WO2005123494A1

WO2005123494A1 - Protector for loading and unloading ships during rainy weather

Info

Publication number: WO2005123494A1
Application number: PCT/BR2005/000119
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jhonnys Tarquinio Marchiorato; Arialdo Cesar Carvalho
Original assignee: Evolucão Tecnologica De Tecnicas E Projetos Ambientais S/A - Etec
Priority date: 2004-06-22
Filing date: 2005-06-21
Publication date: 2005-12-29
Also published as: BRPI0402481B1; AR051065A1; BRPI0402481A

Abstract

'PROTECTOR FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING SHIPS DURING RAINY WEATHER', refers to a protector for loading and unloading grains and other moisture-sensitive, bulk raw materials in ships, installed in the structure of the ship loader or unloader endowed with a design with tightening and holding structure ( 1 ) belts ( 2 ), magnetic fasteners for belt ( 3 ), protection cover ( 4 ), flexible cables ( 5 ), magnetic fasteners for protection cover ( 6 ), superimposed covering ( 7 ), dust capturing set with dust catching duct ( 8 ) and exhausting duct ( 9 ) and visualization set ( 10 ) which allows working without stopping in rainy weather, built in light, low cost material, keeping functionality even when ship loader or unloader moves itself vertically, horizontally, in rising or ebb tide, or during draught lowering and with a form compatible with the frames currently available in bilge openings, bringing a definitive solution to high operational costs associated with stops due to rain.

Description

"PROTECTOR FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING SHIPS DURING RAINY WEATHER"

The present patent of invention refers to a protector for loading and unloading grains and other moisture-sensitive, bulk raw materials in ships, installed in the structure of the ship loader or unloader endowed with a design which allows working without stopping in rainy weather, built in light, low cost material, keeping functionality even when ship loader or unloader moves itself vertically, horizontally, in rising or ebb tide, or during draught lowering and with a form compatible with the frames currently available in bilge openings, bringing a definitive solution to high operational costs associated with stops due to rain. As it is well known from the technicians from the operations of loading and unloading of bulk raw materials in ships, currently it is impossible to load moisture- sensitive materials, like soybean or corn, when it is raining, and in this case the working is stopped, causing big financial losses with the ship stop and delays in port work schedule, consequently increasing export costs. Currently, no protector for the operations of loading and unloading is known, due to the big dimensions of bilge mouth in ships. "PROTECTOR FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING SHIPS DURING RAINY WEATHER" object of the present patent, was developed to overcome the problems and limitations of the loading and unloading of moisture-sensitive materials in in-bulk cargo ships, as it allows the operation without interruption in rainy times, being built in light and low cost material, keeping functionality even when ship loader or unloader moves itself vertically, horizontally, in rising or ebb tide, or during draught lowering and with a form compatible with the frames currently available in bilge openings, bringing a definitive solution to high operational costs associated with stops due to rain. For a better understanding of the present invention the following drawings are attached: FIGURE 1., which shows a perspective view from the protector, object of the present patent, fastened in the loading tube, ready to use; FIGURE 2., which shows a perspective view from the protector, object of the present patent, fastened in the loading tube, without the superimposed covering; FIGURE 3., which shows a perspective view from the protector, object of the present patent, fastened in the loading tube, with the flexible system for compensation of draught and tides, without the protection cover; FIGURE 4., which shows a perspective view from the holding structure formed by belts, tightening system with two rings and the magnetic fasteners; FIGURE 5., which show a perspective view from the structure of the present patent protector, with the flexible system for compensation of draught and tides, and the magnetic fasteners, with the protection cover and without the superimposed covering; and FIGURE 6., which shows a perspective view from the magnetic fastener. According to the referred figures the present patent protector is constituted by tightening and holding structure ( 1 ), belts ( 2 ), magnetic fasteners for belts ( 3 ), protection cover ( 4 ), flexible cables ( 5 ), magnetic fasteners for protection cover ( 6 ), superimposed covering ( 7 ), catching set with dust catching duct ( 8 ) and exhaustion set ( 9 ) and visualization set ( 10 ), with dimensions and materials compatible with the ship size, with its bilges and with the resistance demanded by the environment of loading and unloading of ships. After a lot of research, development and tests, an optimized design was obtained, such design constituted by holding and tightening structure ( 1 ) endowed with superior ring ( 1-A ) fixed in the loading tube ( TC ) or in the jib ( LA ) of the ship loader ( CP ) or unloader by known means, with hydraulic, electric, electronic or pneumatic motors ( 1-A-l ) independently fastened in the superior ring ( 1-A) and with spools ( l-A-2 ), sustaining other inferior ring ( 1-B ) through belts ( 2 ) passing by the spools ( l-A-2 ) and by the pulley blocks ( 1-B-l ) fastened to the inferior ring ( 1-B ) such inferior rings having superior hooks ( l-B-2 ) and inferior hooks ( l-B-3 ), belts ( 2 ) of polyester or another conventional material, which after covering the pulley blocks ( 1-B-l ) are directed and are involved in the pulley blocks ( 3-E ) and return to the inferior ring ( 1-B ) and are fastened by the rings ( 2-A), magnetic fasteners for belt ( 3 ) positioned around of the bilge mouth, with conventional permanent magnet and endowed with set-in- motion levers ( 3-A ), bolts ( 3-B ) and eyes screws ( 3-C ), which will fasten the snaps hooks ( 3-D ) and these hooks to pulley blocks ( 3-E ) by which pass the belts ( 2 ), protection cover ( 4 ) of flexible polymeric material, isothermic and light with plastic vent ( 4-A ) in pipe form, with metallic rings ( 4-B ) and with visualization windows ( 4-C ) in transparent plastic material, with extremities endowed of lateral surplus of material ( 4-D ) with the function of compensating the movement of the plastic cover relative to the ship loader, avoiding breaches in the extremities of the bilge mouth, with inferior eyelets ( LL ) with the purpose of fasten flexible cables ( 5 ) endowed of hooks in their extremities, which will be fastened in the eyes screws of the magnetic fasteners for protection cover ( 6 ), smaller and identical to the fasteners ( 3 ) and superior eyelets ( LL ) that will case in the hooks ( l-B-2 ), superimposed covering ( 7 ) with ribbing ( 7-A ) at the top and with skirt ( 7-B ) at the bottom endowed of fast coupling for locking in the top of cover ( 4 ) and involving the holding and tightening structure ( 1 ), exhaustion set constituted of sensor to inform the gas levels, dust capturing set with dust catching duct ( 8 ) installed inside the protection cover ( 4 ) and exhausting duct ( 8-B ) ribbed and linked to a specific machine for dust and gas suction and visualization set ( 10 ) constituted of video camera, illumination lights, cabling, monitor and other accessories for remote visualization of the loading operation inside the bilge. Several designs were tried, among which we can cite: Holding and tightening structure endowed of vertical channels, pulleys, cables, rotating arc or eight-form arc, wheelbarrows, lockers in eight- form, holders, rings and springs, pivot, sash and ropes. Protection cover in pyramidal trunk form at the top and prismatic trunk form at the bottom, with sewing and projections, with eyelets and rings. Superimposed covering with trunk-conic form with superior opening at the same form as the unloading tube of the ship loader. Magnetic fasteners with one or more electromagnets endowed of activation switches and rings in its extremities. Design for the protector of the present patent is not limited to the constructive forms of its components as informed here, and other mechanical, electric or electronic mechanisms, conventional or not, could be adopted to accomphsh the functions here described. Protector's assembly is made in the following sequence: In the first utilization: - The superimposed covering ( 7 ) is fastened in the loading tube ( TC ), keeping shrunk the ribbing ( 7-A ); - The superior ring ( 1 ) is fastened with motors ( 1-A-l ) and spools ( l-A-2 ) in the loading tube ( TC ) or in the jib ( LA ) of ship loader or unloader; - The utilities for the motors ( 1-A-l ) and exhaustion duct ( 9 ) are installed by the jib until arriving at the tower of ship loader, as well as the control system and aspiration machine; - The belts ( 2 ) are uncoiled by the activation of the motors ( 1-A-l ), passing the belts ( 2 ) by pulley blocks ( 1-B-l ) and by the pulley blocks ( 3-E ), fastening the tips of the belts ( 2 ) by the rings ( 2-A ) in the hooks ( l-B-3 ); - The folded cover ( 4 ) is hoisted, through a crane, until the top of the bilge of the closed ship and the mouth is opened and kept aligned to the loading tube ( TC ); - The loading tube ( TC ) with the holding and tightening structure goes down to the centre of the cover ( 4 ) mouth, the superior eyelets of the cover ( 4 ) are connected to the hooks ( l-B-2 ) and the set of pulley blocks ( 3-A ) with hooks ( 3-D ) is pulled outside coverage area of the cover ( 4 ), passing the belts underneath of the same; - The ribbings ( 7-A ) are stretched and the fast couling of the skirt ( 7-B ) are fastened in the cover ( 4 ) top; - The magnetic fasteners for belts ( 3 ) are locked upon the bilge caps and the hooks ( 3-D ) are cased in the rings ( 3-C ) of the fasteners ( 3 ); - The protection cover ( 4 ) is stretched through the hoisting of the unloading tube by activation of the motors ( 1-A-l ); - The bilge caps are open, the fasteners ( 3 ) are fastened in the bilge sides and the hooks ( 3-D ) are cased in the remaining rings ( 3-C ); - The magnetic fasteners for protection cover ( 6 ) are fastened in the deck and upon the bilge caps and the hooks of the flexible cables ( 5 ) are cased; - The protection cover ( 4 ) is raised, according to the ship draught; and - The visualization set ( 10 ) and exhaustion duct ( 9 ) are fastened to dust capturing set ( 8 ) of the cover ( 4 ). Ln the subsequent utilizations: - Excluding the items concerning to installation of the superimposed covering ( 7 ), of the superior ring, of the motors, of the spools and of the exhaustion and visualization systems, the remaining procedures should be alike the above mentioned description. Ln the bilge changing operations: - The hooks for connection of the flexible cables ( 5 ) are unlocked from the magnetic fasteners for the protection cover ( 6 ) and soon after the fasteners ( 6 ) themselves; - The snap hooks ( 3-D ) of the rings ( 3-C ) of the magnetic fasteners for belts ( 3 ) and the fasteners ( 3 ) themselves are unlocked, the belts ( 2 ) are loosened and the hooks ( 3-D ) are fastened to the metallic rins ( 4-B ) which will be at half height of the protection cover ( 4 ); - The fasteners ( 6 ) are unlocked, as well as the visualization set ( 10 ) is removed; - The doors of the bilge are closed, and the remaining magnetic fasteners ( 3 ) unlocked; - Through the motors ( 1-B-l ) and spools ( l-B-2 ), the cover ( 4 ) is raised at half height, by the rings ( 4-B ) passing in the sequence to another bilge mouth. - The ship loader or unloader is moved to the new mouth, the set is lowered and positioned upon the bilge cover, the hooks ( 3-D ) of the rings ( 4-B ) are disconnected and the fasteners ( 3 ) are again fastened to the bilge mouth and the hooks ( 3-D ) are coupled to the rings ( 3-C ) of the fastener ( 3 ); - The bilge covers are open, the fasteners ( 3 ) are fastened in the sides of the bilge and the hooks ( 3-D ) are cased in the remaining rings ( 3-C ); - The magnetic fasteners ( 6 ) are fastened in the deck and fastened upon the bilge covers and the hooks of the flexible cables ( 5 ) are cased; - The protection cover ( 4 ) is raised, according to the ship draught ; and - The visualization set ( 10 ) and the exhaustion tube ( 9 ) are fastened to the dust catching ( 8 ) of the cover ( 4 ).

Claims

1 "PROTECTOR FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING SHIPS DURING RAINY

WEATHER", characterized by, tightening and holding structure ( 1 ), belts ( 2 ), magnetic fasteners for belts ( 3 ), protection cover ( 4 ), flexible cables ( 5 ), magnetic fasteners for protection cover ( 6 ), superimposed covering ( 7 ), catching set with dust catching duct ( 8 ) and exhaustion set ( 9 ) and visualization set ( 10 ), with dimensions and materials compatible with the ship size, with its bilges and with the resistance demanded by the environment of loading and unloading of ships.

2 "PROTECTOR FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING SHIPS DURING RAINY WEATHER", according to the claim 1, characterized by, holding and tightening structure ( 1 ) endowed with superior ring ( 1-A ) fixed in the loading tube ( TC ) or in the jib ( LA ) of the ship loader ( CP ) or unloader by known means, with hydraulic, electric, electronic or pneumatic motors ( 1-A-l ) independently fastened in the superior ring ( 1-A) and with spools ( l-A-2 ), sustaining other inferior ring ( 1-B ) through belts ( 2 ) passing by the spools ( l-A-2 ) and by the pulley blocks ( 1-B-l ) fastened to the inferior ring ( 1-B ) such inferior rings having superior hooks ( l-B-2 ) and inferior hooks ( l-B-3 ), belts ( 2 ) of polyester or another conventional material, which after covering the pulley blocks ( 1-B-l

) are directed and are involved in the pulley blocks ( 3-E ) and return to the inferior ring ( 1-B ) and are fastened by the rings ( 2-A), magnetic fasteners for belt ( 3 ) positioned around of the bilge mouth, with conventional permanent magnet and endowed with set-in- motion levers ( 3-A ), bolts ( 3-B ) and eyes screws ( 3-C ), which will fasten the snaps hooks ( 3-D ) and these hooks to pulley blocks ( 3-E ) by which pass the belts ( 2 ), protection cover ( 4 ) of flexible polymeric material, isothermic and light with plastic vent ( 4 - A ) in pipe form, with metallic rings ( 4-B ) and with visualization windows ( 4-C ) in transparent plastic material, with extremities endowed of lateral surplus of material ( 4-D ) with the function of compensating the movement of the plastic cover relative to the ship loader, avoiding breaches in the extremities of the bilge mouth, with inferior eyelets ( LL ) with the purpose of fasten flexible cables ( 5 ) endowed of hooks in their extremities, which will be fastened in the eyes screws of the magnetic fasteners for protection cover ( 6 ), smaller and identical to the fasteners ( 3 ) and superior eyelets ( LL ) that will case in the hooks ( l-B-2 ), superimposed covering ( 7 ) with ribbing ( 7-A ) at the top and with skirt ( 7-B ) at the bottom endowed of fast coupling for locking in the top of cover ( 4 ) and involving the holding and tightening structure ( 1 ), exhaustion set constituted of sensor to inform the gas levels, dust capturing set with dust catching duct ( 8 ) installed inside the protection cover ( 4 ) and exhausting duct ( 9 ) ribbed and linked to a specific machine for dust and gas suction and visualization set ( 10 ) constituted of video camera, illumination lights, cabling, monitor and other accessories for remote visualization of the loading operation inside the bilge.