WO2018037277A1

WO2018037277A1 - Transport vessel for the transport of goods, bulk or material, transport system, and method for the transport of goods, bulk or material

Info

Publication number: WO2018037277A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/001073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jari PASSILA
Original assignee: Kuljetus J. Passila & V. Hannula Oy
Priority date: 2016-08-26
Filing date: 2017-08-25
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Also published as: FI20165642A

Abstract

In order to simplify a transport process, the patent describes a transport vessel (1). The transport vessel (1) comprises: - a bottom (2), lateral sides (3, 4) as well as end sides (5, 7), which together define an essentially watertight load space (8); - means (9, 10, 51) arranged on the bottom (2) and/or below the bottom (2) for connecting the transport vessel (1) to an interchangeable body system; - a power unit (45) and means (45) for driving the transport vessel (1) in water; and - pontoons (36) that can be turned to the sides and at least one turning device (33) for turning the pontoons (36) from the floating position to the transport position, in other words to the vertical position or almost to the vertical position, and from the transport position to the floating position, which pontoons (36) are arranged to turn so that when they turn to the transport position, they remain outside the load space (8). The patent also contains independent claims for a transport system and for a method for the transport of goods.

Description

TRANSPORT VESSEL FOR THE TRANSPORT OF GOODS, BULK OR MATERIAL, TRANSPORT SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR THE TRANSPORT OF GOODS, BULK OR MATERIAL

Field of invention

The invention relates to water transport, more specifically to transport vessels for goods, bulk or material.

Technical background

Boats, rafts, ferryboats as well as barges and tugs are commonly used for the transport of goods on small waterways and inland waterways such as lakes and rivers but also in the archipelago.

Ferryboats are still used for crossing a waterway that cuts the road network on roads with a relatively high traffic frequency in locations where there is no bridge. A ferryboat can also be driven with free steering (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lossi, site visited on 12 July 2016) .

The coastal artillery troops of the Finnish Navy use transport craft. Various types of work machinery can be driven onto the deck of Kampela class transport craft, and it can accommodate for example a full trailer combination truck

(https : //fi .wikipedia. org/wiki/Kampela-luokan kulj etuslautta, site visited on 12 July 2016) . The mass of Kampela class transport craft is approx . 90 tonnes.

It is not sensible from a financial standpoint to build a bridge or a ferryboat connection for smaller-scale transport needs of goods, bulk and material, especially if the transport needs are random. Moreover, it is not cost-efficient in most cases to provide a heavy-duty transport raft to the site or to arrange helicopter transport. In this case, a tug and barge combination is often used, or the transport is left for the winter period in the hope that the weather conditions will allow the building of an ice road.

When using a tug and barge combination for the transport of goods, bulk and material - such as building supplies (like cement, bricks, timber and possibly also one or more work machines) or material/bulk (such as gravel, sand or soil) - the progress of work is primarily as follows:

- i) a barge is transported to the loading site by means of a tug,

- ii) the goods, bulk or material are/is loaded at a storage site onto a van or truck that transports them/it to the waterfront,

- iii) the barge is loaded,

- iv) the barge is driven to the unloading site by means of the tug,

- v) the goods, bulk or material are/is unloaded from the barge,

- vi) the goods, bulk or material are/is transported to the place of use,

- vii) the barge is taken to the next place by means of the tug.

Stage iii) requires in practice that the van or truck has a crane or loader. Alternatively, the barge has to be loaded at a port. Stage v) has to be carried out manually, if there is no crane or loader at the unloading site.

If there is a need to transport goods, bulk or material in the area of several lakes or in different waterways, a practical alternative is to acquire a separate tug and barge combination for each waterway, or transfer the tug and barge combination to each waterway as per the needs of use. Due to financial realities, the latter alternative is interesting especially if the transport need in a single waterway is not continuous.

Objective of invention

The primary objective of the invention is to enable the simplification of the transport process of goods, bulk and material . This objective can be accomplished with the transport vessel according to claim 1 for the transport of goods, bulk or material, by means of the transport system according to claim 33, and by means of the method according to claim 34 for the transport of goods, bulk or material.

Advantages of invention

A transport vessel for the transport of goods, bulk or material comprises a bottom and lateral sides as well as end sides, which together define an essentially watertight load space. Moreover, the transport vessel comprises means arranged on the bottom and/or below the bottom for connecting the transport vessel to an interchangeable body system and a source of power and means for driving the transport vessel in water. Moreover, the transport vessel comprises pontoons that can be turned to the sides and at least one turning device for turning the pontoons from the floating position to the transport position, in other words to the vertical position or almost to the vertical position, and from the transport position to the floating position, which pontoons are arranged to turn so that when they turn to the transport position, they remain outside the load space .

The bottom most advantageously comprises a cell structure, which comprises an upper surface plate fastened to the cell structure, a lower surface plate and between these a number of crossing support members, which have a number of openings.

Because the transport vessel can be connected to an

interchangeable body system, it can be transported by means of a truck equipped with the operating means of an interchangeable body system (so-called interchangeable platform truck) or a tractor equipped with the operating means of an interchangeable body system (in what follows, both are referred to as an interchangeable platform vehicle). This significantly simplifies the transfer of the transport vessel to each lake or waterway. Moreover, when a separate tug is not needed, it is possible to reduce the manpower needed in the transport of goods, bulk or material or to expedite the transport process of goods, bulk or material .

The mass of the transport vessel can be kept under control due to the cell structure that is made lighter by means of the openings . The cell structure is most advantageously implemented in steel so that the material thickness of the upper surface plate is 2 - 4 mm (most advantageously 3 mm) and the material thickness of the lower surface plate is 1 - 4 mm (most

advantageously 2 mm) . In this case, it is possible to implement the transport vessel with a dimension of for example 5 - 8 metres (most advantageously 7 metres), in the transport position advantageously with a maximum width that corresponds to the free dimension limit of special transport in road traffic (at the moment 4.0 m) (however, most advantageously within the dimension limit of normal transport in road traffic) so that the transport vessel can be transported in road traffic as special transport even without a front vehicle and/or transport permit, or even as ordinary transport. Of course, the transport vessel can be wider than the dimensions presented here. As an example, the load- carrying capacity of a transport vessel that is approx. 5 m wide in the transport position could be greater and it could carry more goods, bulk or material. On water, the greater width of the transport vessel is not a problem in itself just as long as the transport vessel can go ashore.

In a prototype of the transport vessel that the applicant had manufactured, the material thickness of the upper surface plate is 3 mm and the material thickness of the lower surface plate is 2 mm. The length of the prototype is 7 m, width in the transport position approx. 3.15 m. The mass of the prototype while empty is less than 3000 kg and load-carrying capacity more than 7500 kg. The load-carrying capacity is considerably great: To be able to move on water, the buoyancy of the transport vessel must be greater than the load-carrying capacity of the transport vessel when the load space is filled with water.

Due to the light-weight cell structure and connectability to an interchangeable body system, the transport vessel can be loaded at the storage site, after which it is sufficient that the transport vessel is moved to the launching site by means of an interchangeable platform vehicle, after which the transport vessel is launched into water by means of the interchangeable platform vehicle. After this, the transport vessel is driven to the unloading site. When the transport vessel is driven back to the launching site after unloading, the transport vessel is lifted from water by means of the interchangeable platform vehicle. After this, the transport vessel sitting on the interchangeable platform vehicle can be taken to the next place of use or for example to the storage site to await the next loading. Only one worker is needed for all this. When the load- carrying capacity of present interchangeable platform vehicles is generally 14 tonnes or more, the transport vessel can also be transported on road while fully laden. Similarly, it is possible to load a small excavator (mass 1 - 6 tonnes) or even a medium- sized excavator (mass 7 - 10 tonnes; a medium-sized excavator usually moves on wheels) onto the transport vessel.

When there is expanded plastic inside the cell structure between the upper surface plate and lower surface plate, which expanded plastic is arranged to shift the loading, which is exerted on the upper surface plate by the mass of the load brought onto the bottom, to the lower surface plate, the transport vessel carried by means of the interchangeable transport system can be given an extraordinarily high load-carrying capacity. Advantageously, the expanded plastic used can be expanded polystyrene.

On the other hand, the use of expanded plastic prevents the filling of the cell structure of the transport vessel with water and hence increases the buoyancy of a damaged transport vessel. As an example, if the transport vessel is run aground or against a sharp rock or cliff and a hole emerges in the lower surface plate of the cell structure, water cannot displace the expanded plastic .

When the cell structure is otherwise assembled by welding except that the upper surface plate and/or at least one end of the bottom are fastened in a form-restricted manner, such as by means of bolts or screws, it is possible to avoid the damaging of the stiffeners, which are installed in the cell structure, during welding. The form-restricted fastening of the upper surface plate and/or at least one end of the bottom is most advantageously carried out after the installation of the expanded plastic. In this case, the expanded plastic is

installable after welding, in which case it is possible to await the cooling of the cell structure in the installation work.

When the upper surface plate and lower surface plate are against the expanded plastic and/or press the expanded plastic between them when the transport vessel is unladen, it is possible to increase the load-carrying capacity of the cell structure as compared to a situation where the expanded plastic would not exert a tension on the upper surface plate.

In addition to this or as an alternative to this, expanded plastic is advantageously also used between the support members of the cell structure to prevent the buckling of the support members .

Expanded plastic is most advantageously used to increase the load-carrying capacity of the cell structure in two ways : to transmit the force caused by the loading that is exerted on the upper surface plate to the lower surface plate and to prevent the buckling of the support members of the cell structure. This is accomplishable in the simplest manner when the expanded plastic or at least some of it is installed in sheets. In this case, the sheets are most advantageously dimensioned so that they just barely fit into the cells of the cell structure, in other words into the slots between the support members. As an example, if the support members are implemented as a lattice structure, the sheets used are most advantageously sheets fitted into the slots between the lattice structure.

The transport vessel can advantageously also comprise pontoons that can be turned to the sides of the transport vessel and at least one turning device for turning the pontoons. This enables the transport of the transport vessel in a narrower configuration and on the other hand still enables the improved stability of the transport vessel in a waterway.

Especially when the pontoons are turned to the transport position, the maximum width of the transport vessel is the free dimension limit of special transport in road traffic (at the moment m), or even more advantageously if the width of the transport vessel with the pontoons turned to the transport position goes within the dimension limit of normal transport in road traffic, the transport vessel can be transported in a relatively simple manner in road traffic.

At least one turning device advantageously comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder, which is fastened at least by one of its ends so that the hydraulic cylinder can turn when the pontoon turns .

The transport vessel can further contain at least one device for locking the pontoons to the floating position. This increases the operating safety of the transport vessel for example in waves .

Most advantageously, at least one turning device - such as a hydraulic cylinder - is arranged to lock at least one pontoon to the floating position. If there are at least two hydraulic cylinders, one at each end of the pontoon, it is possible to keep the pontoon in the floating position by both of its ends by means of the oil inside the hydraulic cylinders even if no hydraulic oil was run into the hydraulic cylinder.

Especially advantageously, the draught of the transport vessel can be adjustable by adjusting the turning position of the pontoons. In view of the efficiency of the propeller/propellers, adjustability is a major advantage. On the other hand, by means of adjustable pontoons it is possible to increase the stability of the transport vessel, if necessary.

Each of the pontoons most advantageously comprises a cell structure, which comprises an upper surface plate fastened to the cell structure, a lower surface plate and between these a number of support members, which have a number of openings. The cell structure of the pontoons can also contain expanded plastic. The expanded plastic used is especially expanded polystyrene .

The transport vessel most preferably has at least one opening end side. In addition to this or instead of this, the transport vessel can have at least one opening drive ramp.

The drive ramp is best openable also when the end side on the side of the drive ramp is closed for the driving of a vehicle or work machine to or from the load space, in other words over the threshold formed by the end side that is closed. In this way, it is possible to keep the load space dry. This enables the driving of a vehicle or work machine out as early as when the transport vessel is still in water. However, at the same time goods, bulk or material that are/is transported dry (such as cement bags and timber) remain dry.

The drive ramp can be connected to the end side. In this case, while the drive ramp and end side are both opened, they most preferably form a drive bridge leading to the load space .

In the transport vessel, the distance between the lower edge of the rails is best at least 897 mm at the inner edge and at the most 1063 mm at the outer edge. This is one requirement for the use of the transport vessel in conjunction with an

interchangeable body system in accordance with standard SFS 4417 (1989) "Ajoneuvot, maahanlaskettavat vaihtokorit, mitat" .

In addition to this or as an alternative to this, in the area between the bottom rails, the lowermost point of the lower surface plate of the cell structure is best at least 125 mm above the lower edge of the rails. This, too, is one requirement for the use of the transport vessel in conjunction with an interchangeable body system in accordance with standard SFS 4417 (1989) "Ajoneuvot, maahanlaskettavat vaihtokorit, mitat". The purpose is to make sure that there is sufficient space for a tipping mechanism possibly existing in the interchangeable platform vehicle. In addition to this or as an alternative to this, in an area at least 2000 mm wide outside the bottom rails, the lowermost point of the lower surface plate of the cell structure is best at least 60 mm higher than the lower edge of the rails. This enables the use of the empty space otherwise remaining under the transport vessel, which is transported in a way as a transport platform of an interchangeable body system in accordance with standard SFS 4417 (1989), for increasing the volume of the cell structure and thus the load-carrying capacity of the transport vessel. The same effect is achieved if in addition to this or as an alternative to this the cell structure is higher in the area outside the rails than in the area between the rails.

The transport vessel can further comprise at least one wire guide and at least one wire mounting point. In this case, the transport vessel can be winched onto an interchangeable platform vehicle and off it. Most advantageously, however, the transport vessel comprises wire guides at both ends of the transport vessel and correspondingly at least one wire mounting point at both ends. Due to this, in other words when the mounting points of the wires are in pairs, the transport vessel can be taken onto an interchangeable platform vehicle from either end, in other words it is possible to reduce the turning manoeuvres during transport .

In both cases referred to in the preceding paragraph, it is most advantageous if at least one wire mounting point is arranged in each case in the lower part of the bottom and at least one wire mounting point is arranged in each case at the end of the transport vessel. In this way, it is not necessarily necessary to climb high while the transport vessel is on land or on an interchangeable platform vehicle, and on the other hand it is not necessary to dive under the transport vessel to fasten the wire while the transport vessel is in water.

Most advantageously, the source of power of the transport vessel comprises a diesel, Otto cycle, gas or electric motor. The motor drives most advantageously at least one hydraulic pump. In this case, the propeller/propellers and possibly also the hydraulic cylinders (for turning and/or locking the pontoons as we11 as for opening and/or closing the drive ramp and possibly also the end) are most preferably operable hydraulically .

The transport vessel advantageously also comprises at least one propeller, which is installed in a guard. In practice, from the point of view of manoeuvrability, it is advantageous if there are two such propellers. In this way, it is even possible to avoid the need for a separate rudder.

Most advantageously, the guard and propeller or propellers are placed outside said area that is at least 2000 mm wide. In this way, it is possible to place the propellers lower, if the means needed for connection to the interchangeable body system have been implemented in accordance with standard SFS 4417 (1989) "Ajoneuvot, maahanlaskettavat vaihtokorit, mitat". On the other hand, this also enables an improved manoeuvrability of the transport vessel: if the propellers were side by side quite next to each other, the turning of the transport vessel over a relatively short distance would be much more difficult, if not impossible .

As stated above, the transport vessel most advantageously has at least two propellers. In this case, the transport vessel can be turned best by operating the propellers at different speeds, by operating the propellers into different rotation directions and/or by only operating one/some of the propellers.

The propeller/propellers and/or guard are most advantageously installed in at least one recess in the cell structure. In this way, it is possible to use the cell structure to accommodate the propeller/propellers. On the other hand, the cell structure can be utilised as a sturdy mounting base for the guard/guards.

As stated above, the dimensions of the bottom and rails of the transport vessel are most advantageously carried out in

accordance with the dimensions of an interchangeable body of standard SFS 4417 (1989) "Ajoneuvot, maahanlaskettavat

vaihtokorit, mitat". Instead of this, however, it is possible to implement the dimensions of the bottom in accordanee with the requirements of some other interchangeable body system.

Most advantageously, the means arranged on the bottom or below the bottom of the transport vessel for connecting the transport vessel to an interchangeable body system are duplicated so that the transport vessel can be connected to the interchangeable body system by its both ends. This reduces the need to manoeuvre the transport vessel when the transport vessel is taken out of water onto the interchangeable platform vehicle and when the transport vessel is launched into water from the interchangeable platform vehicle.

The transport system comprises at least one transport vessel according to the invention and at least one vehicle, most advantageously a truck or tractor, which has the operating means of an interchangeable body system - most advantageously

interchangeable platform devices using wires or interchangeable platform devices using a hook - for taking the transport vessel out of water onto the vehicle and for launching the transport vessel from the vehicle into water.

In the method for the transport of goods, bulk or material, the operating means of an interchangeable body system - most advantageously interchangeable platform devices using wires or interchangeable platform devices using a hook - of a vehicle belonging to the transport system according to the invention are used for taking the transport vessel belonging to the transport system out of water onto the vehicle and/or for lifting it from water .

List of drawings

In what follows, the structure of the transport vessel is described in more detail by means of the exemplary embodiments presented in the enclosed drawings. Of the drawings:

FIG 1 shows a perspective view of the transport vessel

viewed diagonally from above;

FIG 2 shows detail II; shows the transport vessel viewed from the end on the side of the drive ramp; shows the transport vessel viewed in the lateral direction; shows the transport vessel viewed from above; shows the location of sections VII - VII and VIII -

VIII in relation to the transport vessel viewed from above ; shows section VII - VII; shows section VIII - VIII; shows the transport vessel with the pontoons lowered to the lowermost floating position, with the drive ramp lifted up; shows the transport vessel of FIG 9 with the drive ramp open but with the end side closed; shows the transport vessel of FIG 9 with the drive ramp and end side open; shows the transport vessel of FIG 9 viewed from the end on the side of the drive ramp; shows the transport vessel of FIG 9 viewed from the end opposite to the drive ramp; shows the transport vessel of FIG 9 viewed from the side ; shows the transport vessel of FIG 9 viewed from above shows an exemplary method of implementation of the cell structure of the bottom of the transport vessel and an exemplary method of implementation of the cell structure of the pontoons; shows a perspective view of a pontoon detached from the transport vessel viewed diagonally from above; FIG 18 shows the pontoon of FIG 17 viewed from above;

FIG 19 shows the pontoon of FIG 17 viewed from the end;

FIG 20 shows the pontoon of FIG 17 viewed from the side;

FIG 21 - 23 show the end piece of the pontoon in a

perspective diagonally from above, in a perspective diagonally from below and from above;

FIG 24 - 29 show the end piece of the pontoon viewed from the ends, in a perspective viewed diagonally from below, from above, without the fastenings and viewed from the side;

FIG 30 shows the inner structure of the transport vessel, disclosing one possible method of implementation of the lifting mechanism of the drive ramp and end side;

FIG 31 shows the ramp side end of the transport vessel; and

FIG 32 shows the end of the transport vessel opposite to the ramp, viewed diagonally from below.

The same reference numbers refer to the same characteristics in all drawings .

Detailed description

FIG 1 shows a perspective view of the transport vessel 1 viewed diagonally from above. FIG 2 shows detail II. FIG 3 shows the transport vessel 1 viewed from the end on the side of the drive ramp 6. FIG 4 shows the transport vessel 1 viewed in the lateral direction, and FIG 5 shows the transport vessel 1 viewed from above. FIG 6 shows the location of sections VII - VII and VIII - VIII in relation to the transport vessel 1 viewed from above.

The transport vessel 1 has a bottom 2 and lateral sides 3, 4 as well as end sides 5, 7. The bottom 2, lateral sides 3, 4 as well as end sides 5, 7 together define an essentially watertight load space 8.

Even though the load space 8 is essentially watertight, it does not, however, need to be completely watertight. If the load space 8 is not completely watertight, water possibly getting into the load space 8 for example through the junction points of the end sides 5, 7 and lateral sides 3, 4 or bottom 2 can be pumped away by means of a suitable pumping arrangement.

The transport vessel 1 further comprises means (such as a wire guide 9, rails 10, wire mounting point 51) arranged on the bottom 2 and/or below the bottom 2 for connecting the transport vessel 1 to an interchangeable body system.

The transport vessel 1 also comprises a power unit 45 (such as a diesel, Otto cycle, gas or electric motor and best also a source of energy applicable to the power unit 45, such as a fuel tank or fuel tanks or accumulator or set of accumulators) and propeller 46 (or other applicable propulsion device) for driving the transport vessel 1 in water.

As the section VII - VII presented in FIG 7 and the section VIII - VIII presented in FIG 8 disclose, the bottom 2 comprises a cell structure 22, which comprises an upper surface plate 20 fastened to the cell structure 22, a lower surface plate 21 and between these a number of crossing support members 23, 24, which have a number of openings 25, 28.

There is most advantageously expanded plastic inside the cell structure 22 between the upper surface plate 20 and lower surface plate 21, which expanded plastic is arranged to shift the loading, which is exerted on the upper surface plate 21 by the mass of the load brought onto the bottom 2, to the lower surface plate 20. Most advantageously, the expanded plastic used is expanded polystyrene.

The cell structure 22 can be assembled best by welding. In this case, however, the upper surface plate 20 and/or at least one end of the bottom 2 are most advantageously fastened in a form- restricted manner, such as by means of bolts or screws. The form-restricted fastening is most advantageously implemented after the installation of the expanded plastic. The upper surface plate 20 and lower surface plate 21 can be against the expanded plastic and/or press the expanded plastic between them while the transport vessel 1 is unladen.

Expanded plastic between the support members 23, 24 of the cell structure 22 can also prevent the buckling of the support members 23, 2 .

Most advantageously, the expanded plastic or at least some of it is installed in sheets.

According to a specifically advantageous aspect, the transport vessel 1 also comprises pontoons 36 that can be turned to the sides of the transport vessel 1 and at least one turning device (such as at least one hydraulic cylinder 33) for turning the pontoons 36.

When the pontoons 36 are turned to the transport position, the width of the transport vessel 1 most preferably fits inside the free dimension limit of special transport in road traffic (at the moment 4 metres), most advantageously the width fits inside the dimension limits of normal transport in road traffic (at the moment 2.55 - 2.60 metres).

The turning devices most advantageously comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder 33 per each pontoon. Each hydraulic cylinder 33 is fastened at least by one of its ends but most preferably by both of its ends (best by joint pin 35) so that the hydraulic cylinder 33 can turn when the pontoon 36 turns.

The transport vessel 1 can further comprise at least one device for locking the pontoons 36 to the floating position. According to one aspect, at least one turning device, such as hydraulic cylinder 33, is used for locking each pontoon 36 to the floating position .

FIG 1 - 8 present the transport vessel 1 in the transport position, in other words with the pontoons 36 turned to the vertical position or almost to the vertical position.

Correspondingly, FIG 9 - 16 present the transport vessel 1 in a state where the pontoons 36 are turned to the floating position. When the transport vessel 1 is in water, the buoyancy of the pontoons 36 that are in the floating position lifts the

transport vessel 1 and on the other hand also stabilises the transport vessel 1.

According to an advantageous aspect, the draught of the

transport vessel 1 can be adjustable by adjusting the turning position of the pontoons 36.

Most advantageously, at least some, most preferably all pontoons 36 comprise a cell structure 42, 41 (cf. FIG 17 - 29), which comprises an upper surface plate fastened to the cell structure 42, 41, a lower surface plate and between these a number of support members 41, which have a number of openings 42.

The cell structure 42, 41 of the pontoons 36 can contain expanded plastic. Most advantageously, the expanded plastic used is expanded polystyrene.

The transport vessel 1 most advantageously has at least one but most preferably two opening end sides 5, 7. In addition to this or instead of this, the transport vessel 1 can have at least one opening drive ramp 6.

FIG 9 shows the transport vessel 1 with the drive ramp 6 and end side 7 closed. FIG 10 shows the transport vessel 1 with the drive ramp 6 open (down) but with the end side 7 closed. FIG 11 shows the transport vessel 1 with both the drive ramp 6 and end side 7 open.

In this way, the drive ramp 6 can be openable also when the end side 7 on the side of the drive ramp 6 is closed for the driving of a vehicle or work machine to or from the load space 8 over the threshold formed by the end side 7 that is closed. In this way, it is better possible to prevent the flooding of the load scape 8, because it is not always possible to drive the

transport vessel 1 so close to the shore that, while the end side 7 is open, water would not flood into the vessel when a work machine is driven onto it. Most advantageously, the drive ramp 6 is connected to the end side 7. In this case, while both the drive ramp 6 and end side are opened, they can form a drive bridge leading to the load space 8 (cf . FIG 30) .

The distance between the lower edge of the rails 10 is best at least 897 mm at the inner edge and at the most 1063 mm at the outer edge .

In the area

of the lowe

at least 12

In an area

the lowermost point of the lower surface plate 20 of the cell structure 22 is best at least 60 mm higher than the lower edge of the rails 10.

The cell structure 22 is best higher in the area outside the rails 10 than in the area between the rails 10.

In the manners presented here, in other words in a generalised manner, when the dimensions of the bottom 2 and rails 10 are implemented in accordance with the dimensions of the

interchangeable body of standard SFS 4417 (1989) "Ajoneuvot, maahanlaskettavat vaihtokorit, mitat", the transport vessel can be lifted from water, transported on road and launched into water by means of a truck or tractor equipped with

interchangeable body system devices.

The transport vessel 1 further preferably comprises at least one wire guide 9 and at least one wire mounting point 51. Most advantageously, the wire guide 9 is at both ends of the

transport vessel, and correspondingly, both ends have at least one wire mounting point 51. At least one wire mounting point 51 can be arranged in the lower part of the bottom 2 and at least one wire mounting point 51 is arranged in each case at the end of the transport vessel 1. Most advantageously, there is a wire mounting point 51 at both ends of the transport vessel 1 in the lower part and at the end. In other words, the means (wire guide 9 and wire mounting point 51) arranged on the bottom 2 and/or below the bottom 2 for connecting the transport vessel 1 to an interchangeable body system are duplicated in terms of their applicable parts so that the transport vessel 1 can be connected to the interchangeable body system by its both ends. Of course, there is no need to duplicate the rails 10, since there are two rails to begin with.

The power unit 45 comprises a diesel, Otto cycle, gas or electric motor. The transport vessel 1 also comprises at least one propeller but most preferably two propellers 46 (or the like) operable by means of the power unit 45, which propeller is installed in a guard 52.

Most advantageously, the guard 52 and propellers 46 are placed outside the area that is at least 2000 mm wide outside the bottom 2 rails 10.

There are most advantageously at least two propellers 46. In this case, the transport vessel 1 can be turned by operating the propellers 46 at different speeds, by operating the propellers 46 into different rotation directions and/or by only operating one/some of the propellers 46.

The propeller/propellers 46 and/or guard/guards 52 are most advantageously installed in at least one recess 53 in the cell structure 22.

The transport system comprises at least one transport vessel 1 and at least one vehicle, most advantageously a truck, tractor or the like, which has the operating means of an interchangeable body system - most advantageously interchangeable platform devices using wires or interchangeable platform devices using a hook - for taking the transport vessel 1 out of water onto the vehicle and for launching the transport vessel from the vehicle into water.

In the method for the transport of goods, bulk or material, the operating means of an interchangeable body system - most advantageously interchangeable platform devices using wires or interchangeable platform devices using a hook - of a vehicle belonging to the transport system are used for taking the transport vessel 1 belonging to the transport system out of water onto the vehicle and/or for lifting it from water.

FIG 30 presents in more detail one possible lifting mechanism of the drive ramp 6 and end side 7. The drive ramp 6 can be lifted by means of the hydraulic cylinder 54. The arm 49 of the hydraulic cylinder 54 is fastened to a lever mechanism (levers 13, 12, 14 and joint pins 17, 18) by means of joint 48 via connected to the joint pins 29 of the drive ramp 6. In this way, the hydraulic cylinder 54 can be installed to the cell structure 22. Most advantageously, there is a watertight wall 50 between the arm 49 of the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic cylinder 54. The arm 49 of the hydraulic cylinder is most advantageously at the location of the rail 10, even so that the lever 12 travels partially or entirely between the stoppers 47. In this way, it is possible to protect the lever mechanism against damage .

By means of the lever mechanism, the same hydraulic cylinder 54 can be used for opening both the drive ramp 6 and the end side 7. Most advantageously, when the arm 49 of the hydraulic cylinder 54 is in the outer position, both the end side 7 and drive ramp 6 are closed (see FIG 9) . When the arm 49 of the hydraulic cylinder 54 is in the inner position, both the end side and drive ramp 6 are open (see FIG 11) . When the arm 49 of the hydraulic cylinder 54 is in the intermediate position, the drive ramp 6 is open but the end side 7 is closed. In this way, by means of the hydraulic cylinder 54 and lever mechanism, it is possible to implement the mechanical opening of the drive ramp 6 and end side in stages in a relatively simple manner.

FIG 32 shows the end of the transport vessel 1 opposite to the drive ramp 7, viewed diagonally from below.

The power unit 45 most advantageously contains a hydraulic pump. In this way, the transport vessel 1 can be implemented by means of hydraulically-operated propellers 46. Moreover, the hydraulic pump can be used for operating the hydraulic cylinder 54 and hydraulic cylinders 33. In this way, in order to operate the power transmission of the propellers 46 and the ramp 6 and end sides 5, 7 as well as the pontoons 36, it is sufficient to take for example valve-controlled hydraulic hoses to the hydraulic circulation .

The invention should not be understood to be limited only by the below claims, but the invention is to be understood to include all their legal equivalents and the combinations of the

embodiments presented.

List of reference numbers used:

1 transport vessel

2 bottom

3, 4 lateral sides

5, 7 end sides

6 drive ramp

8 load space

9 wire guide

10 rail

11 lug

12 lever

13 lever

14 lever

15 drive ramp stiffener

16 joint pin of end side

17 joint pin of lever mechanism

18 joint pin of lever mechanism

19 hinge pin of drive ramp

20 upper surface plate

21 lower surface plate

22 cell structure

23, 24 support member

25, 28 opening

29 joint pin of drive ramp

30 pontoon fastener

31 joint pin of pontoon fastener

32 joint pin of pontoon fastener

33 hydraulic cylinder

34 joint pin of hydraulic cylinder 35 joint pin of hydraulic cylinder

36 pontoon

37 end piece

38 middle piece

39 end piece

41 support member

42 opening

43 pontoon fastener plate edge

power unit

propeller

stopper

j oint

arm of hydraulic cylinder wall

wire mounting point guard

recess

hydraulic cylinder

Claims

Claims :

1. A transport vessel (1) for the transport of goods, bulk or material, characterised in that it comprises:

- a bottom (2), lateral sides (3, 4) as well as end sides (5, 7), which together define an essentially watertight load space (8);

- means (9, 10, 51) arranged on the bottom (2) and/or below the bottom (2) for connecting the transport vessel (1) to an interchangeable body system;

- a power unit (45) and means (45) for driving the transport vessel (1) in water; and

- pontoons (36) that can be turned to the sides and at least one turning device (33) for turning the pontoons (36) from the floating position to the transport position, in other words to the vertical position or almost to the vertical position, and from the transport position to the floating position, which pontoons (36) are arranged to turn so that when they turn to the transport position, they remain outside the load space (8) .

2. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 1, wherein: the bottom (2) comprises a cell structure (22), which comprises an upper surface plate (20) fastened to the cell structure (22), a lower surface plate (21) and between these a number of crossing support members (23, 24), which have a number of openings (25, 28) .

3. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 2, wherein: there is expanded plastic inside the cell structure (22) between the upper surface plate (20) and lower surface plate (21), which expanded plastic is arranged to shift the loading, which is exerted on the upper surface plate (21) by the mass of the load brought onto the bottom (2), to the lower surface plate (20) . Most advantageously, the expanded plastic used is expanded polystyrene .

4. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the cell structure (22) is otherwise assembled by welding except that the upper surface plate (20) and/or at least one end of the bottom (2) are fastened in a form- restricted manner, such as by means of bolts or screws, most advantageously after the installation of the expanded plastic.

5. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein: the upper surface plate (20) and lower surface plate (21) are against the expanded plastic and/or press the expanded plastic between them while the transport vessel (1) is unladen.

6. A transport vessel ( 1) according to any on'

claims, wherein : there is expanded plastic be

members (23, 24 ) of the cell structure (22) t<

buckling of the support members (23, 24) .

7. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the claims 3 - 6, wherein: the expanded plastic or at least some of it is installed in sheets .

8. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 1, wherein when the pontoons (36) are turned to the transport position, the width of the transport vessel (1) is smaller than or equal to the free dimension limit of special transport in road traffic, most advantageously smaller than or equal to the dimension limit of normal transport in road traffic.

9. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 8 , wherein: at least one turning device (33) comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder, which is fastened at least by one of its ends (35) so that the hydraulic cylinder can turn when the pontoon (36) turns .

10. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the claims 1 or 8 - 9, which further comprises: at least one device for locking the pontoons (36) to the floating position.

11. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 10, wherein: at least one turning device (33) is arranged to lock at least one pontoon (36) to the floating position.

12. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the claims 1 or 8 - 11, wherein: the draught of the transport vessel (1) is adjustable by adjusting the turning position of the pontoons (36) .

13. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the claims 1 or 8 - 12, wherein: each of the pontoons (36) comprises a cell structure (42, 41), which comprises an upper surface plate fastened to the cell structure (42, 41), a lower surface plate and between these a number of support members (41), which have a number of openings (42) .

14. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 13, wherein: there is expanded plastic in the cell structure (42, 41) of the pontoons (36) . Most advantageously, the expanded plastic used is expanded polystyrene.

15. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which has: at least one opening end side (5, 7) .

16. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which has: at least one opening drive ramp (6) .

17. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 16, wherein: the drive ramp (6) is also openable when the end side (7) on the side of the drive ramp (6) is closed for the driving of a vehicle or work machine to the load space (8) or from the load space (8) over the threshold formed by the end side (7) that is closed .

18. A transport vessel according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: the drive ramp (6) is connected to the end side (7), and when both of these are opened, they form a drive bridge leading to the load space ( 8 ) .

19. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: rails (10) are arranged below the bottom ( 2 ) , and the distance between the lower edge of the rails (10) is at least 897 mm at the inner edge and at the most 1063 mm at the outer edge .

20. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: in the area between the bottom (2) rails (10), the lowermost point of the lower surface plate (20) of the cell structure (22) is at least 125 mm above the lower edge of the rails (10) .

21. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: in an area at least 2000 mm wide outside the bottom (2) rails (10), the lowermost point of the lower surface plate (20) of the cell structure (22) is at least 60 mm higher than the lower edge of the rails (10) .

22. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the cell structure (22) is higher in the area outside the rails (10) than in the area between the rails (10) .

23. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises: at least one wire guide (9) and at least one wire mounting point (51) .

24. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises: wire guides (9) at both ends of the transport vessel and correspondingly at least one wire mounting point (51) at both ends.

25. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein: at least one wire mounting point (51) is arranged in each case in the lower part of the bottom (2) and at least one wire mounting point (51) is arranged in each case at the end of the transport vessel (1) .

26. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the power unit (45) comprises a diesel, Otto cycle, gas or electric motor.

27. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises: at least one propeller (46) or the like, which is installed in a guard (52) .

28. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 21 or 27, wherein: the guard (52) and propeller (46) or propellers (46) are placed outside said area that is at least 2000 mm wide.

29. A transport vessel (1) according to claim 27 or 28, which has: at least two propellers (46), and where the transport vessel (1) can be turned by operating the propellers at

different speeds, by operating the propellers into different rotation directions and/or by only operating one/some of the propellers .

30. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the claims 27 - 29, wherein the propeller/propellers (46) and/or guard/guards (52) are installed in at least one recess (53) in the cell structure ( 22 ) .

31. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimensions of the bottom (2) and rails (10) of the transport vessel (1) are carried out in accordance with the dimensions of an interchangeable body of standard SFS 4417 (1989) "Ajoneuvot, maahanlaskettavat vaihtokorit, mitat" .

32. A transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (9, 51) arranged on the bottom (2) and/or below the bottom (2) for connecting the transport vessel (1) to an interchangeable body system are duplicated in terms of their applicable parts so that the transport vessel (1) can be connected to the interchangeable body system by its both ends .

33. A transport system, which comprises: at least one transport vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one vehicle, most advantageously a truck, tractor or the like, which vehicle has the operating means of an

interchangeable body system - most advantageously

interchangeable platform devices using wires or interchangeable platform devices using a hook - for taking the transport vessel (1) out of water onto the vehicle and for launching the transport vessel (1) from the vehicle into water.

34. A method for the transport of goods, bulk or material, in which method: the operating means of an interchangeable body system - most advantageously interchangeable platform devices using wires or interchangeable platform devices using a hook - of a vehicle belonging to the transport system according to claim 33 are used for taking the transport vessel (1) belongin to the transport system out of water onto the vehicle and/or f lifting it from water.