WO2009088122A1

WO2009088122A1 - Device for preventing cargo from leaking from tanker

Info

Publication number: WO2009088122A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001717
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyuk Soo Kwon
Original assignee: Hyuk Soo Kwon
Priority date: 2008-01-04
Filing date: 2008-03-27
Publication date: 2009-07-16
Also published as: KR20090006934U; KR200447695Y1

Abstract

Provided is a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker in which cargo is quickly stopped from leaking due to an unexpected damange of the hull of the tanker during sailing to thus prevent spread of ocean pollution. The cargo leaking prevention device includes: a shield plate (10) of a soft quality material; a plurality of electromagnets (30) which are arranged along the edge on one surface of the shield plate (10); a sealing member (50) which is arranged along the edge of the other surface of the shield plate (10); and a coupling unit that combines the sealing member with the electromagnets on the shield plate.

Description

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING CARGO FROM LEAKING FROM

TANKER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker, and more particularly to a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker in which cargo is quickly stopped from leaking due to an unexpected damage of the hull of the tanker during sailing to thus prevent spread of ocean pollution. Background Art

[2] In general, tankers are vessels that transport a large quantity of liquid cargo such as petroleum, light oil, molasses, wine undiluted solution, chemicals and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), LNG(Liquefied Natural Gas) at an unpackaged state. Here, vessels which transport petroleum are called tankers, and vessels which transport chemicals are called chemical tankers.

[3] Petroleum is classified into crude oil and refined oil in which the crude oil is transported from the Middle East, the North Africa, the Central and Southern America, the North America, the Southeast Asia and so on to refined oil facilities, and the refined oil is transported from refined oil facilities to consumer places.

[4] At recent times, tankers frequently transport LPG and LNG.

[5] Specially, a container tank from a tanker is classified into a crude oil tank, a refined oil tank, a LPG tank, a LNG tank, a chemical tank, etc., according to transported freight, and is classified into a coastwise tank and an outer port tank according to a service sea area.

[6] In addition, a container tank from a tanker is classified into a mammoth tank, super- sized tank, a Very Large Crude Oil Carrier (VLCC), a Ultra Large Crude Oil Carrier (ULCC), etc., according to size of the tank.

[7] In addition, a container tank from a tanker is classified into a dirty tank containing crude oil or heavy oil and a clean tank containing gasoline or light oil according to a cleanliness degree of transport freight.

[8] Here, tankers may collide with other vessels, or various structures installed in the sea due to natural disaster of wind and waves, etc., or breakdown of various power engines and mechanisms, to thus cause an accident to happen. In this case, the hull of the tanker and the container tank therein may be damaged.

[9] If the hull of a crude tanker and the container tank therein has been damaged, crude oil is outpoured to the sea through the damaged parts of the container tank in the crude tanker. As a result, a secondary problem of polluting the sea has happened. [10] Here, in order to minimize damage of ocean pollution, an emergency measure of temporarily rapidly closing the container tank in the crude tanker is required.

[11] As an example of the emergency measure, the damaged parts of the container tank may be repaired by welding iron plates thereto using a welding method or attaching the former to the latter using a drilling and bolting method.

[12] However, the above-described emergency measures consume much time and increase worker's risk bearings.

[13] Meanwhile, in the case of a crude oil outward flow accident that occurred at the coastal and off-shore area of the city "Taean" in the Republic of Korea on December, 2007, the damaged parts of the container tank were repaired using wooden wedges.

[14] However, the above-described repairing methods have not achieved tight screening or shielding. As a result, the crude oil or poisonous gas has leaked through gap between the damaged parts and the iron plates or wooden wedges which have been used for repair.

[15] Further, iron plates may be added over the wooden wedges by a drilling and bolting method. However, since much time is required, there is shortcoming that quick repair is not attained. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[16] Therefore, to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker in which cargo is quickly stopped from leaking due to an unexpected damage of the hull of the tanker during sailing to thus prevent spread of ocean pollution. Technical Solution

[17] To accomplish the above objects of the present invention, there is provided a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker, the cargo leaking prevention device comprising: a shield plate of a soft quality material; a plurality of electromagnets which are arranged along the edge on one surface of the shield plate; a sealing member which is arranged along the edge of the other surface of the shield plate; and a coupling unit that combines the sealing member with the electromagnets on the shield plate.

[18] Preferably but not necessarily, the coupling unit comprises bolts which pass the sealing member, the shield plate, and the respective electromagnets in sequence, in which one end portion of each bolt is exposed to the outside of each electromagnet, and nuts which are engaged with the exposed one end portion of the respective bolts.

[19] Preferably but not necessarily, the sealing member comprises a seat portion into which each bolt is accommodated.

[20] Preferably but not necessarily, the seat portion comprises a head groove into which the head portion of each bolt is accommodated, and a screw hole through which a thread portion of each bolt passes, in which the diameter of the screw hole is smaller than that of the head groove. [21] Preferably but not necessarily, silicon is spread on the electromagnet to shield the electromagnet and the bolt and nut. [22] Preferably but not necessarily, the sealing member and the shield plate are formed in an integrated form. [23] Preferably but not necessarily, the shield plate is formed of a silicon quality material including a tire cord. [24] Preferably but not necessarily, a plurality of recesses are formed on the exposed surface of the sealing member in a concentric direction of the exposed surface. [25] Preferably but not necessarily, the shield plate is circular.

[26] Preferably but not necessarily, the shield plate is gradually convexly formed as it goes toward the center of the shield plate from the edge thereof. [27] Preferably but not necessarily, the edge of the shield plate is flat.

Advantageous Effects

[28] As described above, a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to the present invention provides the following effects. [29] The damaged parts of a tanker can be repaired rapidly using a shield plate on which a plurality of electromagnets are installed. Accordingly, an emergency measure for the damaged parts of the tanker can be quickly and tightly attained. As a result, a crude oil outward flow is minimized, to thus provide an effect of minimizing ocean pollution.

Brief Description of the Drawings [30] The above and/or other objects and/or advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [31] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one side of a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [32] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the other side of the device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [33] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and [34] FIGS. 4 and 5 are respective schematic diagrams showing the states before and after the device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is attached to one damaged part of the tanker.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [35] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker, the cargo leaking prevention device comprising: a shield plate of a soft quality material; a plurality of electromagnets which are arranged along the edge on one surface of the shield plate; a sealing member which is arranged along the edge of the other surface of the shield plate; and a coupling unit that combines the sealing member with the electromagnets on the shield plate.

[36] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the coupling unit comprises bolts which pass the sealing member, the shield plate, and the respective electromagnets in sequence, in which one end portion of each bolt is exposed to the outside of each electromagnet, and nuts which are engaged with the exposed one end portion of the respective bolts.

[37] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member comprises a seat portion into which each bolt is accommodated.

[38] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the seat portion comprises a head groove into which the head portion of each bolt is accommodated, and a screw hole through which a thread portion of each bolt passes, in which the diameter of the screw hole is smaller than that of the head groove.

[39] According to another embodiment of the present invention, silicon is spread on the electromagnet to shield the electromagnet and the bolt and nut.

[40] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member and the shield plate are formed in an integrated form.

[41] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the shield plate is formed of a silicon quality material including a tire cord.

[42] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of recesses are formed on the exposed surface of the sealing member in a concentric direction of the exposed surface.

[43] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the shield plate is circular.

[44] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the shield plate is gradually convexly formed as it goes toward the center of the shield plate from the edge thereof.

[45] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the shield plate is flat. Mode for the Invention

[46] Hereinbelow, a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals denote like elements through the following embodiments. [47] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be descried with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. [48] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker includes a shield plate 10, a plurality of electromagnets 30, a sealing member 50 and a coupling unit. [49] The shield plate 10 repairs and shields damaged parts of a tanker, that is, portions which are exposed to the outside from the hull of the tanker or the container tank therein due to collision with the other tankers, vessels or facilities. [50] Here, the shield plate is preferably formed of a soft quality material having an elasticity or flexibility.

[51] For this reason, the shield plate 10 is formed of a silicon resin.

[52] In addition, it is more desirable to incorporate an iron core net or a tire cord in the inside of the shield plate for rigidity. [53] The form of the shield plate 10 is not limited. However, the shield plate 10 is circular as an example for convenience's sake, in this embodiment of the present invention. [54] The edge of the shield plate is formed flat so as to easily attach electromagnets thereon. [55] Here, the shield plate 10 is gradually formed in a convex shape as it goes toward the center of the shield plate 10 from the edge thereof. [56] Then, the electromagnets 30 play a role of attaching the shield plate 10 on the hull of the tanker and are arranged along the plane edge of the shield plate 10. [57] Here, a plurality of the electromagnets 30 are preferably placed in succession along the edge of the shield plate 10. [58] This reason is because the shield plate 10 is smoothly bent along the curvature of the hull of the tanker and thus attached thereto, since the hull of the tanker has a curvature. [59] That is, since the electromagnets 30 are formed of a plurality of individual bodies, the shield plate 10 can be bent smoothly on the hull of the tanker.

[60] Of course, form of the electromagnets 30 can be formed of one integrated electromagnet which is attached along the edge of the shield plate 10 not a plurality of individual electromagnet bodies. [61] However, in the case that damaged parts of the hull has a big curvature, a gap may be formed between the hull of the tanker and the shield plate because of the electromagnet formed in an integrated shape. Accordingly, the electromagnet formed in an integrated shape cannot play a role of preventing a crude oil outward flow properly. [62] That is, the shield plate should be bent smoothly along the curvature of the hull.

However, if an integrated electromagnet is installed along the edge of the shield plate

10, the shield plate 10 does not get bent smoothly. [63] Accordingly, if an excessive force is applied to the shield plate 10, to closely attach the integrated electromagnet on the hull, the integrated electromagnet may be broken.

Thus, it is undesirable that the electromagnet is integrally formed. [64] Next, the sealing member 50 play a role of further strengthening a sealing power between the hull and the shield plate 10. [65] Here, the sealing member is interposed between the hull of the tanker and the shield plate 10. [66] The sealing member 50 is provided on the rear surface of the shield plate 10 assuming that a portion where the electromagnets 30 are installed is referred to as a front surface. In addition, the sealing member 50 is preferably formed of a soft quality material.

[67] Here, recesses 51 are formed on the sealing member 50.

[68] The recesses 51 play a role of further strengthening a close adhesion power of the sealing member 50 with respect to the hull. [69] In addition, the recesses 51 play a role of accommodating crude oil that may be leaked through a gap between the sealing member 50 and the hull of the tanker, and thus preventing the crude cargo from leaking to the outside. [70] It is preferable that a plurality of the recesses 51 are formed in a concentric direction of the shield plate 10. [71] Meanwhile, the sealing member 50 may be formed in an integrated shape with respect to the shield plate 10. That is, such an integrated configuration of the sealing member 50 and the shield plate 10 takes the place of playing a role of the sealing member 50 by thickening the edge part of the shield plate 10 relatively. [72] Next, the coupling unit plays a role of coupling the electromagnets 30 and the sealing member 50 with the shield plate 10, and includes a bolt 71 and a nut 73 for each electromagnet. [73] That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a bolt 71 passes through the sealing member

50, the shield plate 10, and an electromagnet 30 in sequence.

[74] Here, one end of the bolt 71 is exposed to the outside of the electromagnet 30.

[75] In this case, a nut 73 is engaged with the one end of the bolt 71.

[76] In this process, the head portion of the bolt 71 pressurizes the sealing member 50 of a soft quality and is firmly attached to the sealing member 50. [77] Therefore, the sealing member 50 and the electromagnet 30 are combined firmly on the shield plate 10. [78] Meanwhile, the seat portion 53 may be formed in the sealing member 50 so that the bolt 71 is easily seated in the sealing member 50. [79] The seat portion 53 includes a head groove 53a into which the head portion of the bolt 71 is accommodated, and a screw hole 53b through which the thread portion of the bolt 71 passes.

[80] Here, diameter of the screw hole 53b is formed smaller than that of the head groove

53a.

[81] That is, the head groove 53a and the screw hole 53b are formed to have a step difference, that is, a height difference.

[82] Meanwhile, it is desirable that the electromagnet 30 is applied using a silicon resin

"S."

[83] This reason is to protect the electromagnets 30 from the outside. Specially, it is to prevent corrosion that may occur by being exposed to the seawater.

[84] Hereinbelow, the coupling and function of the device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[85] In the case that the hull of a tanker is damaged from collision as illustrated in FIG. 4, a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is placed in correspondence to the damaged region of the tanker as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[86] Then, the electromagnets 30 is electrified by electric current so as to have magnetism.

[87] Here, the electromagnets 30 which are installed at the edge of the shield plate 10 are closely attached to the hull of the tanker.

[88] Here, the electric current that is supplied to the electromagnets 30 is supplied from a power supply device in the tanker.

[89] Since there is an electric generator set from a tanker, it is comprehensible that power supply for the electromagnets 30 may be easily achieved.

[90] Meanwhile, a tanker whose damage parts have been temporarily repaired is moved to a place that is separately prepared for.

[91] Then, additional spread of ocean pollution is prevented through an appropriate post- measurement to the cargo leak from the tanker.

[92] As described above, the present invention has been described with respect to particularly preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is possible for one who has an ordinary skill in the art to make various modifications and variations, without departing off the spirit of the present invention. Thus, the protective scope of the present invention is not defined within the detailed description thereof but is defined by the claims to be described later and the technical spirit of the present invention. Industrial Applicability

[93] As described above, a device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to the present invention uses electromagnets which utilize electric power supplied from a tanker, to accordingly quickly temporarily repair damaged parts of a tanker and to thus prevent cargo from leaking.

[94] Accordingly, damage of ocean pollution due to a crude oil outward flow from damaged tanker can be minimized.

[95] In addition, the above-described device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to the present invention is not applied only to tankers, but also applied to all kinds of vessels that transport solid or gas as well as liquid.

[96]

[97]

Claims

[1] A device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker, the cargo leaking prevention device comprising: a shield plate of a soft quality material; a plurality of electromagnets which are arranged along the edge on one surface of the shield plate; a sealing member which is arranged along the edge of the other surface of the shield plate; and a coupling unit that combines the sealing member with the electromagnets on the shield plate.

[2] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling unit comprises bolts which pass the sealing member, the shield plate, and the respective electromagnets in sequence, in which one end portion of each bolt is exposed to the outside of each electromagnet, and nuts which are engaged with the exposed one end portion of the respective bolts.

[3] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member comprises a seat portion into which each bolt is accommodated.

[4] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to claim 3, wherein the seat portion comprises a head groove into which the head portion of each bolt is accommodated, and a screw hole through which a thread portion of each bolt passes, in which the diameter of the screw hole is smaller than that of the head groove.

[5] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to claim 2, wherein silicon is spread on the electromagnet to shield the electromagnet and the bolt and nut.

[6] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing member and the shield plate are formed in an integrated form.

[7] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shield plate is formed of a silicon quality material including a tire cord.

[8] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed on the exposed surface of the sealing member in a concentric direction of the exposed surface.

[9] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shield plate is circular.

[10] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to claim 9, wherein the shield plate is gradually convexly formed as it goes toward the center of the shield plate from the edge thereof.

[11] The device for preventing cargo from leaking from a tanker according to claim

10, wherein the edge of the shield plate is flat.