axis X30 in the form of a composite cable forming strands. ) Causes the land side cables 33 to be grouped together at the lower end of the tube 49.

Inside the capsule, the land side connector comprises three connecting elements 32, a guide means 51, a traction tube 52, and an engagement means 53. The connecting element 32 is partially cut away so that the inner component is visible at the far right. The connecting element 32 is hidden most of the rearmost portion by the traction tube 52. The traction tube is shown cut in the axial direction to represent the guide means 51.

The traction tube 52 is substantially circulating with respect to the axis X30. The traction tube includes a cylinder 56 having a bottom surface fixed to the disk 47. The traction tube further includes an annular plate 57 disposed at the lower end. The annular plate 57 is perforated as an axial passage 58 to the lower end 60 of the reciprocator 40 (see in particular FIG. 8 where the reciprocator engages with the land side connector 30). .

The engagement means 53 comprise two jaws 61 which are arranged facing each other. Each jaw 61 is secured to the annular plate 57 by a respective U-shaped ring 62 with the jaw hinged around the horizontal axis. Each jaw 61 extends downward from the individual U-shaped ring 62. The jaw portion is configured to be engaged with the lower end 60 of the reciprocator 40. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the distal end 60 of the reciprocator 40 includes narrow portions paired to correspond to the shape of the jaw portion. For a more detailed arrangement of a machine of this kind, reference is made to patent WO83 / 01059, which shows an embodiment of the arrangement. The scale height of the pull tube 52 and the jaw portion is such that the jaw portion does not extend beyond the lower edge 48 of the capsule 45 in the downward direction.

The guide means 51 comprise a cylindrical guide tube 66 of the axis X30. The guide tube 66 is disposed inside the traction tube 52. The guide tube is fixed to the underside of the disk 47. The guide tube is open over the entire cross section, both above and below the disc 47. Thus, the guide tube 66 is arranged to allow the reciprocator 40 to pass through until the jaw portion 61 is engaged. The guide means also comprise three rollers 67. Each roller is substantially circulating in the longitudinal axis X67. Each of the two longitudinal ends of each roller is in turn mounted to the wall of the towing cylinder 56 about an individual axis X67. Each axis X67 is inclined at about 45 degrees with respect to a plane orthogonal to the axis X30, and one of the axes X67 is rotated by 120 degrees with respect to the axis X30 and the remaining axes X67 are rotated. The roller 67 is arranged to derive from. Each roller 67 passes through the interior volume of the guide cylinder 66 through individual openings 68 in the wall of the guide cylinder 66. The roller is thus arranged such that when viewed from above along the axis X30, the rollers 57 in the interior space of the cylinder 66 all leave the free cross section fitted to the triangular cross section of the reciprocator 40.

The connecting element 32 has a form which extends substantially in cylinder form with respect to the individual axis X32. The connecting element is arranged parallel to the axis X30 of the land-side coupler 30, between the cylinder 46 of the capsule 45 and the towing cylinder 56. The connecting elements are distributed 120 degrees with respect to each other with respect to the axis X30.

The following is a description of the connecting element, in particular with reference to FIG. 5.

5 shows an isolated connecting element 32. 5 shows a standby state in which the element 32 is not connected. The element 32 comprises a sheath 70, a piston 71, an electrically insulated pressure bar 72, a spiral spring 73, two contacts 74 and one electrical junction 75. One of the contacts is connected to the connecting element of a particular electrical phase, and the second contact is connected to the neutral electrical installation. The pressure rod 72 is fixed relative to the wrapper 70.

The wrap is substantially cylindrical in shape. The wrap extends radially, with the lower end closed by the bottom end 77 and at the upper end moving away from the axis X30 to form an inner shoulder towards axis X30 and to form an outer shoulder. It includes an annular border. Circular opening 80 is formed by the inner edge 79 of the inner shoulder. As shown in FIG. 4, each element 32 is installed through the disk 47 and the inner shoulder of the rim 78 forms a support for securing the wrapper to the disk 47. .

The pressure rod 72 extends with the wrap and the common axis. The lower end of the rod 72 is fixed to the bottom end 77. The rod 72 includes insulated conductors, one of which has a phase and the other of which is neutral. These conductors are not shown in the figure. The rod is electrically connected to the junction 75 through the bottom end 77. The junction extends downward from the bottom end 77, ie the junction is configured for the connection of a cable 33 comprising a phased conductor and another neutral conductor, as shown in FIG. 4. An insulating ring 81 is provided at the bottom end 77 to electrically insulate the bottom end 77 from the rod and junction 75. The rod 72 extends upwardly from the bottom end 77 to the free end of the rod located near the opening 80.

The two contacts 74 are each separated from each other, away from each end of the rod 72 and are in the form of a ring attached to the rod 72. It will be appreciated that the rings 74 are sufficiently spaced apart from each other and from each end of the connecting element so that there is no possibility of an electrical arc being formed when the connector is powered up. In particular, this spaced distance is sufficient to not form an arc when the piston 71 moves. The free end comprises a cylindrical disk 82. Each of the contact rings has the same outer radius. This outer radius of the rings is substantially the same as the outer radius of the disk 82.

The piston 71 is provided to slide inside the wrapper 70. The piston includes a central cylindrical passage wide enough for the piston to move along the rod 72 without being delayed by the contact ring 74. Thus the inner radius of the central passage is larger than the radius of the ring 74 and smaller than the radius of the disk 82. The spring 73 is provided in a state loaded between the bottom end 77 and the piston 71. Thus, in the standby state shown in FIG. 5, under the action of the spring 73 the piston 71 remains flat against the inner shoulder of the edge 78 and the disk 82. The piston 71 thus forms a lid for protecting the inside of the enclosure from the ingress of outside objects and humidity and for insulating the electrical contact 74 from the outside.

In the following description, the ship side coupler 17 is described with reference to FIG. 6.

6 shows a gondola 15 and a vessel side connector 17. The ship side connector 17 is centered on a substantially vertical axis X17. The vessel side connector comprises three vessel side connection elements 16 and guide means 85 secured to the gondola 15. In particular, in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the reciprocator 40 is secured to the chain 41 via a rotating ring 86 such that the reciprocator 40 can be oriented independently of the position of the chain 41. Can be.

The guide means 85 is similar to the guide means 51 of the land-side coupler 30. Therefore, the guide means 85 is not described in detail here.

The connecting elements 16 of the ship side coupler each have a form that extends substantially as a cylinder about each axis X16. The connecting element is arranged parallel to the axis X17 of the ship side connector 17 around the guide means 85. The connecting elements are divided at an angle of 120 degrees with respect to each other with respect to axis X17. In addition, the distance between the axes X16 and the axis X17 is equal to the distance between the axes X32 and the axis X30.

The connecting element 16 will be described later in detail in the ship side connector 17 shown in FIG. 7. 7 shows a standby state in which the element 16 is not connected.

The connecting element 16 comprises a substantially cylindrical wrap 90 which is closed down by an annular pedestal 92 and closed at the top by the bottom 97. The connecting element also includes a hollow piston 91 mounted to slide on the sheath 90. A blockage bar 94 is secured to the piston such that the blockage bar extends downwardly from the piston 91 through the annular pedestal 92 in the axial direction.

The spring 93 is kept compressed between the piston 91 and the bottom 97. In the standby state shown in FIG. 7, the piston 91 is held by the spring 93 flatly downward with respect to the annular pedestal 92.

The connecting element 16 further comprises a plunger tube 95. The plunger tube 95 is electrically non-conductive. The plunger tube includes an annular plate 96. The connecting element 16 is installed at the lower end 98 of the gondola 15 so that the lower end is fixed upwardly between the annular pedestal 92 between the annular plate 96. The lower stage 98 is not shown in FIG.

The plunger tube 95 has an annular plug 951 at its lower end. The annular plug 951 includes a cylindrical axial passageway. The blocked rod 94 includes a stop 941 configured to block an axial passage of the plug 951 when the element 16 is at its lower end. The diameter of the passageway is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the disk 82 of the connecting element 32 of the land side connector.

The sleeve 99 is fixedly installed inside the plunger tube 95 such that the sleeve extends upwards beyond the plate 96 in the sheath 90. The sleeve has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the disk 82 of the element 32 in the continuous state of the passage of the plug 951. This configuration allows the pressure rod 72 of the connecting element 32 of the land side connector to slide therein.

The sleeve has two contacts 100, each of which is configured to contact each of the contacts 74 associated with it. One of the contacts 100 is configured to ensure phase continuity and the other is configured to ensure neutral continuity.

The contact part 100 is connected to the cable 18 belonging to the connecting element 16 via the bottom 97.

8 shows a gondola 15, a ship side coupler 17 and a land side coupler 30 connected to each other. This connection operation is described below from the position of each connector 17, 30 shown in FIG. 8.

When the ship is moored, the ship deploys the jib 10. The jib 10 and the chimney 26 are positioned such that the ship side connector 17 substantially rests directly on the chimney. The reciprocator 40 then descends in the direction of the chimney 26. The reciprocator 40 is first centered once again by the shutter 36 so that the reciprocator enters the guide means 51.

As the reciprocator 40 enters into the guide means 51 of the land side connector 30, the reciprocator is oriented in a predetermined position with respect to the land side connector 30 with respect to the axis X30, The triangular cross section of the reciprocator works with the roller 57. This position is determined within 120 or 240 degrees. Once the reciprocator engages the jaw 61, the corresponding orientation position is maintained.

The reciprocator is then pulled along substantially the axis X17 of the ship side connector 17 in the upward direction V as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the reciprocator 40 reaches the ship side connector, the reciprocator enters the orientation means 85 and is gradually oriented to a predetermined position with respect to the ship side connector 17. This position is determined within 120 or 240 degrees with respect to the axis X17. The reciprocator has a length sufficient to reach this relative position before the land side connector reaches the lower side of the vessel side connection element 16. Once the guiding means 51, 85 reach the relative position of the reciprocator 40 completely, each connecting element 32 of the land-side coupler 30 is connected to the connecting element of the ship-side coupler 17. On the opposite side of 16). That is, for each element 16 its axis X16 is aligned with the axis X32 of the element 32.

In addition, pulling along the (V) direction ensures insertion of each plunger tube 95 of the connecting element 16 into the sheath 70 of the connecting element 32 lying opposite, and the pressure rod 72 ) Is inserted into the sleeve 99 of the corresponding connecting element 16. When inserted into the wrapper 70, the plunger tube 95 presses the piston 71 to free the contact 74, and the pressure rod 72 releases the contact 100. To press the clogged rod 94.

Pulling along the (V) direction causes each edge 78 of the land side connector to contact the corresponding vessel side connection element 16 below the annular plate 96. The connecting elements 16, 32 are in this position such that each contact 74 of the land side connector is in contact with an individual contact 100 of the ship side connector, thereby each land side cable 33. And the electrical continuity between the individual ship side cables 18 is ensured.

Between the winch and the lower end 98 of the condola 15, in particular when the reciprocator 40 is raised within the gondola, the gondola comprises a compartment 87 in which the chain is wound.

Since the marine side connector remains substantially fixed to the vessel, this configuration allows for very easy connection.

It can be seen that the device according to the invention does not require any manual intervention to move the connectors and connect them with each other. The connection can be made very secure without much effort. The connection can be made particularly quickly.

The end of the chain on the opposite side of the rotating ring 86 is free. Thus, in case of an emergency, if the ship has to leave the dock quickly, it is only necessary to loosen the chain in the opposite direction of (V) until the free end is released from the winch. Under these circumstances, the ship side connector returns into the chimney without any damage, and only gives up the chain and the reciprocator to the dock. This can be done without any manual intervention, without any risk and without disturbing safe operation in a very short time.

This description will now be described another embodiment of the land-side coupler with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. The following embodiments will be described only as a way of explaining differences from the embodiments described in FIGS. 1 to 8. In particular, it will be appreciated that the land-side coupler 130 obtained according to this alternative embodiment is specifically configured to be compatible with the ship-side coupler described in FIG. 6.

In such other embodiments, the land side connector 130 is configured to be floating. This form is particularly advantageous for container ships. It is preferred that the jib 10 of one of these vessels 6 be arranged at the stern of the vessel 6, and more preferably in terms of effect that the jib is configured to extend from the stern in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the ship side connector 17 is generally not on the dock but on the water surface. Thus, the land side coupler may be configured to float on the water until the land side coupler substantially approaches the ship side coupler for interconnection therebetween.

The connector 130 includes a capsule 45 containing the same elements as in the capsule described above with reference to the first embodiment of the land-side connector 30. Thus more specifically the connector comprises guide elements for the reciprocator 40 and the connecting element 32.

In addition, the connector 130 includes a chimney 126 for receiving the capsule 45 therein. Floating means 110 is fixed to the chimney 126. In the embodiment shown, the floating means comprises a buoy 110 in the form of a ring. The buoy 110 consists of two half annular buoys that are identical and fixed to each other.

The propulsion means 111 having a propeller is fixed to the chimney 126. The propulsion means 111 comprises two propeller engines 111. Each engine is mounted so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis X111. Each engine 111 can move independently of each other.

The capsule 45 is mounted to slide on the chimney 126 on which the shutter 36 is mounted. The connector 130 includes sliding means for sliding along the axis X30 such that the capsule is slidably mounted in the chimney 126 between the ground state and the normal state. The bottom state is a standby state shown in FIG. 10. The steady state is shown in FIG.

In the illustrated embodiment, the chimney 126 includes an upper annular shoulder 112 and a lower annular shoulder 113, both radially toward an axis X30 of the connector 130. Extending, the capsule 45 includes annular ribs 114 extending radially in the direction of the chimney 126. The capsule 45 is installed in the chimney 126 so that the rib 114 can slide freely in a direction parallel to the axis X30 between the two shoulders 112 and 113.

In the bottom state, the rib 114 rests against the lower shoulder 113. In this state, the shutter 36 can be closed and the capsule continues to be protected inside the chimney while waiting for the capsule to be engaged by the reciprocator 40.

When the reciprocator 40 is engaged with the engagement means 53, the chimney and floating means are kept substantially free of movement on the water surface, while the capsule 45 first has the ribs 114 first above the upper side. It is pulled upwards until it reaches a steady state adjacent to the shoulder 112. The reciprocator is then pulled further to cause the assembly to be driven upward along the (V) direction.

The connector is in steady state so that the annular border 78 of the land-side connecting element 32 rests on the other components of the land-side coupler 130 and upon connection with the ship-side coupler 16. These other components, in particular the floating means 110, are configured so that they do not mechanically interfere with the vessel side part 2 of the system 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 13, the connector 130 can be lowered or left to float at will, for example, when the vessel is maneuvering upon arrival or departure. It may include a ballast for.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a pier side storage means 120 may be provided to enable both launching of the floating connector 130 and placing it in a psoriasis. In the embodiment shown, this means 120 comprises a specific jib 121 that is powered about the vertical axis X121, and an electrical cabinet 122. This means 120 is a specific reciprocator 140 that engages the floating connector until the floating connector is being dried in a psoriasis and subsequently launched again by the cable 141. It may further include the specific reciprocator 140 hanging on the jib. The jib 121 may have a cover 124 disposed to form a shield for the connector 130 when the connector is suspended from the jib.

As shown in detail in FIG. 12, the connector 130 is configured to be stored directly above the dock 4. When the connector 130 is launched as shown in FIG. 13, the jib 121 rotates about its axis such that the connector 130 is brought above the water surface, and then the cable is allowed to float the connector. Until released and released from the reciprocator 140. In this way, the connector 130 can be launched near the stern 123 of the vessel 6.

Through the opposite operation, the connector 130 may be stored in the psoriasis. Once housed in the psoriasis on the dockside 4, the connector 130 is protected by a cover 124 away from the fender 125 disposed along the dockside.

It is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment.

For example, the chain can be replaced with a cable.

Although only one intermediate deck is shown, the vessel may include several intermediate decks between the upper deck with jibs and the engine compartment.

In the embodiment shown, three connecting elements are provided for each combination element comprising a neutral contact and a particular phase of contact at each connector. In another embodiment, the preparation device may be made of four connecting elements, each of which is a contact of a particular phase and the fourth being neutral. In addition, the preparation device is each a contact of a particular phase and the three contacts can each be made of neutral contacts, each derived from one of the supply cables. The arrangement can significantly reduce the required space of the land-side and ship-side couplers, since it significantly reduces the length of each connecting element.

The contacts provided on the rods of the connecting elements can be replaced by thin film contacts instead of the ring form. The contact can offset all operations. Such thin film contacts are especially known as multi-contacts of the Hesingue F-68220.

Instead of being located at the dockside, the container may be located on a preferably powered floating pontoon so that it can be easily and directly located in turn on the vessel side connector.

The device according to the invention can be applied when other kinds of moving objects, in particular airplanes, trains, trams or automobiles, are not moving.

Claims (22)

In a device (1) for providing land-side power supply to a moving object, in particular a ship (6), the device (1) comprises a ship-side connector (17), a reciprocator (40), and a traction means for the reciprocator. (41, 42), wherein the reciprocator comprises means for engaging a land side coupler (30, 130) mating with the ship side coupler, such that the land side coupler is electrically connected to the ship side coupler. And the towing means is configured to pull the reciprocator and the land side connector when the reciprocator and the land side connector are engaged. The method of claim 1,
The towing means comprises a chain 41 and a winch 42, wherein the first end of the chain is at least indirectly connected to the reciprocator and the second end of the chain is a free end. Device for providing side power supply. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
And means (10) for substantially rigidly securing said ship side connector with respect to the hull of the ship. The method of claim 3,
The ship side coupler 17 is carried by a jib 10, wherein the jib is in a stored state in which the ship side coupler is received inside the hull 11 of the ship and in a deployed state in which the ship side coupler is spaced out of the hull. And provide land-side power supply to a vessel, the apparatus being configured to move between. The method according to claim 2 and 4,
The jib includes a gondola 15, the ship side coupler and a winch housed inside the gondola, the chain being wound in a compartment 87 of the gondola to provide a land side power supply to a vessel. Device. The method according to claim 4 or 5,
The jib comprises a substantially horizontal beam (14) disposed below the deck of the ship and hook means (22) for moving the beam substantially horizontally. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The distal end of the jib includes a panel 13 which fits into the opening 12 of the hull 11, so that in the stowed state the panel closes the opening and ensures the continuous state of the hull. Device for providing land-side power supply. 8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
And the jib is deployed in a substantially horizontal direction to the vessel. 8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
And the jib is preferably provided at the stern of the vessel such that the jib is deployed substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vessel. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 9,
One or more cables (18) for electrically connecting the vessel side connector (17) with land-side electrical equipment; And a cable box 18 extending below the jib through the deck 8 and preferably leading through the lower end to the engine compartment 9, wherein the cable and the cable box extend beyond the lower end. Device for providing land-side power supply to a ship, characterized in that the cable is arranged to form a loop (19), preferably a hook loop. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The coupler (17; 30, 130) comprises: a plurality of connecting elements (16, 32) distributed in equal numbers around individual axes (X17, X30); And with the reciprocator 40 such that, at the time of connection, each connecting element 32 of the land side coupler 30, 130 is aligned with the corresponding element 16 of the ship side coupler 17. And individual orientation means (51, 85) acting respectively. The method of claim 11,
The coupler 17 (30, 130) has three connecting elements 16 such that the coupler 17; , 32), a reciprocating means of at least one connector 30, 130; And (51, 85), respectively, for providing land-side power supply to a ship. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
One end of said reciprocator (40) comprises a hook for engaging said engagement means (53) of said land side connector (30). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
A container 25 and a chimney 26 carried by the container 25, wherein the land-side coupler 30 is received in the chimney 26, and the container 25 is connected to the land-side coupler ( Acts as a reservoir of cable 33 electrically connected to 30, and each cable 33 extends through the chimney 26 as soon as the land-side connector is pulled towards the ship-side connector 17; Providing land-side power supply to a ship. The method of claim 14,
The chimney (26) is a device for providing a land-side power supply to the ship, characterized in that it is installed to translate relative to the container. The method according to claim 14 or 15,
It further comprises a floating pontoon in which the container 25 is installed, each cable 33 is connected as a flexible cable to the land-side electrical network, and the floating pontoon is preferably powered. A device for providing land-side power supply to a ship. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Apparatus for providing land-side power supply to a ship, characterized in that it comprises floating means (110) for said land-side coupler (130), and preferably propulsion means (111). The method of claim 17,
And ballast means (116) for lowering said land-side coupler when said land-side coupler is not connected to said ship-side coupler. The method of claim 17 or 18,
Means 112 and 114 for sliding the floating means axially relative to the connecting means such that the floating means do not mechanically interfere with the vessel side portion 2 of the apparatus 1 when the couplers are connected to each other. Apparatus for providing land-side power supply to the ship comprising a. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19,
Means 120 for placing and launching the connector 130 in a psoriasis, the means 120 causing the connector to be stored above the dock 4 and the means preferably moving around a vertical axis X121. And a reciprocator (140) for engaging a jib (121) and an engagement means (53) of the connector (130). In the method of providing land-side power supply to a moving body, in particular ship 6, the ship side coupler 17 remains substantially rigidly fixed relative to the hull of the ship, and the reciprocator 40 is a land side coupler. Interlocked with 30, and then the reciprocator and the land side connector are pulled until the land side connector is electrically connected with the ship side connector. . The method of claim 21,
Wherein the reciprocator is automatically oriented with respect to the land side connector, and then the reciprocator is automatically oriented with respect to the ship side connector before the land side connector is electrically connected with the vessel side connector. To provide onshore side power supply.

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