WO2009007732A1 - Air inflatable fender for large vessels - Google Patents

Air inflatable fender for large vessels Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009007732A1
WO2009007732A1 PCT/GB2008/002381 GB2008002381W WO2009007732A1 WO 2009007732 A1 WO2009007732 A1 WO 2009007732A1 GB 2008002381 W GB2008002381 W GB 2008002381W WO 2009007732 A1 WO2009007732 A1 WO 2009007732A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fender
fenders
marine fender
marine
air
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2008/002381
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Per Lindstrand
Original Assignee
Lindstrand Technologies Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lindstrand Technologies Limited filed Critical Lindstrand Technologies Limited
Priority to GB1000306A priority Critical patent/GB2464017A/en
Publication of WO2009007732A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009007732A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B59/00—Hull protection specially adapted for vessels; Cleaning devices specially adapted for vessels
    • B63B59/02—Fenders integral with waterborne vessels or specially adapted therefor, e.g. fenders forming part of the hull or incorporated in the hull; Rubbing-strakes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
    • E02B3/20—Equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. bollards
    • E02B3/26—Fenders
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A30/00—Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
    • Y02A30/30—Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation in transportation, e.g. on roads, waterways or railways

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a marine fender.
  • Silicone painting will be used in the future as the most environmentally friendly means of preventing marine fouling. Existing fenders will simply scrape off the silicone when ships dock, so a softer and more flexible form of protection is required.
  • the present invention seeks to obviate one or more of these disadvantages of known fenders.
  • the invention is directed to a marine fender comprising a three-dimensional inflatable body and a plurality of service connections, wherein the fender comprises a drop stitch fabric matrix.
  • Drop stitch material is a three dimensional fabric matrix which has two parallel layers of woven fabric with a high density of threads between the two layers. When inflated this will create two flat surfaces.
  • the fender can be made in almost any size.
  • the fender has a 1 bar air supply with a 1.1 bar pressure release valve. This particular air inflatable fender has been designed to prevent damage to silicone-painted hulls on large vessels.
  • the matrix is coated with thermo-plastic polyurethane.
  • the drop stitch fabric is coated with a heavy layer of polyurethane on both outer surfaces which makes it completely air- and water-tight.
  • a single skin fabric is coated with the same compound, that is polyurethane, on both surfaces.
  • a single skin material is used to end cap the drop stitch section on all four sides.
  • the jointing method is thermal welding.
  • the middle one provides inflow of air at 1 bar pressure via a conventional hose.
  • the pressure regulator is located away from the fender so as not to be an obstruction when the ship docks in violent weather.
  • the two outer service connections have pressure release valves set at 1.1 bar and both can be located remotely on the quayside.
  • At least one of the service connections provides inflow of air.
  • At least one of the service connections comprises a pressure release valve.
  • load patches are provided to the fender for attachment to a quayside.
  • the invention further extends to a marine fender arrangement comprising multiple inflatable fenders stacked horizontally.
  • the sizes of the fenders are always tailored to the size and weight of the ship, and to the speed with which the ship is expected to close with the dockside.
  • the fenders have staggered pressure levels.
  • three fenders may be stacked adjacent to one another vertically, that is orientated substantially horizontally and stacked one on top of another, or horizontally, that is orientated substantially vertically and stacked side by side.
  • the outer bag may typically have 0.5 bar air feed and a pressure release valve set at 0.6 bar.
  • the middle fender may have an air feed of 0.7 bar and a pressure release valve set at 0.8 bar.
  • the innermost bag may have an air feed set at 1.0 bars and a pressure release valve set at 1.1 bar.
  • a silicone coated jacket is provided over the fenders.
  • a silicone-coated jacket is slipped over the fender; the contact area should be dampened with fresh water.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of an inflatable fender in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the inflatable fender of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is an end view of the inflatable fender of Figure 1.
  • the fender 10 comprises an inflatable body 12, comprising a drop stitch material.
  • the drop stitch matrix material comprises a three dimensional fabric matrix which has two substantially parallel layers of woven fabric with a high density of threads between the two layers.
  • the body has two substantially flat surfaces 14 and 16, two ends 18 and 20 and two sides 22 and 24.
  • connection fittings 26 and 30 are pressure release valves and connection fitting 28 is a valve to provide the inflow of air.
  • the fender 10 is further provided with load patches 32 for securing the fender 10 to a quayside (not shown).
  • the fender body 12 is inflated so that the two flat surfaces 14 and 16 are held apart with air in between them.
  • the fender 10 is fixed to the vertical side of the quay (not shown) in a location suitable for a ship (not shown). When the ship approaches the dockside and makes contact with the fender it will initially compress it and air is exhausted out of the pressure release valves 26 and 30. Typically, the fender 10 gets depressed to half its thickness, at which point the ship's movement is arrested. Once the ship is stationary the body 12 starts to re-inflate and will return to near full-inflation depending upon the wind, load on the ship, and any currents.
  • the fender 10 is normally kept in an inflated state at all times to reduce the risk of flapping fabric causing the fabric to self-erode.
  • fenders 10 can be aligned adjacent to one another and bound by a silicone coated jacket to provide a more effective stopping system and to space a ship from a dockside.
  • an air inflatable fender system was designed for a vessel with a displacement in excess of 100,000 tonnes.
  • the fender was 4.1m wide and 0.89 m high and 0.2m thick and was capable of arresting the movement of the ship and hold it stationary for several hours.
  • the fender may be cylindrical or any other shape, or may have different valves for the inflow of air and pressure release.
  • a marine fender comprises a three-dimensional inflatable body and a plurality of service connections, wherein the fender comprises a drop stitch fabric matrix.
  • An arrangement of fenders for arresting the movement of a ship is also provided.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Cleaning Or Clearing Of The Surface Of Open Water (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A marine fender (10) comprising a three-dimensional inflatable body (12) and a plurality of service connections (26, 28, 30), wherein the fender (10) comprises a drop stitch fabric matrix. An arrangement of fenders for arresting the movement of a ship is also provided.

Description

Air Inflatable Fender For Large Vessels
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a marine fender.
Background to the Invention
Silicone painting will be used in the future as the most environmentally friendly means of preventing marine fouling. Existing fenders will simply scrape off the silicone when ships dock, so a softer and more flexible form of protection is required.
The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiment, seeks to obviate one or more of these disadvantages of known fenders.
Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the invention is directed to a marine fender comprising a three-dimensional inflatable body and a plurality of service connections, wherein the fender comprises a drop stitch fabric matrix.
The aim of the invention has been addressed using a drop stitch fabric matrix. Drop stitch material is a three dimensional fabric matrix which has two parallel layers of woven fabric with a high density of threads between the two layers. When inflated this will create two flat surfaces. The fender can be made in almost any size. The fender has a 1 bar air supply with a 1.1 bar pressure release valve. This particular air inflatable fender has been designed to prevent damage to silicone-painted hulls on large vessels.
Preferably, the matrix is coated with thermo-plastic polyurethane. The drop stitch fabric is coated with a heavy layer of polyurethane on both outer surfaces which makes it completely air- and water-tight.
A single skin fabric is coated with the same compound, that is polyurethane, on both surfaces. A single skin material is used to end cap the drop stitch section on all four sides. The jointing method is thermal welding.
On the top end cap three service connections are fitted. The middle one provides inflow of air at 1 bar pressure via a conventional hose. The pressure regulator is located away from the fender so as not to be an obstruction when the ship docks in violent weather. The two outer service connections have pressure release valves set at 1.1 bar and both can be located remotely on the quayside.
It is advantageous if at least one of the service connections provides inflow of air.
Preferably, at least one of the service connections comprises a pressure release valve.
In an advantageous embodiment, load patches are provided to the fender for attachment to a quayside.
The invention further extends to a marine fender arrangement comprising multiple inflatable fenders stacked horizontally. The sizes of the fenders are always tailored to the size and weight of the ship, and to the speed with which the ship is expected to close with the dockside.
It is advantageous if the fenders have staggered pressure levels. For larger ships and/or ships with high-closing rates, it is preferable to use multiple bags with staggered pressure levels. For example, three fenders may be stacked adjacent to one another vertically, that is orientated substantially horizontally and stacked one on top of another, or horizontally, that is orientated substantially vertically and stacked side by side. In the horizontal arrangement the outer bag may typically have 0.5 bar air feed and a pressure release valve set at 0.6 bar. The middle fender may have an air feed of 0.7 bar and a pressure release valve set at 0.8 bar. The innermost bag may have an air feed set at 1.0 bars and a pressure release valve set at 1.1 bar.
Preferably, a silicone coated jacket is provided over the fenders. When the vessel is expected to slide along the fenders a silicone-coated jacket is slipped over the fender; the contact area should be dampened with fresh water.
Brief Description of the Drawings
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of an inflatable fender in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the inflatable fender of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is an end view of the inflatable fender of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiment
The fender 10 comprises an inflatable body 12, comprising a drop stitch material. The drop stitch matrix material comprises a three dimensional fabric matrix which has two substantially parallel layers of woven fabric with a high density of threads between the two layers. The body has two substantially flat surfaces 14 and 16, two ends 18 and 20 and two sides 22 and 24.
The fender 10 is provided with three service connection fittings 26, 28 and 30. Connection fittings 26 and 30 are pressure release valves and connection fitting 28 is a valve to provide the inflow of air.
The fender 10 is further provided with load patches 32 for securing the fender 10 to a quayside (not shown). The fender body 12 is inflated so that the two flat surfaces 14 and 16 are held apart with air in between them. The fender 10 is fixed to the vertical side of the quay (not shown) in a location suitable for a ship (not shown). When the ship approaches the dockside and makes contact with the fender it will initially compress it and air is exhausted out of the pressure release valves 26 and 30. Typically, the fender 10 gets depressed to half its thickness, at which point the ship's movement is arrested. Once the ship is stationary the body 12 starts to re-inflate and will return to near full-inflation depending upon the wind, load on the ship, and any currents.
The fender 10 is normally kept in an inflated state at all times to reduce the risk of flapping fabric causing the fabric to self-erode.
Multiple fenders 10 can be aligned adjacent to one another and bound by a silicone coated jacket to provide a more effective stopping system and to space a ship from a dockside.
Example
In an embodiment an air inflatable fender system was designed for a vessel with a displacement in excess of 100,000 tonnes. The fender was 4.1m wide and 0.89 m high and 0.2m thick and was capable of arresting the movement of the ship and hold it stationary for several hours.
Numerous other variations and modifications to the illustrated constructions may occur to the reader familiar with the art without taking the device outside the scope of the present invention. For example, the fender may be cylindrical or any other shape, or may have different valves for the inflow of air and pressure release.
In summary, a marine fender comprises a three-dimensional inflatable body and a plurality of service connections, wherein the fender comprises a drop stitch fabric matrix. An arrangement of fenders for arresting the movement of a ship is also provided.

Claims

Claims
1. A marine fender comprising a three-dimensional inflatable body and a plurality of service connections, wherein the fender comprises a drop stitch fabric matrix.
5
2. A marine fender according to claim 1, wherein the matrix is coated with thermoplastic polyurethane.
3. A marine fender according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the 10 service connections provides inflow of air.
4. A marine fender according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the service connections comprises a pressure release valve.
/5 5. A marine fender according to any preceding claim, wherein load patches are provided to the fender for attachment to a quayside.
6. A marine fender arrangement comprising multiple inflatable fenders stacked horizontally. 0
7. A marine fender arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the fenders have staggered pressure levels.
8. A marine fender arrangement according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein a silicone 5 coated jacket is provided over the fenders.
PCT/GB2008/002381 2007-07-12 2008-07-11 Air inflatable fender for large vessels WO2009007732A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1000306A GB2464017A (en) 2007-07-12 2008-07-11 Air inflatable fender for large vessels

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0713603.9 2007-07-12
GBGB0713603.9A GB0713603D0 (en) 2007-07-12 2007-07-12 Air inflatable fender for large vessels

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009007732A1 true WO2009007732A1 (en) 2009-01-15

Family

ID=38461515

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2008/002381 WO2009007732A1 (en) 2007-07-12 2008-07-11 Air inflatable fender for large vessels

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0713603D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2009007732A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201800010998A1 (en) 2018-12-13 2020-06-13 Francesco Maria Missere RETRACTABLE FENDER

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2379946A (en) * 2001-09-20 2003-03-26 Seaflex Ltd Blast protection structure
US20030200910A1 (en) * 2002-04-29 2003-10-30 Corlett Edwin H. Self inflating marine fender
WO2004044520A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-27 Cintec International Limited A blast-absorbing device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2379946A (en) * 2001-09-20 2003-03-26 Seaflex Ltd Blast protection structure
US20030200910A1 (en) * 2002-04-29 2003-10-30 Corlett Edwin H. Self inflating marine fender
WO2004044520A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-27 Cintec International Limited A blast-absorbing device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201800010998A1 (en) 2018-12-13 2020-06-13 Francesco Maria Missere RETRACTABLE FENDER

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2464017A (en) 2010-04-07
GB201000306D0 (en) 2010-02-24
GB0713603D0 (en) 2007-08-22

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